Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Miniature treadmills accelerate studies of insects walking

Researchers engineered miniature linear and split-belt treadmills to study insect locomotion, gaining insights into proprioception's role in natural activities like walking. The study showed that flies can modify their steps to continue walking straight despite rotational perturbations.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

Astronauts have surprising ability to know how far they ‘fly’ in space

Research by York University finds astronauts can safely assess distances in microgravity environments, which may provide clues to understanding balance systems on Earth. The study suggests that humans are able to compensate for the lack of gravity using vision, enabling precise movements and evasive maneuvers.

SourceYork University·Journalnpj Microgravity·DateMar 25, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How the brain senses body position and movement

Researchers discovered that brains prioritize integrating muscle spindle input to understand body movement and position. Task-driven neural network models were found to be most effective in predicting limb position and velocity.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell·DateMar 21, 2024

After spinal cord injury, kinesthetic sense helps restore movement, model suggests

A new study reveals that lampreys use body-sensing feedback to regain swimming abilities after spinal injury, challenging the conventional view of neural regeneration. Mathematical models suggest that this technique could be applied to humans with spinal injuries or diseases affecting movement.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 31, 2023

The genes of the sixth sense

Scientists have identified genes that enable proprioception, a crucial sense for coordinated movement and balance. The discovery could lead to better understanding of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia, ultimately enabling the development of novel therapies.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Integrating physiological information to explain ownership illusions

Researchers studied the body ownership illusion using integrated information theory, discovering a relationship between local and global brain-body processes. This work may help explain altered states of consciousness, such as the blurring of self and non-self, leading to feelings of uneasiness.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 22, 2022

New algorithms help four-legged robots run in the wild

A team from the University of California San Diego has developed a new system of algorithms that enables four-legged robots to walk and run on challenging terrain while avoiding obstacles. The system combines vision with proprioception, allowing the robot to move efficiently and smoothly in various environments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateOct 4, 2022

Skin-inspired sensors show how our body moves

Scientists at the University of Groningen developed wearable, stitchable, and sensitive sensors from flexible polymers and carbon fibre. These sensors can measure body position, movement, and touch, offering new possibilities for health monitoring and athlete performance tracking.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Human brain taps into visual cues when lacking a sense of touch - study

Researchers find that individuals without a sense of touch can use visual cues to navigate and orient themselves, while those who lose the sense as adults may develop compensatory skills using conscious thought. The study suggests that the brain can adapt to sensory information loss and find alternative ways to process visual data.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalExperimental Brain Research·DateFeb 18, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

What and where in the processing of body-part information

A study by Kazumichi Matsumiya found two distinct neural substrates for body localization and ownership, indicating a need to revise existing models. The findings suggest that spatial localization and body ownership are processed differently in the brain.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 4, 2019

A prosthetic that restores the sense of where your hand is

Researchers have developed a prosthetic that restores the sense of where your hand is, allowing amputees to feel tactile sensations and proprioception in real time. The new device uses intraneural stimulation to deliver simultaneous position and tactile feedback, resulting in improved function and prosthesis embodiment.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Robotics·DateFeb 20, 2019

Revealing the mechanism behind animals' sixth sense

A team of researchers identified the gene 'TRP-1' and 'TRP-2', which enable balanced and smooth body movements in C. elegans, a simple nervous system model. The study suggests that TRP-1 and TRP-2 are proprioception sense receptors controlling neural activity and muscle movement.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 10, 2018

Magic helps unmask how the brain works

Researchers at the University of Delaware used a new mirror box illusion to study how the brain processes multiple sensory inputs. The study found that the brain uses biomechanical constraints from the body schema to resolve conflicts between senses, with vision typically ruling but also considering additional information.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 1, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Robot arm improves performance of brain-controlled device

A new study improves brain-machine interface control by adding a robotic arm providing kinesthetic information, enhancing the design of 'wearable robots' for paralyzed patients. This approach may help spinal cord injury patients operate computers and robots using only their thoughts.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·DateDec 14, 2010