Tag

Muscle Contraction

All articles tagged with #muscle contraction

health1 year ago•4 min saved

Muscle-Produced 'Exercise Juice' Promotes Nerve Growth

A new study suggests that myokines, chemicals released by muscles during exercise, can promote nerve growth, potentially aiding in nerve repair and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. Conducted on mouse cells, the research found that both biochemical and mechanical effects of muscle contractions stimulate motor neuron growth. While promising, further studies are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of myokines in humans.

via Livescience.com|

#exercise #health #muscle-contraction

health-and-science1 year ago•5 min saved

Exercise Boosts Neuron Growth, New Study Finds

A study by MIT engineers reveals that exercise not only benefits muscles but also promotes neuron growth through biochemical signals called myokines and physical impacts. The research shows that neurons exposed to myokines grow significantly, and mechanical stretching of neurons mimicking muscle contraction also enhances growth. These findings suggest potential therapies for nerve repair and neurodegenerative diseases by leveraging muscle-nerve interactions.

via MIT News|

#exercise #health-and-science #muscle-contraction

science1 year ago•4 min saved

"Goldilocks Black Hole, Toxoplasma Metabolism, and Muscle-Speed Pumping"

This week's scientific highlights include the discovery of the first known intermediate-mass black hole in the Omega Centauri cluster, a study on the role of water in muscle contraction, the development of a waste-recycling suit for astronauts, and new insights into the metabolism of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

via Phys.org|

#astronomy #black-hole #muscle-contraction

science1 year ago•1 min saved

"The 'Sweet Spot' Size: Unravelling the Mystery of Cheetahs' Unmatched Speed"

A new study explains why the fastest animals on land, in water, and in air are all of intermediate size, revealing that an animal's maximum running speed is determined by the speed and extent of muscle contraction. Animals around the size of a cheetah hit a "sweet spot" where these two limits coincide, while larger animals like elephants hit a "work capacity limit" and smaller animals hit a "kinetic energy capacity limit." The research, tested against data from over 400 species, accurately predicted maximum running speeds and could potentially guide the development of robots emulating nature's finest runners.

via Newser|

#animal-speed #biomechanics #cheetahs

science-and-technology2 years ago•64 min saved

Unveiling the Intricacies of Cardiac Myosin Filament Structure

Researchers have determined the structure of the native myosin filament in the relaxed cardiac sarcomere, the basic contractile unit of muscle. The study reveals the arrangement and interactions of key proteins, including myosin, titin, and MyBP-C, within the thick filament. The myosin heads are organized in a quasihelical array with three-fold rotational symmetry, and the myosin tails form a coiled-coil structure at the center of the filament. MyBP-C acts as a mechanical sensor and links the thick and thin filaments, while titin acts as a molecular spring and ruler for myosin assembly. The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanics of muscle contraction and could have implications for understanding and treating cardiac diseases.

via Nature.com|

#cardiac-myofibrils #muscle-contraction #myosin-filament

science-and-technology2 years ago•3 min saved

"Light-activated molecular machines revolutionize cell communication and drug delivery"

Scientists at Rice University have used light-activated molecular machines to trigger intercellular calcium wave signals, offering a new approach to controlling cellular activity. By rotating small-molecule-based actuators with visible light, they induced a calcium-signaling response in smooth muscle cells. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for heart problems, digestive issues, and other diseases characterized by calcium-signaling dysfunction. The ability to control cell-to-cell communication in muscle tissue at the molecular level has the potential to revolutionize medical interventions.

via Phys.org|

#calcium-signaling #cellular-activity #drug-design

science2 years ago•4 min saved

Revolutionary Discovery: Unforeseen Muscle Fiber Architecture Unveiled

Researchers at the University of Liège have discovered a unique arrangement of muscle fibers in the Mediterranean fish, Parophidion vassali, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of muscle contraction. This unique network-like configuration of myofibrils within the muscle fiber could allow for rapid contractions while retaining strength. Further research is needed to fully understand this novel muscle fiber structure and its functional implications.

via SciTechDaily|

#fish #muscle-contraction #muscle-fibers