Articles tagged with Fingers
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a technology that sends small electrical currents to the fingertips of someone operating a robotic arm, allowing surgeons to control their movements more precisely. This can lead to reduced inadvertent injuries and improved surgical outcomes.
A new device developed at Carnegie Mellon University uses multiple strings attached to the hand and fingers to simulate the feel of obstacles and heavy objects in virtual reality. The device provides more realistic haptic feedback than other techniques, enabling users to feel the contours of virtual objects and sense resistance.
A 1.57-meter long ancient Elpistostege fish fossil found in Canada has yielded the missing evolutionary link between fish and tetrapods, revealing a humerus (arm), radius, ulna, carpus, and phalanges organized in digits (fingers). The discovery pushes back the origin of digits in vertebrates to the fish level.
A new study reveals that the overlying skin and a layer of non-adhesive cells are required for digit separation during mammalian development. The research identifies epidermal developmental processes beyond connective tissue removal, which may be implicated in other complex syndromes.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have introduced a new robotic finger with a highly precise sense of touch over complex, multicurved surfaces. The finger uses overlapping light signals to detect contact and can localize touch with very high precision, making it suitable for dexterous hands.
Researchers used soft robotic fingers to study deep-sea jellyfish, finding they expressed fewer stress-related genes when handled gently. This technology allows for less invasive and more accurate collection of ecological data in the ocean.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology designed a new master controller that combines two gripping types to reduce finger fatigue and improve precision in robotic surgery. The combined grip method yielded better performance in experiments, with fewer failures and faster movements.
A zinc finger domain in Arabidopsis protein SIZ1 is essential for transcriptional regulation of genes required for abiotic stress responses, including cold, salt, and drought stresses. The domain's absence leads to impaired SIZ1 function, stunted plant growth, and increased sensitivity to stressful conditions.
Two new studies uncover the secrets behind birds' precise flight control, paving the way for more agile robotic wings. Researchers found that finger motion initiates stable turn maneuvers and 'directional Velcro' mechanisms lock feathers together during wing extension.
Scientists from Duke University and HSE University developed a neurointerface that allows monkeys to control a cursor with their brains, enabling future development of upper-limb neuroprostheses. The breakthrough provides tactile feedback, increasing movement precision and natural control.
Researchers employed satellite imagery and statistical models to identify the socio-economic causes of soil erosion globally. They found that national borders reveal areas with unnaturally high erosion rates, highlighting the 'country effect' as a major driver of soil loss.
Researchers used thermal imaging to assess rheumatoid arthritis, finding increased palm and finger temperatures in patients. The study suggests thermal imaging could aid in early detection of the disease, which affects over 400,000 adults in the UK.
Researchers have discovered a tiny, fully functional extra finger in the aye-aye's hand, which is believed to aid in gripping and mobility. The pseudothumb is composed of both bone and cartilage and has three distinct muscles that enable movement and force.
Researchers develop new approach combining individual finger control and automation to improve grasping and manipulation for amputees. The technology uses machine learning and sensor data to interpret user intention and automate object grasp.
Researchers found organised 'hand-like' maps of toes in the brains of professional foot painters, as they used their feet similarly to how people use hands. The study demonstrates an extreme example of brain plasticity and suggests that all people may have innate capacity for forming such maps.
Scientists have identified a missing Denisovan finger bone fragment revealing its morphology is closer to modern human digits than previously thought. The finding suggests that finger bone characteristics unique to Neanderthals evolved after the evolutionary split from Denisovans.
A new research project aims to develop touchscreens with more realistic interactions, enabling users to physically push their fingers into screens or feel different materials. The project promises a step-change in touchscreen technology, potentially benefiting visually impaired people and offering new ways of interacting with devices.
A new underwater gripper developed by researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering has successfully caught and released jellyfish without causing harm. The ultra-soft gripper uses hydraulic pressure to wrap around a single jellyfish, then release it, allowing for extensive study of marine organisms.
The study reveals that overlapping regions in premotor and parietal cortices represent sequences in multiple levels of motor hierarchy. The primary motor cortex uniquely represents individual finger movements. This finding provides insights into the brain's complex representation of motor sequences.
A team of Kiel University chemists built the first artificial molecular assembler, which uses light as the energy source. The system combines selective binding, accurate positioning, and active release of the product, solving the 'sticky fingers' problem.
