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Image: Johannes Holfeld (r) holds the shock wave device in his hand during a bypass operation; Copyright: University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery/MUI

University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery/MUI

Breakthrough in Cardiac Therapy: Shock Wave Treatment to Revitalize Heart Muscle Cells

26/06/2024

Researchers at the Medical University of Innsbruck have pioneered a shock wave therapy combined with bypass surgery, significantly improving the heart's pumping function by revitalizing dormant heart muscle cells. This therapy, which stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, is set to revolutionize the treatment of chronic heart muscle weakness.
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Image: Biomechanical carbon hand prosthesis for disabled people on the table in the office, another white prosthesis in the background; Copyright: ionadidishvili

ionadidishvili

Hand prostheses: Artificial intelligence makes gripping more intuitive

15/12/2023

A better understanding of muscle activity patterns in the forearm supports a more intuitive and natural control of artificial limbs. This requires a network of 128 sensors and artificial intelligence based techniques.
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A man in a suit is interviewed at a trade fair stand, one hand holds a MEDICA microphone; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Using magnetic waves to treat many ailments – Biomag Medical

13/11/2023

Electric current and magnetic waves have long been used to treat various illnesses. One of the pioneers of this method is the Czech company Biomag Medical. Their devices produce pulsating magnetic waves that can be used to treat the target region in the body more precisely. We took the opportunity at MEDICA 2023 to find out more about this technology in our video interview.
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Image: Young girl does movement exercises with a tension band; Copyright: University of Jyväskylä

University of Jyväskylä

Cerebral Palsy: multicomponent exercise improves physical functioning in children and young adults

13/10/2023

A new study carried out at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, found that an individually tailored exercise program improves motor function, muscle strength and joint mobility in children and young adults with CP.
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Image: A woman sits on a prototype of an optimized office chair; Copyright: TU Dresden

TU Dresden

Sensor and software to promote office staff’s physical activity

11/10/2023

TU Dresden researchers have analyzed the mechanics of office chairs and developed a sensor that, in combination with a dedicated software, can in the future help employees move more and more consciously during office work.
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Image: Microscopic image: cultivation of muscle stem cells and fibers from reprogrammed connective tissue cells; Copyright: ETH Zürich / Bar-Nur Lab

ETH Zürich / Bar-Nur Lab

Building muscle in the lab

23/08/2023

A new method allows large quantities of muscle stem cells to be safely obtained in cell culture.
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Image: A device for monitoring arm movements, part of the post-stroke rehabilitation system; Copyright: KTU

KTU

AI-based system will help people after stroke

01/08/2023

The joint study by Rytis Maskeliūnas, a researcher at Kaunas University of Technology, Faculty of Informatics (KTU IF), and Lithuanian researchers is focused on creating an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that aims to facilitate the rehabilitation process.
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Image: Physiotherapy in the upper back with TENS electrode pads, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; Copyright: microgen

microgen

Electrodes: 4D printing for nerve stimulation

25/07/2023

Specific nerves may be stimulated artificially, for example to treat pain. The finer the nerves, the more difficult it is to attach the required electrodes. Researchers have now developed flexible electrodes produced with 4D printing technology. On contact with moisture, they automatically fold and wrap themselves around thin nerves.
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Image: Patient wearing a prosthetic arm directly attached to the skeleton and neuromuscular system; Copyright: Chalmers University of Technology

Chalmers University of Technology

Bionic hand: surgical and engineering innovations enable unprecedented control

21/07/2023

For the first time, a person with an arm amputation can manipulate each finger of a bionic hand as if it was his own. Thanks to revolutionary surgical and engineering advancements that seamlessly merge humans with machines, this breakthrough offers new hope and possibilities for people with amputations worldwide.
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Image: Graphic of a human with brain and spine, neural connections into one hand, a neuron that is stimulated by a field; Copyright: HZDR/Sahneweiß

