3D imaging unlocks the secrets of the Achilles’ heelMarch 3, 2017 - 12:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Achilles tendon is a powerful body part connecting calf muscle to heel bone, enabling springing leaps and hurdles that make sports stars seem superhuman. But exactly how it connects to the bone hasn't been fully understood -- until now. Researchers from multiple disciplines took a microscopic look and found an extremely thin tissue layer that enables the tendon's great expansive strength, Engadget said. A team of biochemists and biophysicists from the Technical University of Munich headed by physician Dr. Rainer Burgkart applied a sequence of investigatory methods to get a close look. First, a series of multiscale microscopic photos of the boundary layer between tendon and bone were combined into a single large image, which revealed the former's tissue splitting into dozens of tiny fibers. Fluorescent antibodies lit up some specific proteins in the layer, meaning its biochemical makeup is distinct from the tendon's. Finally, applying weight to the tendon showed different fibers acting to stabilize it depending on the direction it was moved. Sure, there have been innovative stabs at replacing tendons with nanotech, but the fancy new synthetic parts will still have to be securely fastened to your remaining organic ones. Understanding precisely how this tendon connects to bone has several applications for future medicine, like attaching existing tendons to orthopedic implants. It's also promising for materials research, which could lead to new methods for connecting soft and hard synthetic parts, Engadget said. Photo: Technical University of Munich Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |