Articles tagged with Mandible
New equations based on tooth width provide a more accurate estimate of megalodon's size, measuring up to 65 feet long. The revised estimate is the result of a high school lesson gone wrong and collaboration between researchers and teachers.
A new study shows that snowflake morays can grab and swallow prey on land thanks to an extra set of jaws in their throats, allowing them to utilize different environments for food resources. This unique feeding mechanism enables at least one species of moray to feed on land without relying on water.
Researchers found that plant-eaters diversified quickly after mass extinctions and evolved specialized features like powerful jaws to digest tough plants. This enabled them to thrive in environments with drying conditions and expanded groups of herbivores took over roles by pushing competitors aside.
A new species of giant mosasaur, Pluridens serpentis, was discovered in Morocco, showcasing the high diversity of marine life during the Cretaceous period. The fossil found evidence of a unique sensory system, suggesting that the mosasaur used changes in water pressure to detect prey.
The latest study reveals that vertebrate dentitions evolved independently, with complex tooth structures gaining and losing throughout evolution. This contradicts the long-held view of sharks reflecting ancestral conditions for tooth development.
A new species of pelomedusoid turtle, Sahonachelys mailakavava, is described from a nearly complete fossil in Madagascar. The turtle has an unusually flattened skull and enlarged tongue bones adapted for suction feeding, suggesting it fed on small-bodied prey like insect larvae and tadpoles.
A Yale scientist, Douglas Booher, named an ant after R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe's friend Jeremy Ayers, a Warhol 'Superstar'. The ant was discovered in Ecuador and had unique features that set it apart from other species. Booher confirmed the discovery with German entomologist Phillip Hoenle and was joined by Stipe to name the new species.
New research reveals that dinosaurs kept a joint in their lower jaw steady like an alligator, not flexible like a snake, to chomp through bone. The study's findings suggest that bones along the inside of the jaw acted as a strain sink to counteract bending at the intramandibular joint.
Researchers found that stegosaurs ate tough food, likely plant-based, and had complex jaw movements, including a longitudinal phase. They also discovered that their teeth formed quickly, suggesting they may not have suffered from caries.
A study of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of ancient lizards and snakes, revealing they already had a full spectrum of diet types, including flesh-eating and plant-based. The research found that these species had achieved modern levels of dietary specialization by 100 million years ago.
Researchers studied the evolution of trap-jaw ants' latch-spring mechanisms, finding that incremental changes in form led to new functions. The study reveals how these complex biomechanical traits evolved repeatedly across different continents.
Researchers discovered how trap-jaws evolved from simpler ancestral jaw mechanisms through minor changes in form and function, resulting in diverse trap-jaw forms across continents. High-speed videography revealed the fastest accelerating animal body part with resettable motion.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that intermittent hypoxia inhibits mandibular cartilage growth in newborn rats. The study also showed decreased expression levels of genes TGF-β and SOX9 in jaw cartilage, while collagen X displayed increased expression.
Researchers have discovered that abnormal skeletal differentiation and remodelling are key causes of ciliopathic micrognathia in a chick model. The study sheds light on the etiology of human ciliopathic micrognathia, highlighting distinct cellular processes impaired during its onset.
Paleontologists reconstructed the chewing motion of a 150-million-year-old early mammal, revealing teeth that worked extremely precisely and efficiently. This unique dentition made it easy for the animal to cut flesh, but also may have limited its ability to adapt to changing food conditions.
Researchers used CT scanning and 3D printing to study a 370-million-year-old chondrichthyan from Morocco. They discovered that the ancient shark's lower jaw was not fused in the middle, allowing it to rotate outwards when opening its mouth, bringing larger teeth into an upright position.
A study by dentists from RUDN University found that a change in the dominant side of chewing can cause early deterioration of dental implants. The researchers monitored 64 patients with dental implants and discovered that those who changed their chewing habits after surgery experienced more bone tissue formation pathologies.
A Tel Aviv University study found that 50% of Israeli women experience excessive teeth grinding and/or facial muscle pain due to coronavirus stress and anxiety. The study also revealed a higher prevalence of these symptoms among middle-aged women, with 35-55-year-olds suffering most.
A newly discovered 220-million-year-old cynodont, Kataigidodon venetus, has been found in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park. The discovery provides insight into the early evolution of mammals and their closest relatives.
Researchers developed biocompatible tissue grafts that repaired both bone and cartilage in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of pigs. The study showed promising results with intact grafts after 6 months, outperforming existing designs.