HZDR/Sahneweiß

Magnetic stimulation: potential therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases

19/06/2023

Motor neurons in healthy individuals send signals to the skeletal muscles. ALS, however, is currently an incurable, neurodegenerative disease in which motor neurons are severely damaged and can therefore no longer transmit these signals. An interdisciplinary team at HZDR has proven in cell experiments that magnetic fields can restore impaired motor neurons.
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Image: Two men and a woman pose with the BIXEPS device; Copyright: National University of Singapore

National University of Singapore

Weekly magnetic muscle therapy improves mobility and lean body mass in older adults

30/05/2023

A decline in functional mobility, loss of muscle strength and an increase in body fats are often associated with ageing. This trend could potentially be reversed by way of an innovative magnetic muscle therapy pioneered by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
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Image: A transparent miniaturized muscle implant lies on a black table; Copyright: Fraunhofer IBMT

Fraunhofer IBMT

Human-machine interface stops muscle tremors

10/05/2023

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT have been working with international partners to develop a technology platform to help relieve the symptoms of muscle tremors.
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Image: Bochum research team: Burkhard Pleger (left) and Timo Dreier pose for the camera in white coats; Copyright: RUB, Marquard

RUB, Marquard

Effects of brain stimulation amenable to conditioning

28/04/2023

Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, have successfully implemented a special form of classical conditioning. They showed on a group of 75 people that effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be triggered solely by listening to a tone.
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Image: An insole is made on a 3D printer; Copyright: Marco Binelli / ETH Zürich

Marco Binelli / ETH Zürich

3D-printed insoles measure sole pressure directly in the shoe

24/03/2023

Researchers at ETH Zurich, Empa and EPFL are developing a 3D-printed insole with integrated sensors that allows the pressure of the sole to be measured in the shoe and thus during any activity.
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Image: Two women in medical attire and a man in a plaid shirt pose for the camera in a laboratory; Copyright: Universidad de Barcelona

Universidad de Barcelona

Tool to diagnose and assess the severity of sarcopenia

20/03/2023

Sarcopenia is a degenerative disease characterised by a pathological decrease in muscle strength that particularly affects older people. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have developed a new tool to assess the presence and severity of this muscular deterioration.
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Image: Closeup of ultrasound examination of abdominal cavity, stomach and heart with sonography sensor; Copyright: Natabuena

Natabuena

Ultrasound method could lead to easier disease diagnosis in body tissue

17/03/2023

A new ultrasound method that can measure the level of tension in human tissue for the first time - a key indicator of disease - has been developed by researchers from the University of Sheffield.
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Image: Mattias Ekstedt, senior associate professor at Linköping smiles at the camera; Copyright: Thor Balkhed/Linköping University

Thor Balkhed/Linköping University

Adverse muscle composition associated with increased mortality risk in people with fatty liver disease

01/03/2023

Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to an increasing number of people developing fatty liver disease. There is a need for early detection of individuals at risk of developing sequelae.
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Image: Patient testing a brain-computer interface developed by Charité to control an exoskeleton hand; Copyright: AG Klinische Neurotechnologie, Charité Berlin

AG Klinische Neurotechnologie, Charité Berlin

Controlling neural exoskeletons more precisely with diamond sensors

02/02/2023

In the recently launched NeuroQ lighthouse project, the project partners develop highly sensitive diamond-based quantum sensors that will enable paralyzed people to control neural exoskeletons more precisely.
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Image: A physiotherapist is doing a leg exercise with a woman who is wearing an orthosis; Copyright: Wavebreakmedia

Wavebreakmedia

Muscles and nervous system: Space research helps combat degeneration

30/01/2023

Injuries do not just happen to athletes: along with surgeries, they are often the reason for prolonged bed rest. Meanwhile, extended physical inactivity can trigger changes in muscles and the nervous system. Sports medicine wants to counteract these negative effects and use insights from space research in the future.
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