Articles tagged with Biomechanics
New plant cell walls exhibit significantly different mechanical properties compared to surrounding parental walls, enabling cells to alter their local shape and influence the growth of plant organs. Researchers have discovered that new cell walls in some plants are 1.5 times stiffer than the parental cell walls.
Studies show that shrinking and swelling of skin layers cause mechanoreceptors to fire off signals to the brain, leading to a feeling of skin tightness. The researchers developed a predictive model that accurately predicted human subjects' reported feelings, opening up new possibilities for improving cosmetics formulations.
Researchers at the University of Oxford's Botanic Garden and Mathematical Institute have found that the shape, size, and geometry of pitcher plants determines the type of prey they trap. The study showed that large, flared rims are suited to capturing walking insects such as ants.
A new study from the University of Kansas used motion capture technology to analyze the biomechanics of proficient free-throw shooters. Proficient shooters exhibited lower knee and center of mass peak and mean angular velocities, greater release height, and less forward trunk lean compared to nonproficient shooters.
Researchers found that witch hazel species with heavier seeds can fling them just as fast as lighter ones due to their spring-loaded fruits. The plants' unique mechanism involves the seed capsule drying out and deforming, releasing elastic energy to propel the seed forward.
Scientists at Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies discovered that collagen's weak sacrificial bonds rupture before the main structure, protecting tissue from excessive force. This mechanism helps to localize damage and promote recovery by dissipating mechanical stress and reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Researchers at UBC develop biodegradable gel that mimics articular cartilage properties, allowing for faster and more efficient cartilage regeneration. The gel's ability to resist compression and recover its shape after compression makes it a promising material for joint injury repair.
New research from Ohio State University suggests that cognitive dissonance can lead to added pressure on the neck and low back during lifting and lowering tasks. The study found that participants who experienced higher levels of cognitive dissonance had increased spine loading, particularly in the neck region.
A new study found that marathon running causes significant damage to extrinsic foot muscles, while intrinsic muscles are less affected. The research suggests that marathon runners can take steps to prevent injuries by prioritizing recovery and muscle fatigue management.
Scientists have successfully regulated the flow of single molecules in a solution by opening and closing a nanovalve, which could revolutionize chemical and biochemical synthesis. This technology has the potential to detect pathogens with high sensitivity and create new materials for various industries.
Tiny California blackworms tangle themselves to perform biological functions, but can untangle in mere milliseconds. Researchers have discovered the mathematics behind this process, revealing how helical gaits and topological principles enable the worms' superpower.
Researchers at HKU developed a novel smart manufacturing method for dental crowns using generative AI, producing personalised crowns with high accuracy that mimic natural teeth. The 3D-DCGAN algorithm improves the quality of design through internal competition between a generator and a discriminator.
A new study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living found that greater breast support during running is associated with increased knee joint stiffness, altering the lower body biomechanics of female runners. High support sports bras can improve running performance by up to 7% for women.
Researchers tracked social grooming behavior in wild baboons using collars-mounted accelerometers, identifying and quantifying giving and receiving grooming with high accuracy. The study's findings have important implications for the study of social behavior in animals, particularly non-human primates.
Researchers discovered that euchromatin, a region of the genome involved in gene expression, is not open but rather condensed and behaves like a viscous fluid at the molecular level. This finding challenges conventional thinking and provides new insights into DNA damage prevention and gene regulation.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that whale shark rhodopsin can detect blue light, a common wavelength in the deep-sea environment. The unique adaptation allows the whale shark to thrive in low-temperature and low-light conditions, but also makes it less thermally stable.
The caterpillar-bot uses a novel pattern of silver nanowires to control its movement, with the ability to steer in both directions and navigate through tight spaces. The robot's movement is driven by heating and cooling cycles that allow it to 'relax' before contracting again.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have created a new method to track protein movement in lifelike environments. The TiGGER technique involves tagging proteins with gadolinium ions and tracking their distance using quantum phenomena.
A new technology uses light-induced convection to enhance the permeability of cell membranes, allowing for efficient and selective delivery of biofunctional molecules to targeted cells. This results in lower concentrations of drugs needed for testing and potentially reduced costs and faster drug discovery.
Researchers discovered that young snapping shrimp's upper claws can accelerate at speeds of up to 580,000m/s², surpassing their parents' abilities and producing powerful cavitation bubbles. The study, published in Journal of Experimental Biology, highlights the impressive mechanical capabilities of these tiny crustaceans.