A new 3D-printed prosthetic hand can learn a wearer's movement patterns, allowing them to perform complex actions like picking up small items or clenching their fist. The hand's accuracy is above 95% for single simple motion and 93% for complicated motions.
A study by Professor Raquel Cantero of the University of Malaga has found a direct correlation between mobile phone use and thumb pain. The researcher predicts that changes in thumb use due to technology could lead to alterations in hand evolution.
Researchers found that atmospheric oxygen exposure triggers removal of interdigital webbing during embryo development. This mechanism is thought to be shared by all tetrapods and contributes to limb shape variation. The study provides insight into the evolutionary process behind limb development in animals.
Researchers found a surprising similarity between Nigerian drum sounds and the tapping of ripe watermelons. The team used pitch-pattern analysis to measure internal ripeness and quality, achieving an 60% level of efficiency. This innovative method utilizes traditional music elements to aid in everyday decision-making.
A new study from York University found that children with more years of sport experience recover better from concussions and have quicker motor skill recovery times than those with fewer years of experience. This suggests that playing sports for longer periods may provide a protective effect against future concussions.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a film that gives touchscreens a third dimension, enabling virtual buttons to appear and disappear on demand. The technology uses electroactive polymer films to create tactile signals, opening up new possibilities for computer games, internet searches, and satnav devices.
Researchers found that visual and haptic information significantly improves grasp movements, demonstrating the nervous system's use of both types of information for optimal movement execution. The simultaneous availability of vision and haptics led to faster movements and a decrease in grip aperture.
A perception system for soft robots has been developed, mimicking human body components to predict complex motions and forces. The system uses a motion capture system, neural network, and soft sensors to interpret sensor signals, enabling accurate predictions of robot movements.
Research found a significant association between Heberden's nodes and imaging measures of knee osteoarthritis. The study suggests a link between finger joint enlargements and structural damage in the knee joint.
Researchers have created a soft, non-toxic wearable sensor that measures force and motion to diagnose developmental disabilities. The sensor is designed for small children and has the potential to provide advantages not currently available.
A new study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that the primary driver of solutal convection in porous media is not density, but mechanical dispersion. The findings contradict decades of scientific consensus and have significant implications for CO2 sequestration and other applications.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed an electronic glove with sensors that can detect pressure intensity and direction, allowing a robotic hand to perform tasks like lifting eggs and handling delicate objects without crushing them. The technology has potential applications in robot-assisted surgery and other fields where p...
Scientists have discovered three distinct growth modes in lithium metal anodes: whiskers, surface growth, and dendrites. These growths are influenced by competing reactions between the electrolyte and metal deposits. The study's findings suggest that controlling these growth modes is crucial for building reliable batteries.
A new ultra-light haptic glove enables users to interact with virtual objects in a highly realistic way, generating forces of up to 40 Newtons. The device has potential applications in gaming, healthcare and augmented reality.
A team of engineers, marine biologists, and roboticists developed soft gripper devices that allow scientists to gently collect delicate organisms from the deep sea. The devices were able to collect sea slugs, corals, sponges, and other marine life with less damage than traditional tools.
A multidisciplinary team developed soft, flexible, and customizable samplers that can grasp delicate sea creatures without damaging them. The researchers 3D-printed modifications to the device overnight, revolutionizing marine biology fieldwork and enabling scientists to collect samples in their native habitats.
Researchers at EPFL have developed ultra-sensitive sensors using elastic fibers filled with electrodes, capable of detecting pressure and strain. The fibers can be used in smart clothing, prostheses, and artificial nerves for robots, with potential applications including touch keyboards and compression detection.
Researchers at Georgia Tech created a wearable system that can recognize up to 22 different micro finger gestures, allowing users to control smart devices with simple hand movements. The technology uses acoustic chirps emitted from a ring and received by a wristband, enabling discreet interaction.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a new type of sensor called Multi-Touch Skin, which can capture touches on the body with precision, even from multiple fingers. The sensors are printed using a household inkjet printer and can be designed to fit any shape, enabling new applications for interaction designers.
A UCLA-led team developed a nonsurgical, noninvasive spinal stimulation procedure that allows six people with severe spinal cord injuries to regain use of their hands and fingers for the first time in years. The participants showed substantial improvements after just eight researcher-led training sessions.
