Researchers found that 12-weeks of high-speed power training improves muscular power in older people. The study showed significant gains in neuromuscular and cardiovascular function, as well as improved functional capacity and quality of life. Power training is a promising measure for preventing or reducing loss of functional capacity ...
A study of 46 retrieved metal-on-metal total hip replacements found common damage patterns, including scratches and wear patches. The researchers aim to understand the mechanisms behind these failures and develop new implant designs to reduce wear and corrosion.
Research from Cleveland Clinic found that padded headgear and gloves can reduce linear impact forces but not rotational forces. The study suggests that young fighters should wear protective headgear whenever possible to minimize head and neck injuries.
A fossilized bushcricket from the Jurassic period has revealed a new species' musical call, shedding light on the acoustic environment and potential auditory capacity of other animals. The song was reconstructed using biomechanical principles and is believed to have been used for long-distance communication.
A team of engineers led by Ioannis Poulakakis aims to create robots that can run like animals, enabling them to access areas inaccessible to conventional vehicles. Using biomechanics research, they seek to develop a family of systematic control strategies that work with the robot's natural dynamics.
Researchers analyzed ankle ligament movements and strains during the jump shot, finding that landing causes additional stress on ligaments. The study suggests improved training techniques can reduce injury risk, benefiting junior players.
Jane Grande-Allen, Rice University's first faculty member to win the award, will receive a five-year research grant to study the unique biological properties of heart valves. Her goal is to develop novel therapies for valve disease and create living, healing heart-valve replacements.
The article discusses innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury, including novel biomaterials, biomechanics, and simulation technology. Leading research articles explore the effects of brain trauma, nerve regeneration, and neuroprotection.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that frogs' stretchy tendons are the key to their impressive jumping abilities. The study shows how the leg muscle shortens and loads energy into the tendon before releasing it to propel the frog forward, enabling them to jump much farther than expected.
A recent British study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science may revolutionize the way healthcare professionals assess glaucoma risk. The study used a new method to measure intraocular pressure, correcting for corneal biomechanics, and found accurate measurements of eye pressure with improved accuracy.
A study by Case Western Reserve University researchers suggests that the evolution of human vertebrae adapted for upright walking is the primary cause of backbone fractures, not osteoporosis. The team found that human vertebrae are larger and more porous than those in apes, but also thinner and less protected against cracks and breaks.
Researchers found that people with previous ankle injuries tend to move their hips and knees differently when landing, which may contribute to re-injury. The study provides new insights into the role of joint movements in ankle sprains.
A new translational research center aims to predict and prevent osteoarthritis in young people and improve care for adults suffering from the disease. The center will integrate imaging, biomechanics, and clinical medicine to develop clinical tools that can assess degeneration and risk factors.
Scientists have discovered 'superfast' muscles in bats that allow them to navigate and hunt in total darkness using echolocation. These muscles can contract up to 100 times faster than typical body muscles, enabling the rapid succession of calls needed for successful hunting.
A new study at Brown University measures head blows during games and practices over three seasons, documenting that running backs and quarterbacks suffer the hardest hits to the head. Linemen, however, were hit on the head most often, with doctors warning about the potential for subconcussive neurological damage from repeated impacts.
A new study published in the Journal of Zoology found that the Tasmanian tiger's weak jaws made it unlikely to catch large prey like sheep. The research suggests that its inability to kill large prey may have hastened its extinction, highlighting the vulnerability of large predators with specialized diets.
Researchers at IBEC used a computational model to study the effect of external loading on two important cell solutes related to disc metabolism: oxygen and lactate. They found that the effect of loading was greater when compressing a healthy disc than a degenerated one, promoting fluctuations in solute concentration.
Researchers analyzed golf swings of 10 professionals and 5 amateurs, finding consistent rotational-biomechanic elements among pros. Key findings include highly consistent peak X-factor and free moment, essential to power generation in professional golfers.
Using mice, researchers identified differences in viscoelastic properties between early and advanced stages of ovarian cancer. They found that benign cells are stiffer and more viscous than malignant cells, which is consistent with previous studies on other types of cancer.
Two studies reveal individual neurons control synaptic vesicle recycling speed, with variations across different neurons. This finding refines neuroscience's understanding of neurotransmission at the synaptic gap between brain cells.
