Articles tagged with Skull
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A nearly metre-long skull of a giant fossil marine ichthyosaur, found in a farmer's field over 60 years ago, has been digitally reconstructed and studied for the first time using cutting-edge CT scanning technology. The research reveals new information including details of the rarely preserved braincase.
Researchers found seven cases of surfers' ear in males and one in a female skull from sites near the Gulf of Panama. The bony growths are believed to be caused by cold water or stress in the ear canal, similar to bone spurs.
Researchers found Neandertal DNA fragments on chromosomes 1 and 18 associated with less globular brains, altering activity of genes UBR4 and PHLPP1. These fragments influence brain globularity in the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
A comprehensive study confirms the existence of a single ancestral population for all Amerindian ethnic groups, contrary to traditional theories linking Africa or Australasia. The study reveals that the Lagoa Santa people were descendants of Clovis culture migrants from North America.
Research led by the University of Texas at Austin found that giant flightless birds had tiny brains processing vision, indicating a nocturnal lifestyle. The findings also revealed differences in olfactory bulbs between species, suggesting distinct habitats.
Scientists developed zebrafish with genetic mutations to study Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, a common form of craniosynostosis. The study revealed abnormal stem cell development leading to premature suture fusion and disrupted skull growth.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that immune cells responding to a stroke or brain injury in an animal model are more likely to come from the skull's bone marrow. Microscopic channels were discovered in the skull's inner layer, allowing inflammatory cells to migrate directly to the brain surface.
Researchers discovered tiny tunnels in the skull that connect bone marrow to the lining of the brain, enabling immune cells to quickly reach injured tissue. The study found that these channels play a crucial role in inflammation and may be important in various brain disorders.
A new study reveals that the aye-aye's large eyes, big ears, and thin bony finger evolved to produce a high bite force, similar to squirrels. The research shows how lifestyle and ecology can influence species' physical traits, overriding ancestry.
The newly discovered Akainacephalus species from Utah is found to be closely related to Asian ankylosaurids, contradicting the prevailing view of its North American origins. Its unique armor arrangement suggests a distinct provincialism in Laramidia during the Late Campanian stage.
Researchers found that specialized buildings regularly featured in the world's earliest agricultural villages, providing a focal point for everyday activities and facilitating social interaction among community members. The study suggests that these architectural features helped shape human interaction during a period of significant so...
A special collection of papers published in PLOS Genetics explores the genetic basis of human facial formation, revealing advances in understanding facial development, birth defects, and normal facial variation. The research identifies numerous genes contributing to facial malformations and syndromes.
Detailed micro-CT scans reveal a 2,100-year-old Egyptian mummy was actually a near-to-term, severely malformed fetus with anencephaly. The finding provides clues to maternal diet and raises questions about mummification practices.
Researchers found that Homo naledi's brain had a human-like shape and structure, similar to humans, but smaller in size. The study suggests that the species' behavior may have reflected the shape of its brain more than its size, raising new questions about human evolution and the evolution of brain size.
A 34-million-year-old whale skull from Antarctica reveals early whales didn't have baleen, but instead used teeth to bite large prey. The discovery provides a rare window into the earliest phase of filter feeding evolution.
Researchers detected tDCS-generated electric fields (EFs) deep in the brain using DBS electrodes in patients with Parkinson's disease. The study provided dose-dependent and montage-specific evidence that scalp-applied current penetrates the brain, challenging previous assumptions.
Researchers have developed a novel technique that enables them to visualize biological targets in deep tissues without damaging tissues or labeling with fluorescent molecules. The method, which uses selectively guided light waves, overcomes the limitations of current optical imaging techniques.
Researchers have identified a new species of ancient reptile, Colobops noviportensis, with unusually developed jaw muscles, revealing insights into prehistoric environments and animal adaptations. The discovery sheds light on the origins of modern vertebrates in a world already inhabited by diverse physical extremes.
