Researchers study pterosaur fossils to understand their wing anatomy and flight capabilities, revealing novel tactics for bioinspired flight technology. By analyzing the morphology and predicted flight mechanics of these ancient creatures, scientists may be able to overcome hurdles still hindering man-made flight.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that fetal surgery to correct congenital spinal cord defects is more effective at healing neurological structure than surgery after birth. The procedure led to improved brain structure and anatomy in three patients with myelomeningocele.
Researchers have found a way to halt and reverse muscle fibrosis caused by overuse injuries in animal studies. The discovery uses the drug FG-3019 to block protein CCN2, which promotes connective tissue growth, leading to significant improvements in muscle strength.
Researchers used high-resolution microcomputed tomography to study the anatomy of three known specimens of T. marauna, a Neotropical electric fish species. The study revealed characteristics of the fish's bones without requiring dissection, providing new insights into this rare species.
Researchers found that birds and mammals have encapsulated Golgi tendon organs set directly at the muscle-tendon junction, detecting tension in precise areas. This allowed for controlled motion and a selective advantage that conserves energy.
A new species of prehistoric scorpion, Parioscorpio venator, is discovered with characteristics similar to present-day scorpions and horseshoe crabs. The fossils suggest that scorpions may have adapted to life on land earlier than previously thought, possibly using similar pathways as modern horseshoe crabs.
The giant squid's full genome sequence has been published, providing insight into its anatomy and evolution. The genome, similar to other animals, suggests that the squid did not get its massive size through whole-genome duplication.
Researchers discovered a pattern of mechanisms improving retinal oxygen supply that evolved with enhanced vision in all bony vertebrates. The findings add to our understanding of the evolution of the eye, highlighting its dynamic morphology and relationship with retinal oxygen supply.
Professor Bridget Waller's €1.7m project, FACEDIFF, will investigate individual differences in facial expressivity and their relation to facial anatomy. The five-year project aims to understand how people differ in facial expressions and their impact on social interaction.
The C4 Rice Project aims to create a more efficient photosynthetic pathway, allowing rice to thrive in harsher environments. By the end of the next phase in 2024, scientists hope to have experimental field plots up and running in Taiwan.
A McMaster University study found that virtual and mixed reality inferior to traditional physical models for anatomy learning. The research showed a 70% increase in accuracy with traditional physical models compared to digital media.
The new special research collection, 'Current Techniques in Morphology,' highlights the impact of advances in technology on the study of insects. The collection features six articles illustrating innovative methods for analyzing insect anatomy and phylogenetics.
The clitoris activates changes in the reproductive tract to create readiness for sperm to fertilize an egg. Removal of the clitoris may lead to both sexual and reproductive disabilities.
A multidisciplinary team of MGH researchers has created the highest resolution MRI scan of the human brain, with a resolution of 1,000 times more detailed than standard clinical scans. This dataset has broad applications in understanding brain anatomy and diseases.
A new fossil stingray, Lessiniabatis aenigmatica, has been discovered with an exceptional anatomy that differs from living species. The find provides insights into the evolution of these animals and their recovery in marine ecosystems after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.
Researchers at University of Missouri create 3D model showing how ligaments and joints in T. rex skull work, revealing it was stiffer than previously thought. This discovery could advance human and animal medicine by providing better models of joint interactions.
Using DNA methylation patterns, researchers reconstructed the skeletal anatomy of Denisovans, identifying 56 anatomical features that differ from modern humans and/or Neanderthals. The study provides insights into human adaptation, evolutionary constraints, and disease dynamics.
Researchers have reconstructed the skeletal anatomy of Denisovans using DNA methylation patterns, identifying 56 unique features. The study reveals that Denisovans had a wider skull, longer dental arch, and unique traits that separate them from modern humans and Neanderthals.
A UCLA-led study found that using 3D virtual reality models before kidney tumor surgeries resulted in shorter operating times, less blood loss during surgery, and a shorter hospital stay. The technology provides surgeons with better visualization of patient anatomy, allowing for more precise surgical planning.
Researchers propose that the two large holes in a T. rex skull were filled with blood vessels instead of muscles, based on thermal imaging and studies of alligators. This new theory challenges over a century of previous beliefs about T. rex anatomy.
