Articles tagged with Swimming
Researchers found that whale baleen traps food particles at natural swimming speeds by tangling in flowing water. The flexible material, composed of keratin, forms plates with internal fibrous cores and bristly fringes that trap particles as whales skim or lunge through the ocean.
Researchers at NYU's Center for Soft Matter Research have developed a method to move and assemble microscopic particles using blue light. This innovation has the potential to create new materials and enhance the design of industrial products like electronics.
Campylobacter balances two systems to prioritize finding food, suggesting the 'need to feed' is its primary concern. This understanding may help prevent future disease by targeting the bacteria's navigation systems.
Researchers discovered that some single-celled algae cheat on producing toxins to gain an advantage, contradicting the theory that cooperation should break down in such circumstances. The cheaters can survive and multiply while their 'honest' peers produce toxins, allowing them to invest energy into making more offspring.
A new robotic fish, named Grace, has been designed to glide long distances through water, gathering valuable data on lake and river quality. The robot's ability to glide is achieved through a pump system that pushes water in and out of the fish, allowing it to travel indefinitely with minimal energy consumption.
A team of researchers led by Professor Mingjun Zhang discovered the secret behind the whirligig beetle's high propulsive efficiency, which inspired the development of energy-efficient propulsion mechanisms for swimming vehicles and robots. The key to the beetle's efficiency lies in its unique leg functions, alternative patterns of leg ...
Researchers observed synchronized swimming in pilot whales as a response to external threats, highlighting their social structure and affiliative behaviors. The study revealed that these cetaceans form permanent partnerships and change their diving behavior in the presence of vessels.
Children who learn to swim early achieve better visual-motor skills and excel in literacy and numeracy. The comprehensive three-year study found significant differences between swimming and non-swimming children, regardless of socio-economic status.
A computer model reveals that marine bacteria benefit from swimming in turbulent seawater, accessing nutrient-rich zones before they are dispersed. The study finds an optimal swimming speed of about 60 micrometers per second, which confers a feeding advantage but also incurs energy costs.
A new study published in the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress found that exercising in water has the same aerobic benefits as exercising on land, but with less strain on joints. This promising alternative can be especially beneficial for people who struggle to exercise on land due to weight or mobility issues.
Researchers have discovered a key protein, RABL2, that affects sperm tail length and motility, potentially leading to new avenues for male infertility treatment. A mutation in this protein can result in significantly shorter sperm tails and decreased production.
Researchers used a logit regression model that included home advantage to predict Team GB's medal haul, suggesting a total of 46 medals. The formula takes into account past performance, home advantage, and funding.
Researchers found that specialized cichlid swim bladder extensions improve hearing by detecting higher sound frequencies, while the size of the swim bladder also plays a crucial role. The study investigated 1,300 cichlid species with varying swim bladder morphologies.
Harvard University researchers have successfully created an artificial jellyfish using a silicone polymer and heart muscle cells. The Medusoid, as it's called, is capable of swimming and reproducing complex behaviors seen in biological jellyfish.
A Caltech-led team has successfully created a swimming 'jellyfish' using tissue-engineered silicone and muscle cells, which mimics the fluid dynamics of a real jellyfish. The breakthrough demonstrates that function-driven design can outperform natural evolution in engineering complex systems.
Researchers found that southern dumpling squid's prolonged mating rituals result in temporary muscle fatigue, affecting their swimming ability for up to 30 minutes. This discovery provides new insight into the evolution of reproductive strategies and behaviours.
The men's 100 m sprint is showing significant improvement in performance due to advancements in technology. The introduction of fully automated timing and changes to javelin specifications have contributed to these gains.
A Johns Hopkins University research team found that the deep catch stroke, resembling a paddle, is more efficient and effective than the sculling stroke. The study used high-precision laser scans and computer simulations to analyze fluid dynamics around the arm and forces acting on the limb.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that many common lifestyle choices, including smoking and alcohol consumption, have little effect on male fertility. Instead, factors such as ethnicity, occupation, and previous conception history may play a greater role in determining sperm quality.
A new study from Indiana University found little difference in swim performance between male and female childhood athletes under the age of 8. The researchers also discovered similar performance levels among 11- and 12-year-old swimmers, with pubertal changes affecting older athletes.
