Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Muscle mass and blood pressure are key factors in maintaining healthy arteries, with higher muscle mass and lower blood pressure linked to reduced arterial stiffness. The study found that these associations remain significant even after accounting for age.
Ceramides accumulate in aged muscle, impairing its function and affecting functional capacity in older adults. This finding encourages researchers to develop potential pharmaceutical agents to combat sarcopenia and age-related diseases.
Researchers at Aston University discovered that mechanical vibrations can improve balance control and strengthen calf muscles. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that whole-body vibration could be used to reduce falls and hospital bed days in older people.
Researchers found that exercise induces a cycle of fatigue and recovery in muscles, paralleled by mitochondrial network rebuilding. Long-term training programs improved middle-aged fitness, while AMPK interventions enhanced exercise capacity during aging.
Researchers developed a blood test using circulating microparticle proteins to predict placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases as early as the second trimester. The study found five unique proteins that can distinguish PAS patients from control patients, enabling safe predication before delivery.
Researchers found that spontaneous movements in newborns and infants develop patterns of muscle interaction, enabling them to perform sequential movements as infants. This study provides insight into the origin of human movement and may lead to earlier diagnosis of developmental disorders.
Researchers discovered that damaged cells and aging induce high levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage in a subset of cells, leading to senescence. Senescent cells repress muscle regeneration by releasing inflammatory factors, while also promoting fibrosis, highlighting the need to remove these cells for improved repair.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new biomarker-based strategy to screen for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis, which can cause muscle damage and liver injury. Early detection of these biomarkers can lead to earlier treatment and improved survival rates.
Researchers at the University of Montreal discovered a key mechanism in muscle regeneration, enabling targeted therapies for diseases like muscular dystrophy. By biasing the conformation of a protein called ELMO2, they improved muscle fusion and regeneration in mouse models.
A team of scientists discovered that ceramides accumulate in muscles during aging, leading to a decline in muscle function. Treating old mice with ceramide blockers prevented age-related loss of muscle mass and improved muscle strength.
Researchers have developed an edible plant-based ink derived from food waste to create cost-effective scaffolds for culturing meat. This innovation could significantly reduce the cost of large-scale cultured meat production, making it more affordable and environmentally friendly.
Researchers identified two components of a fruit fly's flight stabilization system responsible for angular displacement and angular velocity. By studying genetically engineered flies with optogenetics and magnetic perturbation, they found that two muscles control pitch, enabling stable flight.
Astronauts in space can lose up to 20% of muscle mass after two weeks due to microgravity. Researchers are exploring the use of extracellular vesicles, which contain restorative chemicals, to trigger post-exercise recovery without traditional exercise.
Researchers found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dynapenia, an age-associated loss of muscle strength, by 70-78%. Vitamin D supplementation was shown to reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals aged 50 and over, highlighting the importance of vitamin D for maintaining muscle strength.
Scientists have identified genes that enable proprioception, a crucial sense for coordinated movement and balance. The discovery could lead to better understanding of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia, ultimately enabling the development of novel therapies.
The proportion of hamstring injuries and associated lay-off days among male professional European footballers has doubled over the past 20 years. Nearly one in five injuries were recurrences, occurring within two months of return to play, with most injuries being structural and resulting in more lay-off days.
A new study from Northwestern University found that vitamin D supplements do not significantly reduce statin-associated muscle symptoms, contradicting previous non-randomized studies. The trial involved 2,083 participants and was the first placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to examine this effect.
CSU researchers created the first successful soft robotic gripper capable of manipulating individual droplets of liquid, enabling precise and lossless liquid cleanup work. The innovative device is lightweight, inexpensive, and can be used for hazardous liquid cleanup scenarios.
Albert Almada's laboratory will explore the role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) in muscle repair and regeneration. Lower levels of NAD+ may be inactivating stem cell repair, and re-activating it could promote better muscle healing in older animals.
Researchers are exploring how aging affects communication between bone and muscle, finding that imbalance can lead to muscle loss, falls, and bone fractures. They aim to develop novel interventions to restore this balance, potentially treating osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
A new study from Japan investigated the relationship between training volume and strength gain in young men. The researchers found that training volume was positively correlated with strength gain in participants who were classified as low responders.
