Articles tagged with Legs
A study found laser therapies to be safer when used separately, with more effective leg hair removal. Alexandrite lasers showed long-term efficacy, but caused higher pain severity and hyperpigmentation compared to Nd:YAG lasers.
A new, simpler diagnostic method for detecting blood clots in the leg has been shown to be as effective as a more complex method. The study found that compression ultrasonography was highly accurate, with rates of detection equivalent to whole-leg ultrasonography.
Researchers found fossilized tracks of an aquatic creature, suggesting animals walked on legs at least 30 million years earlier than thought. The discovery pushes the timeline for complex life on Earth back to the Ediacaran period.
The sandfish lizard's unique movement pattern through sand, characterized by a fixed leg motion at 3 Hz frequency, has been studied using MRI scans. This efficient locomotion allows the animal to move quickly and with minimal energy, inspiring new technological approaches for handling granular materials.
A new coating made from carbon nanotubes improves the signals received and transmitted by electrodes, potentially advancing electrical nerve stimulation therapy. The coating bolsters both stimulation and receptive capabilities, showing promise in treating diseases such as epilepsy, depression, and chronic leg and back pain.
A new $10 million clinical trial is testing a treatment that can chew up deep vein thrombosis (DVT) clots and administer clot-busting drugs, with the goal of preventing long-term complications like post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The trial aims to provide a safer, quicker and more effective approach to treatment.
Researchers use high-speed imaging to study fruit fly evasive maneuvers, finding that the fly's tiny brain calculates threat location and places legs in optimal position within 100 milliseconds. The team also identifies an optimal method for swatting flies by aiming forward of their starting position.
Researchers identified flies' planning behavior, which occurs approximately 100 milliseconds earlier than previously known components of the escape response. The study found that flies carefully position their center of mass relative to jumping legs to propel themselves away from threats.
Endovascular repair, using stent grafts to fix blood vessel injuries, is shown to save more lives and decrease chance of paraplegia compared to open surgery. This minimally invasive technique reduces mortality rates by half and diminishes risk of paraplegia by 75 percent.
A study of 98 junior high, 67 high school, and 64 college students found that sleep variables affecting school performance change by educational level. Junior highs are most likely to report restless legs syndrome, while high schools experience daytime sleepiness and poor academic performance. College students struggle with insomnia, p...
A study found black men are less likely to receive elective surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms compared to white men, even after accounting for disease rates. This disparity suggests potential differences in healthcare access or treatment, warranting further investigation.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with shorter arms and legs may be at a higher risk for developing dementia later in life. The association between short limbs and dementia risk may be due to poor nutrition in early life, affecting limb growth.
A hybrid technique combining dorsal column stimulator and peripheral nerve field stimulation effectively blocks body's pain signals, providing significant relief from chronic back and leg pain. The implantable procedure has shown promising results with patients experiencing 60-100% reduction in pain.
Researchers found that multislice CT scans (MSCT) combined with D-dimer measurement were as effective as using MSCT alone and venous ultrasonography of the leg in detecting pulmonary embolism. This approach eliminates the need for venous ultrasonography, making it a cost-effective diagnostic strategy.
In a phase II trial, patients with varicose veins treated with Varisolve foam experienced no neurological, visual or cardiac changes. The study used carbon dioxide-based foam and monitored patients with heart defects for potential risks.
A new study from Uppsala University found that the genes responsible for domesticated chickens' yellow legs come from a closely related species, the grey jungle fowl. This challenges Charles Darwin's theory that chickens originated from the red jungle fowl.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered a genetic mutation linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects blood flow in the legs. The study found that one strain of mice with surgically-induced PAD-like injury showed greater tissue loss and poor recovery, while another strain recovered well.
A comprehensive survey of 51,000 chickens found that intensive rearing methods lead to leg health problems, affecting over 27.6% of birds at 40 days old. The study highlights the need for alternative management practices to reduce growth rates and improve welfare.
A study published in SLEEP found that higher periodic leg movement index (PLMI) predicted less sleep at night in older people with cognitive impairment. The study, conducted by Kathy C. Richards of the University of Pennsylvania, assessed 102 participants and found that PLMI explained 43.6% of the variance in total sleep time.
