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Phantom sensations: When the sense of touch deceives

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.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 14, 2019

Preventive measures can reduce foot parasite in children, study says

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 16, 2019

Teaching self-driving cars to predict pedestrian movement

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...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateFeb 12, 2019

Waiting for the complete rupture

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2019

Step forward in understanding human feet

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 14, 2019

Robots with sticky feet can climb up, down, and all around

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.

Watch how geckos run across water

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 6, 2018

Global sea level could rise 50 feet by 2300, study says

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAnnual Review of Environment and Resources·DateOct 8, 2018

One foot in the grave for pheasants that favor a side

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 2018

Bigfoot was a dinosaur

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.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 24, 2018