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Fiber tracking method delivers important new insights into turbulence

A new experimental method tracks the motion of fibers instead of particles to reveal previously hidden information about turbulent flows. The researchers developed an innovative solution using rigid fibers, which allowed them to measure the speed and direction of flow at two points a fixed distance apart.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 17, 2021

A robotic fish tail and an elegant math ratio could inform the design of next- generation underwater drones

University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Self-learning robots go full steam ahead

Researchers created a system of small autonomous robots that teach themselves to move forward as quickly as possible by continuously conducting small experiments. The results showed that this simple self-learning robot can tackle new situations and recover from damage, making it robust and scalable for applications in soft robotics.

SourceAMOLF·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 10, 2021

Falcons see prey at speed of Formula 1 car

Peregrine falcons have the fastest vision among birds of prey, registering up to 129 Hz blinks per second for high-light conditions. This exceptional visual acuity allows them to track fast-moving prey like flying birds and small mammals.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 20, 2019

Slower walking speed may predict future mobility problems

A new study found that slower walking speeds are associated with a higher risk of developing mobility disabilities. Researchers measured participants' walking abilities and followed up with them over eight years to track the development of mobility issues. The findings suggest that simple walking speed assessments in healthcare provide...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 23, 2019

Fitbits go the distance in running study

A study by La Trobe University found that Fitbits have good-to-excellent reliability for measuring running speeds between 8-14kms/h. The accuracy of the device was also confirmed in a slow motion visual count, with a difference of less than one per cent.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy·DateNov 27, 2018

Gaia spots stars flying between galaxies

A team of astronomers using Gaia data found twenty high-velocity stars racing towards the Galactic centre, raising questions about their origin. The stars' velocities could be a sign of supermassive black holes or binary systems in nearby galaxies.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 2, 2018

Parkinson's severity assessed through drawing

A team of researchers in Australia developed an automatic system to diagnose Parkinson's disease severity from drawing speed and pen pressure measurements. The system combines these metrics into a single measurement, the Composite Index of Speed and Pen-pressure score, allowing for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of treatment effects.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·DateSep 6, 2017

Australian physicists revisit spin-bowling puzzle

Researchers studied the effects of different spin types on cricket ball trajectory. They found that adding top-spin to a delivery can reduce pitch length by up to 25cm, while introducing side-spin can produce significant drift. The study aims to help newcomers master spin-bowling and potentially benefit tennis players.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysica Scripta·DateJul 21, 2016

'Quasiparticles' reveal incredibly minute distortions in light waves

Scientists have developed a method to detect the shape of light waves with unprecedented precision by studying the behavior of 'quasiparticles' - ripples in the electric field that emerge when light meets solid surfaces. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications in metrology, chemical sensing, and adaptive optics.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 8, 2015

NASA takes lasercom a step forward

A NASA-developed laser communication system has demonstrated record-breaking data download and upload speeds to the moon, as well as highly precise distance and speed measurements. The Space Optical Communication and Navigation System can provide micrometer-level accuracy over a 622 megabits-per-second laser communication link.

What determines the speed at which birds fly?

A study analyzing 138 bird species reveals that maximum flight speed is not solely determined by aerodynamic scaling rules. The authors found that flight speed also reflects the evolutionary history of the species, with species from the same group tending to fly at similar speeds.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 16, 2007

Tracking Pulsars By Their Twinkle

Cornell University astronomers James Cordes and Barney Rickett have developed a method to calculate the speed and distance of extremely fast-moving neutron stars, called pulsars, by analyzing their twinkling rate. By combining data from two large radio telescopes, they can identify new pulsars and better understand their physics.