Dental implant technology could be improved by studying the surface structure at both micro and nano levels. Researchers found that increasing the active surface area and changing conductivity can speed up healing, reducing discomfort for patients.
The dragonfly wing's microstructure plays a crucial role in its biomechanical responses, enabling self-adaptability in flapping, torsion, and camber variations. The organic junction between veins and membranes optimizes strength, stiffness, and toughness.
A new study finds that hips provide most of the power during walking, but ankles dominate during running. This discovery could inform the design of assistive devices and prosthetics for humans.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a special wound dressing that significantly reduced scar tissue caused by incisions in animal tests and early clinical trials. The novel 'stress-shielding device' provides uniform compression across the wound, reducing scarring and potentially making surgical revisions more appealing.
Biomechanics researchers studied helmeted guinea fowl's movement strategies on slippery and rough surfaces to understand how animals respond to unexpected changes in their habitat. They found that speed, foot position, and body alignment are key factors in preventing slips and falls.
A new computational model of the human foot reveals the importance of toe strength in determining body balance. The model's findings support previous studies on real people and could lead to improved robotic body parts and prosthetics.
A Syracuse University research team has created a temperature-sensitive shape memory polymer substrate that can change shape under cell-compatible conditions. The breakthrough, led by James Henderson and Kevin Davis, offers potential solutions for current limitations of static substrate research in bioengineering.
Aeroecology is a new discipline that focuses on the aerosphere and its influence on airborne organisms. Organisms such as bats, birds, and insects rely on this aerial environment for their existence, but are also affected by human-altered landscapes and climate change.
Researchers at Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University Center for Injury Biomechanics will investigate blast-induced brain trauma using experimental and computational models. The project aims to develop safety mechanisms for soldiers and transport vehicles to reduce injuries.
A new software tool visualizes biomechanical data to help professionals understand and address mobility challenges. This improves diagnostic, therapeutic, communication, and education procedures, leading to better-designed products and healthcare strategies. The tool has the potential to enhance quality of life for older people.
A study by Indiana University found that runners who continue despite exhaustion change their form, increasing the risk of injury. The study showed that at the end of a normal run, runners' mechanics start to change when they reach fatigue levels, typically indicated by RPEs between 13-15.
Researchers found that adolescent great whites struggle with capturing and killing large marine mammals due to their weak jaws. However, they can maintain high bite forces using a unique jaw muscle arrangement, a trait common among successful predators.
A new study found that botulinum toxin A causes muscle weakness in muscles far removed from the injection site, even after repeated use. The study also reveals muscle atrophy and loss of contractile tissue in non-injected limbs.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created a new computer method to measure mechanical stress in fat cells, which can help control the amount of fat produced by these cells. The study has direct applications in weight loss programs, treating bedsores, and managing chronic diabetes.
Thay Q. Lee will receive $1.4 million to support his research on the biomechanics of flexing and kneeling in veterans with total knee arthroplasty. His work aims to improve quality of life for injured veterans and others.
New research reveals tyrannosaur diversity, including smaller species and earlier ancestors, has significantly expanded our understanding. A comprehensive evolutionary tree shows the group's complexity, challenging popular perceptions of T. rex as a singular apex predator.
Researchers have used a tuatara's 3D computer model to understand how its jaw joints and muscles work together to prevent tooth damage. The study suggests that humans could benefit from a similar feedback system to reduce the risk of dental implant failures.
A new study from UC Davis found that changing training techniques can reduce shear forces on knee joints, which may help prevent ACL injuries. The research involved female basketball players who learned to land on their toes and balls of the feet, resulting in a 56% reduction in tibial shear force.
A new study found that prolonged wearing of high heels can contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. The researchers discovered that heel height changes walking characteristics, such as slower speeds and shorter stride lengths, and increases compression on the inside of the knee.
Researchers found that the human neck played a crucial role in the evolution of the human brain by enabling improved movement and dexterity in terrestrial and aerial environments. This innovation allowed for a wide range of forelimb abilities, from flying to swimming and playing piano.
Biologists at Tufts University have discovered a novel 'two-body' system of locomotion in the crawling tobacco hawkmoth caterpillar, where its gut moves independently of the surrounding body wall. This finding may offer valuable insights for designing soft-bodied robots and re-examining the role of soft tissues in human biomechanics.
