Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
A new mouse model has shown promise in treating muscular dystrophy by increasing muscle mass and regeneration, reducing muscle cell death. The combination of better muscle regeneration and less muscle wasting could lead to improved muscle capacity over time.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a unique population of muscle stem cells that can be transplanted into mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, delivering the key protein dystrophin and improving muscle regeneration. The study suggests these cells may hold promise for treating the genetic disease.
A study by researchers at Ball State found that older adults who performed low-volume, high-intensity resistance training once a week maintained their muscle strength over time. In contrast, those who stopped exercising after three months experienced significant declines in thigh muscle strength and size.
A damaged DNA synthesis enzyme has been shown to cause progressive muscle weakening in a rare eye condition. The researchers found that the faulty enzyme makes errors ten-fold more frequently than healthy individuals, leading to accumulation of mistakes and muscle degeneration.
Researchers propose a new test for diagnosing malignant hyperthermia by measuring carbon dioxide pressure after caffeine injection, showing increased CO2 levels in susceptible individuals. Further testing is needed to define sensitivity and specificity of the test before it can be used for diagnosis.
A new study is investigating the use of anabolic drug therapy to stimulate muscle growth and improve strength in women with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The research, led by Dr. Richard Casaburi, aims to develop practical methods to reverse muscle dysfunction and improve quality of life.
Researchers found that fibromyalgia patients exhibit a blunted response to exercise-induced sympathetic nervous activity, indicating normal muscle physiology. The study also revealed no increased pain or fatigue in the post-exercise period, challenging previous assumptions about the role of physical effort in exacerbating symptoms.
Research reveals women fatigue less than men under aerobic conditions, but equally when deprived of oxygen. Efficient utilization of aerobic pathways results in reduced by-product production, leading to decreased muscle fatigue. Further study is needed to explain the mechanism behind this difference.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered an enzyme that can halt muscle wasting in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study found that adding supplemental amounts of CT GalNAc transferase to skeletal muscles inhibited muscle destruction.
Researchers discovered a protein enzyme called calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) that controls mitochondrial production in muscle tissue, leading to improved metabolic properties. This finding has the potential to develop new drugs that mimic the effects of regular exercise for individuals unable to exercise.
Researchers found that a calcium-signaling protein transforms sedentary, easily fatigued muscle fibers into energy-producing, fatigue-resistant type I muscle fibers. This discovery could lead to novel measures to stimulate muscles in patients with chronic diseases or individuals confined to bed rest.
Researchers discovered a gene, atrogin-1, that plays a critical role in muscle atrophy. This protein triggers excessive protein breakdown, leading to muscle loss in various conditions, including space-related muscle wasting.
Researchers found high levels of prions in skeletal muscle of mice, which may lead to transmission in cattle. The team suggests investigating the distribution of prions in the muscles of animals with prion diseases to improve diagnostic tools and disease understanding.
A new study found that sustained caffeine intake counteracts the benefits of creatine supplementation, reducing muscle relaxation time and fatigue. This means that consuming high amounts of caffeine over a short period can negate the effects of creatine on exercise performance.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that ultra-long-distance runners experience a decline in maximal voluntary force capacity due to central fatigue, but also exhibit strengthened twitch mechanical responses and unaltered M-wave characteristics.
A study of 641 older women with hypertension found that ACE inhibitor users had slower declines in walking speed and muscle strength. The results suggest that these drugs could be used to delay disability in older adults, potentially improving their quality of life.
Researchers found that continuous ACE inhibitor users had a lower average decline in muscle strength and walking speed compared to intermittent users of other antihypertensive drugs. The study suggests that ACE inhibitors could be used to slow physical decline in elderly people without congestive heart failure.
Researchers at Stanford University used biomechanics to estimate T. rex's running speed, concluding it was unlikely to reach high speeds. The team found that large animals face limitations when trying to support their weight with muscle, making fast running impossible.
Scientists discovered that mice without the myostatin protein gain less fat as they age, even though they eat the same amount of food. This could lead to a new approach for treating type 2 diabetes by increasing muscle mass, which may improve insulin sensitivity.
