Articles tagged with Mandible
A new species of gigantic theropod dinosaur, Zhuchengtyrannus magnus, was identified from fossil skull and jaw bones discovered in China. The newly named dinosaur measured about 11 metres long, stood about 4 metres tall, and weighed close to 6 tonnes.
Researchers found that postmenopausal women on bisphosphonate therapies for osteoporosis had abnormal dental plaque levels, which could endanger the jawbone. The study recommends more frequent dental checkups, including deep periodontal cleanings, to control dental plaque and prevent bone loss.
A commonly prescribed osteoporosis drug is associated with a slightly elevated risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, but the risk remains extremely low. Patients taking oral bisphosphonates were nine times more likely to develop the condition than those who didn't.
Two large studies on osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) published in the IADR/AADR Journal of Dental Research investigate risk factors and prevalence. The studies found that bisphosphonate use is strongly associated with ONJ, and patients with oral bisphosphonates are 15.5 times more likely to have ONJ.
Researchers at MU and ASU found proof of arches in a 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis fossil, suggesting a fundamental shift towards human-like walking and locomotion. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the species' behavior and adaptation to its environment.
A new species of pterosaur, Gwawinapterus beardi, has been discovered on Hornby Island off Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The fossil, dated to 70 million years ago, features small teeth and a wing span of approximately 3 metres.
Researchers found that men with masculine facial features are more attractive to women during their fertile phase, but this doesn't necessarily translate to increased attraction as life partners. The study, published in Evolution and Human Behavior, suggests that a man's intelligence has no effect on the extent to which fertile female ...
Researchers discovered that extinct ammonites had jaws and teeth adapted for eating small plankton using synchrotron scans. The study provides new insights into why ammonites went extinct 65.5 million years ago due to an asteroid impact.
Researchers used synchrotron X-rays to reveal the last meal of ammonites, a group of extinct sea creatures that were distant relatives of squids and octopuses. The findings suggest that ammonites dined on plankton, which may have contributed to their extinction after a massive asteroid impact.
Researchers found that leaf-cutter ants change tasks when mandibles wear out, allowing more efficient sisters to take over. This division of labor allows the colony to remain productive while minimizing energy loss.
Researchers found that adolescent great whites struggle with capturing and killing large marine mammals due to their weak jaws. However, they can maintain high bite forces using a unique jaw muscle arrangement, a trait common among successful predators.
A new study shows that even when a trait becomes sex-specific, knock-on effects can still disadvantage the other sex. Researchers found that in broad-horned flour beetles, larger mandibles in males were linked to increased mating success but also reduced female reproductive ability.
A study published by a CU-led team reveals that three genes in jawless vertebrates may have been key to the development of jaws in higher vertebrates. The findings suggest that creating a jaw in a jawless ancestor was a relatively simple matter of altering when and where these few genes are used.
Researchers have used a tuatara's 3D computer model to understand how its jaw joints and muscles work together to prevent tooth damage. The study suggests that humans could benefit from a similar feedback system to reduce the risk of dental implant failures.
Scientists studying sea squirts have found a connection between the heart's second field and lower jaw muscles, suggesting an evolutionary link between these two structures. This discovery could provide clues about how complex hearts evolved in humans.
A new study found that early modern humans didn't need tools or cooking to process hard foods; instead, they may have lost ability to eat tough items like tubers or leaves. Modern humans have efficient bites using less-powerful jaw muscles, contrary to previous suggestions about a weaker bite in favor of a larger brain.
A new type of 95-million-year-old pterosaur has been discovered in Morocco, distinguished by its lance-shaped lower jaw and wing span of about six metres. The discovery suggests that several types of pterosaurs lived alongside one another in the same region, each probably specializing in a different ecological niche.
A new genus and species of flying reptile, Aetodactylus halli, has been discovered in Texas, providing insights into the diversity of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. The specimen is estimated to be around 3 meters long and had a unique jaw structure with 54 teeth sockets, differing from other ornithocheirid species.
Catalan researchers have found a new species of primate, Pliopithecus canmatensis, in the Vallès-Penedès basin. The discovery sheds light on the evolution and dispersal of this extinct family of primitive Catarrhini primates from Africa to Eurasia.
Researchers conducted a genetic survey of moray eels across the Indo-Pacific, revealing genetically homogeneous populations with only two species showing notable differences. The team's findings contradict predictions that longer pelagic duration would lead to greater genetic diversity among species.
