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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

How to make the push-up work for you

A modified push-up exercise called 'push-up plus' strengthens the serratus anterior muscle, which connects the rib cage to the shoulder blade. This study found that different hand positions and orientations activated various muscle groups, making it an effective exercise for athletes and individuals with specific needs.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Electromyography and Kinesiology·DateFeb 19, 2019

Artificial joint restores wrist-like movements to forearm amputees

A new artificial joint, developed by Chalmers University of Technology, has restored important wrist-like movements to forearm amputees. The joint works with an osseointegrated implant system, allowing for much more naturalistic movements and intuitive control without sacrificing useful biological actuators.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateNov 28, 2018

New tech may make prosthetic hands easier for patients to use

Researchers developed a user-generic musculoskeletal model that translates neuromuscular signals into commands for prosthetic devices. The technology has shown promising results in early testing with able-bodied and amputee volunteers, potentially paving the way for more intuitive and reliable prosthetic control.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateMay 22, 2018

Self-learning robot hands

The Famula project has created a system that learns to recognize everyday objects through trial and error, mimicking human learning. The robot's language capabilities are also being developed to improve its interactions with humans.

Brains of one-handed people suggest new organization theory

Researchers found that brain regions for missing body parts are repurposed in congenital one-handers, suggesting a new understanding of brain organization based on function rather than body part. This discovery reveals remarkable brain plasticity and holds potential for developing prosthetic limbs.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 20, 2017

Are your sensors spying on you?

Researchers at Newcastle University found that malicious websites and installed apps can crack four-digit PINs with a 70% accuracy using smartphone sensor data. The study revealed that people are unaware of the risks, and despite industry awareness, no solution has been found yet.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalInternational Journal of Information Security·DateApr 10, 2017

For chimps, mothers matter

Researchers found that chimpanzees copy their mothers' grooming styles, including high-arm grooming, which is not closely associated with group identity or social relationships. The study suggests a strong maternal influence on chimp behavior, with young chimps learning the behavior from their mothers and continuing it into adulthood.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 21, 2016

Insight into neural language enables amputees to discern light touch to intense pressure

Researchers have developed a system that enables amputees to feel a range of intensity levels on their prosthetic hands, allowing them to hold objects, operate machinery, and interact with others. The system uses electrical stimulation to mimic natural touch, decoding the intensity of pressure in the nervous system.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 26, 2016

Combining 2 techniques to 'rewire' the brain may improve arm and hand movement for stroke survivors

A new study found that combining peripheral nerve stimulation with constraint-based therapy enhances recovery of movement in the affected arm and hand, even after one year after a stroke. The technique takes advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity to reorganize or 'rewire' itself after injury.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·DateMar 7, 2016

High-frequency stimulation in pain medicine

Researchers have investigated high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation as a therapeutic approach for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) patients. The study showed significant improvement in tactile performance after stimulation, with individual patients reporting substantial pain relief.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·DateNov 20, 2015

Morphing wings help drones manage collisions

Researchers at Stanford University have created a robotic wing that can recover from mid-air collisions using a passive morphing mechanism inspired by bird wings. The mechanism allows the wing to fold and unfold without actuation, making it lighter and more reliable.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateMar 25, 2015

Thumbs-up for mind-controlled robotic arm

A paralysed woman, Jan Scheuermann, has controlled a robotic arm using complex hand movements, achieving 10-dimensional control. This breakthrough enables her to interact with objects in different ways, simulating human-like hand use.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateDec 16, 2014

The quest for the bionic arm

Researchers are working on bionic arms with full motor and sensory function to treat veterans with upper extremity amputations. While advancements have been made, challenges remain in creating prostheses that meet the abilities of a human arm and hand.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateJun 2, 2014

Arm in plaster changes brain in 16 days

A new study by University of Zurich researchers found that brain areas responsible for the left hand adapt to compensate for an immobile right arm. The study suggests using the undamaged arm to strengthen the affected one through therapy, offering a potential treatment approach for stroke patients.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNeurology·DateJan 17, 2012

Putting the body back into the mind of schizophrenia

A study using the rubber hand illusion found that people with schizophrenia have a weakened sense of body ownership. This suggests that movement therapy could be helpful for these individuals, particularly those who experience out-of-body experiences. The findings also support the idea that exercise may reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 31, 2011

Smartphones -- the grip of death

New research from the University of Bristol's Centre for Communications Research investigates how smartphone grips impact wireless signal strength. Holding a device can lead to a 100-fold reduction in sensitivity and signal fluctuations, impairing service quality.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateFeb 28, 2011