Researchers are developing surgical screws from donated human bone material, reducing the risk of complications and eliminating the need for second surgeries. The technology, developed by TU Graz's Institute of Biomechanics, is being used in 14 Austrian hospitals and aims to improve outcomes for foot and jaw surgery patients.
Researchers discovered that bladderwort traps suck in prey like water fleas at incredible speeds, decelerating them before trapping. Comparative analyses of different species revealed unique trap entrance structures and movement patterns adapted to various habitats.
A recent study published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering suggests that unmanned aircraft pose a wide range of risks to people on the ground, with some small drones potentially safe to operate over people while others present significant injury risk. The research found that design features such as deflection and deformation can ...
A team of materials designers led by Dynamic Research Inc. won the grand prize of $500,000 for developing a novel material with an unusual geometric structure that can absorb or mitigate force within helmets and other protective gear, reducing impact by over 70%. The winning entry has potential to support innovation and stimulate the m...
A team of Vanderbilt University engineers has developed smart underwear that can help prevent back pain by offloading stress on the low back muscles. The device features two fabric sections connected by straps and can be controlled via an app or a simple double tap, reducing muscle fatigue by up to 45%.
Researchers have developed a new contact lens coating made from a molecule found in pig stomach mucus, which can prevent tissue damage caused by dry eyes. The coating is long-term protective and requires no repeated applications, offering an alternative to existing hyaluronic acid products.
Bernd Bickel, an Assistant Professor at IST Austria, will receive the Significant New Researcher Award for his contributions to computer graphics and facial modeling. His research has introduced new techniques for capturing and reproducing facial structure and motion in 3D digital models.
A Vanderbilt University team developed an ultrathin energy harvesting system that generates electricity from human motion, offering a potential solution for wearable devices and smart clothing. The device operates at low frequencies, making it suitable for slow movements like sitting or standing.
Researchers found that geckos don't always have enough adhesive ability to save themselves, especially when encountering unexpected falls. The study's results could lead to a better understanding of how geckos stick to surfaces and potentially inspire new technologies.
Researchers have identified a rare pterosaur pelvis in Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park, showing that these ancient reptiles were well adapted for walking on land. The study provides evidence that azhdarchids likely used their powerful hindlimbs to transport themselves on the ground.
Researchers investigated how runners adapt their running patterns to cope with shock-induced vibrations. Preliminary results suggest that the human body adjusts to stabilize energetics and protect the upper body, regardless of speed. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and develop strategies to prevent running injuries.
A new method assesses patterns of ground force application, suggesting Bolt's mechanics may vary between left and right legs. The analysis provides a new tool for understanding the basis of maximal running speeds.
A research team measured chimpanzee muscles and found a modest performance advantage, contrary to popular accounts of chimp 'super strength'. Chimpanzees have twice as many fast-twitch fibers, but this translates to only about 1.35 times more dynamic force and power output than humans.
Researchers led by Barclay Morrison will examine concussion injury and recovery mechanisms using in vivo, in vitro, and computational models. The goal is to develop effective methods for preventing and treating concussion, with potential benefits for both acute and persisting neurocognitive dysfunction.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that duration, biomechanics, and force influence the subjective effort associated with arm movements, while movement amplitudes have no effect. The researchers also discovered a link between brain functions involved in decision-making and movement execution.
Researchers found that exercising burns fat in bone marrow, leading to improved bone health. The study suggests that exercise is beneficial even more so for obese individuals, who may experience greater bone formation and strength.
Researchers have discovered that bacterial biofilms adapt their surface texture to repel water, similar to leaves. The structure of these biofilms is influenced by nutrient supply, with some behaving like lotus leaves and others like rose petals.
A new study by Dara Orbach, PhD, uses computed tomography scans and silicone models to visualize the anatomy of dolphin copulation. The research reveals complex vaginal folds and spirals that interact with the penis during fertilization.
Researchers at University of Washington and Texas A&M University discovered a new genus and species of clingfish using digital scans. The duckbilled clingfish has an impressive number of tiny, conical teeth, estimated to be 10 times what all other known clingfish have.
A new study analyzed the biomechanics of head injury in pediatric patients with concussions, using physical and computational models to simulate impacts. The researchers found that youths are at higher risk of concussive injury at lower event severities, but no clear predictors for persistent symptoms were identified.
