Biomechanics articles from across Nature Portfolio

Biomechanics is the scientific study of the mechanics of living structures, or of non-living structures such as silk or nacre that are produced by organisms.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
17 May 2023 | Open Access

Regulation of whole-body angular momentum during human walking
- Takuo Negishi
- & Naomichi Ogihara
Scientific Reports 13, 8000
Research
27 April 2023 | Open Access

Functional significance of vertical free moment for generation of human bipedal walking
- Takuo Negishi
- & Naomichi Ogihara
Scientific Reports 13, 6894
Research
12 April 2023 | Open Access

Functional reorganisation of the cranial skeleton during the cynodont–mammaliaform transition

Contrary to historical belief, skull strength during the cynodont–mammalian transition did not increase with the reorganisation of the cranial bones and simplified jaw joint.
- Stephan Lautenschlager
- , Michael J. Fagan
- & Emily J. Rayfield
Communications Biology 6, 367
Research
22 March 2023 | Open Access

Decoupling body shape and mass distribution in birds and their dinosaurian ancestors

Here, the authors track the evolution of mass distribution through bird evolution challenging suggested coupling between body shape and centre-of-mass position, and instead showing that crouched bipedalism evolved after powered flight.
- Sophie Macaulay
- , Tatjana Hoehfurtner
- & Karl T. Bates
Nature Communications 14, 1575
Research
18 March 2023 | Open Access

Deep learning pose estimation for multi-cattle lameness detection
- Shaun Barney
- , Satnam Dlay
- & Matthew Leach
Scientific Reports 13, 4499
Research | 13 March 2023

Minke whale feeding rate limitations suggest constraints on the minimum body size for engulfment filtration feeding

Theoretical models of foraging efficiency suggest that lunge-filter-feeding marine vertebrates could be as small as 10 kg. However, here the authors show with bio-logged data from filter-feeding minke whales that in practice there are minimum body-size constraints on filter feeders, below which this becomes an unviable feeding strategy.
- David E. Cade
- , Shirel R. Kahane-Rapport
- & Ari S. Friedlaender
Nature Ecology & Evolution 7, 535-546

All Research & Reviews

News and Comment

News | 21 December 2022

‘Artificial embryos’: the hidden steps in forming a spine

New models called axioloids offer insight into development of vertebrae in humans.
- Dan Fox
Nature
News & Views | 19 October 2022

Embrace wobble to level flight without a horizon

The apparent motion of a flier’s surroundings is shown to stabilize its flight by providing information about its orientation. Lapses in information are overcome through the effects of sensor noise and body oscillations.
- Graham K. Taylor
Nature 610, 455-457
News | 14 October 2022

The shape-shifting robo-turtle

New amphibious soft robot makes efficiency games with morphing limbs

Nature
News | 12 October 2022

Exoskeleton boots could power your walk by learning your stride

New design uses model based on lab data to adapt for wearers while in use.
- Dan Fox
Nature
News | 07 June 2022

Flying salamanders, falling lifespans — the week in infographics

Nature highlights three key graphics from the week in science and research.

Nature
News & Views | 31 May 2022

How wingless salamanders fly

From frogs remaining airborne using their webbed feet to lizards and snakes gliding by expanding their ribcages, biologists might have thought they had seen every unusual aerial strategy — but now they report flying salamanders.
- David Lentink
Nature 606, 251-252