A new study from the University of East Anglia found that people who swim in rivers and lakes are more than twice as likely to develop skin problems. Higher levels of bacteria linked to faecal pollution are also associated with an increased risk of stomach bugs. The study, which analyzed data from 2,368 volunteers, found that swimmers ...
Researchers analyzed shark vertebrae to discover a finely engineered biomechanical system supporting strength, flexibility, and swimming efficiency. Different species evolved unique internal structures reflecting their varied swimming strategies.
A swimming program improved function and pain in people with chronic low back pain, reducing disability by 50% compared to education alone. The benefit persisted at longer-term follow-up, showing a suitable exercise for managing chronic low back pain.
A recent study using motion-capture and particle image velocimetry reveals that the flutter kick generates three-dimensional vortex structures contributing to forward propulsion. The alternating leg movements also produce asymmetric vortices, generating rolling and yaw moments that stabilize body posture during swimming.
A team of researchers from The University of Osaka used supercomputer simulations to study how vortices generated by dolphin kicks power fast swimming. They found that large, powerful vortices created by the movement of the dolphin's tail are responsible for most of the propulsion, while smaller ones contribute little to forward motion.
Researchers identified two fundamental coordination patterns in underwater dolphin kick, accounting for over 99% of movement across performance levels. Faster swimmers exhibited greater shoulder extension and increased lower trunk movement, enabling reduced water resistance and improved propulsion.
A summer swimming program for Black youth demonstrated significant improvement in swim skills and a high sense of belonging, with 10 children returning for a second summer. The program's inclusive environment fostered confidence and empowerment among participants.
A recent study published in Integrative and Comparative Biology found that bonnethead sharks' skin undergoes significant changes as they mature, with younger sharks having fewer ridges on their denticles. These changes likely improve swimming performance and protect the skin from predators or injuries.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that every arm is capable of performing all action types, with front arms mainly used for exploration and back arms supporting movement. Octopuses demonstrated remarkable flexibility, showcasing complex motor control.
Researchers found that Magellanic penguins alternate between traveling in direct routes and swimming with the flow of strong currents to maximize navigation efficiency. By doing so, they conserve energy while maintaining accurate headings towards their colonies.
Researchers developed a submersible robot that leverages vortices to boost efficiency in autonomous underwater vehicles. By 'surfing' vortex rings, CARL reduces energy consumption by one-fifth compared to traditional methods.
A new study has focused on the safety of outdoor swimming during pregnancy, revealing large gaps in knowledge and highlighting the need for further research. Expert-led recommendations have been provided for pregnant people, including advice to only swim in cold water if a regular cold water swimmer before pregnancy.
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.
The Off the Field National Football League Wives Association partnered with the American Heart Association and other organizations to promote water safety skills among children. The event, held in New Orleans, provided Hands-Only CPR and automated external defibrillator education.
Researchers developed a soft robot with fins shaped like manta rays, capable of swimming up and down throughout the water column. The robot uses spontaneous snapping-induced jet flows to achieve high speeds and maneuverability.
The updated guidance reaffirms the importance of CPR with breaths for resuscitating individuals who have drowned. It also highlights the need for prevention, recognition, and safe rescue to improve chances of survival. The recommendations are based on evidence-based practices to restore breathing and blood circulation.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization created a navigation system for artificial microswimmers, enabling control over their movement using electric fields and flow. The system generates various motility patterns, including adhesion to channel walls or centerline motion.
A recent study found that nearly three-fourths of Chicago's children had no swimming lessons in 2022, with significant racial and ethnic differences. Black and Hispanic/Latine kids were disproportionately affected, citing lack of comfort with swimming as a reason for not taking lessons.
A new study by UCL researchers surveyed 1,114 UK women aged 16-80 who enjoy cold water swimming, finding most swim in the sea year-round and that longer swims occur in summer. The authors highlight pollution risks and call for improved safety measures and accessibility.
A recent study published in BJSM found that increased cardio fitness level can reduce the risk of death from any cause and heart disease by 11-17% and 18%, respectively. Regular aerobic exercise programs can achieve this, leading to a reduced risk of early death and chronic conditions.