A new study offers a low-cost, in-office tool to identify athletes at high-risk for ACL injuries. The simplified method combines measuring the tibia and knee motions with standard equipment, strongly correlating with expensive laboratory methods.
A new study found that early modern humans didn't need tools or cooking to process hard foods; instead, they may have lost ability to eat tough items like tubers or leaves. Modern humans have efficient bites using less-powerful jaw muscles, contrary to previous suggestions about a weaker bite in favor of a larger brain.
A new study from Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science reveals that hunting at a drag-inducing position could be the basis for fish's unusual body shape. The researchers found that the increased cost of movement caused by body tilting was more than counterbalanced by increased sensory performance.
The IOF-Servier Young Investigator Research Grant was awarded to two young researchers, Dr. Frank DeVries and Dr. Davide Ruffoni, for their innovative projects on osteoporosis. The grant aims to estimate the risk of fracture in patients with bariatric surgery and understand the mechanisms of implant integration in osteoporotic bone.
Researchers found that dehydrin proteins play a key role in helping plants like the resurrection fern survive up to 95% water loss, allowing water to act as a lubricant between cell walls. This discovery could lead to developing drought-resistant crops by localizing and transferring the dehydrin gene.
A new species of dromaeosaurid, Linheraptor exquisitus, has been discovered in Inner Mongolia with a near complete skeleton found since 1972. The fossil reveals unique features, including an antorbital fenestra, and is closely related to Velociraptor.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that human running speeds can exceed 28 mph due to limitations imposed by muscle fiber contractile speed. Researchers found that elite sprinters' foot-ground contact times are brief, implying a biological limit on how quickly muscles can generate forces.
A University of Leeds research project aims to develop new treatments for multiple myeloma patients, using techniques such as injecting cements into the spine. The study seeks to improve quality of life for patients suffering from this incurable bone marrow cancer.
Researchers investigate how our bodies function, including why we chew food to create a firm blob for safe swallowing. Fingerprints are also examined, with tests suggesting they may aid grip and skin flexibility, but the true purpose remains unknown.
A new study published in Biology Letters found that amputees who use running-specific prosthetic legs have no performance advantage over counterparts with biological legs. The researchers measured forces exerted on the ground and leg swing times, finding a 9% impairment in force production.
Dr. Jay Smith, a Mayo Clinic physician, has received the first-ever PASSOR Legacy Award and Lectureship for his groundbreaking contributions to musculoskeletal physiatry. The award recognizes Dr. Smith's innovative approaches to patient care, education, and research in this field.
Scientists have created a new approach to studying bacterial swimming, using optical traps, microfluidic chambers and fluorescence to track Escherichia coli movement. The method allows researchers to trap bacteria and modify their environment without hindering movement, providing insights into the mechanics of bacterial swimming.
The research team will investigate the role of structural components in knee ligament sprains, combining micro-mechanical models, molecular models, and biological and mechanical experiments. The study aims to clarify micro-structural changes associated with partial and complete tears.
The study found that Pistorius' energy cost of running is similar to accomplished male distance runners but 17% lower than performance-matched sprinters. His ability to hold speed over longer sprint races is identical to intact-limb athletes, but his sprinting mechanics are dissimilar.
University of Delaware researchers have won the American Physical Therapy Association's award for the best clinical paper in orthopedics published in 2008. Their study focuses on the management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, a common issue affecting nearly 250,000 Americans each year.
Researchers used laser scanning to reconstruct five dinosaurs' bodies, including T. rex and Acrocanthosaurus. The study found that smaller T. rex specimens weighed between 5.5-7 tonnes, while larger ones could have reached 8 tonnes.
A new surgical procedure called OCRPRC (OsteoChondral Resurfacing in Proximal Row Carpectomy) offers a promising alternative to traditional treatments for wrist arthritis. By reducing inflammation and improving cartilage status, the procedure aims to restore wrist function and alleviate pain.
Researchers used computer simulation to study the jaw structure of Australopithecus africanus, finding it ideal for cracking hard objects. The findings suggest that early humans adapted their diet to changing food sources by using their powerful jaws.
Recent sports technology advancements aim to bridge the gap between able-bodied athletes and para-athletes. Prosthetic innovations like carbon blades have shown significant advantages in sprinting mechanics data, allowing double transtibial amputees to deliver comparable performance levels with lower metabolic costs.