Researchers found significant changes in facial bones, particularly the jaw bone, occur with age and contribute to an aging appearance. The study suggests a two-step approach to facial rejuvenation: first restoring structure underneath before performing skin-tightening procedures.
A 4m shark named Cosmopolitodus hastalis attacked an extinct dolphin species 2.8m long, causing severe damage and intense blood loss, researchers have found through forensic analysis of bite marks on the skeleton.
A recent study suggests that a protozoan parasite may have contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs. The parasite, which infects birds and eats away at their jawbones, could have been transmitted through head biting among dinosaurs. The similarity between fossilized jawbones and modern-day samples supports this theory.
A new forensic technique can identify shark species by analyzing bite patterns, helping researchers understand the behavioral underpinnings of shark attacks. The method uses measured jaw circumference and tooth distance to distinguish between species like tiger sharks and bull sharks.
A groundbreaking face and upper-jaw transplant has successfully integrated donor tissue with no long-term rejection, enabling the recipient to regain senses of smell and taste. The procedure, performed on a patient with extensive damage from postoperative scarring and blood vessel depletion, demonstrates the feasibility of facial trans...
Researchers discovered that adolescent tyrannosaurs, including the late juvenile T. rex Jane, engaged in intense combat, as evidenced by puncture wounds on her face. The injuries suggest that Jane was attacked by a fellow young dinosaur, possibly over dominance or territorial disputes.
A new species of mammal, Maotherium asiaticus, has been discovered in China, providing insight into the evolution of the mammalian middle ear. The fossil's ear structure shows a unique connection to the lower jaw, similar to embryonic mammals and pre-mammalian ancestors.
A University of Alberta researcher has discovered 70 million year old evidence of dinosaur cannibalism in southern Alberta. The jawbone of a Gorgosaurus contained a tooth from another meat-eating dinosaur, suggesting a violent encounter between two dinosaurs.
Researchers suggest a lowly parasite, trichomonosis, caused holes in Sue's jaw and may have led to her demise. The parasite, common in modern birds, was transmitted through salivary contact or cannibalism, making feeding difficult for the dinosaur.
Researchers discovered that Tyrannosaurus rex and its relatives had a potentially deadly infectious disease similar to trichomonosis, which causes swollen jaws and holes. The study found evidence of face-biting marks on many specimens and suggests that cannibalism or head-biting may have spread the disease.
Researchers developed a biologically-inspired robot, the Chewing Robot, to study dental wear formation on human teeth. The robot replicates natural bite forces and movements, allowing for improved testing of new dental materials.
A new study by the University of Leicester has found evidence that duck-billed dinosaurs, such as Hadrosaurs, had a unique way of eating. The researchers used microscopic analysis of scratches on dinosaur teeth to understand their feeding mechanisms and place them in ancient ecosystems.
Researchers uncover jawbone of transitional fossil Megapiranha paranensis, showing intermediate pattern of teeth. The discovery confirms the evolutionary link between piranhas and their herbivorous relatives, with implications for understanding the piranha's distinctive bite.
A recent study published in General Dentistry suggests that childhood chicken pox caused by varicella zoster virus can lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw, a condition characterized by severe bone damage and tooth loss. The virus may also cause vision loss and other oral health problems if activated decades later.
Researchers used finite element analysis to determine the forces and stresses involved in chewing food, contradicting previous classical analyses. The study suggests that Australopithecus africanus may have eaten larger hard objects, such as nuts, due to their fracture properties rather than wear patterns.
Researchers have identified a network of genes that control tooth number and patterning in cichlids, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of teeth. This discovery has significant implications for understanding tooth development and regeneration, potentially leading to new treatments for dental diseases.
Researchers have found a common genetic circuit controlling the formation of teeth in both jaws and throats of vertebrates. This discovery suggests that a core set of genes governs tooth development, regardless of location, and may also be involved in other patterned structures like hair and feathers.
Researchers used computer simulation to study the jaw structure of Australopithecus africanus, finding it ideal for cracking hard objects. The findings suggest that early humans adapted their diet to changing food sources by using their powerful jaws.
Victims of intimate partner violence display unique patterns of facial injuries, including zygomatic complex fractures and orbital blow-out fractures. Medical professionals can recognize these patients through universal screening and examination, facilitating appropriate medical and social intervention.