A recent study at the University of Arkansas found that women and shorter individuals bend their necks differently than men and taller individuals. The findings suggest that this may contribute to the higher incidence of neck and jaw pain experienced by women.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of gender affirmation surgical therapies encountered in diagnostic imaging. It defines normal postsurgical anatomy and describes select complications using a multidisciplinary, multimodality approach. Key findings include the importance of regular prostate cancer screening for trans-female ...
Research at Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics found that slight variations in vocal tract anatomy impact vowel pronunciation, while cultural transmission amplifies these differences. This study sheds light on individual variation in speech and its role in shaping languages.
The study found that melanosome size and geometry vary between species and organs within a species. Melanosomes from fossils differ significantly in size, geometry, and chemistry depending on body region, suggesting a role for melanosomes in metal metabolism and providing new insights into extinct vertebrate anatomy.
Researchers found that fish preserve 'DNA methylation' memories between generations, unlike humans where this is almost entirely erased. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying intergenerational memory transfer through DNA methylation.
Researchers at Uppsala University have elucidated the anatomy of a standby site and its requirements in bacterial protein synthesis. The study revealed that ribosomal protein S1 guides the ribosome to a single-stranded region and a short RNA hairpin, enabling translation through downstream RNA structure.
Researchers found that dogs have developed a muscle above the eyes to intensively raise their inner eyebrow, making them appear larger and more infant-like. This movement, known as AU101, triggers a caregiving response in humans, potentially leading to enhanced social interaction.
Researchers used MRI scans to examine the brains of 1,327 individuals with ASD and typically developing individuals, finding that cortical anatomy varies significantly between groups. The study also found that brain differences are more pronounced in girls with ASD, particularly those with lower cognitive ability.
A new study has created a three-dimensional model of skeletal muscles responsible for bird flight, providing the most comprehensive picture of anatomy to date. The technique, developed by researchers at the University of Missouri, can be displayed virtually or through a printed 3D model.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital demonstrate a robot that can autonomously navigate inside the body to reach a leaky heart valve. The robotic catheter uses AI and image processing to build a mental map of the cardiac anatomy, allowing it to find its way without surgeon guidance.
Researchers have discovered a unique subset of cells in the developing urethra that send important signals defining how the urethra is formed. This discovery aims to standardize the characterization of hypospadias and improve treatment outcomes for affected children.
Research suggests that horses' legs adapted for endurance travel, with single-toed forms emerging as a dominant lineage. The 'spring foot' enabled energy-efficient locomotion, allowing early single-toed horses to thrive in cooler and drier climates.
A new review suggests that social communication played a significant role in shaping the modern human face. The study, led by University of York researchers, concludes that our faces evolved not only due to factors like diet and climate but also to facilitate nonverbal communication and establish large social networks.
A rare condition, situs inversus with levocardia, has been discovered in a 99-year-old body donor. This condition is often associated with life-threatening cardiac ailments and occurs about once in every 22,000 births. The discovery of this unusual anatomy offers valuable lessons on human variations.
Researchers discovered female bottlenose dolphins have well-developed clitorises with erectile tissue similar to humans. The location of the clitoris near the vaginal opening suggests it can be easily stimulated during copulation.
The use of medically assisted death (MAID) has resulted in ethical concerns over body donations to anatomy programs in Canada. McMaster University's head of anatomy, Bruce Wainman, argues that guidelines are needed to ensure respectful treatment of MAID donors and avoid pressuring vulnerable individuals into donation.
Researchers use virtual reality to guide catheters through blood vessels with electromagnetic sensors, reducing radiation exposure and increasing precision. The technology has the potential to increase access to interventional radiology treatments in rural areas.
A recent reanalysis of a Neandertal individual's vertebrae and pelvis suggests that their spinal curvatures were within the range of normal modern human posture, except for disease-related effects. The findings challenge previous interpretations of Neandertal anatomy as functionally different from those of modern humans.
A new fossil discovery reveals defining characteristics of hagfish appeared before the Cretaceous period, resolving a longstanding debate on their evolutionary position. The study suggests that hagfish and lampreys form a distinct clade, implying that living jawless vertebrates may not be as primitive as initially thought.
Researchers created a 3D printed scaffold that mimicked natural anatomy and boosted stem cell-based treatment for spinal cord injuries. The implants supported tissue regrowth, stem cell survival, and axon outgrowth in rats, leading to significant functional motor improvement.
