Articles tagged with Swimming
A new study reveals a clear link between high E. coli bacteria levels in inland Ohio lakes and increased risk of gastrointestinal illness among swimmers. The researchers argue that a reliable method to predict when bacteria levels are likely to be higher is needed to issue timely warnings.
Researchers found swimmers were 1.76 times more likely to report a gastrointestinal illness and 4.46 times more likely to report respiratory illnesses. The study recommends taking precautions like avoiding swallowing seawater, showering before entering the ocean, and washing hands with soap.
A new study reveals that primitive living frogs evolved jumping before perfecting their landing techniques, leading to distinctive belly flop landings. This evolutionary split may have contributed to the frogs' inability to swim synchronously and resulted in unusual anatomical features.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers found that the application of disinfectants in recreational pools can lead to adverse health outcomes. The study suggests that brominating agents should be avoided as disinfectants, and that a combination of UV treatment with chlorine is the best method to treat pool waters.
Researchers argue that differences in body types among blacks and whites, including the location of their center of gravity, contribute to racial disparities in athletic performance. The study found black sprinters are 1.5% faster than whites due to a higher center of gravity.
Two studies by Indiana University researchers found little influence of compression garments on running mechanics and economy in highly trained distance runners. While some subjects experienced improvement in their oxygen consumption, it was largely attributed to a psychological component rather than the garment itself.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have found that fish bodies and swimming styles evolve to optimize efficiency in their respective aquatic environments. Computational simulations revealed that fish adapt their forms and techniques to match their speeds, demonstrating the influence of water movements on fish evolution.
Common bacteria can turn microgears by swimming in a suspended solution, providing insights into design of hybrid biomechanical systems driven by microorganisms. The speed and direction of gear rotation can be controlled by manipulating oxygen levels.
Researchers at the University of Southern California have discovered a new bacterial behavior where Shewanella oneidensis harvests electrochemical energy and swims in response to metal presence. This finding could improve the efficiency of microbial fuel cells, producing usable energy.
Researchers estimate that swimming animals generate extensive 'biogenic' mixing in the ocean, which may impact climate models. The effect is primarily due to animal displacement, not turbulence, and affects even deep-sea creatures.
Five ancient crocs, including BoarCroc and DuckCroc, have been discovered in the Sahara with unique features such as armored snouts and broad forebrains. The discovery provides insight into a previously unknown world of crocodilians that inhabited Gondwana 100 million years ago.
Scientists have created a new approach to studying bacterial swimming, using optical traps, microfluidic chambers and fluorescence to track Escherichia coli movement. The method allows researchers to trap bacteria and modify their environment without hindering movement, providing insights into the mechanics of bacterial swimming.
Researchers at Yale University have observed and tracked E. coli bacteria moving in a liquid medium with a motion similar to a kayak paddle. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, provides new insights into bacterial movement and may lead to breakthroughs in preventing bacterial migration and sickness.
Researchers used state-of-the-art electron microscopy techniques to study chemoreceptors in bacteria, finding a consistent lattice structure with hexagonal symmetry across 13 different species. This discovery may provide insights into complex signaling pathways and the evolution of bacterial cells.
Researchers used light-activated proteins to pinpoint the neural cell responsible for a specific behavior in zebrafish, a breakthrough that could lead to new insights into biological systems and synthetic biology applications. This technique may also aid in optimizing biofuels and disease-fighting therapies.
Researchers used photoswitches to target enigmatic nerve cells in zebrafish, finding they trigger burst swimming and lower threshold for reflex movement. The discovery could have implications for human neurological disorders.
A University of Washington Seaglider achieved a record-breaking 9-month, 5-day mission in the Pacific Ocean, covering over 3,050 miles under its own power. The vehicle, propelled by its shape and dive maneuvers, surpassed previous endurance records for autonomous underwater vehicles.
The study reveals that fish and some amphibians use a unique sensory system to detect vibrations in water, allowing them to navigate and locate prey. Mathematical models developed by researchers demonstrate surprising accuracy in predicting nerve signals, enabling potential applications in robotics.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology discovered that bacteria can retain motility in surprisingly narrow channels, growing and dividing instead of swimming. This new phenotype may be more common than thought, with implications for membrane filters and medical applications.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends low to moderate exercise for pregnant women, despite past concerns. Exercise can strengthen musculoskeletal and physiologic health, ease back pain, and improve post-partum mood.