Researchers at Uppsala University shed new light on the origin of jawed vertebrates by studying the fossilized skull and jaws of Ptomacanthus anglicus, a 410-million-year-old fish. The study reveals a complex relationship between this ancient species and modern jawed vertebrates, including humans.
Researchers at USC School of Dentistry found a link between short-term use of oral bisphosphonates and increased risk of jaw necrosis. Nine patients out of 208 who took Fosamax were diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw, contradicting previous claims that oral usage posed negligible risk.
The Panamanian termite has recorded the fastest mandible strike ever, with footage showing a soldier termite's jaws striking an invader at speeds of up to 70 meters per second. This rapid strike is thought to be due to the termites' need to store energy in their mandibles to generate force.
Bisphosphonate osteonecrosis, a debilitating jaw condition, affects millions of seniors taking osteoporosis treatments. The American Academy of Otolaryngology warns of this risk, which can cause pain, swelling, and loose teeth.
Researchers calculated the great white's bite force to be up to 1.8 tonnes, making it more than 20 times harder than a human. The team also estimated the bite force of the extinct giant shark Carcharodon megalodon at 10.8-18.2 tonnes.
Sabertoothed and modern cats evolved distinct adaptations to killing, with the former having radically different skulls due to selective pressures for a precise shearing action. Modern cats' skull shape varies depending on size, but their anatomy shows a gradual transition from smallest to largest species.
Researchers have digitally reconstructed a nearly complete skull of the extinct lemur species Hadropithecus stenognathus, providing new insights into its diet and body size. The study reveals that the lemur was as large as a male baboon and had a brain size comparable to some large monkeys.
Researchers at USC School of Dentistry have found a connection between bisphosphonate drugs and jaw infections, with biofilms playing a key role in the deterioration of jaw tissue. The study aims to develop effective treatments or prevention methods for osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Researchers found that Paranthropus boisei's teeth showed little pitting indicative of eating hard foods, suggesting a more general diet than previously thought. This challenges the idea that their anatomy was specialized for a specific diet.
Researchers used computer modeling to show Baryonyx's skull bent and stretched like a crocodile's while eating, revealing it was a fish-eater despite its dinosaur appearance. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of this unusual creature.
Researchers found that oral osteoporosis medications appear to reduce the risk of jaw degradation in patients. The study analyzed medical claims data from over 714,000 individuals and showed a protective association between oral bisphosphonates and adverse bone outcomes.
Researchers discovered moray eels use a second set of jaws to grab food, then bring it back to the esophagus for swallowing. This unusual feeding behavior is unlike most fish, which rely on suction.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that pterosaurs were not adapted for 'skimming', contrary to previous studies. Instead, they likely used conventional feeding methods. The study's findings provide new insight into the lifestyle of these prehistoric flying reptiles.
Patients treated with bisphosphonates are at higher risk of jaw bone deterioration or infection. The use of intravenous bisphosphonates has been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw or facial bones, a condition caused by poor blood supply to the area.
Bisphosphonates may cause osteonecrosis of the jaws in patients taking these medications. Women should inform their dentists if they take bisphosphonates to reduce risk. Meanwhile, Burning Mouth Syndrome can be caused by xerostomia, and treatment depends on the patient's condition.
Researchers study retinoic acid-induced craniofacial malformations in mouse embryos to uncover the underlying mechanisms. They observe that these defects can transform into jaw apparatus structures resembling those found in other species, suggesting a common regulatory signaling mechanism governing jaw development across evolution.
New York University study reveals Homo rudolfensis had a small brain and protruding jaw, similar to Australopithecus and Paranthropus. The 1.9 million-year-old skull's features contradict the long-held depiction of modern man's earliest direct ancestor as having a vertical facial profile and large brain.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that bdelloid rotifers, microscopic aquatic animals without males, have evolved into distinct species after over 40 million years of asexual reproduction. Genetic and jaw-shape evidence revealed adaptation to environmental differences as the primary driver of speciation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a supplemental therapy teaching pain coping and biofeedback skills can reduce jaw disorder pain and health-care costs. The therapy improved pain management and reduced doctor visits among study participants.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have named an ancient mammal found in Alberta, Canada, which lived about 60 million years ago. The creature, Horolodectes sunae, had powerful jaws and a unique tooth shape that resembles those of primitive relatives of ungulates, but was likely carnivorous.
The study reveals that the brain uses non-auditory sensory cues to control speech, with subjects learning to compensate for robotic interference even when speech sounds normal.