Toad research could leapfrog to new muscle model

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A cane toad from Suriname is helping Northern Arizona University researcher Kiisa Nishikawa understand the speed power and energy behind the toads ability to capture prey with its tongue. Her studies offer insight into how muscles function more as sp ...
A cane toad from Suriname is helping Northern Arizona University researcher Kiisa Nishikawa understand the speed, power and energy behind the toad's ability to capture prey with its tongue. Her studies offer insight into how muscles function more as springs than motors. Credit: Photo by Danielle Borth

A toad sits at a pond's edge eyeing a cricket on a blade of grass. In the blink of an eye, the toad snares the insect with its tongue. This deceptively simple, remarkably fast feeding action offers a new look at how muscles work. This fresh perspective could lead to designing more efficient electric motors, better prostheses and new medical treatments for neuromuscular diseases like Parkinson's.


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