Researchers found individual algal cells can regulate flagellar beating in synchrony to control swimming trajectories, exhibiting two distinct modes: synchronous and unsynchronised. This study reveals hydrodynamic interactions as the driving force behind synchronization.
A new analysis by Duke University engineers found that elite athletes are getting bigger and faster, with the fastest swimmers growing 4.5 inches and the swiftest runners growing 6.4 inches taller since 1900. This trend can be predicted by the constructal theory of design in nature.
A recent study reveals that disinfection by-products (DBPs) in water are toxic and genotoxic, causing DNA damage. DBPs from iodine-containing compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds are more toxic than regulated ones.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered that C. elegans worms can exhibit both swimming and crawling behaviors, challenging the long-held assumption that these are distinct gaits. The study's findings suggest that a single underlying nervous system mechanism controls a range of locomotion behaviors.
Researchers used the pursuit-evasion game 'Marco Polo' to create a system for controlling moving robots that can autonomously detect and capture other moving targets. The system, which uses multiple sensors and cell decomposition algorithm, has broad applications in security, environmental monitoring, and tracking endangered species.
Researchers analyzed medical examiner records and found that swimming lessons provided some protection against drowning for young children. However, lessons alone are not enough to prevent drowning, and parents should still exercise caution when children are near water.
Formal swimming lessons have been shown to reduce the risk of drowning among children aged 1-4 years. Children who took swimming lessons were less likely to drown compared to those who didn't receive formal instruction.
Researchers discovered that male Australian crayfish use deceptive signals to advertise their strength, cheating rivals with weaker but larger claws. This behavior comes at a cost, as large claws may hinder the males' ability to escape danger.
Researchers have identified a newly discovered species of fish, H. psychedelica, characterized by its unusual hopping behavior and distinctive zebra-like stripes. The species is part of the genus Histiophryne and has evolved unique adaptations to its environment.
Scientists at MIT explain how thin layers of single-celled organisms form at sea and can trap phytoplankton, leading to harmful algal blooms. This research brings the scientific community closer to predicting these events and has implications for other ecological phenomena.
A study found that sun-safe pool policies are associated with improved sun safety behaviors among outdoor staff, leading to fewer reported sunburns. The program also promotes healthy sun protection habits and creates a work environment conducive to developing these habits.
Changing ocean conditions and food scarcity are forcing Magellanic penguins to travel farther for food, threatening their survival. Climate variability, oil pollution, and overfishing are major contributors to the decline of the colony.
Researchers measured oxygen consumption rates of hatchlings swimming to safety, finding a rapid decline in energy expenditure over time. The findings suggest that young turtles can survive up to 14 days without food in the open ocean.
Research challenges the idea that longer sperm are faster due to drag from their heads. Streamlining and tail shape may be more important factors in determining sperm performance.
Dolphins produce more force than previously thought to overcome drag, contradicting Sir James Gray's hypothesis. Researchers use cutting-edge technology to measure dolphin tail forces, finding an average of 200 pounds of force.
Researchers at Brown University have studied the swimming patterns of Caulobacter crescentus, a single-celled bacterium with a flagellum. The study reveals that drag and Brownian motion govern the circular swimming patterns of the microbe, which helps explain how bacteria scavenge for food and adhere to surfaces.
Researchers explore cost-effective methods to identify asthma triggers, seasonal changes in children's asthma, and the effectiveness of swimming, Thai Chi, and nasal sprays as nonpharmacologic interventions. These studies suggest that these alternatives may be more effective and less expensive than traditional treatments.
Injury-related deaths account for over 10% of all Chinese deaths, mainly due to traffic accidents, drowning, and pesticide poisoning. The authors suggest implementing low-cost prevention measures such as stricter driving laws, pesticide restrictions, and swimming education to reduce injury mortality rates.
A study of young people in seven countries finds that cultural influences outweigh factors like age and sex when it comes to drinking habits. The research highlights striking similarities in how young people drink, including socializing and enjoying alcohol in public venues.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii created a photochemical reactor built into a surfboard to perform green reactions with sunlight and sea water. The system efficiently dissipates excess thermal energy using ocean currents, enabling scalable production of vitamin A variants.
