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Safety measures could save 250,000 lives a year in low- and middle-income countries

A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health identified 11 safety measures that could potentially save over 250,000 lives annually in low- and middle-income countries. These interventions include speeding enforcement, formal swimming lessons for young children, and crèches to supervise young children.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateApr 18, 2018

'Division of labor' between hemispheres of multicellular spheroidal alga controls light-sensitive movement

Scientists discovered that the anterior region of the alga is more sensitive to calcium ions than the posterior end, allowing for fine-tuned light-responsive motility. This finding advances our understanding of how multicellular organisms evolved to overcome single-celled limitations in photosynthesis.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018

Cold open water plunge provides instant pain relief

A 28-year-old man experienced instant pain relief after undergoing a cold water swim following endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. The procedure was successful but postoperative pain persisted, until the cold water plunge provided lasting relief. Further investigation is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this natural intervention.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·DateFeb 12, 2018

Cycling does not damage men's sexual or urinary functions

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that cycling does not negatively impact men's sexual and urinary health. Contrary to previous studies, recreational and intense cycling were shown to have no detrimental effects on erectile function or prostate health.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateJan 11, 2018

How bacteria turbocharged their motors

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered how bacteria evolved molecular motors to optimize their swimming. By building a 'family tree' of bacterial motors using 3D imaging and DNA analysis, the team found that sophisticated species had more stators than primitive species, with some having as many as 17 stators.

SourceImperial College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 8, 2018

Conservation study uses tiny treadmills to test sea turtle hatchling stamina

A Florida Atlantic University study uses tiny treadmills to simulate disorientation and measures the energy spent by sea turtle hatchlings crawling on beaches. The researchers found that hatchlings expend massive amounts of energy but can still swim well, supporting the importance of lighting ordinances during turtle hatching season.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 19, 2017

Cocktail tests on toxic waste called for

Scientists found that low concentrations of toxic chemicals can affect aquatic creature behavior, including feeding and swimming speed. The study calls for low dose and mixture toxicity testing to assess the impact of complex pollutant mixtures on aquatic ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateOct 16, 2017

Football boosts bone development in boys

Playing football improves bone development compared to swimming and cycling, particularly after a year of training. The study found that adolescents who played football had better bones than those who engaged in non-weight-bearing sports.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJul 12, 2017

Plants call 911 to help their neighbors

Researchers at the University of Delaware discovered that plants release airborne chemicals when injured, alerting neighboring plants to boost their defenses. The injured plant sends signals through volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which stimulate nearby plants to grow more robust roots and increase malate transporter genes.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateMay 16, 2017

How plankton cope with turbulence

Researchers discovered how plankton cope with turbulent layers in the ocean. Plankton cells change their shape from asymmetric to egg-shaped structures, allowing them to swim downwards and avoid damage. This adaptation provides an evolutionary advantage for the population, as only half of the cells are affected by turbulence.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateMar 15, 2017

Surprising results found in the swimming mechanism of microorganism-related model

A new study by B. Ubbo Felderhof reveals that even when thrust and drag average out over a period, periodic shape deformations can lead to net motion in microorganisms and animals, improving upon popular explanations of swimming and flying mechanisms. The research provides an important conceptual clarification of flow theory and has po...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJan 24, 2017

Swimming for science

A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a 3D platform to simulate zebrafish behavior, which can potentially replace animal testing in certain types of research. The model was calibrated on real-life data and allows for rapid simulations that reduce the need for animal subjects.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 12, 2017