Articles tagged with Biomechanics
University of Iowa researchers have created an underwater hydrofoil with a coiled spire design that reduces drag and creates more lift, enabling it to move with ease in any underwater environment. The technology mimics the skin, muscles, and tissue of an octopus, allowing for increased portability and maneuverability.
Researchers have discovered that soft gels and lotions retain residual stress from the mixing process, affecting their behavior over time. The study reveals that common products like hair gel and shaving cream hold onto these stresses for longer periods than previously assumed.
Researchers developed a validated finite element model to simulate middle-ear mechanics, revealing a clear cutoff point for fluid buildup beyond which hearing quality rapidly deteriorates. This insight offers clinicians a new way to assess and stage middle-ear fluid buildup.
A team of researchers has developed a robot with self-morphing, wing-like feet that mimic the agile movements of water striders. The insect-scale robot enhances surface maneuverability and can execute sharp turns in just 50 milliseconds, rivaling the rapid aerial maneuvers of flying flies.
A UCLA team has uncovered new details about the muscle controlling blinking, offering a pathway toward developing blink-assisting prostheses. The orbicularis oculi muscle contracts in complex patterns that vary by action and move the eyelid in more than just a simple up-and-down motion.
In scalding hot water, bacteria use a unique 'reverse-flow dance' to move upstream, sensing water flow direction. This behavior is common among heat-loving bacterial species with elongated shapes.
A new analysis of 18 species of carnivorous dinosaurs reveals that not all giant predators had strong bites, but instead specialized in different feeding styles. This study demonstrates the diversity of feeding strategies among giant carnivores, challenging the assumption that one 'best' skull design existed for being a predatory giant.
Researchers identify packing density as key factor affecting membrane elasticity, offering new insights into homeostasis and cellular behavior. This discovery has significant implications for drug delivery applications and the development of lifelike artificial cells.
Researchers from the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences studied the biological effects of permanent magnetic fields and found that their distribution in space plays a critical role in healing. The study's detailed field maps offer practical guidance for optimizing magnet use in medicine and magnetobiology.
Researchers analyzed 180-degree directional changes in soccer ball-trapping to identify key factors influencing performance. Advanced players executed trapping actions with greater accuracy, absorbing momentum more effectively and rotating their bodies towards intended movement directions.
Researchers have engineered a novel enzyme, PET2-21M, to enhance the biodegradation of bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. This breakthrough offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional recycling processes, achieving significant improvements in catalytic activity and substrate efficiency.
Bioengineers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a computational model called BrainFlow that simulates cerebrospinal fluid flow in the presence of shunt implants, providing insight into optimal shunt design and placement for hydrocephalus patients.
A new study reveals that fish hovering in place consumes roughly twice the energy of resting, challenging the scientific community's long-held assumption. By analyzing fin movements and body shape, researchers found species with greater separation between their centers of mass and buoyancy use more energy when hovering.
Researchers at OIST introduce a mouse motion capture method using marker-based approach to track high-quality data on complex movements. The method avoids pitfalls associated with smaller animals, enabling detailed studies of neuroscientific and physiological foundations of mouse movement.
Northern Arizona University researchers have developed an open-source robotic exoskeleton framework, OpenExo, which provides comprehensive instructions for building single- or multi-joint exoskeletons. The system helps overcome challenges in developing biomechanically beneficial and technologically advanced exoskeletons.
Researchers found that intercellular flow plays a major role in tissue response to deformation, affecting organs' adaptability to conditions like aging and cancer. The study's findings could inform the design of artificial tissues and organs.
A study by the CSIC-UMH Institute of Neurosciences uncovers how flies' flight stabilizers, the halteres, take shape. The structure is stabilized by a sophisticated cellular system that connects its two surfaces through an internal framework.
Researchers analyzed video clips of bumblebee visits to lousewort flowers, revealing a unique
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to create artificial blood vessels using ultrashort laser pulses, enabling the creation of mini organ models with precise control and reproducibility. The technology has been successfully applied to liver tissue models, resulting in improved metabolic activity and adequate nutrient supply.
A team of scientists at Stanford University has created an early testing method to identify individuals at risk of taking a life-threatening fall. By analyzing walking patterns and balance issues over time, the researchers can provide clinicians with valuable insights to intervene before falls occur.
Research highlights the challenges of assessing inter-limb asymmetries, emphasizing the importance of task specificity, data quality, temporal trends, and context. A decision-making framework guides practitioners in interpreting asymmetries effectively.
