Articles tagged with Motor Development
A new study from University of Florida researchers found that quick learners rely on the visual cortex in their brains when acquiring new motor skills. The study used brain-monitoring electrodes to analyze how people learn to walk at different speeds, revealing a clear difference between fast and slow learners.
Researchers from Jilin University provide a comprehensive overview of brain injury biomarkers, including neuron-specific enolase, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1, and neurofilament proteins. These biomarkers can help identify brain injuries and predict disease progression.
The university aims to strengthen basic research in the field of sustainable energy systems by hiring Professor Nicole Wermuth, who will focus on large engines and climate-neutral fuels. She will investigate new materials and combustion processes to improve efficiency and minimize emissions.
Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed an innovative robotic rehabilitation system called SPINDLE to enhance the strength and dexterity of individuals with tremors. The study revealed significant benefits, including improved motor control, coordination, and neuroplasticity.
Researchers develop high-performance copper/graphene composite conductor for high power density motors. The composite wire exhibits extremely high strength and electrical conductivity at both room and elevated temperatures.
Researchers developed a novel approach to estimate permanent magnet temperature (PMT) directly from measurements, simplifying implementation and improving accuracy. The method is computation-efficient, non-invasive, and independent from winding temperature rise and inverter distortion.
A new study highlights the importance of providing developmental supports to young victims of serious child abuse before they start school. Researchers found that children who were removed from their homes and entered out-of-home care were more likely to be developmentally delayed in some areas, but also vulnerable in other areas. The ...
The study reveals that FLVCR1 and FLVCR2 transport choline and ethanolamine across cellular membranes, supporting cell growth and stability. This discovery contributes to understanding rare diseases and developing new therapies for patients suffering from severe neurological and muscular disorders.
A groundbreaking system utilizing a flexible tactile sensor based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility and sensitivity compared to conventional methods. The system achieved high classification accuracies, with reconstructed images and measured voltage vectors.
A team of visionaries at the Carney Institute developed 3D-printed brain and spinal cord implants, revolutionizing surgical implantations and optical access. Bioluminescence imaging overcomes limitations of traditional fluorescent microscopy, providing unprecedented observation of neural and vascular activity.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg studied how bubbles form in a drop of biodiesel using femtosecond lasers. The findings aim to improve engine efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase fuel combustion. Understanding bubble formation is crucial for developing more efficient biofuel motors.
Researchers found that longer sprint interval training protocols, such as SIE20, outperform shorter protocols like SIE10 in increasing peripheral oxidative metabolism. This study's findings suggest that less-than-15-minute exercise regimens can provide significant health benefits.
A new IU study reveals that young infants' daily-life input is unique to their age, characterized by high-contrast edges and simple patterns, which serve as a foundation for human vision. This finding has implications for addressing lifelong visual deficiencies and improving AI visual systems.
A study found that adult chimpanzees continue to learn and refine their tool-using skills well into adulthood, suggesting a prolonged learning capacity is key to the evolution of complex tool use in chimps and humans. Chimpanzees developed motor skills for handling sticks by age six, but continued to hone techniques until age 15.
A study by Tohoku University has found that synchronized vasomotion, which efficiently delivers oxygen and glucose, may improve learning abilities and potentially delay or prevent dementia. The research used a method to monitor blood vessel dynamics in the mouse brain and induced vasomotion via visual stimuli.
A study by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused modest delays in developmental milestones for infants and young children. The researchers analyzed data from over 50,000 children aged 0-5 years and found small decreases in communication, problem-solving, and personal-social skills.
Scientists have identified a consistent signature of multiple sclerosis in the blood of patients years before they develop symptoms. The discovery, published in Nature Medicine, could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease, affecting nearly 1 million people in the US.
Extended periods of patching for children with unilateral congenital cataracts do not negatively impact parenting stress, child motor development, behavior, or self-perception. A new study found that continuing to patch throughout preschool years is crucial in preventing blindness and promoting healthy vision.
The SUNRISE European Study Group urges European countries to take specific actions to promote healthy movement behaviors in children under five years. Effective policies targeting upstream environmental influences are required to equitably change movement behaviors among European populations.
