Latest news with #MasahiroKumeta
Scientific American
30-06-2025
- Health
- Scientific American
Serenading Cells with Audible Sound Alters Gene Activity
The cells in your ears aren't the only ones listening: recent research suggests that crucial cells throughout the body may respond to audible sound. Experiments described in Communications Biology revealed more than 100 genes whose activity changed in response to these acoustic waves, pointing to possible medical applications. Extensive earlier research has shown that ultrasound—sound at frequencies higher than humans can hear— can affect biology in numerous ways; the new study expands this concept to audible sounds that require no special equipment to produce. Kyoto University biologist Masahiro Kumeta and his colleagues bathed cultured mouse myoblast cells (precursors to muscle tissue) in sound, directly transmitting a low frequency (440 hertz, the A above middle C), a high frequency (14 kilohertz, approaching the top of the perceptible range for humans), or white noise (which contains all audible frequencies) to the culture dishes for either two or 24 hours. The team analyzed the effect these sound waves had on the mouse cells through RNA sequencing, which measures gene activity. The scientists found that activity in 42 genes changed after two hours, and 145 responded after 24 hours. Most showed increased activity, but some were suppressed. 'It's a very extensive, thorough study,' says Lidan You, an engineer at Queen's University in Ontario, who studies how bone cells translate mechanical stimuli into biological signals. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Many of the affected genes have roles in key processes such as cell adhesion and migration, which are known to respond to mechanical forces. The researchers found that sound expanded the size of the sites where cells attached to surrounding tissues, most likely by activating an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which senses mechanical forces and helps to guide tissue development. Sound waves seem to deform molecules in a way that provides easier access for a chemical switch that activates FAK, which in turn influences a chain of other genes' activity. The team also found a strong reaction in fat-cell precursors called preadipocytes: sound suppressed their differentiation into mature fat cells, thereby reducing fat accumulation by 13 to 15 percent. Audible sound is noninvasive and probably safer than drugs, Kumeta says. Although it can't be tightly focused like ultrasound, it is easy to produce and could be useful for bathing large regions of the body in sonic waves. Kumeta and his colleagues have already begun studying such interventions to suppress the development of fat tissue in living mice—and humans could be next, he says: 'If it works well in mice I think this could be achieved in five or 10 years.' Other potential applications include enhancing regenerative medicine and combating cancer growth. 'The next step [could be] using not only human cells but human organoids that model diseases,' You says, 'then moving to clinical studies.'
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Can sound waves help you lose weight? This technique may trick fat cells
Forget fad diets and sketchy supplements, your favorite song might be the key to staying thin. In a new study, Japanese researchers found that acoustic sound waves can influence how our cells behave — including halting fat development. 'Since sound is non-material, acoustic stimulation is a tool that is non-invasive, safe and immediate, and will likely benefit medicine and healthcare,' corresponding author Masahiro Kumeta said in a statement. Advertisement 3 A discovery out of Japan could one day help people manage their metabolism in a noninvasive way. JFontan – Sound is more than just noise — it's made up of mechanical waves that create tiny vibrations traveling through the air, water or even tissue. We've long known that animals use sound vibrations in their bones to communicate and gather important information about their surroundings, but scientists are only now beginning to understand how sound affects us on a deeper, cellular level. Music for your cells Advertisement The new research builds on a 2018 study by Kumeta and his team that found that sound waves can influence genes involved in bone formation and wound healing. 'To investigate the effect of sound on cellular activities, we designed a system to bathe cultured cells in acoustic waves,' Kumeta said. They tested three sounds on muscle cells taken from mice: white noise, a 440 Hz tone (the 'A' note on a piano) and a high-pitched 14 kHz tone (close to the highest pitch most people can hear). 3 Sound waves create tiny vibrations that can change cellular activity. Creative Cat Studio – Advertisement The results were striking. After just two hours of sound exposure, 42 genes had changed. After 24 hours, an impressive 145 genes showed altered activity. The way the cells responded depended on the frequency, intensity and pattern of the sound wave. The response also varied based on the type of cell. The most significant finding of the study was that the sound waves stopped adipocyte differentiation — the process where preadipocytes (precursor cells) turn into mature fat cells that store fat. Advertisement When exposed to the sound vibrations, the researchers found that many preadipocyte cells didn't mature into fat cells as expected. Those that did mature contained about 15% less fat than normal. This effect was seen whether the cells were exposed to continuous sound for three days or just two hours of sound each day over three days. 3 The new study suggests that sound waves can prevent fat cells from maturing. Getty Images Though still in its early stages, researchers said this breakthrough may one day lead to new non-invasive treatments that could aid with everything from managing metabolism to speeding wound healing. Kumeta's team isn't alone in exploring the potential of acoustics for health. At Stanford University, researchers are using sound waves to rearrange heart cells that are too tightly packed, improving nutrient flow. Meanwhile, acoustic wave therapy — which sends vibrations into our tissues — is already being used to treat conditions like chronic pain, erectile dysfunction and soft-tissue injuries by boosting circulation and reducing inflammation. Next up, Kumeta and his team want to experiment with tuning sound waves to target specific cell types, opening the door for more tailored, non-invasive treatments.