A study found that arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction significantly improves shoulder function and stability in patients with rotator cuff tears. The surgical approach eliminated pseudoparalysis in 96.3% of moderate and 93.3% of severe cases.
The Kappa Delta Sorority presented four awards to scientists conducting outstanding musculoskeletal disease research, focusing on ankle osteoarthritis, clubfoot treatment, and wrist kinematics. The winners emphasized the importance of personalized medicine, assessing physical performance beyond patient-reported outcomes to improve reco...
A study from Hospital for Special Surgery found that arm slot, arm speed and shoulder rotation are significantly related to elbow varus torque, a key factor in UCL injuries. The research used advanced technology to analyze throwing biomechanics in real-game settings, providing new insights into injury prevention.
A new progeria-on-a-chip model has provided insights into the mechanisms of premature aging and vascular disease. The study found that cells from HGPS donors exhibited an exacerbated response to biomechanical strain, leading to increased inflammation.
Researchers developed a minimally invasive tool to measure muscle impairment using fiber-optic technology. The technique accurately assesses muscle properties, enabling personalized treatment plans for patients with movement disorders.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects 1 in 3,500 boys, stealing their ability to walk by age 12 and typically killing them by mid-20s. Researchers at UVA will use a multi-scale computer model to understand how muscle damage and inflammation drive the disease.
A University of Utah study found that heel-down posture in great apes and humans is beneficial for fighting due to increased swinging force. This stance allows for more efficient application of rotational force, enabling physical competition to be costly and demanding peak performance from the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system.
A study using high-speed motion capture found that human feet are more mobile than expected, challenging long-held ideas about human-chimpanzee differences. This discovery may require rethinking assumptions about early human ancestor fossil feet.
Researchers developed a concise new explanation for human running mechanics, offering direct insight into determinants of performance and injuries. The two-mass model provides accurate predictions of ground-force application regardless of speed or foot-strike type.
Researchers discovered that fruit fly steering muscles are divided into two types, with tonic muscles always in use for fine-tuned adjustments and phasic muscles used for rapid movements. This unique organization enables efficient flight control.
Professors Ateshian and Myers have made significant contributions to the fields of cartilage mechanics and soft tissue biomechanics. Ateshian's work focuses on developing better modalities for osteoarthritis treatment, while Myers studies the mechanics of the uterus and cervix to prevent premature births.
Scientists developed a bioinspired adhesive material that can be controlled remotely by UV light, transporting micro-objects with high precision. The material consists of mushroom-shaped adhesive microstructures and elastic porous material, allowing for reversible control and detachment.
Limpets' shells can be repaired to match their original strength after damage, but they still face weaknesses from multiple impacts called spalling. This biomimetic discovery could inspire solutions for engineering problems like concrete failure.
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology study how cells respond to shear stress in blood vessels, aiming to understand biological mechanics and develop effective therapeutic strategies. The work could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer metastasis and heart failure.
Cognitive scientists at Bielefeld University have been investigating the secret of successful chess players by recording players' eye movements and facial expressions. The research group found that chess experts concentrate on main chess pieces and control their attention more efficiently than novices.
Grasping actions have been shown to accelerate the brain's comprehension process, allowing for a faster interpretation of words. This new method could be used in therapies for aphasia, a language disorder affecting stroke patients, by utilizing motor training through grip movements to strengthen word recognition.
Researchers discovered that jumping water striders adjust their leg movements to prevent the water surface from breaking, allowing them to achieve maximum jump speeds. By studying the biomechanics of these near-vertical jumps, scientists built a mathematical model to explain the behavior and verified its predictions with actual data.
Brown University's XROMM technology has been upgraded with new software and fluoromicrometry methods, allowing researchers to track muscle contractions and bone movements with precision. This advancement has led to discoveries such as the use of body muscles to power swimming in fish.
New research findings suggest that men and women have different post-surgical outcomes after total hip arthroplasty. Women who had improved functional recovery showed more abductor strength improvement and better gait function during walking. Tailoring rehabilitation to each sex may help patients achieve better outcomes.
Researchers found that tooth shape influenced diet and feeding biomechanics, with selection favoring maximum damage, not just force or energy. The study used 3D-printed replicas of ancient mammal teeth to test the impact of different diets on early mammals.
