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Spine

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Orbit’s Gravity-Free Body Reshapes Itself: Heart Rounds, Spine Stretches, Astronauts Gain Height
science1 month ago

Orbit’s Gravity-Free Body Reshapes Itself: Heart Rounds, Spine Stretches, Astronauts Gain Height

In microgravity, the human body changes shape: the heart becomes slightly more spherical (about 9.4% in a 2014 study of 12 astronauts) due to reduced gravitational load, while the spine lengthens as discs rehydrate, adding a few centimeters of height during long orbital stays. Both effects are temporary and reverse after returning to Earth, illustrating how much our form is defined by gravity. These changes raise considerations for long-duration missions (e.g., Mars), where deconditioning could affect performance on arrival and landing, though astronauts counteract with daily exercise. The heart change is a sign of cardiac deconditioning rather than permanent growth and is based on limited, preliminary data.

via Space Daily|
#astronauts#heart#microgravity
Back Pain Alert: Don’t BLT—Bend, Lift, Twist All At Once
health2 months ago

Back Pain Alert: Don’t BLT—Bend, Lift, Twist All At Once

Experts warn that bending, lifting and twisting (BLT) should not be done all at once when you have back pain, as it raises the risk of disk herniation. Instead, face the load, use your legs, and engage your core to lift with a straight spine and keep the object close. Strengthen the core and hips through targeted exercises or physical therapy, pursue non-surgical relief such as rehab or yoga, and consult a spine specialist if a disk compresses a nerve; bed rest is rarely helpful and many back pains are not from a single injury.

via HuffPost|
#back-pain#bending#health
Two-step spinal twist lets cats land on their feet, study finds
science4 months ago

Two-step spinal twist lets cats land on their feet, study finds

A 2026 study shows cats right themselves midair not with a single motion but via sequential trunk rotation: a flexible thoracic spine twists first, followed by a stiffer lumbar spine, enabling reorientation under angular momentum. Cadaver spines revealed the thoracic region has about three times the range of motion of the lumbar region and a thoracic neutral zone around 47 degrees, while lumbar spines had little to no neutral zone. In live tests, two cats dropped from about 1 meter showed the front half rotated about 70–90 milliseconds before the hind half. The researchers caution rib-cage cutting may affect measurements but findings align with earlier work and offer new insight into mammalian locomotion and agility; published in The Anatomical Record (2026).

via ScienceAlert|
#biomechanics#falling-cat#lumbar-spine
"Breakthrough: Unveiling the Secrets of Cancer with a Newly Discovered Stem Cell"
health2 years ago

"Breakthrough: Unveiling the Secrets of Cancer with a Newly Discovered Stem Cell"

Scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell in the spine, called vertebral skeletal stem cells, that may explain why cancer cells spread more to the spine than to other bones in the body. These stem cells produce a protein that attracts tumor cells, potentially offering new treatment possibilities. The discovery could also have implications for spine fusion surgery and the treatment of osteoporosis. Researchers found the cells in mice and humans, and further studies are underway to explore their role in cancer metastasis and spinal fusion surgery. The findings shed light on the developmental origin of the vertebrae and may lead to new strategies for slowing or stopping spinal metastasis.

via The Washington Post|
#cancer#health#metastasis
"Say Goodbye to Neck Pain with These Effective Exercises"
health-and-wellness2 years ago

"Say Goodbye to Neck Pain with These Effective Exercises"

Experts estimate that up to 80% of people will experience neck pain in their lives, but there are exercises and habits that can help prevent it. Strengthening the paraspinal muscles, upper back, chest, and core can minimize or eliminate neck pain. Building these muscles through strength training, stretching, and walking can reduce the recurrence of neck pain. Maintaining good posture, both while sitting and using electronic devices, is also crucial in preventing neck pain.

via The New York Times|
#exercises#health-and-wellness#neck-pain
Understanding Facet Joint Disorders: Symptoms, Treatment, and More
health2 years ago

Understanding Facet Joint Disorders: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Facet joint disorders and pain are often caused by natural wear and tear on the facet joints of the spine. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and tenderness that may affect movement. Diagnosis involves a medical history, physical exam, imaging, and diagnostic injections. Treatment options include pain medications, physical therapy, injections, and lifestyle changes. Surgery is rarely needed. Severe neck and back pain, pain with additional symptoms, and pain resulting from an injury or fall should be taken seriously and brought to the attention of a healthcare provider.

via Verywell Health|
#arthritis#back-pain#diagnosis
medical-research2 years ago

Unveiling the Mechanism Behind Cancer's Spinal Metastasis

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered that the vertebral bones in the spine are formed by a distinct type of stem cell that secretes a protein called MFGE8, which favors tumor metastases. This finding helps explain why solid tumors often spread to the spine and opens up new possibilities for orthopedic and cancer treatments. The researchers are now exploring ways to block MFGE8 to reduce the risk of spinal metastasis in cancer patients and studying how the unique properties of vertebral stem cells contribute to spinal disorders.

via Weill Cornell Medicine Newsroom|
#cancer#medical-research#metastasis
The Link Between Thoughts and Physical Pain: Study Reveals.
health3 years ago

The Link Between Thoughts and Physical Pain: Study Reveals.

A new study by researchers from The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan found that psychological distress caused by cognitive dissonance, the psychological whiplash that arises when attempting to reconcile multiple, seemingly incompatible beliefs, can lead to physical pain in the neck and back. The study had volunteers lift lightweight boxes whilst being told they were doing an unsatisfactory job, resulting in extra pressure on participants' necks and low backs. The study could have implications for workplace safety that should recognize how psychosocial stressors may harm physical health.

via ScienceAlert|
#cognitive-dissonance#health#pain