Temple biologist Tonia Hsieh's study of the locomotion of lizards continues to garner attention. The goal of the study is to figure out how these lizards remain upright on varied terrain, and she hopes some of the lessons can be used in the future to prevent falls among the aged. Early indications are that tendons in the lizards' feet play a key role in balance. It's a valuable first line of defense that kicks in even before the brain has time to react, Hsieh said. "It's kind of acting like a damper, like shock absorbers in cars," she said.