Scientists have created a new approach for treating tendon-bone injuries by combining manganese silicate nanoparticles with cells to create an immunomodulatory scaffold. This innovation promotes integrated regeneration and functional recovery in patients, offering a promising solution for improving life quality.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin found that babies who were prompted to touch their own faces developed self-recognition earlier than those who did not. This suggests that active experiences, such as touching one's body, play a crucial role in the development of self-awareness.
A meta-analysis by Associate Professor Diana Arabiat found that children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes have lower mental and psychomotor development scores compared to those without previous exposure. This delay in psychomotor development can be related to numerous risk factors, including premature birth or intrauterine gr...
A study published in BMC Geriatrics uses in-vehicle sensors to detect anomalous driving behavior indicative of cognitive impairment in older adults. The system analyzes driving patterns, facial expressions, and eye movement to identify early signs of dementia.
A new brain stimulation technique called Patterned Low-Intensity Low-Frequency Ultrasound (LILFUS) has been developed by researchers at the Institute for Basic Science. This non-invasive method uses ultrasound to induce long-lasting changes in brain function and has shown promise in treating various neurological disorders.
Researchers have created artificial muscles that contract in response to electrical impulses, using a liquid-filled pouch with electrodes. The HALVE actuators can store energy well, lift weights, and are now waterproof and more robust than previous models.
Researchers found that small electric aircraft can have a notably lower climate impact – up to 60 percent less – and other types of environmental impacts than equivalent fossil-fuelled aircraft. The study also highlights the need for longer battery lifetimes and improved energy storage capacity to minimize mineral resource scarcity.
New research from the University of Copenhagen shows that physical exercise improves ability to learn and remember motor skills, such as riding a bike or driving a car. Exercise before or after practicing new skills can lead to up to 10% improvement in memory, with enhanced effects when done both times.
Researchers found that the deletion of the Gtf2i gene impairs mitochondrial organelle formation and function, leading to abnormal cell behavior and neurodevelopmental pathologies. This discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by cognitive and social impairments.
Researchers at Salk Institute assembled the most complete atlas of the mouse brain by analyzing over 2 million brain cells. The detailed atlas reveals thousands of cell types, their connections, genes, and regulatory programs active in each cell, providing new insights into human disease vulnerabilities.
A small molecule drug compound has shown promise in treating multiple sclerosis by targeting the glutamate system, reducing MS-like symptoms and repairing damaged myelin. The results come from a CAMH-led pre-clinical study published in Science Advances.
A breakthrough study found that light exercise can improve cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome, leading to improved information processing and attention. After just eight weeks of walking, participants showed significant increases in physical fitness and reductions in errors during cognitive assessments.
A recent study published in Journal of Vestibular Research found that Motorist Disorientation Syndrome (MDS) is not solely caused by vestibular dysfunction, but also related to visual dependency and anxiety. The research identified 18 patients with severe symptoms, leading to changes in driving habits for 17 of them.
Pandemic-exposed preschool children demonstrated improved problem-solving skills, fine motor abilities, and vocabulary at 2-5 years old compared to non-exposed peers. They also showed enhanced cognitive performance in visual memory and overall cognitive abilities.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery that inhibiting a specific enzyme can halt the progression of Parkinson's disease in a mouse model. The findings suggest that reducing USP30 may slow or prevent PD progression, paving the way for novel therapeutics.
Researchers have designed micromotors that purify wastewater and create ammonia, a potential green energy source. An AI method developed at the University of Gothenburg will be used to optimize the motors' performance.
Researchers have developed soft implantable fibers that can deliver light to major nerves through the body, allowing for precise illumination of nerve pain. The fibers are flexible and stretch with the body, enabling scientists to study peripheral nerve disorders in animal models without constraining movement.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found exposure to unclean cooking fuels and passive smoke during pregnancy and early childhood are associated with developmental delays in children. Infants and young children spend more time indoors and are particularly vulnerable to indoor pollutants.
A new sensor design developed by a UMass Amherst-led team will monitor motion in stroke survivors' bodies to track their rehabilitation progress. The device uses wearable technology and the human body's conductive skin to transmit data, providing clinicians with valuable insights into patients' functional ability.
Researchers developed a noninvasive technique to visualize and differentiate nerve tissue using multispectral photoacoustic imaging. The study revealed the optimal wavelengths for identifying nerve tissue, which could improve nerve detection and segmentation techniques.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that perceptual decision-making interferes with unrelated eye movements but not hand movements, indicating nerve signals involved in decision-making continuously flow into the oculomotor eye-movement system.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children who spent more than four hours a day on screens at age one were more likely to experience developmental delays by age four. The research suggests that different domains of development, such as communication and problem-solving skills, may be affected differently by screen time.
