To find a potential treatment for this muscle atrophy, the scientists behind the new study looked to "satellite cells." Latest Videos From Live Science Watch full video here:Muscles incur microscopic damage with use , and this damage calls satellite cells into action. They proliferate to rebuild muscle fibers, by either merging into the torn muscle cells or forming new muscle cells. With age, satellite cells activate less efficiently and muscles become weak. To see if these observations carried over to living animals, the researchers gave lab mice LASSS in their drinking water.