Researchers have developed a procedure to create custom, 3D-printed heart replicas that accurately mimic a patient's specific heart form and function. These replicas can be controlled to mimic the pumping action of the real heart, allowing clinicians to test various treatment options for individual patients.
Researchers found that strengthening hip abductor muscles can provide effective compensation for weaknesses in knee extensor muscles, leading to improved mobility in people with below-the-knee amputations. The study tested the hypothesis in eight military personnel who had undergone a lower limb amputation and showed promising results.
Researchers discovered that shark spirals favor fluid flow in one direction, challenging a physics theorem. By studying the spiral shape and materials, they aim to develop soft robotics and medical devices.
A new study has found that zebrafish larvae increase their chances of escape by moving at an angle perpendicular to the predator's direction. The study also examines the role of environmental noise and biomechanical constraints in shaping behavioral responses.
Researchers discovered that myosin motor proteins must be activated before muscles can contract, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating inherited cardiac conditions. This new understanding could lead to medical remedies for diseases like dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
A new policy brief has been launched by Staffordshire University to guide the creation of national telehealth patient consultation guidelines and training. The framework, developed in partnership with Allied Health Professions (AHPs), aims to improve the delivery of remote patient consultations across various healthcare professions.
Researchers found that the new law allowing goalkeepers to put one foot in front of the line improved their penalty diving performance. The study, led by Paulo Roberto Pereira Santiago, used 3D body reconstruction technology and motion capture to analyze dives.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully created the smallest mobile lifeform, a synthetic bacterium named syn3, capable of swimming. By introducing seven proteins, they were able to reconstitute a minimal motility system based on Spiroplasma swimming, revealing that only two proteins were necessary for movement.
A new study from Japan investigated the relationship between training volume and strength gain in young men. The researchers found that training volume was positively correlated with strength gain in participants who were classified as low responders.
Researchers used 3D modeling and engineering to digitally reconstruct the function of foot bones in sauropods, discovering a soft tissue pad beneath the heel that cushioned the foot to absorb weight. This finding confirms a long-suspected idea and provides biomechanical evidence for how sauropods supported their enormous weight on land.
A new study uses a biomimetic in-silico simulator to investigate the effect of body posture and stomach motility on oral drug bioavailability. The simulation reveals that stomach contractions can induce pressure, generating complex pill trajectories and affecting drug dissolution rates.
A recent study investigated the relationship between passive muscle mechanical properties and dynamic performance in athletes. The research found a positive correlation between the shear modulus of the vastus lateralis muscle and performance outcomes during high-speed activities, suggesting that passive muscle properties are essential ...
Researchers developed a new framework to measure stability during walking by analyzing mechanical energetics, enabling deeper insights into human movement and fall responses. The approach can help pinpoint specific muscles or joints to target with rehabilitation therapy and inform advanced exoskeleton design.
A study in biomechanics measures the impact of head-first, hand-first, and feet-first diving to provide data-driven recommendations for safe diving. The researchers found that spinal cord and neck injury is likely above eight meters in a head-first dive, while knee injury is likely above 15 meters with feet-first diving.
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw ants use a combination of head tendon and exoskeleton energy storage to drive perfectly circular mandible rotations. This mechanism allows the ants to repeatedly strike victims without damaging themselves.
Researchers at UNO and UNL are using machine learning to investigate the metabolic cost of different phases of the gait cycle across different age groups. The goal is to create practical applications for gait rehabilitation, such as designing improved assistive devices.
Researchers developed smart textiles that sense wearer's posture and motions using a novel fabrication process called thermoforming, which improves pressure sensor precision. The technology has potential applications in healthcare and rehabilitation, such as tracking gait or monitoring pressure on diabetic patients' feet.
A new method using four frequencies of applied voltage improves impedance cytometry for measuring cell size and shape, enabling faster and more accurate biological experiments. The technique reveals specific characteristics of living single cells without damaging them.
After examining documented cases of second ACL injuries, researchers found that patients can be divided into three functional subgroups based on the Rule of Thirds concept. This biomechanical classification may help identify athletes at risk for further injury and accelerate their return to play after ACL reconstruction.
