Articles tagged with Feet
Researchers used virtual reality to identify balance impairments and train people to improve their balance. The study found that virtual reality can reveal balance deficits that are not apparent during normal walking, providing an important roadmap for detecting balance impairments.
A new study estimates that violent winds and shock waves are the most deadly effects of an asteroid impact, accounting for over 60% of lives lost. The study ranked seven effects associated with asteroid impacts and found that tsunamis accounted for 20% of casualties, while seismic shaking was the least concerning.
Researchers used 3-D prints to compare three surgical techniques for treating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and found that none provide adequate correction of the heel bone deformity. The study, funded by the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, was presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting.
The newly-discovered Teleocrater rhadinus is a six-foot-long lizard-like carnivore that has unexpectedly crocodile-like features, causing scientists to reassess the earliest stages of dinosaur evolution. It shares more features with its distant crocodilian cousins than previously thought.
A new study finds that long-term exposure to soil minerals from walking barefoot in volcanic soils is the cause of a debilitating and disfiguring skin condition in western Uganda. The researchers found that people had been suffering silently for decades before symptoms became apparent.
A new online survey of over 28,000 participants found that 59% prefer to start eating their chocolate bunnies with the ears. Chocolate rabbit ear amputations were also a significant concern, peaking in late March through mid-April every year from 2012 to 2017.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that learning a new task involving the hands can also improve performance with the foot, as measured by changes in brain activity between the motor cortex and cerebellum. This study demonstrates the brain's ability to adapt and transfer motor knowledge across body parts.
A new Chrome extension called ScaleUp improves web browsing speeds at 30,000 feet by increasing image size and simplifying font loads. The solution reduces latency and packet loss, providing faster Internet access to air travelers.
Record-breaking warm temperatures triggered early blooms in eastern US, leading to severe thunderstorms and deadly tornadoes. The GPM satellite provided critical insights into the intense downpours and storm top heights of over 32,800 feet.
A new study analyzed 558 individuals with foot pain and identified five clusters with unique patterns based on age, sex, and comorbidities. The findings provide insights into foot pain patterns in the community and highlight opportunities for targeted interventions.
A recent survey found that more than two-thirds of non-foot-specialist clinicians are unaware of Charcot neuroarthropathy, a rare form of foot damage. The condition can lead to significant disability and morbidity if not diagnosed early. Improving education on this topic is crucial for better patient outcomes.
A new study suggests that warmer conditions could make years like 2015, with historically low snowpack levels, occur about once a decade, while snowpack similar to 2014 will happen every 4-5 years. The region's snowpack is highly sensitive to increasing temperatures.
A University of Utah study found that heel-down posture in great apes and humans is beneficial for fighting due to increased swinging force. This stance allows for more efficient application of rotational force, enabling physical competition to be costly and demanding peak performance from the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system.
Researchers at the University of Washington used CryoSat-2 data to identify four interconnected lakes draining beneath Thwaites Glacier in eight months. The glacier sped up by about 10 percent during this time, indicating that other factors, such as ocean warming, are driving its long-term movement.
A study using high-speed motion capture found that human feet are more mobile than expected, challenging long-held ideas about human-chimpanzee differences. This discovery may require rethinking assumptions about early human ancestor fossil feet.
Researchers analyzed zinc and volatile elements in trinitite glass, comparing it to lunar rocks. The study found similarities between the two, supporting the giant impact theory of the Moon's formation.
Researchers developed a concise new explanation for human running mechanics, offering direct insight into determinants of performance and injuries. The two-mass model provides accurate predictions of ground-force application regardless of speed or foot-strike type.
Researchers identified mesenchymal-derived BMPs as a crucial mechanism in determining sweat gland versus hairy cell fates. The study found increased expression of BMP and FGF genes at week 17 in human scalp skin, coinciding with the shift from hair to sweat-bud formation.
A pooled analysis of available data reveals that shock-absorbing insoles do not prevent injuries or stress fractures. In contrast, foot orthotics have been shown to reduce the risk of overall injury and certain types of leg and foot pain by up to 41%. However, the quality of the evidence varies, and further rigorous research is needed.
Researchers found hummingbirds' ability to accelerate and turn is hindered by low air density at high altitudes, affecting their performance. The study suggests climate change may impact species seeking cooler regions, including higher elevations.