A Université de Montréal study found that controlling parents foster an obsessive passion for hobbies in children, whereas supportive parents promote a harmonious relationship. The research, which analyzed 588 musicians and athletes, suggests that excessive parental involvement can hinder a child's autonomy and enjoyment of their favor...
A study of five Stanford University swimmers found that extra sleep improved athletic performance by 0.51 seconds faster sprint times, reaction time, and turn time. Participants also experienced reduced daytime sleepiness and improved mood with extra sleep.
A new study found that swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities significantly reduced skin, ear, and chest infections. Infections were more than halved in both Jigalong and Mugarinya communities. The pools also provided social hubs and employment opportunities while reducing clinic visits and antibiotic prescriptions.
Children with allergic or asthma-prone mothers are at increased risk of wheezing and respiratory issues if they swim before 6 months old. Most infants who swam showed no increase in lower respiratory tract infections or ear inflammation.
Researchers at Purdue University have determined how airborne contaminants are created when chlorine reacts with sweat and urine in indoor swimming pools. By analyzing swimming pool water, they identified the presence of organic volatile disinfection byproducts, which pose health concerns.
A study published in European Journal of Applied Physiology found a consistent correlation between actual and perceived exertion in people of all fitness levels. Researchers say an individual's sense of hard work matches the level of physical exertion measured by heart-rate and oxygen uptake.
A German study found that babies who didn't swim as infants had lower infection rates, especially with diarrhoea. However, no conclusive link was established between swimming pools and atopic diseases in early childhood.
Research finds that sperm cells from more promiscuous primate species swim faster and with greater force than those of monogamous species. Human sperm fall in between, suggesting they may not have always been as monogamous as thought.
The quality of giant bluefin tuna caught in the Gulf of Maine has declined significantly since the early 1990s, with potential changes in food sources and reproductive patterns. Researchers found that the condition of those fish caught is of much lower quality, with reduced fat content and a leaner appearance.
The MIT team has successfully built a mechanical fin that can propel a submarine like a bluegill sunfish. The fin uses a propeller-driven system and is made of a cutting-edge polymer that conducts electricity.
Researchers found that water quality is highest when beaches are busiest with swimmers, stirring up pathogens in the sediment. The studies recommend testing water for microorganisms like C. parvum and G. lamblia during peak usage hours to ensure safe recreational use.
A team of scientists discovered a 15-meter-long trackway with 12 consecutive prints that provide definitive evidence of a non-avian theropod dinosaur's swimming ability. The tracks show an underwater stride of 243-271 cm and suggest the dinosaur swam in approximately 3.2 meters of water.
A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that light sticks used in longline fisheries attract turtles, which can lead to entanglement and death. The researchers suggest that adjusting the lighting or using colors undetectable to turtles could reduce turtle deaths.
Researchers developed a device to concentrate and separate bacteria using electric currents, suitable for miniaturized medical diagnostics. The method, based on pH changes, can be used to separate living and dead cells or bacteria with different motility, offering new applications in biotechnology.
Research by Dr. Anders Garm found that box jellyfish rely on intensity contrast, not color contrast, for obstacle avoidance. The lower lens eye plays a crucial role in detecting and responding to obstacles.
Excluding consumers from promotions can actually increase their interest in a product, as they perceive others as more savvy buyers. In experiments conducted by Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, researchers found that naive consumers are attracted to products with freebies not available to them, leading them to believe that e...
Researchers found a significant circadian rhythm in swim performance, with athletes performing better in the evening and worse in the morning. The study's results suggest that a circadian rhythm affects athletic performance, with peak performance occurring at 11pm.
Researchers found that bacteria like E. coli swim 'to the left' due to opposing forces of flow and bacterial motion, allowing them to find crevices and swim upstream. This phenomenon may contribute to high rates of infection in catheterized patients.
Researchers found that resistance-breathing training and endurance respiratory muscle training improved swimming endurance by 33-38% and breathing capacity. The study also showed significant improvements in underwater scuba swimming time by 66%.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that some mammals, such as star-nosed moles and water shrews, can detect objects underwater using their sense of smell. By blowing bubbles into the water, these animals can create a rapid exchange of air molecules that allows them to sniff out objects with high accuracy.