Articles tagged with Feet
The iStride Device, a patented therapeutic shoe, helps stroke patients relearn how to walk by strengthening the affected leg. Clinical trials show improved gait symmetry and functional walking in six participants, with four achieving double limb support.
New research reveals that microtubules in chromosome-dividing spindles are propelled forward by collective motion due to entanglement with neighboring tubes. This understanding aims to improve the study of cellular machinery and prevent errors like missing or extra chromosomes.
Stories undermine strong facts by disrupting people's ability to process information in an elaborated manner. When facts are weak, stories embedded within them lead to greater persuasion than facts alone, but when facts are strong, the opposite effect occurs.
Researchers found that baby spiders have the same number of photoreceptors as adults but packed differently to fit in a smaller space. This allows them to maintain high visual acuity and distinguish objects at a distance, even when they're small.
A new insect-sized robot created by UC Berkeley researchers can scurry across the floor at nearly the speed of a cockroach and withstand the weight of an average human. The robot's design allows it to 'leapfrog' forward using electric vibrations, enabling it to navigate through tight spaces.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of fairy wrasse in the mesophotic coral reefs off the coast of Tanzania, dubbed the 'Vibranium Fairy Wrasse' due to its purple scales. The discovery sheds light on the unique ecosystems of the twilight zone, which are just as vulnerable to human threats as shallow reefs.
Scientists found that ice on Greenland's ice sheet slides across hard bedrock at high speeds, moving more ice than previously thought to the ocean. This discovery suggests the ice sheet can efficiently respond to climate change and potentially increase melting.
Researchers have discovered thriving microbial communities in high-elevation ice spires in the Andes Mountains, offering insights into the limits of life on Earth. Snow algae were found to be present in these formations for the first time at an extreme elevation, providing a possible analogue for life on other planets.
A DNA test of a tooth fragment from Jeff Weakley's foot, retrieved after a 24-year blister, identified the blacktip shark species responsible for the 1994 bite. The study aims to improve bite mitigation strategies by providing more precise data on unidentified species.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake filled a significant knowledge gap in understanding Himalayan seismicity, revealing that the Main Himalayan Thrust fault changes geometry along-strike. This finding improves understanding of earthquake hazards in India and Nepal by identifying potential locations for future earthquakes.
A new study finds that groundwater pumping has contributed significantly to US stream flow declines, affecting regions like the Colorado and Mississippi River basins. The research suggests that sustainable water management is crucial to mitigate these impacts and ensure long-term water security.
Researchers have discovered a new species of egg-sucking sea slug, Olea hensoni, in Florida's Cedar Key. This unique slug belongs to the sacoglossans group and has been found to prey on eggs of fellow slugs and snails. The discovery highlights the vast marine life remaining to be discovered, even in well-studied areas.
A study by Bielefeld University and New York University reveals that healthy adults systematically misattribute touch on the hands to the feet and vice versa. The researchers found that three characteristics of touch - limb identity, side of body, and canonical anatomical position - contribute to phantom sensations.
The Stanford Student Robotics club developed an affordable, open-source quadruped robot called Stanford Doggo, which can perform acrobatic tricks and navigate challenging terrain. The robot's cost is estimated under $3,000 and all components can be bought online.
Researchers found that simple prevention methods such as sealing floors, using soap for daily feet washing, and good household infrastructure can reduce tungiasis cases by up to a third and nearly half. The study suggests that public health workers can play a key role in expanding WASH policies to prevent the disease.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer linked to sun exposure, with common areas affected including face, neck, arms, and torso. Genomic sequencing helps identify markers for diagnosis and treatment, while ABCDE criteria aid in suspicious lesion detection.
Researchers identified specific strains of Staphylococcus aureus associated with non-healing wounds, while another microbe Alcaligenes faecalis was linked to quicker healing. The study suggests monitoring wound microbes could help doctors develop new treatment strategies for impaired wound healing.
A new study catalogs nearly 1.8 million tiny tremors in Southern California, filling gaps in the earthquake record and shedding light on geophysical processes. The analysis reveals that about 495 earthquakes occur each day in the region, with most being small and imperceptible.
Researchers discovered a potentially devastating foot disease in Chile's endangered huemul deer population, with severe pain and death caused by the condition. The study's findings highlight the need for improved monitoring and collaboration to help protect the critically endangered species.