A study found that the Greenland ice sheet nearly disappeared for extended periods in the last million years, challenging previous assumptions about its stability. The finding implies global warming could tip it into decline rapidly, causing rapid sea-level rise.
The researchers developed a new metric to measure vertical agility, which allowed them to rank animals by their jumping agility and identify the galago as an inspiration for design. Salto achieved 78% of the galago's vertical jumping agility, with a maximum jump height of roughly 1.008 meters.
NASA analyzed Hawaii's heavy snowfall using GPM satellite data, finding precipitation rates exceeding 9.3 inches per hour in intense storms. The average freezing level was determined to be around 14,127 feet, with slopes reaching as low as 12,795 feet.
Researchers found that runners wearing minimal trainers and landing on the ball of their foot had lower loading rates, reducing injury risk. This study suggests that minimal shoes can be beneficial for runners who adopt a forefoot strike pattern without cushioning.
Researchers investigated Nepalese porters' load-carrying techniques and found that they do not use energy-conserving mechanisms like African women. Instead, porters move at a slow speed and take frequent breaks to conserve energy.
A QUT study reveals foot disease affects 10% of hospital patients, with half hospitalized due to the condition. The study estimates $4.7 billion annual cost and fills nearly 5,000 hospital beds each night.
A study has found that a protein-folding gene plays a new role in wound healing, accelerating closure in diabetic mice. The researchers used zebrafish to test the hypothesis that Hsp60 promotes inflammation and cell proliferation, leading to tissue regeneration.
A recent study published in the International Wound Journal found that implementing evidence-based prevention and treatment for diabetic foot ulcers through Medicare could save Australia $2.7 billion over five years. Patients receiving best care also experience faster ulcer healing, fewer hospitalisations, and amputations.
New uranium series analysis suggests Nan Madol, a Pacific island's ancient coral reef capital, was the earliest evidence of a chiefdom in the Pacific. The discovery enables archaeologists to study how societies transform into more complex and hierarchical systems.
A comprehensive study of Hawaii's mesophotic coral ecosystems has documented vast areas of 100% coral cover and extensive algal communities at depths of 50-90 meters. The findings reveal unique species not found on shallow reefs, with significant implications for conservation.
Researchers found that banning tobacco sales within 1,000 feet of schools significantly reduces the number of tobacco retailers while minimizing disparities by income level and proportion of African American residents. Implementing such a ban could lead to potential health benefits for low-income communities.
A new analysis by civil engineering faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign outlines the factors that led to the 2013 Interstate 5 bridge collapse in Washington. The study highlights the importance of updating databases to reflect minimum heights and implementing automated reporting systems to prevent similar accidents.
A recent study on the internal anatomy of a fossil human relative's heel bone reveals greater similarities with gorillas than chimpanzees. The researchers discovered that this fossil, from the StW 352 Australopithecus africanus, exhibited gorilla-like levels of joint mobility and structural reinforcement.
Researchers developed a noninvasive device that tricks premature infants' brains into thinking they're running, reducing apnea of prematurity incidents and low oxygen levels. The device uses vibrating disks on the skin to stimulate nerve fibers, promoting increased breathing.
A new rare species of beaked whale, smaller and darker than Baird's beaked whale, has been identified with a range in the remote North Pacific Ocean. The elusive whale is about 25 feet long and rarely seen, even by Japanese whalers.
Researchers harness 3D x-ray imaging technology and computer simulations to understand the effect of stainless steel horseshoes on skeletal stresses in horses. The method was used effectively in a preliminary case study, paving the way for new research directions to minimize foot injuries.
Researchers found that sub-sensory vibratory noise delivered to the foot sole of older adults significantly augmented postural control complexity, leading to improved mobility and reduced TUG times. This study highlights the potential benefits of vibratory stimulation for enhancing physical function in older adults.
Frigate birds exploit upward drafts and circular movements of cumulus clouds to stay aloft for months without flapping their wings. Juveniles embark on longer journeys than adults, suggesting a genetically encoded behavior.
A team of scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute has designed a new camera tag to track white sharks' behavior and habitat. The tag, called the 'Café Cam,' can capture video footage of the sharks for up to nine months, providing unprecedented insights into their lives.
Scientists have discovered a new species of spider in central Spain, specifically in Holm oak trees at the borders of cereal fields. The newly found species has a unique preference for these trees and highlights the need to preserve isolated trees in agricultural landscapes to conserve novel species.