Researchers found trees changing their wood anatomy in response to drought, with some species developing smaller water-carrying vessels. This adaptation allows mature rainforest trees to conserve water during extended dry periods.
Researchers have reconstructed the complete skeleton of Thylacoleo carnifex, a 100kg marsupial predator with a unique combination of features. The new findings suggest that Thylacoleo was an adept climber and scavenger, with a rigid lower back and powerful forelimbs, similar to the Tasmanian devil.
A team of scientists has reconstructed the 3D shape of a Neandertal ribcage, revealing an upright individual with a straighter spine and potentially greater lung capacity. The study offers new insights into ancient human anatomy and biomechanics.
Valentin Dragoi of UTHealth receives $1.6M NIH BRAIN award for studying visual cortex and executive control in social interactions, which may help address autism-related social awkwardness.
A new report highlights sex differences in cell biology in the female and male lower urinary tract, which may help stimulate breakthroughs in diagnosing and managing urinary dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that differential expression of immune cells in the bladder amplifies UTI rates in women.
A new technique using holographic images guides the insertion of external ventricular drains, increasing accuracy and reducing complications. The mixed-reality headset provides visualizations of individual patients' unique brain anatomy, allowing neurosurgeons to perform procedures more accurately and safely.
A new anatomical description of the car-sized sauropod relative Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis has shed light on its evolutionary changes and potential clues to why some dinosaurs got so big. The fossils, discovered in Arizona, provide a rare glimpse into the anatomy of these massive creatures.
Researchers found that brain anatomy and psychological traits can predict which patients will respond to sugar pills, resulting in reduced pain and cost savings. The study suggests that clinicians should consider prescribing sugar pills for chronic pain patients, potentially opening up a new field.
NYIT has secured a $426,621 NSF grant for a micro-computed tomography machine to enhance research in the greater New York metropolitan scientific community. The machine will aid in strengthening interdisciplinary research in biology, paleontology, nanotechnology, engineering, and life sciences.
New research at McGill University found that people with higher BMI tend to have reduced cognitive flexibility, increased volume in the left amygdala and decreased volume in certain memory structures. The study suggests a model where genetics play a role in obesity through brain anatomy and cognitive functions.
The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released an updated guideline for managing adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients, incorporating new data and growing expertise. The guideline presents a new classification system that captures complexity in both anatomy and physiology.
Research reveals that genetic copy-and-paste activity is increased in fruit fly models of tauopathies, leading to neuron death. Lamivudine, an anti-retroviral drug, decreases gene copying and reduces brain cell death.
Researchers measured manual pressures during stone tool behaviors to understand the impact on human hand anatomy. The study found that accessing bone marrow required the greatest pressure, suggesting it may have played a key role in the evolution of human dexterity.
Researchers found that brain anatomy is highly individualized, reflecting a combination of genetic and non-genetic influences. Over 90% accurate identification was achieved using MRI scans of nearly 200 healthy individuals.
A recent study published in Science Advances analyzed the most complete foot of an ancient juvenile Australopithecus afarensis, discovered in Ethiopia. The findings suggest that the child spent more time in trees than adults, utilizing its backup plan to survive despite walking upright at a young age.
Researchers have scanned a four-million-year-old fossil cranium and found it shares similarities with that of modern humans. The study revealed the cranium's thick, spongy bone may indicate comparable blood flow to our brains, suggesting an important role in brain protection.
Scientists have discovered significant differences in gonad development between Steinernema carpocapsae and C. elegans, highlighting the diversity of neuronal anatomy across nematode species. This research has practical applications for commercializing biocontrol products and advancing our understanding of genetic processes.
A new study challenges the classic image of dinosaurs, revealing that they couldn't stick out their tongues. Researchers compared hyoid bones of modern birds and crocodiles with those of extinct dinosaur relatives, finding that most dinosaurs had short, simple tongue bones anchored to the floor of their mouth.
A possible biomarker for long-term learning has been discovered, which may lead to different educational techniques to improve retention of information. The researchers used EEG to measure students' brain responses to anatomical terms before and after an introductory anatomy class.
The Blausen Medical Library, valued at $25 million, has been made freely available to the University of Texas at Austin. The library features over 28,000 3D animations and illustrations detailing various biomedical topics, including human anatomy and physiology.