Researchers report a link between methamphetamine self-administration and imbalance of brain circuits responsible for addiction. Noninvasive brain stimulation may help control compulsive drug use in humans by targeting these circuit imbalances.
Researchers found that spotted lanternflies create level or gradually descending straight-line flight paths, averaging 75 feet in length. The insects tend to orient strongly to nearby visual landmarks and begin feeding immediately after landing.
A study by Kazumichi Matsumiya found two distinct neural substrates for body localization and ownership, indicating a need to revise existing models. The findings suggest that spatial localization and body ownership are processed differently in the brain.
Tropical Cyclone Joaninha maintained its eye with visible thunderstorms surrounding it, with maximum sustained winds near 110 knots. The cyclone is forecast to weaken and transition into a subtropical cyclone over the next several days.
Tropical Cyclone Joaninha is affecting Mauritius, with NASA tracking its movement through the Southern Indian Ocean. The storm is causing strong southerly winds and heavy swells, prompting warnings from the Mauritius Meteorological Services.
A new study on young hellbenders' habitats found that selecting a 'just right' rock is essential to avoid cannibalism. The research suggests that larvae tend to live under small rocks, while adults prefer larger boulders with specific gravel flooring characteristics.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that medium syncopation rhythms with simple and medium harmony complexity elicited the highest ratings of pleasure and movement. Harmony boosts the inverted U curve effect, making listeners want to move more when combined with rhythm.
A device called VibeForward reduces symptoms of freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson's disease by providing vibration therapy through a portable, non-invasive shoe. The technology has shown early evidence to help improve daily life for those with the condition.
The mini cheetah robot's lightweight, high-power design enables it to perform a 360-degree backflip and walk on uneven terrain. The robot's modular design allows for easy repair and replacement of damaged parts.
Scientists used a split-belt treadmill to study mouse locomotor learning and found that the brain separates spatial and temporal components of movement. The findings show similarities with human learning and suggest potential therapeutic approaches for people with asymmetric walking patterns.
Researchers have directly observed an Antarctic ice shelf bending under the weight of ponding meltwater, a phenomenon that may have triggered the 2002 collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf. The study found that meltwater lakes can contain up to two million tons of water, pushing downward on the ice and creating stress.
University of Michigan researchers develop a novel approach to teaching self-driving cars to recognize and predict pedestrian movements. They achieve this by analyzing humans' gait, body symmetry, and foot placement using cameras, LiDAR, and GPS data. The system can predict poses and future locations for one or several pedestrians up t...
A study led by Theresa Cole found that modern penguin diversity is driven by islands, which created new opportunities for isolation and speciation. The research suggests human-caused extinctions have also played a role in shaping penguin diversity.
Researchers analyzed dinosaur footprints in Morocco to understand how long-necked dinosaurs moved forward. The results showed that the animals could switch between orienting their forefeet forward or sideways as needed, with smaller individuals able to rotate them more easily.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that wearable sensors measure the wrong thing, focusing on foot impact rather than muscle contraction forces. They discovered a strong correlation between ground reaction forces and tibial bone loading was false, and only combined data from multiple sensors can estimate bone stress accurately.
Researchers from ETH Zurich developed a new model that simulates earthquake cycles in the Himalayas, predicting powerful earthquakes with a periodicity of 400 to 600 years. The model shows that medium-sized earthquakes can create conditions for even larger ones, leading to complete stress release in the rupture zone.
A study by the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland reveals that plantar intrinsic muscles have a minimal impact on supporting the arch of the human foot during walking and running. However, these muscles are crucial for propelling forward motion.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that using a toilet stool can help people with constipation, bloating, and incomplete bowel movements. The study showed that 71% of participants experienced faster bowel movements and 90% reported less straining.
Researchers found that a simplified examination focusing on hands, feet, and lower legs can detect over 90% of scabies cases. This approach may be useful for public health assessments and guiding decisions on scabies control.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a micro-robot called HAMR-E that can climb on vertical and upside-down surfaces, allowing for non-invasive inspection of hard-to-reach areas of large machines. The robot uses electroadhesive foot pads and origami ankle joints to navigate complex environments, saving companies time and money.
The endocast of Australopithecus fossil Little Foot shows a brain with asymmetrical structures similar to modern humans, but also features distinct from us, including an expanded visual cortex and reduced parietal association cortex. This suggests that the brain's complexity evolved over time in response to environmental pressures.
