Articles tagged with Legs
A new study from the University of New Hampshire finds that overweight older women have less leg strength and power than normal-weight counterparts, which can lead to increased disability and loss of independence. The study suggests that maintaining a normal weight and improving strength through exercise may help mitigate this risk.
New research on male helminthomorph millipedes has uncovered the intricate process of leg-to-gonopod metamorphosis, essential for their reproductive success. This complex transformation involves significant reorganization of the exoskeleton and muscles, altering the animal's body plan.
Wearing compression stockings reduced daytime fluid accumulation and apneas/hypopnea by over a third in patients with CVI. The findings suggest that compression stockings could be a simple, low-tech treatment option for OSA.
Researchers have identified a new genetic risk factor for restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs. The discovery provides new avenues for understanding the disease and developing effective treatments.
A student team at Johns Hopkins University has developed a device to reduce the risk of infection, clotting and narrowing of blood vessels in patients undergoing dialysis. The Hemova Port is an implantable access port that can be easily opened and closed by a technician, reducing the need for frequent site changes.
A University of Utah study shows that men can hit with far more force when standing upright than when on all fours, giving tall males a fighting advantage. This supports the theory that bipedalism evolved to allow humans to fight with greater strength, and may explain why women prefer tall men.
A study by George Uetz and Brian Moskalik found that hungry female wolf spiders prefer larger males with large leg tufts. As females age and become more hungry, they increase their receptivity to mate with preferred males.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects millions worldwide, leading to post-thrombotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism. Interventional radiologists have developed clot-busting treatments that can dissolve large blood clots with minimal risk, offering new hope for patients.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that larger female hyenas have more cubs over their lifetime than smaller females. The team developed a novel approach to measuring body size and identified key traits influencing reproductive success, including leg length, shoulder height, and body length.
A study found that daily home hemodialysis significantly improved restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms and sleep disturbances in dialysis patients. The treatment reduced RLS-related symptoms by over 12 months, leading to lasting improvements.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University are studying the neurological functioning of cockroaches to design more efficient robots with compact builds. The insects' stable tripod gate movement and ability to adapt to terrain inspire robotics engineers to create faster and more robust robots for future space exploration.
Researchers at the University of Louisville developed an exercise program that improved leg strength and functional ability in patients with severe knee arthritis before knee replacement surgery. The study found significant gains in strength, but not in walking speed or other functional tasks.
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can accurately pinpoint bullet trajectory angles, enabling investigators to determine sniper locations. This technology also has potential benefits in crime scene analysis and patient treatment, according to a recent study.
A study published in JAMA found no significant difference in 1-year angiographic patency between radial artery and saphenous vein grafts, contradicting previous assumptions that arterial grafts are superior.
A study published in Journal of Nutrition found that breastfed adolescents had stronger leg muscles and better performance in horizontal jumping. Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with increased lower body explosive strength during adolescence.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that women who experience RLS during pregnancy are four times more likely to develop the condition again and three times more likely to have a chronic form. Symptoms may reappear later on in life or in future pregnancies.
A six-month exercise program improved leg strength and flexibility in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome, a frequent complication of deep vein thrombosis. The study's findings support the potential benefits of exercise training for managing this condition.
A new model, described in PLoS Computational Biology, allows runners to calculate personalized targets using their aerobic capacity to avoid hitting the wall. The model takes into account a runner's aerobic capacity and leg muscle mass to determine a safe pace for the race.
Adults with fibromyalgia have a higher prevalence of restless legs syndrome than healthy controls, which disrupts sleep and worsens symptoms. Treating RLS may be key to improving sleep and quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.
A Loyola University Health System study found that only seven of the 22 patients who experienced pulmonary embolisms showed evidence of leg blood clots. Researchers suggest screening for DVTs in the arms as well as legs before and after surgery to assess risk.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found significant differences in knee alignment and muscle activation between male and female soccer players. Male players activate specific hip and leg muscles more than females during kicking motions, which may contribute to the higher risk of ACL injuries among women.