A new study reveals how cane toads (Rhinella marina) consume prey by using a complex pulley system of cartilage and muscle. The mechanism involves the hyoid plate, which is attached to muscles and loops like a marionette, pulling food backward into the throat.
Research at Tel Aviv University found that high-intensity aerobic exercise increases glucose consumption in internal organs, reducing energy availability for tumors. The study reduced the risk of metastatic cancer in humans and animal models by up to 72%.
Researchers developed a new device, MAGENTA, that prevents and supports muscle atrophy recovery. The device stimulates muscles to stretch and contract, triggering key molecular pathways for growth. It has potential applications in treating various diseases such as ALS and MS.
A research team at MedUni Vienna's Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery has discovered a previously unknown ability of the autonomic nervous system to spontaneously restore muscle function following a nerve injury. This finding may form the basis for improving interventions to treat nerve lesions.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found a strong association between lower grip strength and accelerated biological aging in middle-aged and older adults. This study provides evidence that maintaining muscle strength across the lifespan may help protect against age-related diseases.
A study using mRNA and miRNA expression profiles identified molecular signatures that can differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer patients who respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy from those who do not. The research found distinct gene pathways and subtypes associated with response, which may lead to more effective treatment delivery.
A Kennesaw State University professor has received a $400,000 grant to investigate the role of Akirin protein in building muscle, which could lead to treatments for damaged heart and skeletal muscles. The study may also shed light on personalized medicine and inform a cure for human diseases.
New research from Edith Cowan University found that lowering weights sees the same improvements as lifting, despite only doing half as many reps. This focus on eccentric muscle contractions can allow people to spend their time exercising more efficiently and improve strength and size of muscles without needing to go to the gym.
Researchers from Humboldt University of Berlin and Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research examined the facial motor nucleus of African and Asian elephants. They found more facial motor neurons than any other terrestrial mammal, with African savanna elephants having up to 63,000 neurons.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that mimicking facial expressions of actors or moving the corners of one's mouth to cheeks increases happiness. Researchers from Stanford University and UniSA tested three techniques, with two yielding noticeable results.
Researchers at FAU aim to empower amputees to maximize their individual potential for controlling the full dexterity of artificial hands using a novel bimodal skin sensor and machine learning algorithms. The project will develop customized prosthetic sockets and training programs to overcome limitations with current sensing technology.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that physical exercise triggers a neuromuscular circuit that links the production of interleukin-6 to muscle fat breakdown. This circuit is crucial for weight loss and has significant implications for obesity treatment.
Researchers found that short bursts of activity after meals can improve the body's ability to use amino acids from food to build muscle proteins. Breaking up prolonged sedentary periods with brief activity 'snacks' may help maintain muscle mass and quality, according to a University of Toronto study.
MIT researchers have developed a magnet-based system to track muscle length during movement, which could improve the accuracy of prosthetic limb control. The system uses small magnets implanted in muscle and measures distances between them using a credit-card-sized sensor.
Researchers have identified a key enzyme in muscle that contributes to cancer-induced muscle wasting. Targeting this enzyme, UBR2, may help preserve muscle mass and function in cancer patients. The study's findings offer new hope for the treatment of cancer cachexia, a complication affecting 60% of all cancer patients.
A study published in Hypertension Research suggests that weight gain from childhood with an optimal muscle-to-fat mass ratio may indicate excellent vascular health. The researchers found that increasing muscle mass was associated with optimal vascular function, especially in males.
A new study found that bioelectrical impedance analysis can accurately assess knee muscle function, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods. The findings suggest that thigh PhA is a better predictor of knee extensor strength than whole-body PhA.
A large randomized clinical trial demonstrated Octagam 10% as an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment option for adult dermatomyositis patients. The study showed improved outcomes in patients with this rare disease, providing a much-needed treatment alternative.
Researchers found that calf muscle stiffness contributes to passive ankle joint stiffness, especially when dorsiflexed. The study suggests that exercises to relieve triceps surae stiffness can improve joint flexibility and reduce injury risk.