Researchers discovered geckos' unique locomotion method, combining leg slapping, skin surface tension, and tail propulsion. The findings could inspire rapid swimming robots for search and rescue operations.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that low-abundance species like the spiny water flea can go undetected even with rigorous sampling. Increasing net size and targeting specific times of year can improve detection rates.
Research reveals US groundwater supply is smaller than previously thought, with potable supplies extending only an average of 1,800 feet below ground. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that fresh groundwater extends much deeper.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder geoscientists sheds light on the hidden world beneath our feet, revealing how rainfall affects the depth of the critical zone. The researchers found that a shallow critical zone forms under dry conditions, while a thick one forms in wet conditions.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University are developing nitric oxide-laden bandages that adjust chemical release depending on cell conditions. The goal is to create a more nuanced way to recover wound function and reduce the healing time of diabetic foot ulcers.
Research by Oregon State University scientists shows that large terrestrial carnivores can lead to improved stream structure and function in Yellowstone National Park. The return of wolves and cougars has resulted in increased willow height, canopy cover, and stream-bank stabilization, indicating a recovering riparian/aquatic ecosystem.
Researchers found that images of diseased body parts and testimonials from real people were the most effective individual features in pictorial warning labels. The study analyzed over 300 warning labels and recruited nearly 1,400 current smokers to view them and answer questions about their effect.
NASA's GPM satellite captured the eye of Super Typhoon Yutu passing over Tinian, with maximum sustained winds reaching 180 mph. The storm also brought extremely heavy rainfall, causing flash floods and potentially deadly surf conditions.
A study published in Annual Review of Environment and Resources projects that global sea levels will likely rise 6-10 inches from 2000 to 2050, but more sensitive projections beyond 2050 depend on greenhouse gas emissions and projection methods. Rising seas pose a significant threat to coastal populations and ecosystems worldwide.
Researchers found that turbidity currents in Monterey Canyon involve large-scale movements of the seafloor, contrary to previous conceptual models. The dense layer of water-saturated sediment moves rapidly over the bottom, remobilizing the upper few meters of the preexisting seafloor.
A new study by CU Boulder-led researchers reveals that the Vavilov Ice Cap has dramatically accelerated, losing massive amounts of ice mass and challenging scientists' assumptions. The rapid collapse raises concerns for glaciers in other polar regions.
A new study found that young pheasants who strongly favored using their left or right leg to step over a barrier died at a significantly lower rate than those with weaker preferences. The research suggests that favouring one side of the body may bring advantages, but also explains why low levels of 'footedness' exist among pheasants.
Researchers developed a software program that uses an avatar to predict energy expenditure during walking, considering parameters like stride length and foot lift. The tool has potential applications in designing custom exoskeletons and prosthetics to reduce user effort and optimize calorie burn.
A new study reveals the largest dinosaur foot ever found, measuring nearly 1 meter wide, and confirms that brachiosaurs inhabited a huge area in North America. The discovery also sheds light on the range of sauropod dinosaurs during that time.
An international team of researchers has confirmed that Brachiosaurus dinosaurs inhabited the US region, including the largest dinosaur foot ever found. The discovery was made in Wyoming and measured over 4 meters high at its hip.
Deep mesophotic reefs are unique habitats facing the same threats as shallow reefs, including climate change, storms, and pollution. The study's findings contradict the 'refuge hypothesis' and highlight the critical importance of protecting twilight zone reefs.
A new study by University of Washington researchers has found that infants as young as 2 months old display a well-formed body map with distinct neural signatures for different body parts, including the lips. The research uses infant brain imaging to gauge how the hand, foot, and lips are represented in the brains of 2-month-olds.
Researchers found that maximal running shoes increase impact peak and loading rate in female runners, associated with higher injury risks like plantar fasciitis and tibial stress fractures. Maximal shoes feature increased cushioning, but this may lead runners to rely more on the shoe rather than their own internal structures.
UMass Lowell researchers aim to develop methods for robots to assess their performance in real-time, enabling better task completion and increased efficiency. The SUCCESS project will utilize humanoid robots like Baxter to evaluate their abilities and limitations, leading to improved human-robot collaboration and trust.
Researchers at Lund University have found that sea urchins can perceive objects within a limited range of sizes, up to 30-70 degrees around them. This ability is sufficient for the animal's basic needs and behavior, despite having poor eyesight compared to humans.