A new portable EEG headset has been validated and tested for at-home stroke rehabilitation. The low-cost device connects the brain to powered exoskeletons, promoting motor recovery outcomes.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst kinesiologist is implementing a physical activity program for young children in preschools with low socioeconomic status. The pilot study aims to measure the impact on cognitive development and gross motor skills, with potential long-term implications for health disparities.
Researchers developed novel power, energy, and configuration systems for a zero-emissions aviation future using cryogenic liquid hydrogen as an energy carrier. They achieved efficiency of over 98% and demonstrated the feasibility of superconducting technology at ultra-low temperatures.
A new study published in Aging (Albany NY) suggests that prior training can rescue cognitive decline in aging by improving task performance and strengthening memory processes. The research, conducted on rats, found that prior training enhanced short-term and intermediate memory, while also enabling encoding-boosted long-term memory.
Researchers created artificial allosteric sites in protein complexes using computational design to regulate concerted functions. This breakthrough holds promise for industry, biology, medicine, and agriculture.
A soft robotics glove with integrated sensors and AI can aid patients in relearning daily tasks after neurotrauma, including playing music. The glove provides hand guidance, amplifying dexterity and motor skills.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an innovative gene therapy that shows promise in treating Dravet syndrome, a severe developmental epilepsy affecting children. The treatment was found to be effective in improving epilepsy, protecting against early death, and enhancing cognitive abilities.
Researchers establish a direct link between Covid-19 and Alzheimer's disease, attributing the connection to RAS overactivation caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. This dysfunction leads to increased b-amyloid protein accumulation, impairing brain cell synaptic connections and cognitive functions.
A new study at Tel Aviv University found that older bats do indeed suffer from age-related hearing loss, but at a relatively slow rate compared to humans. The researchers believe that bats have developed special adaptations to cope with their noisy environment, which could provide insights into human hearing loss.
A recent study published in Behavioral Sciences demonstrates the effectiveness of ACQUIRE Therapy in improving functional outcomes for children with various motor impairments. The framework provides a standardized approach to intensive therapy, emphasizing the importance of therapists' dynamic awareness and adaptability.
The study reveals that spontaneous waves of neurotransmitter glutamate facilitate dendrite pruning, while a unique protection/punishment machinery strengthens certain connections and eliminates others. Proper pruning is critical for neural development, with insufficient or excessive connections linked to neurophysiological disorders.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that predicting movement is crucial for eye-and-hand coordination. The study used high-speed cameras and AI methods to analyze primate behavior and developed a detailed model of vision-guided reaching behavior.
A special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine explores the treatment and management of cerebral palsy, including spasticity management and pain relief. The articles discuss various approaches to managing spasticity, such as enteral baclofen use and botulinum neurotoxinA injections, aiming to improve care and quali...
Children with superior motor skills outperform peers in reading and mathematics by the end of third grade. Early diverse movement supports motor development, but physical activity doesn't predict academic or motor skill success. Dr. Eero Haapala's study highlights the importance of motor skills as an academic booster.
Researchers discovered a misfolded alpha-synuclein protein as a potential biomarker for early detection of Parkinson's disease. The test was accurate in detecting the disease 87% of the time and identifying its absence 96% of the time.
Recent findings in spina bifida (SB) care highlight comorbidities such as autism and scoliosis, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare use. Telecommunication platforms like Zoom have evolved into clinical tools for SB care.
Researchers studied brain activity in rats as they learned a fine motor task, discovering synchronous low-frequency oscillatory activity that coordinated neural spiking in the motor cortex and cerebellum. This activity may serve as a biomarker for skill learning and a target for electric stimulation to promote motor recovery after stroke.
A retrospective study found associations between vitamin D levels and fine motor development delays, as well as thyroid hormones with cognitive development. Certain metals were also linked to language, cognitive, or motor skill development.
A new study conducted at the University of Turku found that maternal gestational diabetes mellitus may have unfavourable effects on the neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children. A healthy diet during pregnancy supports child's neurodevelopment, while higher maternal body fat percentage is associated with weaker cognitive and motor skills.