Research team discovers unique gut sliding movement in caterpillars, which inspires design of soft material robots. These 'softbots' can move without visible leg translations and are suitable for search-and-rescue operations and space applications.
A new study reveals that primitive living frogs evolved jumping before perfecting their landing techniques, leading to distinctive belly flop landings. This evolutionary split may have contributed to the frogs' inability to swim synchronously and resulted in unusual anatomical features.
MSU environmental scholar Bob Walker leads research expedition along western Transamazon Highway to study the impact of tree loss on the Amazon. The team will document logging activity and interview workers in the logging industry and longtime residents about the effects of development.
A large-scale study found that restless legs syndrome clusters in families due to genetic influences and environmental effects. French-Canadian women are more affected by the condition, with siblings being three and a half times more likely to develop the disease.
A study found that restless legs syndrome aggregates in families, with 77% of affected individuals having a family history. Siblings and offspring are at higher risk of developing the condition, indicating potential genetic or environmental influences.
Researchers have successfully extracted stem cells from sections of vein removed for heart bypass surgery, which can stimulate new blood vessels to grow and potentially help repair damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. The discovery brings the possibility of 'cell therapy' for damaged hearts one step closer.
New data presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting showed that patients with moderate to severe RLS using rotigotine achieved sustained improvements in symptoms over 5 years. The study confirmed the safety and efficacy of rotigotine, with over a third of patients remaining symptom-free after 5 years.
A new study found that unequal leg length is linked to osteoarthritis, with pronounced leg length inequality being most significant. The research suggests that early detection and treatment may be possible, potentially slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis.
Researchers developed an autonomous walking robot that flexibly switches between multiple gait patterns by utilizing chaos control. The robot can adapt its movement in response to environmental changes, such as obstacles or slopes, using a single central pattern generator.
A study published in Sleep found that older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) were more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. The association between RLS and erectile dysfunction was independent of other risk factors and was linked to hypofunctioning of dopamine in the central nervous system.
Scientists discovered that locusts, like mammals, rely on vision rather than touch to navigate ladders. This finding highlights the complexity of insect behavior and challenges the notion that larger brains are necessary for sophisticated motor control.
A new study shows that locusts rely on visual input from a single eye to control their legs while walking, achieving similar results to vertebrates like humans or cats. This discovery emphasizes how insects can use simpler mechanisms to achieve complex behaviors with fewer neurons.
The $40-million-per-year frog leg trade may be a significant contributor to the spread of amphibian chytrid, a fungus causing respiratory and neurological damage. The Smithsonian team's research highlights the need for improved monitoring and regulation of the trade to mitigate disease risks.
A new study published in Biology Letters found that amputees who use running-specific prosthetic legs have no performance advantage over counterparts with biological legs. The researchers measured forces exerted on the ground and leg swing times, finding a 9% impairment in force production.
Non-African-American patients experience restless legs syndrome (RLS) four times more often than African-Americans. Among Caucasians, nearly 2 out of 5 women have RLS, which is the highest incidence among all groups.
Researchers studied 247 trauma patients with lung blood clots and found no association between the two conditions. The study suggests that many pulmonary embolisms form primarily in the lungs, contradicting decades-long teaching that deep venous thrombosis is a precursor to pulmonary embolism.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found no evidence of deep venous thrombosis in most trauma patients with pulmonary embolism, questioning the current understanding of the condition's origin. The researchers suggest that clots may form independently in the lungs, potentially revolutionizing the way PE is prevented and treated.
A study published in BJS found that inexpensive dressings are just as effective as expensive silver dressings in treating venous leg ulcers. The study showed no significant differences in healing rates and quality of life between the two groups.
Researchers explore image-guided interventional radiology procedures as a central role in treating DVT. These techniques aim to eliminate blood clots completely, potentially improving patient outcomes and preventing long-term complications. A national clinical trial is underway to confirm the effectiveness of this approach.
Research by the University of Nottingham found that older people's muscles are less responsive to insulin, leading to increased muscle breakdown. Weight training has been shown to improve blood flow and potentially mitigate this effect. This blunting of muscle response may contribute to age-related muscle loss.