In a groundbreaking study, scientists found that juvenile great white sharks prefer warm and shallow waters near the shore, often within 1 km of land. This behavior may help them evade predators and optimize growth efficiency in these nurseries.
Researchers have developed a waterproof 'e-glove' that transmits hand gestures made underwater to a computer, translating them into messages with 99.8% accuracy. The technology could help scuba divers communicate better with each other and boat crews on the surface.
Researchers studied the dolphin-kick swimming motion and found that water flow velocity increases with speed, generating a strong vortex during kicking. Recycling of flow is also observed during transitions between kicks, becoming more pronounced as speed increases.
Menopausal women who regularly swim in cold water report significant improvements to their anxiety, mood swings, low mood, hot flushes, and menstrual symptoms. The study found that cold water swimming relieves these symptoms through physical and mental effects.
Researchers have discovered that whirligig beetles use a lift-based thrust mechanism to achieve record-breaking speeds, challenging previous explanations of their propulsion system. This finding offers valuable insights for bio-inspired robotic ship design and uncrewed boat development.
A new mathematical model suggests that mammalian sperm cells exhibit two distinct swimming modes, which may be linked to fertilization. The model captures the interactions between motor kinetics and flagella deformations, revealing a second mode with stronger wave-shaped beating.
A new study reveals that Megalodon, the iconic extinct shark, was not as fast as believed but had a mega-appetite that explained its gigantism. The discovery of tiny scales found in rock pieces surrounding fossil teeth suggests that Megalodon used its warm-bloodedness to promote visceral food processing and absorb nutrients.
A team of researchers has created an acoustic microfluidic method to study swimming cells and microorganisms, including the single-cell alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The device uses ultrasonic waves to trap cells in place without affecting their swimming behavior, enabling controlled experiments on cilia motion and cell motility.
Coral reef fish larvae undergo significant physiological changes as they transition from open ocean swimming to settling on the reef floor. The study found that gene activity changes play a crucial role in adapting to hypoxic environments at night, allowing the fish to survive and thrive.
Researchers discovered that scalloped hammerhead sharks close their gill slits during deep dives to prevent heat loss and keep warm. This unique behavior allows them to hunt effectively in cold water depths.
A community science survey reveals an abundance of floating sea creatures in the North Pacific Garbage Patch, including jellyfish, snails, and crustaceans. The study found a positive correlation between plastic waste and three groups of sea creatures, highlighting the complex relationships within this ecosystem.
A team of researchers from South Africa has discovered exceptional trace fossils that provide insight into the locomotion of ancient giant amphibians. The fossils, found on a rock surface once part of a tidal flat or lagoon, suggest these animals propelled themselves through water with continuous side-to-side tail motions.
A multidisciplinary team developed a physiologically accurate model of octopus arm muscles, providing insight into biological and design challenges. The model enables energy-shaping control, simplifying arm control design and enabling life-like motion in soft robots.
Swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) is a relatively little known hazard associated with open water swimming. Risk factors include older age, long distances, cold water, and female sex. SIPE can occur in fit and healthy individuals, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention.
A survey of over 1,300 parents found significant racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with White parents reporting higher comfort levels and more children receiving swim lessons. Culturally tailored programs to address these disparities may help reduce drowning rates among Black and Latine communities.
Research reveals stark racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with Black and Latine parents less confident in their abilities and fewer children taking swim lessons. Culturally tailored water-safety programs are crucial to eliminating these disparities and reducing child drownings.
Researchers at NC State University have created an energy-efficient soft robot that can swim more than four times faster than previous models. The 'butterfly bots' use bistable wings for propulsion and achieve speeds of up to 3.74 body lengths per second.
A team of researchers developed a new method for 3D-printing microrobots with multiple component modules inside the same microfluidic chip. The 'assembly line' approach allowed for the combination of various modules, such as joints and grippers, into a single device. This innovation may help realize the vision of microsurgery performed...
Researchers at John Innes Centre discovered a mechanism of flowering plant sperm compaction using histone protein H2B.8. This mechanism allows for moderate nuclear condensation without compromising gene activity, essential for immotile sperm and pollen tube travel.
