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Study of bone strength reveals new clues about human evolution

Researchers analyzed fossil data from 7 human ancestors, finding Australopithecus had strong arms but human-like leg pattern, while early Homo had stronger legs and weaker arms, suggesting a major shift in movement and living habits around 2 million years ago. This finding supports the idea that bipedalism evolved gradually, with early...

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2026

Player position influences risk of ACL tear in the NFL

A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that NFL players who play wide receiver or tight end are at a higher risk of suffering an injury to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The study examined 520 tears over a ten-year period and found that contact injuries and non-contact mechanisms, such as landing from a jum...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalThe Journal of Knee Surgery·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2025

Archaeologists combine cutting edge research techniques to shed light on the treatment of individuals with disabilities in the late Middle Ages

Researchers analyzed a skeleton with a severe knee injury to uncover the complexities of social attitudes towards individuals with disabilities in medieval Europe. The study found that despite negative cultural views, some individuals with disabilities received long-term care and prominent burials.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Archaeology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 15, 2025

UVA develops a ‘Google earth’ view of bone — with an eye toward disease prevention

A University of Virginia engineer developed a workflow to combine advanced imaging technologies for improved understanding of porous bone, which could inform disease detection. The method allows for three-dimensional rendering of bone structure across various length scales.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

Researchers introduce programmable materials to help heal broken bones

Engineers developed a material that mimics human bone for orthopedic femur restoration, providing optimized support and protection from external forces. This innovative approach uses machine learning, optimization, and 3D printing to create a fully controllable computational framework.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 21, 2024

New diagnostic tool for femoral osteoporosis improves the efficacy and viability of current methods

The new diagnostic tool, 3D-DXA, complements DXA with computational and statistical systems to estimate mineral density and obtain detailed three-dimensional images. This method has the potential to improve diagnoses and detect up to 50% more patients at high risk of femur fracture.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalJournal of Clinical Densitometry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 21, 2024

Towards better hip replacements

Researchers at McGill University have developed a new hip replacement that tricks the host bone into staying alive by mimicking the varying porosity of real bones. The implant is less solid than current ones but still strong, avoiding common problems such as bone resorption and pain.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research®·DateNov 2, 2016

Neanderthals manipulated the bodies of adults and children shortly after death

Scientists have discovered that Neanderthals from the French region of Poitou-Charentes performed perimortem corporal manipulations on adults and children, including cutting, beating, and fracturing bones. The bone fragments analyzed show clear signs of these manipulations, which may be related to rituals or cannibalism.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateApr 14, 2015

Painful legacy of teen sports

Research reveals abnormal femur development in young athletes due to high-intensity sports, leading to osteoarthritis and hip deformity. Athletes are ten times more likely to experience impaired hip function than non-athletes.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 19, 2011

Benefits of osteoporosis treatments outweigh possible risk of rare femoral fractures

A new study led by UCSF researchers found that unusual femur fractures are extremely rare in patients with osteoporosis, even those taking bisphosphonates for extended periods. The study's findings provide context to reports of these fractures and highlight the importance of weighing treatment benefits against potential risks.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 24, 2010

Hip resurfacing is not for everyone

A Rush University Medical Center study of over 500 hip resurfacing surgeries reveals that complications occur more frequently in women of all ages and men over 55. The most common complication was a fracture of the femoral neck.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateNov 4, 2008