Researchers at Max-Planck Institute found that people walk in circles without noticing, especially when sun or moon visibility decreases. Increasing uncertainty about walking direction causes these circular paths.
Scientists at the University of Toronto's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology discovered a novel gene, Ultrabithorax, responsible for water striders' unique body form. The gene lengthens mid-legs while shortening hind-legs, allowing water striders to glide on water.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a protein-based injection that can regrow blood vessels in the human heart, eliminating the risk of cardiac attack and potentially replacing bypass surgeries. The therapy has shown no side effects or inflammation in animal models, paving the way for potential commercial availability.
Scientists have created detailed 3D computer models of ancient spider fossils, revealing physical traits that helped them hunt for prey and evade predators. The models show that one species was an ambush predator with spiked defensive features, while another had grasping claws to manipulate its prey.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered a mutated gene linked to restless legs syndrome, affecting 5-11% of the population. The study suggests that this genetic mutation may be a key factor in understanding the condition, which causes unpleasant sensations in the legs at rest.
A new study published in JAMA found that tubular diskectomy, a minimally invasive procedure for treating sciatica, does not provide a significant difference in improvement of functional disability compared to conventional microdiskectomy. Patients who underwent tubular diskectomy fared worse with regard to leg and back pain.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that snakes use their scales to generate friction with the ground, allowing them to move efficiently. By redistributing their weight, snakes are able to maximize thrust and propel themselves forward with minimal effort.
A large-scale trial found that surgical treatment for degenerative spondylolisthesis provides significantly greater relief from pain compared to non-operative approaches. Patients who underwent surgery reported better function, less pain, and higher satisfaction than those who chose not to have surgery.
Weizmann Institute scientists have discovered that white blood cells use a unique method of movement, similar to millipedes, to crawl along the lining of blood vessels. The cells create tiny 'legs' that attach and detach in sequence, allowing them to move rapidly while keeping a good grip on the vessel's sides.
A new treatment has been discovered for restless legs syndrome (RLS) that improves sleep. Pregabalin, a commonly used epilepsy and anxiety medication, was found to be effective in reducing RLS symptoms by nearly two-thirds of participants. The study showed significant improvements in deep sleep stages compared to those taking a placebo.
A new study found that men and women with a BMI score over 30 were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to have RLS than those who were not obese. Additionally, people with the top 20% of waist circumference were more than one-and-a-half times more likely to have RLS than those in the bottom 20%
A new study reveals that climate change is drastically reducing daddy long legs populations, which in turn affects the food supply of upland birds such as golden plovers. The drop in cranefly larvae can lead to starvation and death for many chicks.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution shows that human running efficiency changes with speed and has an optimal pace for covering distance with least effort. The most efficient running speed averaged around 8.3 miles per hour for males and 6.5 miles per hour for females.
The find pushes back the origins of modern octopus by tens of millions of years, revealing a more primitive ancestor with fleshy fins. The fossils are remarkably well-preserved, showing similar characteristics to living species, providing valuable evolutionary information.
Researchers suspect a novel gene is causing restless legs syndrome in a large family study, with 30 relatives affected and 60% female prevalence. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in understanding the disorder and developing new treatments.
Biomedical engineers at UT Health Science Center are developing a 'fracture putty' that could regenerate bones and reduce the need for amputations. The putty, made from nanoporous silicon, aims to mimic bone structure and function, allowing patients to regain full use of their limbs in a shorter period.
A new study reveals the global trade in frog legs is threatening their extinction. The annual global trade has increased over the past 20 years, with at least 200 million frogs consumed every year, according to Associate Professor Corey Bradshaw.
A large prospective study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia found that the risk of permanent harm following a spinal anaesthetic or epidural is lower than 1 in 20,000. The study also revealed that the risk of being paralysed by an injection is 2-3 times rarer than suffering any permanent harm.
Researchers found that adding a visual or auditory signal can increase the perception of an electrical stimulus, even if it's not initially detected. Multisensory integration plays a crucial role in this process, modifying peripheral systems to enhance our understanding of the world.