Research suggests that regularly exercising with weights is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, excluding cancer. A weekly combination of weights and aerobic exercise appears to have an additive effect on mortality risk.
Researchers at UVA Health have developed a new magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) technique to track peripheral artery disease, which affects over 200 million people worldwide. The CEST approach produces comparable results to the current gold standard without requiring specialized equipment.
A new research model allows scientists to study hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) and test potential therapeutics. HSPs cause increased muscle tone in infants and young children, leading to wheelchair-bound individuals who lose motor function.
New research shows that COVID-19 infections can lead to a range of neurological complications in the first year after infection, including strokes, cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches. The study analyzed over 14 million medical records and found that COVID-19 survivors were at increased risk of developing the...
Researchers found a specific CAPRIN1 gene mutation linked to impaired protein production, leading to autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, language impairments, and muscle weakness. The study also identified similar symptoms in patients with early-onset ataxia and myasthenia.
Lenabasum has been shown to improve skin symptoms in patients with amyopathic dermatomyositis, demonstrating significant reductions in inflammation and disease severity. The study's findings suggest that lenabasum is a well-tolerated treatment option for refractory skin disease.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered a way to activate the soleus muscle, which can sustain elevated oxidative metabolism and improve blood glucose regulation for hours. The 'soleus pushup' movement has been shown to increase oxygen consumption and reduce insulin requirements.
A randomized clinical trial found that protein restriction diets can lead to weight loss, improved blood sugar and lipid levels, and controlled blood pressure. The study involved 21 patients with metabolic syndrome, who were given either a calorie or protein restriction diet for 27 days.
A randomized clinical trial found that rituximab significantly improved disease control in patients with new-onset myasthenia gravis, reducing the need for cortisone treatments and hospitalizations. The study's results offer hope for a more effective treatment strategy, but larger studies are needed to assess long-term effects.
A randomized trial found that a 12-week online yoga program improved knee function in participants, but did not significantly reduce knee pain during walking. The study suggests that unsupervised online yoga programs can be feasible and improve physical function, but more research is needed to sustain the effectiveness.
Researchers found that developing sea anemones use hydraulic muscles to regulate body pressure and sculpt tissue. The more active larvae are, the longer they take to develop, suggesting a trade-off between movement and growth.
A University of Missouri researcher and his team are using artificial intelligence to study anatomical research, creating detailed 3D computer models of muscles. This technology is advancing the field by enabling researchers to analyze muscle fiber orientation and develop a better understanding of motor control in animals.
A University of Ottawa research team has made new discoveries on how motor skills are learned and stored in the brain. By studying mice, they found that a specific transcription factor called NPAS4 regulates gene changes in inhibitory neurons, leading to the formation of learning-associated neuron ensembles.
Researchers discovered that blocking the ion channel TRPC6 prolongs survival and improves muscle function in mice with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study also reduced bone deformities associated with weak muscles.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University identified a compound LAMZ that stimulates muscle cell growth, reduces bone resorption, and promotes bone formation. Administered to mice with locomotor frailty, LAMZ improved muscle and bone health.
A recent study found that nearly half of men and one in five women engaged in 'bulk and cut' cycles, connected with a greater desire for muscularity. The study also linked this dietary method to symptoms of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia among participants.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that a protein excreted by type I muscle fibers can differentiate surrounding myoblasts into type I fibers, upending the notion that fiber ratios are fixed at birth. This finding has significant implications for treating conditions such as type 2 diabetes and aging populations.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a method to directly measure the strength of skeletal muscle myotubes by analyzing wrinkles formed on an elastic substrate when stimulated with electric pulses. This new technique is more sensitive than existing measures and has great potential for accelerating drug discover...
A study published in Cell Stem Cell found that mitochondrial dynamics regulate the dormant state of adult muscle stem cells, which are essential for tissue stability. The researchers discovered that the protein OPA1 regulates this process and its depletion leads to severe muscle stem cell defects.
A combination of anemia and weak muscles in older people increases the risk of death by 64% for men and 117% for women. The two conditions together pose a significant risk, especially for elderly women, according to a study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.