Research found that treating venous leg ulcers with honey dressings did not improve healing rates, but led to more adverse events compared to conventional care. The study suggests compression and other treatments remain the best approach for managing venous ulcers.
People with restless legs syndrome are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease, according to a study published in Neurology. The risk is highest in those with RLS symptoms at least 16 times per month, where they are more than twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that rapid diagnosis and treatment of pain syndromes leads to better outcomes for soldiers. The study shows that establishing pain treatment centers in combat areas can dramatically increase troop levels and military success.
Researchers investigate various aspects of wound healing, including exercise, compression therapy, and medication. Studies show that patients with leg ulcers often lack physical activity and use inadequate compression therapy, while medication may have a protective association against leg ulcers. Additionally, injection drug use is lin...
Researchers found that players who swing their non-kicking-side arm across their chest are the most accurate kickers, particularly over longer distances. This movement helps control body rotation and counteract leg movement, increasing accuracy and margin of error.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a technique using veins from a patient's own leg to repair infected aortic grafts. The study found that patients had few side effects and fared well in the long-term after receiving natural grafts, reducing risks of infection and blockage.
A new study reveals that restless legs syndrome is common and troublesome in children and adolescents, occurring more frequently than diabetes and epilepsy. The condition, characterized by sensations in the legs, affects nearly 2% of US/UK children aged 8 to 17, with a significant proportion experiencing moderate to severe symptoms.
Researchers used X-ray images to study tracheal systems in four beetle species, finding that larger beetles devote more space to tracheal tubes. This discovery suggests that leg size is a key limiting factor for insect body size, explaining the extinction of giant insects.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute discovered separate adaptable networks controlling each leg and leg movements, e.g., forward or backward walking. This finding enhances understanding of motor skills and brain plasticity, signaling advancements for future rehab practices.
Researchers studied chimpanzees trained on treadmills and found that bipedalism used about 75% less energy and burned 75% fewer calories than quadrupedal walking. The team also discovered that some chimps walked on two legs with similar energy expenditure to knucklewalking.
A study published in Nature Genetics has identified three genes associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition characterized by an urge to move and paresthesia in the legs. The findings provide new insights into the genetic causes of RLS, which affects up to 10% of people over 65 years old.
A 44-year-old man with a tiny brain and massive ventricular enlargement led a normal life despite mild leg weakness and cognitive impairments. He underwent various treatments, including shunt insertions and neuroendoscopic procedures, to manage his symptoms.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine identifies a genetic link to Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a common sleep disorder. The gene variant is found to be associated with at least 50% of RLS cases, and nearly 65% of the population carries at least one copy.
The BioSuit is a lightweight, skintight suit designed to allow superior mobility when humans reach Mars or return to the moon. It uses mechanical counter-pressure and stretches with the body, allowing freedom of movement.
A new study suggests that walking on two legs, or bipedalism, evolved because it used less energy than quadrupedal knucklewalking. Researchers collected metabolic, kinematic and kinetic data from chimpanzees and humans walking on a treadmill, finding that humans only used one-quarter of the energy as chimpanzees when walking upright.
A study by Emory University researchers has found a significant association between restless legs syndrome and high blood pressure. People with moderate to severe RLS are at increased risk for developing hypertension, with the likelihood of hypertension increasing by 50 percent in those who experienced over 30 PLMs per hour of sleep.
A study at Harvard University found that sexual dimorphism in Caribbean lizards increases their ecological niche, allowing species to thrive by avoiding resource competition. The research suggests sex differences may have fueled the evolution of diverse fauna, highlighting the importance of considering both sexes.
A study published in Neurology found that blood pressure rates during periodic leg movements rose significantly in people with untreated RLS, increasing cardiovascular risk. The study also showed that age and disease history are key factors contributing to these increased blood pressure changes.
A recent study published in The Journal of Experimental Biology suggests that longer legs are more efficient due to reduced force production and lower energy cost. According to the LiMB model developed by Herman Pontzer, this is because longer limbs require less force to move, resulting in decreased energy expenditure.
Epidural steroid injections provide small but temporary pain relief for lower back pain radiating down a leg. Long-term pain relief beyond three months is not guaranteed.
Rotating treatment through different types of medications can help avoid worsening symptoms in patients with restless leg syndrome, say experts. The team recommends switching treatments when symptoms appear or before augmentation occurs.