An international team analyzed ancient genomes of 40 early medieval people from southern Germany, revealing a diverse genetic profile among women with artificially deformed skulls. Genetic analysis points to eastern European origins and suggests long-range female mobility bridging cultural spaces.
Researchers have identified 15 new genes that play a crucial role in shaping our facial features. The discovery was made using a novel approach that analyzed DNA data from large databases of faces. The findings could lead to breakthroughs in forensic analysis and reconstructive surgery, enabling doctors to use DNA to recreate lost faces.
Researchers create biomechanical models to test how ecological factors like age at sexual maturity and average precipitation influence skull shape in carnivoran species. The study reveals that nondietary factors significantly impact both skull form and function, surpassing dietary influences.
A smart baby pillow has been introduced to prevent and correct mild cases of flat head syndrome. The device features an embedded air volume control system and a real-time soft tactile sensor to monitor the baby's head position.
A new ancient dolphin species, Urkudelphis chawpipacha, has been discovered in Ecuador, with a fossilized skull featuring distinctive facial features. The species is believed to be an ancestor of the nearly-extinct Platanistoidea, or river dolphin, and may have lived during the Oligocene era.
A 40-year study on Isle Royale moose reveals a 16% decline in skull size, indicating smaller individuals and shorter lives, likely linked to climate warming. The population's growth may be an imbalance in the predator-prey dynamics, with wolves' decline contributing to malnutrition.
A new geological analysis of a 6,000-year-old human skull found in Papua New Guinea suggests that it may be the oldest known victim of a tsunami. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that the person likely died in a catastrophic tsunami around 6,000 years ago.
A new study found a strain of leprosy in a pre-Norman skull from Suffolk, suggesting it was endemic in East Anglia earlier than thought. Squirrel fur trade with Scandinavia may have played a role in the disease's spread.
A 6,000-year-old skull discovered in Papua New Guinea may be the oldest known record of a person killed in a tsunami. The skull was found with geological characteristics matching ancient tsunami activity, suggesting it could belong to the world's earliest known tsunami victim.
A 6,000-year-old human skull discovered in Papua New Guinea has been confirmed as the world's oldest known tsunami victim. The skull was analyzed using scientific techniques to determine its age and environmental context, which revealed a violent tsunami that struck the coast around 6,000 years ago.
Researchers used 3-D scans of fossil canid mandibles to determine whether they belonged to dogs or wolves. The study found that the skull changed shape but the evolution of the mandible lagged behind, making it unreliable for identifying early dog fossils.
A new study reveals a clear relationship between the frontal bones and forebrain as well as parietal bones and midbrain in dinosaurs and birds. The research used CT scanning techniques to analyze embryos of lizards, alligators, and birds, confirming the link found in reptiles.
Researchers found modest changes in skull morphology for groups consuming cereals, dairy, or both, but differences were small compared to other factors like gender and population variation.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that infants with positional plagiocephaly who receive helmet therapy at a younger age have higher treatment success rates. The study analyzed the effects of age and severity on the duration and effectiveness of helmet therapy.
Researchers will combine findings from cellular level studies with results of helmet testing to develop a new standard for assessing head protection and create a prototype helmet that meets this standard
Researchers found that hairless dogs lack specific lingual cusps on their molars and premolars due to FOXI3 gene variation. The study suggests the gene may also play a role in human tooth morphology.
A team of researchers used a low-cost Kinect scanner to create a high-resolution 3D scan of the T. rex skull, contradicting previous theories about the holes in its jawbone. The scan reveals that the angles at which the holes bore through the jaw are inconsistent with bite patterns, casting doubt on two popular hypotheses.
Modified human crania from Göbekli Tepe provide the first evidence for a new form of Neolithic skull cult, featuring intentional deep incisions and drilled holes. These findings suggest that ancient individuals may have venerated ancestors or displayed recently dispatched enemies on display.
Researchers at the University of Missouri developed 3D models of the American alligator's skull using cutting-edge imaging tools. The models accurately predict bite forces, enabling scientists to study the origins and movements of extinct species.