The study found that thermoplastic materials, such as GC Iso functional sticks and Impression compound green sticks, outperformed silicone impression materials in border molding accuracy. The measured mean negative pressure values showed close values for each patient, highlighting the importance of anatomical features of the prosthetic...
Researchers used computer simulations to study the behavior of ancient ancestors, revealing their ability to adapt to different positions within the water. The findings suggest that these jawless vertebrates were not as limited as previously thought and had diverse lifestyles.
Researchers found fossil evidence of ice age manatees in Texas, dating back to 11,000 to 240,000 years ago. The discovery suggests that manatees may have had a stable presence on the Texas coast during this time period.
Research on ancestral wolf species reveals evidence of food-sharing and family care, as evidenced by healed injuries. Fossil specimens from China and California show similar dental infections and leg fractures to modern wolves.
A new genus of mosasaur, Gnathomortis stadtmani, has been discovered with a formidable biteforce and transitional characteristics between earlier and later mosasaurs. The species is estimated to have swum in Colorado seas between 79-81 million years ago.
Researchers found Botox short-term use in low doses does not cause significant bone loss, while higher doses were associated with reduced bone density. Long-term studies are needed to track potential cumulative effects.
Researchers have discovered a 99-million-year-old fossil of an ancient 'hell ant' that shows how it hunted its prey with deadly precision. The fossil, which is one of the oldest and most well-preserved ever found, reveals the mechanism behind the hell ant's unique mouthparts and headgear.
Researchers confirm special trap-jaw predation mechanism in ancient hell ants, providing new insights into their evolution. The study reveals an extinct early burst adaptive radiation triggered by innovation in mouthpart movement.
Researchers engineered a single-gene mutation in zebrafish, producing jawless mutants resembling ancient fish from the Silurian and Devonian Periods. The mutations allowed these modern fish to thrive despite their inability to close their jaws, revealing insights into developmental plasticity and evolutionary strategies.
Scientists have developed a new class of light-powered, remotely controlled grippers grown on optical fibers. These micro-tools can change shape in response to light and are vital for various technologies. The researchers used liquid crystal elastomer technology to create the micro-grippers.
Researchers use advanced X-ray technology to study ancient fish fossils, revealing modern features and challenging previous assumptions about tooth evolution. The findings suggest that the ancestors of modern vertebrates retained a common dental structure, with new teeth added on the inside, contrary to long-held perceptions.
A new Alaskan fossil discovery of a juvenile dromaeosaurid jaw bone has significant implications for the understanding of Cretaceous period dinosaurs. The study, published in PLOS ONE, supports the theory that some Arctic dinosaurs did not migrate with the seasons but were year-round residents.
A small fossil jawbone from Alaska represents a rare example of juvenile dromaeosaurid dinosaur remains from the Arctic, providing clues to the history of dinosaur dispersal between continents. The study suggests that some dinosaurs likely nested in the far north, contradicting previous theories about their migration patterns.
New findings reveal that infant marsupials and monotremes use a connection between their ear and jaw bones to drink milk, suggesting an early evolutionary link. This discovery sheds light on the development of middle ear and jaw bones in mammals.
A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth has discovered a unique pterodactyl jaw fragment in Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight, which is remarkably similar to previously found 'tapejarid' fossils in China and Brazil. The specimen, named Wightia declivirostris, lacks teeth and features distinctive sensory organs.
Scientists have discovered that ancient giant armored fish Titanichthys likely fed on plankton using a continuous ram-feeding technique. This finding contradicts previous assumptions about the species' feeding strategies, and sheds new light on the evolution of suspension-feeding vertebrates.
A new deep learning model accurately localises the exact location of mandibular canals in lower jaws, making dental implant operations faster and more efficient. The model surpasses existing methods, such as statistical shape models, and performs equally fast and accurately every time.
Researchers discovered a Megalopta gynandromorph, exhibiting both male and female characteristics. The bee's activity patterns closely resembled those of females, with higher intensity periods during the day.
A new classification system for orofacial pain has been developed by international researchers, providing a common language for medical doctors and dentists to diagnose patients accurately. The system is expected to improve treatment outcomes for individuals suffering from chronic pain in the mouth, jaws, and face.
Researchers found that humpback whales use stealth to minimize escape responses of prey, allowing for simultaneous engulfment of up to 60% of anchovies. The study reveals how large filter feeding whales capture highly maneuverable forage fish using a predator-informed looming stimulus.