A new study reveals that California's drought-stricken Central Valley harbors three times more groundwater than previously estimated. The researchers found approximately 2,700 cubic kilometers of usable water, which is almost triple the state's current estimates.
A pilot study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found an adjustable foot wrap to be significantly more effective than standard pharmaceutical treatment for restless legs syndrome. The device caused a 1.4 times increase in sleep for those with moderate to severe symptoms.
A year-long experiment in Peterborough found that targeting crime hot spots with extra PCSO patrols can prevent 86 assaults and save thousands in prison costs. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology, suggests a five-to-one return on investment for every £10 spent on targeted foot patrols.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo introduce Tap-Kick-Click, a foot interaction method for standing desks that reduces cyberslacking and increases physical activity. The system tracks user movement using a depth camera and instrumented shoes, encouraging users to stand in an uncomfortable position while viewing distracting content.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that visual blurring, like bifocals or progressive lenses, can cause errors in foot position when walking. This can contribute to the risk of tripping and falling in older adults, especially in challenging environments.
A new study from the University of Utah has dated the Sentinel rock avalanche to 4,800 years ago, estimating its size and dynamics. The landslide created a flat floor for 700 years, covering an area larger than New York City's Central Park with debris.
A University of Utah study suggests that spring snowpack in higher elevations will be more dependent on precipitation than temperature in a warming climate. By the end of the century, the threshold elevation for temperature-controlled snowpack is expected to rise by around 800 feet, affecting ski resorts and water resources.
Researchers identified a possible intervention for age-related memory problems by exploring how the brain links two memories and whether time affects their connection. Boosting neural excitability may reverse age-related inability to link memories.
A five-year study found that patients with negative beliefs about their diabetic foot ulcers had a higher risk of death. The study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that addressing these attitudes could improve survival rates for people with diabetic foot ulcers.
Researchers found that marathon runners had higher stiffness indices than sedentary individuals, indicating improved bone quality. The study suggests that endurance running training can modify the mechanical properties of bones, potentially preventing age-related decline in bone mineral density.
A new study led by Grant Lipman found that applying paper tape to blister-prone areas before exercise prevented both incidence and frequency of foot blisters. The tape, commonly used for wound treatment, is mildly adhesive and doesn't tear blisters if they occur.
A new ice sheet model suggests that Antarctic ice sheet melting could lead to a 50-foot rise in sea level by 2500, potentially doubling previous estimates. The researchers attribute this to ocean warming and the fracturing of floating ice shelves, which would cause them to collapse into the sea.
A new study by ETH Zurich researchers sheds light on the body representation in paraplegics, finding altered communication between the brain and foot. The study used a task to analyze participants' responses to pictures of foreign body parts, revealing longer response times for those with complete spinal cord damage.
Researchers found that giant reed uses C3 photosynthesis despite being more productive than other crops, with exceptionally high Rubisco activity and efficient water use. This discovery could help improve C3 photosynthesis in other plants.
A new study of fossil tracks in northern China suggests that sauropod dinosaurs were walking, not swimming, despite previous theories. The tracks, dating back over 120 million years, show four or five claw marks at the front and are matched perfectly by the feet of medium-sized sauropod dinosaurs.
Researchers found that motion-controlled video game players outperformed those with push-button controllers and no training in real-world putting, suggesting a potential for these games to enhance fine motor coordination. Further research is needed to explore the effects of motion-controlled games on larger-motor coordination skills.
Stanford Professor Rob Jackson found high levels of natural gas in tap water near active wells, often caused by poorly constructed wells or lack of cementing. Shallow fracking operations can contaminate freshwater aquifers, posing a risk to drinking water quality.
A new robot, CRAM, has been developed using the inspiration of American cockroaches' ability to penetrate tight joints and seams. The robot can rapidly squeeze through cracks, even when flattened, and withstand forces up to 900 times its body weight without injury.
Scientists have discovered four new species of deep-water algae from Hawaii, which are similar in appearance to limu palahalaha and hold great cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. The newly discovered species were collected between 200-400 feet deep and are believed to redefine our understanding of algal distributions in Hawaii.
A major winter storm has departed the Eastern Seaboard, bringing record-breaking snowfall to the Mid-Atlantic region. The storm set multiple snowfall records in states such as Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, with some areas receiving up to 3.5 feet of snow.