newton

An SI unit of force defined as the force required to give a mass of one kilogram an acceleration of one meter per second per second (1ms-2).  See Biomechanics, Force, Joule, Moment of force, SI unit, Torque

Newtonian (or classical) mechanics

The system of mechanics devised by Isaac Newton (1642-1727) based on his laws of motion dealing with the kinematics and dynamics of large-scale (macroscopic) objects, and in which mass and energy are considered to be separate, conservative properties.  See Biomechanics, Dynamical system, Dynamics, Energy, Force, Hypothetico-deductive method, Kinematics, Kinetics, Linear dynamical systems, Mass, Newton’s laws …

Newborn swimming

As demonstrated by Myrtle B. McGraw (1899-1988), human newborns show swimming-like patterns of movement (see figure below) reminiscent of the front and back crawl when placed faced down or supine in water, suggesting a strong and well-developed diving reflex in newborns.  It also suggests that it is an ontogenetic adaptation to prenatal life in the amniotic fluid as, …

Newborn behavioral states

Distinct conditions with specific properties, ranging from regular sleep to vigorous activity and crying, that reflect particular modes of nervous activity.  The newborn is different and older children as well as adults as newborn begins sleep in REM sleep, and changes at about 6 months to commencing with NREM sleep, a change that remains altered. …

Newborn encephalopathy

A clinically defined syndrome of disturbed neurological function occurring during the first week of life manifested by seizures, abnormal consciousness, difficulty maintaining respiration, difficulty feeding and abnormal tone and reflexes. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy without evidence of causation by hypoxia-ischemia.  See Anoxia, Cerebral palsy, Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Newborn

The internationally agreed on definition for humans is an infant during the first 2 weeks after birth, although this does not hold for some countries (e.g., US) where it can extend to the first month after birth.  Compared to non-human primates, both human brain and body weights at birth are higher although the duration of …