Researchers found that tendons, not muscles, are the key site where increased mechanosensitivity translates to better running and jumping capabilities. High expression of the calcium-ion channel mechanoreceptor coincided with wider tendons composed of larger collagen fibrils.
John Kershner, a Lehigh University PhD candidate, has been awarded a Fulbright research grant to continue his work on owl-inspired aero-acoustics in Germany. He will collaborate with researchers at Brandenburg Technical University and the DLR to experimentally test these designs.
Researchers discovered that wandering salamanders, living in redwoods, have developed aerial behaviors to avoid predators, including parachuting and gliding. They are able to maintain control and make horizontal maneuvers, defying expectations of their sluggish nature.
Researchers and academics from the UK and Germany come together to discuss therapeutic footwear for people with diabetes. The workshop aims to establish new research links and develop research capacity to improve the lives of those affected.
Researchers at Lehigh University developed a new method to accurately gauge healing progress of bone fractures using 3D models. The model identifies the cutoff point between soft tissue and bone, allowing for more precise predictions of bone behavior during the healing process.
Researchers observed that bacteria change their swimming behavior to avoid getting stuck in confined spaces. In open areas, bacteria meander without discernible pattern, but upon entry into tight spaces, they straighten their paths to escape, suggesting physical features like walls and corners serve as crucial cues.
A study has discovered that using a strategically-timed pull from a waist belt can help individuals walk more efficiently, reducing metabolic cost by as much as half. This approach uses biomechanical testing to optimize the timing of assistance, which was found to be most effective during a brief window between steps.
The conference will cover topics such as musculoskeletal biomechanics and assistive technology, featuring keynote speakers on the latest developments in the field. The event provides a forum for information dissemination and discussion on research and case studies.
Scientists discovered that animals likely evolved asymmetric gaits 472 million years ago, with evidence of crutching and bounding in ancient fish and crocodiles. The study suggests that many modern species have lost this ability due to evolution or size constraints.
Researchers propose a new treatment for fibrosis by inhibiting cell mechanical contractions, reducing stiffness and activating myofibroblast activity. The study suggests that (-)-blebbistatin can effectively reduce liver fibrosis in models in vivo.
The BioMFOS has small dimensions and lightweight, suitable for wearable application and clothing integration with ultra-high sensitivity and resolution. It can detect forces in the μN range and locations with sub-millimeter spatial resolution.
Researchers developed a fully autonomous biohybrid fish from human stem-cell derived cardiac muscle cells that recreates the muscle contractions of a pumping heart. The device has two layers of muscle cells that work together to propel the fish for over 100 days.
Researchers at McGill University create injectable hydrogel that forms stable structure allowing cells to grow and repair injured organs. The material's toughness and porosity make it suitable for heart, muscle, and vocal cord repair.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that lack of sleep affects gait control, with students who stayed awake all night performing poorly. However, those who compensated for lost sleep by catching up on weekends showed improved walking control.
Researchers at MIT develop a method to decode images of cells in a tissue to determine its phase, which can indicate its developmental stage or cancer progression. The technique uses triangular order parameters to characterize tissue states, allowing for quicker and less invasive diagnoses.
A research team led by Associate Professor Akira Kakugo of Hokkaido University has provided direct evidence that microtubules function as mechanosensors, slowing down kinesin movement when bent. This phenomenon is attributed to enhanced interaction energy between kinesin and deformed microtubule structural units.
Using observations, lab experiments, theory, and computation, researchers have developed a simple theory to explain the form and growth of apples' cusp-like features. The team found that mechanical instability and underlying fruit anatomy play joint roles in giving rise to multiple cusps in fruits.
A team of scientists found that people can adjust their walking efficiency automatically, even when distracted, without having to think about it. This ability allows for focus on other tasks while walking, such as tracking road bumps and managing daily life.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that bacteria adjust their flagella to changes in fluid viscosity, enabling navigation and colonization. This adaptation, similar to proprioceptive adaptation, helps bacteria form swarms and colonize diverse environments.
Scientists from the University of Tsukuba analyzed video from top-level judo matches to systematically determine the aspects of posture that lead to success. The study found that the distance between competitors is a key factor in correct technique, which may assist in automating athletic training methods.
Scientists have discovered that geckos use their tails to recover from head-first crashes into rainforest trees, with implications for the design of agile robots. This versatile behavior allows geckos to stabilize themselves after impact and maintain control during gliding maneuvers.