Researchers developed a process to release multiple active ingredients in sequence under conditions similar to the human body, using hydrogels and artificial DNA. The particles are released one by one, with each stage triggered by the previous release.
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 have captured high-speed videos of kangaroo rats defending themselves against rattlesnake attacks, showcasing their record-breaking reaction times and evasive maneuvers. The data suggest that the kangaroo rats' powerful legs and mid-air kicks allow them to avoid being envenomated.
Researchers have developed a simple model to understand the biomechanics of Ebola virus-host cell adhesion, which is essential for guiding the development of therapies. The model characterizes the interaction between the virus and cell surface receptors, providing new information on the road to developing an effective Ebola treatment.
Researchers have found that modulating blood-forming stem cells' stiffness could help drive them out of the bone marrow and into the blood, but they need to be stiff to stay put. The study, published in Cell Stem Cell, suggests that altering cell biomechanics can improve mobilization regimens for stem cell-based therapy.
A new study suggests that combining blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy with traditional rehabilitation efforts may slow bone loss and reduce return to function time after ACL reconstruction. The addition of BFR was found to minimize muscle mass loss, preserve bone density, and improve functional outcomes in patients.
Researchers suggest that impacts on the side of the head cause vibrations in a structure connected to the corpus callosum, potentially leading to concussion symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed possible damage to the corpus callosum in athletes with concussions.
A recent study published in the journal Bone used 3D simulations to predict hip fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis. The results showed a power of discrimination greater than 80%, outperforming traditional calculations.
A new dental filling material made with thiourethane could significantly extend its lifespan, reducing the need for frequent fillings and related complications. The material has been shown to be two times more resistant to breakage than standard fillings.
A recent study published in the Journal of Biomechanics used advanced MRI techniques to track wrist bone movement in 18 individuals, revealing gender-based differences. The researchers found that while individual left and right wrists are similar, there are distinct differences between male and female wrists.
The Pennsylvania Pediatric Medical Device Consortium has partnered with University of Pittsburgh programs McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and sciVelo to develop medical devices for children. The consortium, based at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, has received a five-year $5 million grant renewal from the FDA.
A comprehensive study of the blind cavefish's vertebrate-like pelvic girdle and phylogeny may provide insights into the evolution of appendages, pelvis, and vertebral column needed for terrestrial life. Researchers will examine the morphological, genomic, and mechanical qualities that enable fish to walk on land.
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.
Researchers discovered geckos' unique locomotion method, combining leg slapping, skin surface tension, and tail propulsion. The findings could inspire rapid swimming robots for search and rescue operations.
A new study from the University of Bath found that standing for hours a day burns only about 9 calories an hour, equivalent to a stalk of celery. This suggests that replacing sitting with standing time is unlikely to lead to significant weight loss, and individuals should focus on increasing physical activity and diet instead.
Research reveals that women who undergo reconstructive surgeries using a large back muscle after radiation therapy experience significant losses in shoulder stability and function. Conversely, other methods such as pectoral muscle rebuild and abdominal tissue transfer produce equally good results for future shoulder function.
Harvard researchers create highly-detailed musculoskeletal model of an echidna forelimb to gain insight into its biomechanics and optimize limb leverage for certain movements. The study also reveals the importance of muscle configuration in supporting limb rotation, a key feature of the echidna's sprawling gait.
The FIT project aims to address high youth football injury rates in Sweden by combining biomedical and social science disciplines. The study analyzes multiple datasets to identify risk factors, including growth, training intensity, and pressure to perform.
Some moth species use sound-absorbing scales to evade bats' echolocation. The scales vibrate at resonant frequencies that overlap with bats' biosonar range, creating acoustic camouflage.
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.
Warren Ruder, a Pitt engineer, has been awarded $1.5 million from the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to develop magnetically induced synthetic gene networks for cell and tissue therapies. His research combines biology and engineering to create new biomimetic systems that can regulate disease pathways.
Researchers discovered that animals swish their tails to generate a curtain of breeze that wafts insects away. The study found that the animals were swinging their tails three times faster and using 27 times more energy than expected, but still only intercepted one insect every 90 seconds.