Researchers at the University of Bristol identified a simple yet crucial neural pathway in Xenopus frog tadpoles that initiates swimming. This discovery sheds light on how locomotion starts and may lead to new treatments for movement disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have shed new light on sperm navigation in the female reproductive tract, finding they crawl along walls and collide frequently. This research provides fresh insight into how sperm find their way to the egg, potentially informing future innovation in fertility treatments.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed rapid testing method using paper strip to detect E. coli in recreational water within minutes, improving public safety and closing the gap between outbreaks and detection. The test strips can detect potentially harmful concentrations of E. coli with much greater accuracy than existing p...
Researchers discovered that sperm only react to changes in calcium concentration, not the concentration itself, allowing them to maneuver even in high calcium environments. This calculation enables sperm to follow chemical gradients and navigate towards eggs.
A University of Alberta researcher is investigating the potential link between long-term exposure to disinfected water and an increased risk of bladder cancer. She will develop new tools to detect toxic DBPs in drinking water, with the goal of eliminating their formation.
Researchers found that shark skin's denticles boost swimming speed by creating a turbulent flow pattern around the body, reducing drag and increasing propulsion. The unique arrangement of denticles on the skin surface enhances fluid dynamics, leading to a significant improvement in swimming performance.
Researchers from Harvard University found that shark skin's denticles create a low-pressure zone that enhances propulsion, reducing drag. Swimsuits with similar surface properties have no effect on swim speed.
A new study by engineering researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute demonstrates the impact of viscoelasticity on the collective behavior of swimming microorganisms, such as H. pylori. The findings suggest that human mucus and saliva may have evolved to disrupt the ability of harmful bacteria to coordinate.
A study published in Frontiers in Zoology has found a hybrid system in pearl-perch that utilizes characteristics of both slow and fast systems for sound production. This discovery takes researchers closer to understanding the evolution of superfast sonic muscles that drive swimbladder vibration.
A study from Northwestern University found that banned technical swimsuits played a significant role in the unprecedented number of world records set in swimming during the 2009 world championships. The suits were suspected of reducing drag, improving buoyancy, and compressing muscles, leading to enhanced performance.
Research on naked mole rat sperm reveals a lack of competition among breeding males, resulting in degenerate evolution. The sperm's motility and structure are abnormal for any other mammal, but the males are still fertile and father healthy offspring.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that pregnant bottlenose dolphins experience significant reductions in swimming speed and adopt a new gait style as they approach delivery. This is due to the extreme physical changes caused by pregnancy, including increased body size and buoyancy.
Researchers at VirginiaTech have improved Robojelly's performance by introducing a flexible margin, reducing folding and increasing speed. The upgrade provides new insights into jellyfish propulsion mechanisms, enabling the robot to detect chemical spills, monitor ships and submarines, and observe fish migration.
Researchers demonstrate a new technique to study the impact of swimming jellyfish on ocean climate, using Self-Contained Underwater Velocimetry Apparatus (SCUVA) to track water movement. The study suggests that combined ocean life movements could have a significant impact on global climate.
A University of Illinois study found that boating, kayaking, and fishing on the Chicago River pose a risk of gastrointestinal illness comparable to swimming at other local waters. The study, which enrolled over 11,000 participants, revealed higher rates of eye symptoms among river users.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology discovered that simple nerve cells in Platynereis larvae regulate ciliary beating to control swimming depth. The discovery provides insights into the early evolutionary stage of the nervous system and could be relevant for marine ecology.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics identified three likely scenarios preceding at-home pool drownings of young children, aged 1-4. The key findings highlight the importance of pool fencing and self-closing gates to prevent unattended access, as well as hands-on supervision for older children.
Researchers designed a synthetic genetic circuit that creates a striped pattern, using genes from one species of bacterium and inserting them into another. By controlling the rate at which cells move, they can create distinct patterns with concentric rings of crowded and dispersed bacterial cells.
Researchers found that red-bellied piranhas produce three distinct sounds: a barking noise, a drum-like percussive sound, and a softer 'croaking' sound. The fish's swim bladder vibrates in response to muscle contractions, producing these sounds.
Researchers are studying the impacts of pollutants on white sturgeon populations in California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. They aim to identify contaminants affecting reproduction and develop targeted management strategies for recovery.
