Scientists explored how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures and found that surface features can inhibit bacterial adhesion. The researchers developed nickel nanostructures with various shapes, including tubular-shaped pillars, which showed higher bacteria survival rates.
Researchers discovered that ants' neck joints can withstand pressures of up to 5,000 times the ant's weight due to a unique combination of soft tissue and hard exoskeleton materials. This finding could lead to the development of micro-sized robots with improved mechanical functionality.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that football helmets with improved design can significantly reduce concussion risk. The research analyzed head impact data from eight collegiate teams and showed a 54% reduction in concussions for players wearing Riddell Revolution helmets compared to VSR4 helmets.
Long femoral necks in modular hip designs pose a risk of fracture, as reported in four cases presented in the January 2014 issue of JBJS Case Connector. The 'Watch' issued by the Journal highlights the need for clinicians to discuss this risk with patients and enhance patient safety.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in salamanders that allows them to jump with minimal push-off force. This 'hip-twist jump' creates a high amount of elastic energy, enabling the animals to propel themselves upwards.
Researchers discovered that marine snail larvae control their swimming speed by shifting the position of their velar lobes, exhibiting complex neuromuscular control. The larvae can vary their speed from one body length per second to four body lengths per second within a single day.
A study led by University of Manchester researcher Charlotte Brassey found that the leg bones of the tallest moa birds were similar to those of modern flightless birds that can run fast. The researchers used Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to estimate the weight and robustness of the moa, finding that different species had unique solutio...
A study published in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery analyzes a video of a failed bike stunt to estimate the traumatic forces causing facial fractures. The researchers used frame-by-frame analysis to calculate velocity and impact force, revealing Le Fort types 2 and 3 fractures indicative of high-impact trauma.
Researchers have developed a novel aluminum hybrid with enhanced impact resistance, mimicking the strength of pomelo fruit peels. The composite exhibits superior tensile strength and ductility, making it suitable for safety materials in various industries.
A study by Brown University researchers found that lighter non-wood bats did not launch the ball at significantly higher speeds than wood bats, particularly for younger players. The study's results suggest that coordinated rules for bat performance in youth baseball are needed to ensure player safety and enjoyment.
Researchers used the Anklebot robot to characterize the normal mechanics of the joint in healthy volunteers, finding that the ankle is strongest when moving up and down and weakest when turning inward. The findings may help clinicians better understand physical limitations caused by strokes and other motor disorders.
Researchers from Brown University traveled to Calaveras County to study the Guinness Book of World Records' top frog jumper, Rosie the Ribeter. They found that bullfrogs at the Jubilee surpassed the old research-grade mark of 1.3 meters a striking 58 percent of the time, with jumps reaching up to 2.2 meters.
A study by Simon Fraser University researchers found nearly 40% of seniors who fall experience head impact, with linoleum or tile flooring being the most common cause. The team suggests designing safer environments, improving procedures for detecting brain injuries, and promoting strengthening exercises to reduce falls.
Peter Barrance, a senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation, received the 2013 Clinical Biomechanics Award for his study on tibiofemoral contact location changes associated with lateral heel wedging. The study used weight-bearing MRI and was funded by NIDRR.
Research reveals how ancient crocodiles evolved and survived alongside dinosaurs, with notable variations in jaw shapes and biomechanics. The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, provides new insights into the evolution and adaptation of ancient crocodiles during the Mesozoic Era.
Jeffrey M. Hausdorff, PhD, receives the GSA's Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award for his work on gait variability, motor-cognitive interactions and the assessment of fall risk. His research has led to the development of innovative rehabilitation programs, including a multi-modal treadmill training program that improves...
Researchers developed an inertial sensor-based monitoring system to track upper limb movements in patients with impairment. The system was validated using a commercial optoelectronic system and showed promise in assessing functional rehabilitation of the upper limbs.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a new metric called Risk Weighted Cumulative Exposure (RWE) to capture players' exposure to the risk of concussion over a football season. The study found that impact frequency was greater during games than practices, but overall exposure was greater during practices.
Soft Robotics is a new peer-reviewed journal combining advances in biomedical engineering, biomechanics, and materials science to create robotic technology for interactive robots. The journal provides a forum for scientists and engineers across diverse fields to work together to build the next generation of soft robots.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source found that vitamin D deficiency not only reduces bone mineralization but also induces premature aging of existing bone. This accelerates the risk of fractures in patients with vitamin D deficiency.