Researchers developed a robotic gripper combining gecko toes' adhesive properties with air-powered soft robots, enabling it to grasp various objects, including rough and dirty ones. The gripper's unique design maximizes surface contact area, ensuring a better grip.
Researchers found that fast typists use a combination of techniques, such as rollover typing and parallel hand movement, to achieve high speeds. This approach allows for efficient keypresses and minimizes errors. The study provides insights into modern typing habits and suggests simple exercises to improve typing technique.
Researchers analyzed 136 million keystrokes from 168,000 volunteers to identify what makes a faster typist. The study found that the fastest typists use rollover typing, where they press the next key before the previous one is released, and display different typing styles.
The researchers created a new method for changing the way buttons are activated, called Impact Activation, which was found to be 94% more precise in rapid tapping than regular activation methods. The technique can help gamers and musicians improve their speed and rhythm.
A new app and hardware for smartphones measures blood pressure with accuracy rivaling arm-cuff devices, according to Michigan State University scientists. The technology uses a fingertip measurement point and includes a discovery of a more convenient measurement location.
A new prototype for wearable tremor suppression gloves has been developed by Western University researchers, which tracks voluntary movement to minimize tremors. The gloves will be custom designed for both hands of each patient to maximize benefits.
Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus create ultra-stretchable sensor with high sensitivity and durability, suitable for monitoring muscle movement, heart rate, and other bio-signals. The device is capable of sensing and understanding complex human motion, including infinitesimal movements like a heartbeat or finger twitch.
A triboelectric nanogenerator tab can generate electricity from bending a finger and other simple movements, promising a new source of portable power. The UB and CAS team has developed a cost-effective and easily fabricable device that could serve as a power source for various wearable and self-powered electronic devices.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that temporarily shutting off neuronal signals to a healthy part of the brain may aid stroke recovery. Mice with clipped whiskers showed improved recovery of right forepaw use, while those with intact whiskers had limited improvement.
A two-year FINGER trial found that enhanced lifestyle counselling prevented cognitive decline despite the presence of the APOE4 gene. The intervention model is now being adapted and tested globally for global dementia prevention strategies.
Researchers at UC San Diego tested human subjects' ability to distinguish between smooth silicon wafers with different topmost layers of molecules. Human subjects could correctly identify the differences 71% of the time, thanks to a phenomenon known as stick-slip friction.
A new study reveals nearly 500 finger and toe bones belonging to tiny early primates, some as small as a mustard seed, dating back 45 million years. The fossils, representing nine different taxonomic families of primates, provide evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures.
VibWrite integrates passcode, behavioral, and physiological characteristics to verify users, offering a low-cost security solution that resists attacks and can be deployed on any solid surface. The system has verified legitimate users with over 95% accuracy in trials and shows promise for commercialization in the near future.
Dartmouth College introduces several cutting-edge technology projects, including RetroShape, a smart watch that provides tactile feedback, and Frictio, a smart ring with calendar alerts. Pyro, a thumb-tip recognition technique, also showcases improved finger gesture interaction with computing applications.
Researchers have developed a flexible sensor 'skin' that mimics human physiology, allowing robots and prosthetics to accurately sense vibrations and shear forces. This breakthrough enables advanced robotic capabilities, including delicate tasks such as handling eggs or dismantling explosive devices.
Developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego, the gripper combines capabilities to twist, sense, and build models of objects. Researchers tested it on an industrial robot, demonstrating its ability to manipulate a wide range of objects in low light conditions.
Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a vapor deposition method for nano-coating fabric to create sewable, weavable, electrically heated material. The technology has the potential to change personal thermal management, medical heat therapy, joint pain relief, and athletic rehabilitation.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a soft, flexible origami-inspired robot called TWISTER. The robot uses multiple layers of polygons to bend, contract, extend, and twist, making it suitable for fragile-object manipulation and direct human-robot interaction.
Researchers used high-resolution imaging to monitor finger contact formation with glass and rubber surfaces. Contact area and friction coefficient increased over time, with soft surfaces forming contacts faster due to non-hydration limits.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new type of fake finger containing multiple properties of human skin, designed to test fingerprint recognition systems' resilience to spoof attacks. The synthetic fingers aim to improve the accuracy and security of fingerprint readers used in various applications.