A study by University of California - Riverside researchers found that mouth injuries caused by hook removal after catch-and-release fishing reduce feeding performance in suction-feeding fish, including bass, salmon, and trout. The study suggests that fishing-induced injuries impact a fish's ability to feed while the mouth is healing.
Researchers found that people who report lingering symptoms after ACL surgery tend to overload or underload their injured leg, leading to cartilage damage. The study suggests that restoring proper movement mechanics through physical therapy and strength training may improve chances of avoiding osteoarthritis.
Computer simulation models how toxic proteins spread through the brain to reproduce patterns of atrophy associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The model reveals that biochemistry and connectivity play key roles in mediating disease progression.
Researchers discovered that mice lacking a key gene, CMAH, can run stronger and longer with less fatigue. This gene loss may have contributed to humanity's ability to run long distances relatively tirelessly.
A four-year, $6 million project aims to reduce stalk lodging in corn and sorghum using mathematical modeling and innovative technology. The team plans to breed stronger plants that can withstand various environmental factors, potentially increasing global food production by up to a billion people.
A research team from Kiel University has developed a method to boost the adhesive effect of silicone materials by combining surface structuring with plasma treatment. They found that surfaces with a mushroom-like microstructure exhibit significantly improved adhesion, even when bent to varying degrees. This breakthrough could enable ne...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the jaw joint bone structure of carnivorans is more closely related to their body size than their diet. Researchers used 3D printing and CT scans to analyze the mandibular condyle, a key joint in the jaw, and discovered no significant correlation between diet and jaw joint strength or complexity.
A new study found that twice-weekly one-hour football training sessions combined with dietary guidance significantly improved bone health in untrained 55-70-year-olds with prediabetes. After 16 weeks, the participants showed marked improvements in clinically important sites, including a 3.2% increase in femoral neck bone mineral content.
A new study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics found that habitually barefoot children are noticeably better at jumping and balancing compared to habitually shod children. The researchers also suggest that physical education classes and exercise programs could benefit from including barefoot activities.
Researchers found that maximal running shoes increase impact peak and loading rate in female runners, associated with higher injury risks like plantar fasciitis and tibial stress fractures. Maximal shoes feature increased cushioning, but this may lead runners to rely more on the shoe rather than their own internal structures.
In-school football training has been shown to improve the physical fitness and health of schoolgirls aged 10-12, including those with no prior experience. The study found significant reductions in blood pressure, improvements in muscle strength and balance, and enhanced jumping performance.
A 16-week study found that combining recreational football training with dietary guidance significantly improves physical fitness, reduces blood pressure, and promotes healthier weight loss. This innovative intervention demonstrates the potential for exercise and diet to prevent type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Researchers trained a 'Regal Jumping Spider' to jump different distances and heights using 3D CT scanning and high-speed cameras. The study reveals the spider uses different jumping strategies depending on the challenge, with internal hydraulic pressure playing a key role in its extraordinary jumping performance.
Researchers found that children's muscles are more fatigue-resistant and recover faster than those of untrained adults and even well-trained endurance athletes. This discovery may lead to better understanding of how our bodies change from childhood to adulthood and inform the development of athletic potential in children.
A multi-university study is mapping the repeated evolution of similar head shapes among animals using their heads to dig into the ground. The researchers aim to understand how anatomy, development, relationships, and ancestry influence body shape, examining over 400 million years of evolution.
Sharon Truesdell, a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Akron, has been awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to support her research on bone cells and diseases like osteoporosis. The three-year fellowship includes a $34,000 stipend and cost-of-education allowance.
Devin W. Laurence, a University of Oklahoma Mechanical Engineering Senior, won the Grand Prize at the 2018 Research Day at the Capitol with his research on atrioventricular heart valves. The $500 award includes a $4,000 summer research internship and recognizes cutting-edge research in cardiovascular heart valve biomechanics.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that rear-facing car seats are effective in reducing injuries and fatalities in rear-impact collisions. The study's findings align with crash data, highlighting the importance of following recommended guidelines for car seat selection based on child height, weight, and age.
Elsbeth Walker and her team will investigate how plants control iron levels, using sophisticated techniques to detect and test for iron signaling mechanisms. The research aims to understand how plants regulate iron uptake, with potential applications in breeding cereals that are rich in bioavailable iron.