A study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that muscle strength and functional performance were lower in the leg operated on compared to the other leg four years after meniscectomy. Patients reported symptoms and functional limitations, scoring lower in all areas compared to healthy control patients.
Researchers found that diastolic heart failure patients have severely reduced exercise tolerance despite normal leg blood flow, suggesting other factors such as muscle oxygen use contribute to symptoms. The study suggests targeting these additional factors could help develop effective treatments for this common form of heart failure.
Dr. Joshua Bongard's research enables robots to detect damage and teach themselves to continue walking despite missing limbs. This innovation is crucial for NASA's planetary missions where robots need to be able to fix themselves without human assistance.
Researchers found that island lizards' hind legs shifted from longer to shorter limbs in just six months, favoring survival in a new predatory environment. This rapid evolution highlights the importance of behavioral flexibility in driving evolutionary changes.
Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing interventional heart procedures are at higher risk for dying within a week and experiencing complications such as blood clots and bleeding. The study analyzed nearly 20,000 patients and found PAD to be a strong predictor of life or death in these cases.
A new study suggests that some insects could have grown larger during the late Paleozoic period due to higher oxygen levels. The tracheal system of insects allows them to transport oxygen efficiently, but this system limits their growth.
Four inspirational patients - Lillie Shockney, Ashley McGrath, Susan Carlisle, and Marine Sergeant Oscar Canon - were honored with the Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity awards for their courageous actions after undergoing life-altering reconstructive plastic surgery. The awards recognize their determination to help others des...
A new study published in JCSM found that brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTI) significantly improves sleep quality and daytime symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults. The study showed a 71% favorable response rate among BBTI participants, compared to 39% in the control group.
Scientists have created a family of novel molecules called suitanes, which consist of two or more interlocked units. The researchers successfully synthesized the simplest representative of this class of compounds, a suit[2]ane, using computer simulations and self-organization processes.
The SAM walker, developed from NASA's cable-compliant technology, aids spinal cord and traumatic brain injury patients in standing and walking. It reduces pressure on legs and allows patients to strengthen their lower body muscles, helping them regain mobility and independence.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed Ballbot, a self-contained mobile robot that balances dynamically on a single sphere, enabling it to move easily among people and furniture. The robot's tall and skinny design allows it to outperform traditional statically stable robots in environments with obstacles.
Researchers compared accuracy of three diagnostic methods for pulmonary embolism, finding chest CT with leg CT scan detects clots in 90% of patients. The study suggests that imaging technologies greatly expand our ability to diagnose and treat disease.
Researchers are developing a minimally invasive procedure to treat herniated disks, eliminating the need for incision. The new approach uses X-ray guidance to insert a needle directly into the disk, removing the problematic nucleus and providing relief from pressure on nearby nerves and inflammation.
A special issue of PLoS Medicine explores how corporate sponsorships are creating new diseases, medicalizing everyday life, and promoting unnecessary treatments. The articles highlight examples of disease mongering, including the marketing of Viagra for 'normal' men and the over-diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children.
Varicose veins affect 75-150 million people worldwide and traditional therapy involves costly surgery. Vascular Insights aims to reduce convalescence, complications, and pain with a single, disposable product for elimination of varicose veins.
Researchers found that extending a bee's legs generates stabilizing lift forces, reducing rotational instability and enabling faster flight speeds. By mimicking this design in miniature flying machines, search and rescue missions could potentially benefit from increased speed and agility.
A new gene therapy has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of amputation in patients with critical limb ischemia. Despite no improvement in wound healing, the treatment demonstrated a reduction in amputation risk and potential for lower mortality rates in this critically ill population.
Studies investigate homocysteine lowering and cardiovascular event rates, revealing high risks for patients with atherothrombosis. Researchers explore new treatment approaches, including bone marrow mobilization, to improve exercise capacity and prevent complications.
A European study found pramipexole significantly reduces RLS severity and improves quality of life, with notable improvements in Vitality and Bodily Pain scores. The treatment showed efficacy using two measurement criteria: IRLS and CGI-I scale.
A clinical trial found that patients with RLS who continued treatment with pramipexole experienced a significantly longer time before symptoms worsened compared to those on placebo. Pramipexole also improved quality of life scores, demonstrating its potential as a long-term treatment option for RLS.