Researchers from Virginia Tech discovered that birds' slender necks and pointed beaks reduce drag force during dives, allowing them to plunge safely. The team also found that contracting neck muscles before impact helps prevent buckling.
Researchers have developed a live-cell-imaging-based system that reveals the molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of Lyme disease bacteria's ability to spread through blood vessels. The study found that BBK32 plays a crucial role in stabilizing bacterial-vascular interactions, and bacteria use bungee-cord-like tethers to move along e...
Researchers at Lehigh University, Michelin Corporation, and NSF are developing materials with surface architectures that could enhance the safety and reliability of tires. By mimicking the smooth pad surfaces found on the feet of grasshoppers or frogs, they aim to improve sliding friction while minimizing rolling resistance.
A team of Penn researchers has created a computer model that accounts for thermal fluctuations and surface undulation, enabling more accurate targeting of cancer cells. The new model can aid in custom designing nanocarriers with specific molecules for personalized medicine.
A recent study reveals galectin-3's ability to interact with GAGs and proteoglycans, challenging previous biological functions. This discovery has significant implications for cancer treatment and research into immunodeficiency, neural growth, and inflammation.
A study found that insect tibias are best suited for high-stress activities like jumping and righting when overturned, with similar strength across desert locust, American cockroach, and Death's Head cockroach species.
Researchers have developed a new type of terahertz quantum cascade laser that can produce a record output power of up to 230 milliwatts in continuous wave mode. This breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including spectroscopy, medical imaging, and remote sensing.
Researchers at TUM developed a new mortar resistant to water uptake by adding a biofilm produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The hybrid mortar exhibits a high contact angle, similar to Teflon, reducing the likelihood of liquid absorption.
Researchers harness 3D x-ray imaging technology and computer simulations to understand the effect of stainless steel horseshoes on skeletal stresses in horses. The method was used effectively in a preliminary case study, paving the way for new research directions to minimize foot injuries.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and EPFL develop a computational design tool that enables designers to fully exploit the unique property of auxetic materials, which can expand uniformly in two dimensions. The tool allows for the creation of complex 3D shapes using flat sheets of plastic or metal.
Researchers discovered multiple assemblages of Homo erectus footprints in northern Kenya, preserving evidence of a modern human style of walking and group structure consistent with human-like social behaviours. The findings provide direct insight into the locomotor patterns and group dynamics of our fossil ancestors.
Researchers discovered that coconut walls can dissipate energy via crack deflection, thanks to a distinct, ladder-like design of the vascular system. This structure could be applied to functionally graded concrete to enhance its energy dissipation capacity and protect buildings against earthquakes and other hazards.
Researchers developed a method to study cellular response by capturing individual cells in microscopic gel beads, allowing for manipulation of the external environment and observation of regenerative ability. This tool promises to shed light on single cell biomechanics and unravel the nuances of micromechanics within plant cells.
Researchers create a biomechanical model of pregnant women using 3D motion capture, verifying the 'pregnancy waddle' and enabling safer daily tasks. The study aims to improve comfort and reduce falls during pregnancy.
Researchers at the University of Bath's new CAMERA centre are applying motion capture technology to train elite athletes and rehabilitating injured service personnel. The team aims to automate the process of animating non-human creatures using input from human actors, with potential applications in healthcare, sports, and entertainment.
Researchers developed a predictive model that uses patient-specific stem cells and genetic data to forecast heart defect types in pediatric patients. The model was tested on human cardiomyocyte cells from patients with specific mutations, achieving accurate predictions of hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy.
The Occupant Transportation Decision Algorithm (OTDA) helps emergency responders and hospitals evaluate a crash victim's need for trauma care by analyzing data from electronic data recorders on board vehicles. The algorithm can aid in triage, reducing overtriage and undertriage rates.
Accurate IOP measurement is crucial for managing glaucoma and identifying high-risk patients. Newer methods like Dynamic Contour Tonometry offer alternative solutions for patients with abnormal corneas, but limitations remain.
A biomechanics team at Trinity College Dublin discovered how insects construct internal bandages to mend damaged limbs, restoring approximately two-thirds of their original strength. This innovative repair mechanism allows insects to function almost normally after a cut, promoting survival in the wild.
A UBC study found that high-speed and inexperience are top contributing factors to injuries on the Whistler sliding track. The study also revealed that more experienced sliders had lower injury risks, with those logging over 150 runs showing reduced risk.