Researchers found that nicotine withdrawal causes inflammation and similar biochemical responses as acute or chronic illnesses, potentially leading to depression, fatigue, muscle aches, and appetite changes. Anti-inflammatory treatments may alleviate these symptoms, increasing the likelihood of successful quitting.
A new study found that rural older women with urinary incontinence can significantly improve their symptoms through behavioral management interventions, which reduced severity by 61%. The interventions involved goal-setting, bladder training, and pelvic muscle exercises with biofeedback.
A recent study reveals a critical link between obesity and type 2 diabetes through the AMPK pathway and leptin hormone. Researchers found that AMPK activation, triggered by leptin, inhibits an enzyme involved in fat metabolism, increasing fat burning.
Researchers have found that immunoglobulin therapy significantly reduces symptoms of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), including stiffness and spasm, and improves mobility. The study showed a statistically significant decrease in symptoms for patients treated with IVIg, with 11 out of 14 patients becoming less stiff and more mobile.
Researchers found that people with back injuries use many unnecessary muscles to compensate for hurt areas, increasing twisting and compressive forces on the spine. A new rehabilitation strategy that emphasizes learning to use back muscles naturally could reduce the likelihood of repeat injuries.
Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine found that small doses of botulinum toxin Type A effectively relaxed muscles involved in triggering tension headaches, resulting in reduced frequency and intensity for most patients. The injections were also easier to control symptoms.
Researchers found that certain fish muscles specialized for fast mating calls are now mutually exclusive with other functions like swimming. The study, on toadfish Opsanus tau, reveals the limitations of biological systems when optimized for one function.
A series of studies suggests honey is a viable carbohydrate option for endurance athletes due to its low glycemic index and positive metabolic response. Honey has been shown to improve power and speed in exercise, making it an attractive natural energy boost.
Francisco Valero-Cuevas is awarded a research grant to study the biomechanics of the human thumb, aiming to improve surgical procedures for hand injuries. He will use cadaver hands and a dynamometer to measure the force of the thumb in various directions.
A Mayo Clinic study found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome experienced a 24% rate of adverse postoperative outcomes compared to 9% without the condition. The study also revealed longer hospital stays and increased severity of upper airway obstructions in these patients.
Researchers found that a cooling vest improved MS patient symptoms by reducing muscle strength and fatigue, as well as balance. Nitric oxide levels decreased significantly in patients receiving active cooling.
Researchers found GLUT4 inserted into plasma membranes at regions of membrane ruffling. High insulin and glucose levels impede this process, suggesting a novel explanation for muscle glucose homeostasis loss in diabetes. This study provides insight into the role of membrane-cytoskeletal interactions in regulating glucose uptake.
Scientists have identified several proteins that can block myostatin activity, leading to increased muscle growth in mice. The study suggests that these proteins may be effective muscle-enhancing agents for both human and agricultural applications.
As people age, they experience a decrease in muscle strength, but an increase in endurance. To address this issue, Maury Nussbaum and Laura Wojcik are conducting a study to understand how tasks can be adjusted to accommodate older workers' work capacity.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have engineered a novel gene therapy to treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder causing progressive muscle weakening and death. The mini-gene AAV vector effectively delivers functional dystrophin protein, correcting muscle dysfunction and degeneration.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that target cells, such as muscle membranes, have long and dynamic process-like structures called myopodia. These myopodia cluster with axon filopodia, forming a connection between neurons and muscles, enabling synapse formation.
A University at Buffalo study shows that exercise training improves muscle function and protects against injury in aging animals. Regular exercise can help prevent frailty in seniors by strengthening muscles and reducing the risk of injury.
A new Ohio University study found that weight training does not increase cholesterol levels in healthy young men and women, but reduces body fat and increases muscle strength. The research counters previous studies and news reports giving weight lifting a bad name.
The UC Berkeley team has developed a set of principles that apply to animal locomotion of all kinds, from running to flying. Their research has led to breakthroughs in robot design, ergonomics, and even computer animation, with potential applications in fields like engineering and Pixar Animation Studios.
Researchers have discovered that stimulating nerves can alter cortical responses, leading to potential therapeutic approaches for stroke victims. By bypassing damaged brain areas, patients may regain at least some movement control.