A UT professor's research on a pathogen that attacks the small intestines of humans and animals has inspired the development of robots that can fight disease and aid in military operations. The microorganism Giardia has been found to have unique properties, such as efficient swimming and attachment mechanisms.
Researchers measured HAA levels in swimmers' and pool workers' urine after exposure to chlorinated water. The study found that HAAs appeared 20-30 minutes after exposure and were eliminated within three hours, with children accumulating higher concentrations.
The Mary river turtle faces dual threats from climate change, including reduced swimming ability and a preference for shallower waters. Rising temperatures could lead to population decline due to decreased access to food supply.
Researchers discovered that elite college basketball players who slept for 10 hours a night showed significant improvements in sprint speed and shooting accuracy. A moderate-to-high baseline level of daytime sleepiness was common among the athletes, highlighting the need to prioritize sleep over other training aspects.
A new study reveals details of the first documented cookiecutter shark attack on a live human, highlighting concerns for swimmers entering warm summer waters. The sharks' unique feeding behavior leaves victims with crater-like wounds requiring plastic surgery, and their bioluminescent features may aid in tracking movement patterns.
Humpback whales employ complex feeding maneuvers involving bubble nets to corral and contain planktonic prey. The study reveals novel behaviors such as 'double-loops' and team cooperation, showcasing advanced tool use similar to that of apes.
A Swedish study found that lifeguards can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) effectively despite undergoing extreme exertion during a rescue. The study involved 40 surf lifeguards who carried out a simulated surf rescue and then performed CPR for 10 minutes on a manikin.
Researchers found that microorganisms swim slower in elastic fluids due to increased viscosity and resistance. The study used nematode worms to test the effect of elasticity on swimming speed.
The study shows that varying the shape or adjusting the inclination of the robot's head affects its movement in complex environments. By controlling the vertical motion, the robots can maneuver through debris-filled areas produced by an earthquake or landslide.
Researchers tracked three shark species and found tiger and thresher sharks can swim directly to targeted locations, suggesting a 'mental map' of the area. The study suggests these animals use magnetic fields as landmarks to navigate.
Researchers found that tiger sharks can navigate long distances using directed walks, while thresher sharks also exhibit this behavior. Blacktip reef sharks, on the other hand, swim randomly within their small home ranges.
Researchers discovered that migrating sea turtles rely on a combination of two magnetic parameters: inclination and intensity. By detecting these variations, the turtles can extract more information from the Earth's field than initially apparent.
Researchers found that coral larvae with redder fluorescence are less likely to settle into polyps, while greener larvae tend to disperse. This discovery could help monitor corals' adaptation to global warming.
Researchers created a robotic fish that can swim vertically and horizontally with unprecedented agility. The robot uses a sophisticated fin to generate inward counterpropagating waves, allowing it to move in unexpected directions. Its potential applications include underwater recovery operations and long-term monitoring of coral reefs.
A study analyzing data from 61 running and swimming events suggests that improvements in performance will eventually slow down and reach a maximum within the next decade. The 'time to limit' is estimated to be between 7.5 and 10.5 years, which could impact policy implications for sports associations and federations.
A new technology using tiny protozoa to detect toxins in water sources may provide unprecedented assessment of the world's water supplies. The Swimming Behavioral Spectrophotometer (SBS) can detect chemicals, pesticides, and biological warfare agents with near-instant feedback.
University of Alberta researchers found a mysterious link between an ancient African lizard and the Komodo dragon. The unique vertebrae shape suggests a shared ancestry, challenging prevailing theories about migration patterns.
Researchers deployed data loggers on leatherback females to study their diving patterns. The team found that the turtles dive at an average angle of 41deg and swim less hard as they descend. By varying the amount of air they inhale, leatherbacks regulate their buoyancy before diving.
Researchers have discovered how cone snails inject their venom after shooting a harpoon-like tooth into their prey. The venom is produced in the venom duct and pumped through by rapid contractions of the venom bulb, which also contains specialized muscles.
A computational model of a swimming fish has been developed to simulate the interaction of both internal and external forces on locomotion. The study reveals that body stiffness is crucial in determining how well a fish swims, with stiffer bodies accelerating faster but expending more energy.