A new ancient whale genus has been discovered in Morocco, dating back to around 40 million years ago. The species likely employed manatee-like swimming and feeding habits.
Researchers created a breathable underwater movement sensor by applying a thin, slippery coating to conductive fabric, enabling the detection of swimmers in distress. The smart system wirelessly alerts a smartphone app when a swimmer stops moving, indicating potential drowning.
Researchers used small wheeled robots to study indirect mechanical interactions on deformable surfaces, finding that active matter can interact through non-contact forces. They created a model to control collective behavior by modifying robot design, mirroring celestial bodies' paths in Einstein's General Relativity.
A scientific review found that cold water swimming can reduce 'bad' body fat and improve insulin sensitivity. However, the health benefits are uncertain due to limited study quality and variability in participant profiles.
Researchers suggest special blood vessels called 'retia mirabilia' reduce brain pressure pulses, preventing damage. Computer modeling supports theory, which could be applied to other animals and humans.
A recent study found that sperm clustering in viscoelastic fluid offers three biological benefits: reduced direction changes, improved alignment, and increased safety from strong flows. This research may inform studies on infertility and provide better selection of sperm for assisted-reproduction technologies.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022
A new University of Illinois study shows that fathead minnows can handle simulated heatwaves with few nasty side effects. Most minnows rapidly returned to normal physiological functioning after cooling down, but some became more susceptible to oxidative stress.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers compared the walking and swimming behaviors of neonate and juvenile epaulette sharks. Contrary to expectations, results showed that differences in body shape did not alter kinematics between early life stages, suggesting a consistent locomotor performance.
Researchers successfully taught microrobots to swim via deep reinforcement learning, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions and perform complex maneuvers. The AI-powered swimmers can navigate toward any target location on their own, showcasing their robust performance in fluid flows and uncontrolled environments.
Researchers recreated ancient ammonite movement using robotic models, exploring trade-offs between stability and maneuverability. The study found that different shell shapes offered varying advantages and consequences, with no single perfect design.
Researchers have found that Sowerby's beaked whales are faster, more agile hunters than expected, with shorter dives and higher frequency clicks. This unique strategy may help them avoid competition among other beaked whale species.
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design developed a new machine learning approach to model underwater robot dynamics, allowing for efficient swimming in complex environments. The approach, published in IEEE-RAL, uses deep neural networks to predict required flapping motions for a set of given propulsive force targets.
Researchers have developed a theoretical model explaining how water mould spores move and change direction, revealing a breaststroke-like motion for turning. The study provides insights into the biophysical nature of these microorganisms, which could lead to new avenues in physics research.
A recent study in CMAJ found that nearly half of Canadian drownings were caused by pre-existing medical conditions, with seizure disorders posing a significant risk. Young women aged 20-34 with seizure disorders were particularly vulnerable, facing a risk 23 times higher than the general population.
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.
Researchers found that Spinosaurus and its close relative Baryonyx had dense bones that would have allowed them to submerge underwater to hunt. In contrast, Suchomimus had lighter bones that made swimming difficult, leading the team to conclude that these dinosaurs likely waded instead.
Twelve new research projects aim to level up health and wellbeing across the UK through cultural and natural interventions. The programme, funded by AHRC and partners, will generate evidence for place-based approaches to creative health, generating insights into local cultural activities and natural spaces.
Researchers in Brazil developed a computer program that locates swimming pools and rooftop water tanks in aerial photographs, using artificial intelligence to identify socio-economically deprived urban areas at risk for diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti. The innovation can be used as a public policy tool for dynamic socio-economic ...
A new study provides a reliable way to estimate energy costs in dolphins by using overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), an integrated measure of all body motions during swimming. The study found significant correlation between oxygen consumption and body acceleration, suggesting ODBA can be a proxy for estimating cost of locomotion.
Researchers discovered that fish generate movable vortex pairs of high- and low-pressure regions to propel themselves forward. This process involves precise control of body fluctuations, which enables the fish to swim with high motion control and flexibility.
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.