A study found that knee shape can affect ACL reconstruction decisions after a tear. Knees with more stable shapes, such as deeper tibial plateaus and less concave areas, may not require surgery. This discovery could help clinicians identify patients who can skip ACL reconstruction.
Engineers at Queen Mary University created a highly accurate simulation of how damaged and healthy red blood cells interact with each other in the body. This new technology could aid medical professionals in visualizing oxygen flow and identifying areas where patients may be suffering from inadequate oxygen supply after heart surgery.
The practice of carrying loads on the head has significant biomechanical, maternal, and psycho-social impacts. Load-carrying is linked to poor school attendance and time budgets for women, affecting gender relations.
Distal radius fractures, a common elderly fracture, require standardized measurement of clinical outcomes to inform evidence-based practice and research. ISFR-ISOF recommendations promote international consensus on core domains for assessment, including pain, function, and participation.
The 'cheetah-cub robot' boasts excellent auto-stabilization characteristics and can run nearly seven times its body length in one second. Its design is based on the meticulous observation of feline leg morphology, featuring springs to reproduce tendons and actuators to replace muscles.
A team of biomechanics experts at SMU are investigating the forces involved in typical basketball collisions and their relationship to balance and body control. The research aims to estimate 'flopping' forces from video data and potentially enhance video reviews of alleged flopping.
Researchers found that all modern helmets provided significantly more protection than vintage leather helmets, reducing concussion risk by up to 96%. Modern helmets with lower star ratings had greater peak accelerations than higher-rated ones, highlighting the importance of helmet testing methodologies.
Researchers created a sea turtle-inspired robot to study flipper-based locomotion on complex surfaces. The 'Flipperbot' demonstrated improved movement using a free wrist, which reduced disturbance to the ground, similar to real-life observations of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London are using bioengineering techniques to grow the first complex 3-dimensional human tumour microenvironment in the laboratory. The goal is to understand how this 'tumour microenvironment' supports cancer growth and develop new treatments that target it.
Researchers used atomic force microscopy to measure the mechanical properties of single cells in articular cartilage. They found that vimentin protein plays a key role in maintaining cell integrity, and that adult tissue has higher mechanical properties than young or old tissue.
Dr. Mary Bouxsein has been recognized with the ESCEO-IOF Herbert Fleisch Medal for her outstanding contributions to understanding skeletal fragility through biomechanics. Her work focuses on predicting fracture risk using novel non-invasive imaging techniques.
Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that tissue damage is more likely to cause unexplained pain in metal-on-metal hip implant patients. The study found significant tissue damage in 90% of patients with unexplained pain compared to 10% in the control group.
Research found that cushioned heel trainers alter an adolescent runner's biomechanics and diminish performance by promoting a heel-strike pattern. In contrast, runners with track flats and barefoot had a forefoot or mid-foot strike pattern.
New research published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology found that bumblebees are unstable when hovering and flying slowly, but become neutral or weakly stable at medium and high flight speeds. This is due to a sideways wind made by the movement of their wings, which can be reduced by increasing speed.
A WUSTL researcher has received a $2.25 million grant to create 3D computer models of brain biomechanics, which will help improve methods for preventing and treating traumatic brain injuries. The new models will provide a better understanding of what happens to the brain during such injuries.
A UI researcher has developed a computer program that can accurately predict the effect of role posture on bone and muscle stress in the head and neck during whole-body vibration. The model may reduce the need for human subjects in design and testing, benefiting industries such as automotive and heavy machinery manufacturing.
Scientists at Caltech have developed a unique microscope that captures the motion of DNA structures in both space and time, allowing them to directly measure stiffness and map its variation. This breakthrough technique has far-reaching implications for understanding biological nanomaterials and their properties.
Researchers found that pea aphids can land upright on their feet, using passive rotation to right themselves during free fall. The insects' ability to adapt to extreme situations has been studied in detail and published in Current Biology.
Researchers found that breast cancer tissue has a mix of stiff and soft zones, whereas healthy tissue has uniform stiffness. This discovery may help improve breast cancer diagnosis and therapy by identifying potential for cancer spread. The study used advanced microscopy techniques to analyze tissue properties at the nanoscale.