A team of scientists has studied the evolutionary history of the bacterial circadian clock, tracing its origins back to ancient cyanobacteria that emerged 3 billion years ago. They discovered that the oldest KaiC proteins lacked the necessary function for rhythmic qualities, but acquired it over time through molecular evolution.
Researchers have discovered that flamingos employ a range of active feeding strategies, including stomping, head jerking and beak chattering, to concentrate brine shrimp and small animals into their mouths. These behaviors create whirlpools and eddies that funnel prey towards the birds' mouths.
Scientists have discovered a Triassic-era fossil with an elongated jaw structure, similar to modern-day pike and needlefish. The findings suggest that different species independently evolved similar jaws hundreds of millions of years apart, highlighting the universal problem-solving strategies in nature.
A new method for DNA detection uses heterogeneous probe particles and laser light to accelerate genetic analysis. This PCR-free technique offers greater sensitivity and speed than traditional methods, making it more accessible for medical, environmental, and personal health applications.
A recent study has revealed the interaction mechanism between mitochondrial proteins HAX1 and CLPB, filling a research gap in structural dynamics and functional association. The high-affinity binding properties between the two proteins have been determined using nuclear magnetic resonance technology, providing new research perspectives...
African Elephants have an extraordinary ability to plan their journeys based on energy costs and resource availability, according to a new study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology. The research team used GPS tracking data from 157 elephants over a 22-year period to analyze their movement decisions and habitat selection.
A team of researchers from Osaka University has demonstrated that human tissue can be used to solve complex equations and process information, outperforming traditional computing methods. This breakthrough uses the concept of reservoir computing, where data is input into a complex 'reservoir' that encodes rich patterns.
Researchers at MIT successfully triggered a key enzyme in starfish egg cells using different patterns of light, prompting predictable movements and contractions. The study provides a new optical tool for controlling cell shape in its earliest developmental stages.
Researchers designed a hopping robot based on studies of leaping squirrels, which can stick a landing on narrow perches. The robot uses strategies similar to those employed by squirrels when landing, including directing force through the shoulder joint and grasping the branch with its feet.
Scientists have uncovered the molecular structure of Mycoplasma mobile's twin motors that power its gliding ability, using cryo-electron microscopy. The complex structure reveals a new mechanism by which energy from ATP hydrolysis is converted into motility.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers suggests that Kenyan Olympian Faith Kipyegon could break the 4-minute-mile barrier with strategically timed pacers. The team's calculations indicate that drafting can reduce air resistance by up to 76%, allowing female runners to improve their times by as much as five seconds.
A team of researchers developed a smart insole system that accurately measures body interaction with the ground, estimating ground reaction forces. The TG0 Smart Insole outperformed traditional methods with an error rate as low as 4.16%, offering a reliable and affordable solution for monitoring movement in real-world scenarios.
A team of researchers found that mammalian tails can form complex curves and enable body rotations in mid-air, challenging the conventional design of robotic tails. The study suggests that tail structure optimized for inertial maneuvering could be applied to robots, improving their performance and efficiency.
The study analyzed swimmer movement using optical motion capture and found that the direction of jet flow between vortices around the foot shifted downward as swimming speed increased. This shift is hypothesized to enhance forward propulsion during up-kicking, suggesting a refined technique for underwater undulatory swimming.
Hannah Dailey, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Lehigh University, has been recognized with the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE) for her innovative research on fracture healing. Her virtual mechanical test can identify nonunions early in the healing process, allowing for earlier surgical intervention.
A new research project funded by a $600,000 grant is exploring the mechanics behind episiotomies, with the goal of developing safer and more effective surgical practices. The study uses advanced experimental techniques and computational simulations to understand how incisions spread and potentially lead to tears.
Researchers use knowledge of molecular motors to enhance DNA-nanoparticle motors, reducing speed disparities. The engineered motor achieves speeds of 30 nm/s with improved processivity and run-length, comparable to natural motor proteins.
A systematic literature search identified high-priority clinical actions for post-acute care, including early education, risk assessment, and mental health screening. Implementing these actions can improve the quality of care for non-hospitalized TBI patients.
Silvia Blemker, a University of Virginia biomedical engineer, has been elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for her work on muscle health. Her patented technology, Image-based Identification of Muscle Abnormalities, uses advanced imaging and analytics to provide detailed insights into muscle health.