Researchers found that concussions occur when a deep area of the brain shakes rapidly and intensely, straining surrounding tissues. The study's findings suggest a complex relationship between head impacts and brain motion, highlighting the need for further research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of concussions.
A study by Mehmet Kurt from Stevens Institute of Technology found that concussions occur when deep white matter regions of the brain, particularly the corpus callosum, shake more rapidly and intensely than surrounding areas. This understanding could lead to better helmet designs and real-time diagnostic tools for athletes.
Computer-generated chimpanzee simulations become more accurate thanks to simple changes in machine learning algorithms. The research also reveals that all primates walk with a unique 'curious' gait, which may be linked to stability while moving through trees.
A new model based on ground-running birds can predict the locomotion of bipedal dinosaurs by analyzing their speed and body size. The BIRDS Model uses just two inputs to estimate stride length and force exerted per step, providing insights into extinct theropod dinosaur movement.
Researchers at Lehigh University aim to elucidate the biomechanical mechanism of Ebola-host cell interaction using computational molecular adhesion mechanics and single-molecule force spectroscopy. Their goal is to provide new pharmacological targets for antiviral drug development.
A new meta-analysis finds that 3-6 months of football training twice a week improves cardiovascular fitness by 3.51 mL/min/kg, lowers fat mass and resting heart rate, and reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Football is considered broad-spectrum medicine for lifestyle disease prevention.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Jonathan Vande Geest at the University of Pittsburgh has received a $673K NIH grant to construct biomimetic, small-diameter vascular grafts that mimic the body's own blood vessels.
Researchers have developed a simplified musculoskeletal model that uses network science to predict how injuries in one area of the body can lead to increased strain on other areas. The model could help clinicians and physical therapists develop new treatments for injury prevention and management.
Researchers developed a soft robot that mimics the stingray's flattened body shape and side fins, enabling the creation of bio-electromechanical systems. The robot features living heart cells, biomaterials, and flexible electrodes, allowing it to 'flap' its fins.
The special section on OCT published by SPIE Journal of Biomedical Optics highlights its continued relevance in medicine and biology. New opportunities emerge in areas like gastroenterology, dermatology, and oncology.
A new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggests that weak deep core muscles increase the risk of low back pain in runners. By analyzing muscle movements and pressure on joints, researchers found that planks and stabilizing exercises are essential for preventing back pain.
Researchers have developed an organ-on-a-chip device that accurately models atherosclerosis, allowing them to study inflammatory responses in cells lining blood vessels. The device can also be used to diagnose early immune responses in patients, providing a more accurate assessment of blood health.
Researchers have measured and mapped the key molecular forces on platelets that trigger blood clotting. The findings suggest that platelets care about the direction of forces applied to them, requiring a lateral force signal to prevent unnecessary clotting.
Researchers in material robotics envision a future where technology seamlessly integrates into daily life, enabling intelligent products that adapt to our needs. By merging materials science and robotics, the goal is to create robots with 'brains' in their bodies, making them ubiquitous and invisible.
A tangled mesh in a finite element simulation can lead to inaccurate results, affecting biomechanical design, product development, and large-deformation analysis. Researchers have developed new methods for untangling meshes, including constrained optimization and the finite-cell method.
TU Graz is awarding €2 million to the 'Mechanics, Modeling and Simulation of Aortic Dissection' project and €1.5 million to the 'Porous Materials @ Work' project to advance research in biomechanics and materials sciences. The funding will support the development of simulation models and algorithms to diagnose and treat aortic dissections.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying the mechanics of morphogenesis in frog embryos to better understand human development, birth defects, and cancer. By applying structural analysis principles, they aim to develop a tool that provides bioengineers with greater control over tissue self-assembly.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University found that hammerhead sharks use different body movements to swim at the same speed, despite varying head shapes and sizes. The study revealed a double oscillating system in their movement, allowing for increased sensory perception and scanning of the environment.
A new study from Drexel University found that incorporating diverse ideas from women can improve safety in traditionally male fire departments. However, female firefighters often face hostile cultures and feel unwelcome due to hypermasculine environments. This can lead to a lack of reporting of injuries, which can be career-ending.