A study by HITS researchers found that most proteins evolved to fold faster, with a 'big bang' of complex structures emerging 1.5 billion years ago. The study suggests that faster folding speeds may make proteins less susceptible to aggregation.
Researchers discovered that leaping toads' muscles adapt to varying impact intensity during landing, protecting them from injury. This study's findings may lead to improved rehabilitation programs for individuals with neuromuscular deficiencies.
Soft Robotics is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the science and engineering of soft materials in mobile machines. The journal covers topics such as device development, flexible electronics, and control and simulation of highly deformable structures.
Iowa State researchers identify three types of cell-to-cell bonds, each reacting differently to a pulling force. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, have implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular problems.
Hadrosaurs, herbivorous dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period, had a complex tooth structure with six tissues instead of two. The discovery was made possible by collaborations between paleontologists and engineers using advanced testing tools.
Research published in IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems suggests that automatic braking systems can significantly reduce injuries in rear-end collisions. The study found that the use of three systems - warning, assisted braking, and autonomous braking - may prevent up to 50% of serious injuries.
A new study reveals that sundew plants use catapulting snap tentacles to propel prey into their leaf trap, enhancing digestion and capture efficiency. This unique mechanism increases the plant's ability to capture larger insects and improves overall carnivory capabilities.
A University of Notre Dame researcher has made significant discoveries about the evolution of jaws in mammals. The study found that animals consuming harder, tougher foods tend to have a lesser degree of jaw fusion, while those eating softer, smaller foods do not.
A new study challenges the long-held view that conserving energy maximizes sprinter performance. Instead, researchers found that maximizing the force of each foot hit on the ground allows sprinters to achieve top speed.
Harvard University researchers have successfully created an artificial jellyfish using a silicone polymer and heart muscle cells. The Medusoid, as it's called, is capable of swimming and reproducing complex behaviors seen in biological jellyfish.
The Harvard Wyss Institute is developing a smart suit that improves physical endurance for soldiers by providing efficient actuation and joint support. The wearable system, made from soft, stretchable assistive devices, detects fatigue and boosts balance through low-level mechanical vibrations.
A recent study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) increases stress across the groin in athletes. This increased stress leads to a higher risk of sports hernia, a common cause of groin pain in athletes.
A new biomedical device aims to alleviate chronic back pain by duplicating the natural motion of the spine. Developed by BYU engineers and licensed to Crocker Spinal Technologies, the artificial disc has shown promise in studies and is set to begin international sales distribution as early as next year.
A new study by the University of Bristol reveals that male tree crickets can change the frequency of their songs with temperature, allowing them to adjust their size. This allows males to increase sound power, which may be linked to attracting mates and disguising their true size.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that cells in blood vessel walls pull more tightly together when flowing past rapidly, reducing vascular leakage and potentially leading to new drug designs and improved surgical procedures. This discovery highlights the role of cellular forces in the progression of cardiovascular ...
A kinesiology research team at UMass Amherst will investigate how heavy loads affect soldiers' survivability, injury likelihood, and mission performance. The study, funded by the Navy Health Research Center, will also have practical implications for firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified three new ways to tackle bone diseases like osteoporosis. By understanding how individual cells respond to mechanical loading and stress, they've discovered that controlling ATP release during exercise could help build stronger bones.
The study found that woodpeckers' cranial bones have a higher ultimate strength than larks, thanks to more plate-like spongy bone. This structure helps resist deformation during pecking, reducing stress on the brain. The beaks of both birds exhibit similar ultimate strengths.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that crocodilians possess a remarkable capacity for generating force through their bites. The researchers measured bite forces and tooth pressures for 23 species of crocodilians, with saltwater crocodiles displaying the strongest bite force at over 3,700 pounds.
The Osteoarthritis Summit identified gaps in research and proposed a new classification system to address the disease's complexity. Experts emphasized the need for multidisciplinary approaches and biomarkers to monitor disease progression, with potential solutions including weight loss interventions and integrated treatment strategies.
The Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences has published the first-ever data on head impacts from youth football players. The new study, called Kinematics of Impact Data Set (KIDS), aims to map the head impact exposure of youth football players across all age groups from 6 to 18 years.