Studying the locomotion of lizards as they run down a track in her lab is not just research for Temple biologist Tonia Hsieh, it's also a passion. The goal is to use the animals as a model for humans in order to figure out better ways to prevent falls among the aged. If she can figure out how these lizards remain upright on varied terrain, she hopes some of the lessons can be used to guide human therapy or treatment. 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.