A new therapy, using a CPAP device, reduces hypernasal speech in people with repaired cleft palates by strengthening the muscles of the soft palate. The study, conducted on 43 subjects aged under 19, shows significant improvement after eight weeks of treatment.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that sports massage has little effect on muscle power and blood lactate levels, contradicting its long-held use as a recovery aid. However, participants who received massage reported feeling significantly better than those who rested.
A University of Toronto study has shown that botox injections can effectively relieve headache pain, especially for patients with neck-related headaches. The treatment group experienced a substantial reduction in pain and improvement in range of motion after just four weeks.
A University of Florida researcher has finally shed light on the side effects of creatine, a popular muscle enhancer. The study found that creatine increases both overall water content and the ratio between intracellular and extracellular water, leading to an imbalance that can cause dehydration, heat illness, and kidney problems.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology reveals that a specific pathway controls the breakdown of proteins regulating muscle type. The ubiquitin/proteasome pathway determines which proteins are degraded, allowing for the switching of muscle type during exercise training or constant contraction.
A study found that creatine supplementation improved the performance of elite male swimmers in a 50-meter swim, but not female swimmers. The research suggests that creatine may enhance muscle energy during high-intensity exercise by increasing phosphocreatine levels.
Researchers have developed tiny implants, called BIONs, that can be injected into muscles to stimulate them and prevent wasting. The implants use radio signals to activate electrical stimuli, offering a potential breakthrough in treating stroke patients who are at risk of serious complications such as thrombosis and muscle dislocation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed HARP MRI to provide detailed heart muscle images in minutes, not hours. The system uses harmonic phase magnetic resonance imaging and software modifications to produce high-quality images of heart function.
A new Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) device has been developed to help patients with paralyzed vocal folds breathe on their own. The device was recently implanted in a Missouri woman, who was able to have her tracheotomy tube removed after 18 months of successful ventilation.
A study by UMass researchers found that athletes taking andro steroid may experience mood changes and affect their brains. The steroid alters neurotransmitters and stimulates libido and aggression, similar to testosterone.
Scientists used a new measurement technique to study muscle movement at the molecular level, shedding light on how myosin and actin interact. The technique, called luminescence resonance energy transfer, provided direct evidence for the lever-arm model of muscle contraction.
Research reveals that specific growth factors can speed up muscle regeneration and quicken healing in animal models. The findings hold promise for treating various types of muscle injuries in humans, including those affecting athletes who risk ending their careers due to disabilities caused by muscle injuries.
Scientists have developed a novel gene therapy treatment that permanently blocks age-related loss of muscle size and strength in mice. The treatment increases muscle strength by up to 27% in older mice, fully restoring their strength to young adulthood.
Researchers at Ohio University and Pennsylvania State University found molecular changes in muscles within 2-4 weeks of weight training. The study suggests that even limited workouts can induce significant changes in hormone production and protein expression.
Patients with long-standing Crohn disease in remission showed significant nutritional and functional deficiencies, especially in males with high prednisone doses. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive nutritional assessment over single-dimensional assessments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that deep breaths can relax lung muscles and reduce wheezing in non-asthmatics by up to 80%. However, asthmatic patients showed minimal improvement from taking deep breaths before exposure to a contracting drug. This new finding could lead to the development of new asthma treatments.
Researchers have identified a mutation in the myostatin gene in beefy bovines, which is also found in
Electromyography has proven more reliable than high-tech diagnostic tools in pinpointing some back disorders, according to a researcher at the University of Michigan Medical Center. A new technique called mini-paraspinal mapping can accurately diagnose many back problems while reducing EMG needle insertions from 45 to 12.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science find that muscle and tendon cells communicate through a molecular dialogue to complete their differentiation process. They isolated a gene that produces a growth factor inducing tendon cell differentiation, potentially helping understand human embryonic muscle development.
Research at San Francisco State University reveals a strong connection between computer mouse use and increased muscle tension, particularly in the arms, necks, and shoulders. Training sessions and frequent breaks can significantly reduce muscle tension levels.
Inadequate warm-up and restricted pitching can lead to Little League elbow injuries, which may result in permanent damage if left untreated. By following guidelines such as warming up before pitching, limiting pitches, and wearing neoprene sleeves, parents, coaches, and players can prevent these serious elbow injuries.