A new study has confirmed a direct link between inbreeding and facial deformities in the Habsburg dynasty. The research found that the 'Habsburg jaw', a distinct chin characteristic, was more prevalent among family members with higher degrees of relatedness.
A new species of multituberculate mammal, Jeholbaatar kielanae, has been discovered with a distinct middle ear that suggests specialization for feeding. The fossil provides solid evidence of the morphology and articulation of middle-ear bones in multituberculates.
Researchers discover avian predentary was covered by keratinous beak, mobile and proprioceptive, representing a unique feeding adaptation. The finding sheds light on the evolution of bird skull structure.
Researchers studied a small, toothless beak-like structure in prehistoric birds from the Cretaceous period. The predentary, found only in ancient ornithuromorphs, may have aided prey capture with proprioceptive capability and kinetic movement.
A recent study reveals that wombat jaws appear to change in relation to their diets, allowing them to adapt to tougher plants due to climate change. The research suggests that individual shapes of wombat skulls are related to an individual's diet and feeding preferences, enabling short-term adaptations.
A new study by University of Bristol scientists reveals that meat-eating theropod dinosaurs had broadened their food base. The researchers analyzed the jaws and teeth of 83 theropod dinosaurs, including giants and small ones, to describe every possible jaw shape and tooth shape in terms of about 80 measurements.
A 370-million-year-old tetrapod, Parmastega aelidae, had a skull resembling a crocodile with eyes above its head, indicating it could keep an eye on prey while swimming. It used slender needle-like teeth and elastic jaws to snatch prey before crushing it with massive fangs.
A newly discovered tetrapod, Parmastega aelidae, provides insight into the earliest stages of evolution from fish to amphibians. The fossil, dating back 372 million years, exhibits fish-like characteristics and may have never left the water.
A previously unknown species of pterosaur was discovered in Australia, with characteristics suggesting it may be a late-surviving member of the Anhanguera genus. The fossil, which includes parts of the skull and five vertebrae, is considered the most complete pterosaur specimen ever found in Australia.
A new study describes a 2-foot long shark with jaws capable of suction feeding, 50 million years older than the earliest evidence in bony fishes. The fossil, analyzed using CT imaging and modeling software, shows that ancient sharks responded quickly to ecological opportunities after major extinctions.
Research reveals giant sthenurine kangaroos had skull adaptations to withstand powerful bites, allowing them to eat tough foods like mature leaves and stems. Their skull structure is similar to that of modern-day giant pandas, which also consume tough bamboo.
Scientists have reclassified a 226-million-year-old fossil beetle, Leehermania prorova, as a member of the skiff beetle family, pushing back the age of this group by 100 million years. The discovery was made possible by international collaboration and the analysis of its mandibles, antennal shape, and genitalia.
A recent study at the University of Arkansas found that women and shorter individuals bend their necks differently than men and taller individuals. The findings suggest that this may contribute to the higher incidence of neck and jaw pain experienced by women.
UD researchers create a network of synthetic materials mimicking the mechanical gradient of a bristle worm's jaw system, governing its mechanical properties through metal coordination chemistry. This breakthrough enables the development of new materials for various applications, including soft robotics and medical devices.
The newly discovered Clevosaurus hadroprodon is the oldest known fossil of its kind in Gondwana, dating back to around 237-228 million years ago. Its unique dentition features a mix of primitive and derived teeth, challenging current understanding of sphenodontian evolution.
A new species of primitive hadrosaurid, Aquilarhinus palimentus, has been identified from a complete skull found in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of duck-billed dinosaur snouts and suggests that there may have been multiple lineages before the main radiation of hadrosaurids.
A study by Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that mice eating harder foods showed increased bone formation and changes in jawbone shape. The researchers used a novel mouse model to investigate how masticatory force affects bone structure, revealing new insights into the mechanisms of bone adaptation.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze jaw movements during sleep, providing information about respiratory effort and offering a cost-effective alternative to polysomnography. This method has the potential to diagnose mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea at home with high accuracy.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that the South African fossil Australopithecus sediba is unlikely to be the direct ancestor of humans. Instead, researchers believe that Australopithecus afarensis, known for the 'Lucy' skeleton, is a stronger candidate.
A recent study published in Nature confirms that Denisovans lived on the Tibetan Plateau during the Middle Pleistocene era. The discovery of a 160,000-year-old human mandible found in Xiahe, China, provides evidence of an early human presence on the plateau, predating modern humans.