Research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research reveals that individuals with ACL reconstruction exhibit persistent aberrant gait biomechanics, which can lead to joint loads contributing to long-term knee problems. Early rehabilitative measures may help maintain long-term knee joint health.
Researchers found that slingshot spiders can listen for approaching insects before releasing their web to catapult forward and capture prey. The spiders use sound-sensitive hairs on their legs to detect the vibrations from the insects' wings, allowing them to deploy their webs in mid-air.
A team of biologists and mathematicians from the University of Oxford and Manchester have solved the mystery of the squirting cucumber's explosive seed dispersal. The study used a combination of experiments, high-speed videography, image analysis, and mathematical modeling to reveal the key components of the plant's dispersal strategy.
The MIT team fabricated a simple water filter modeled after the mobula ray's plankton-filtering features and studied its performance. They found that the ray's filtering features are broadly similar to industrial cross-flow filters, which could inform design of water treatment systems.
Researchers found that low-frequency magnetic field (LFMF) enhances carotenoid yield in Rhodotorula glutinis by regulating iron metabolism. LFMF improves carotenoid synthesis and increases intracellular iron content, even disrupting gene expression related to iron metabolism.
Osaka Metropolitan University researchers developed a new approach to analyze the 3D structure of lab-made photosynthetic antenna protein complex LHCII. Their findings validated natural antenna mimicry in artificial photosynthesis, showing only minor differences between lab-created and natural LHCII.
Researchers found that silkworm moths scan pheromone sources by rotating their bodies while fanning, helping them detect odor plumes. The study offers valuable design principles for aerial robots, enabling more efficient search and localization of targets.
A University of Virginia engineer developed a workflow to combine advanced imaging technologies for improved understanding of porous bone, which could inform disease detection. The method allows for three-dimensional rendering of bone structure across various length scales.
Researchers aim to understand sex-specific effects of wheelchair use in childhood and adolescence to detect, prevent, and treat shoulder pain more effectively. The study uses state-of-the-art MRI scanners and quantitative morphometrics to quantify anatomical changes related to pain.
Study reveals the brain controls leg coordination during walking only when discoordination exceeds a certain threshold. Researchers found that not actively intervening improves energy efficiency and maneuverability.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a method to detect coronavirus spike proteins quickly and selectively using a light-induced immunoassay. The technique uses a milliwatt-level laser and can complete the entire process in under 5 minutes.
Two UCD researchers receive ERC Starting Grants to launch projects on microplastic toxicity and TBI biomechanics, promising breakthroughs in toxicology and public health.
The BBEX exosuit provides multidimensional force assistance, reduces muscle fatigue, and decreases compression forces on spinal joints, suggesting a significant reduction in lower back injuries. The device is designed to mimic human biomechanics, offering comprehensive support during lifting tasks.
The International Society of Biomechanics provides recommendations for wearables-based motion capture technology, addressing sensor calibration and experimental protocols. The guidelines aim to improve accuracy and quality in human motion analysis applications.
Researchers have discovered that sunflowers wiggle to find patches of sunlight, forming a zig-zag pattern that maximizes access to light. This movement allows the plant to explore its surroundings and settle into configurations that provide maximum light exposure.
Researchers found that cell nuclei control tissue stiffness and ordering in eye and brain tissues, revealing a new role for the nucleus in organ formation. This discovery challenges existing views on tissue organization and has implications for understanding diseases associated with impaired architecture.
A randomized controlled trial found that four weeks of outdoor gait training, combined with home exercises, improved running biomechanics and reduced the time feet were in contact with the ground. This technique may help patients improve their stride and reduce pain associated with shin splints.
Researchers at Chapman University's Schmid College of Science and Technology discovered the 'internal concertina' strategy, used by hagfish to create u-shaped burrows. This burrowing behavior has significant ecological implications for sediment turnover and redox chemistry in marine habitats.
A Trinity College Dublin team, led by Professor David Taylor, has developed a machine to study hair splitting using biomechanics. The 'Moving Loop Fatigue machine' recreates the damage caused by combing tangled hair, revealing that split ends split more quickly and generated longer splits.
Researchers discovered lemurs possess an additional pair of vocal folds, which they believe is responsible for enriching their vocal repertoire and allowing them to exaggerate their size. This adaptation may have provided a selective advantage in competition for territory or mates.