Researchers have identified a new genus and species of ancient marine reptile called Luskhan itilensis, discovered in the Volga River region. The discovery sheds light on the ecomorphological diversity of pliosaurs, suggesting that their evolutionary history was more complex than previously thought.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a technique to estimate age based on frontal sinus X-ray images. Four stages of development were identified, allowing for approximate age determination from infancy to age 18.
A recent dog DNA study has uncovered a genetic mutation linked to flatter faces in breeds like pugs and bulldogs. Researchers used CT scans to measure skulls and compared the results with genetic data, identifying variations associated with brachycephaly.
The fossil hominin Homo naledi lived between 335,000 and 236,000 years ago, overlapping with the emergence of modern human behavior in southern Africa. The discovery challenges previous predictions of its age and raises questions about human evolution.
A new study from ANU found that sagittal crest size in male gorillas and orangutans is linked to their social behavior. Females prefer larger crests, indicating a possible form of social signalling related to sexual selection.
Researchers at the University of Alberta successfully reunited a headless Corythosaurus skeleton with its skull, previously collected in 1920. This discovery highlights the growing field of study in paleontology and showcases new methods for matching specimens.
Researchers suggest that Michelangelo's famous chapel contains hidden symbols associated with female reproductive organs, such as the uterus and fallopian tubes. The study, published in Clinical Anatomy, provides a previously unavailable interpretation of one of Michelangelo's major works.
Researchers studied the brain-suspension system using magnetic resonance elastography, finding that it significantly delayed and weakened force transfer from skull to brain. This suggests up to 90% protection against TBI injury.
Researchers from University of Cambridge find that ordinary people left homesteads to become nomadic herdsmen or took up arms with tribes. Meanwhile, some Huns adopted settled agriculture, enjoying a more stable lifestyle.
A study published in the Journal of Human Evolution confirms that human skull evolution is linked to two-legged walking. Researchers found a forward-shifted foramen magnum in 77 mammal species, including humans, kangaroos, and springhares, indicating a common trait among bipedal mammals.
The discovery of two ancient skulls in central China provides a unique glimpse into the biology of early humans in the region. The skulls, dated to around 100,000 years ago, exhibit a mix of features from different human populations, suggesting regional interconnectedness and population continuity across Eastern Eurasia.
A small crocodile from the Upper Jurassic Langenberg Quarry in Germany has been identified as a potential new species, Knoetschkesuchus langenbergensis. The fossilized remains exhibit unique features such as openings in the jaw bone and tooth morphology.
Researchers developed novel brain-mapping techniques to identify subtle changes in skull and brain shapes, giving a greater insight into conditions. The study focused on Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed and identified characteristics that cause painful Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia disorder.
Two new horned dinosaur tribes, Nasutoceratopsini and Centrosaurini, have been named by scientists. The new tribes are characterized by distinct skull features, with Nasutoceratopsini having large shields extending from their skulls and shorter jaws than Centrosaurini.
A team of paleontologists discovered a 40-million-year-old sirenian fossil in a Spanish paving stone, providing insights into the evolution of ancient marine mammals. The 'Girona Sea Cow' is believed to be one of the oldest sea cow fossils found in Europe.
A comprehensive rat brain atlas has been created to guide stereotaxic surgery procedures, combining high-resolution MRI images with histological sections. The atlas features a standardized reference grid and precise coordinates, enabling accurate targeting of surgical targets.
A new species of ancient armored fish, Bothriolepis rex, was discovered by a team of scientists from Drexel University and other institutions. The fish is estimated to be around 5.5 feet long, making it the largest known member of the Antiarchi group, which dates back to the Devonian Period.
A team of paleontologists identified a new species of extinct reptile, Triopticus primus, estimated to be 230 million years old. The fossil bears an extremely thickened skull roof similar to pachycephalosaur dinosaurs and many other extinct animals resemble later dinosaurs.
A research team has identified mutations responsible for midline craniosynostosis, a type of skull-fusion disorder that affects the top of the skull. The study found that rare genetic variants in one gene interact with common changes near another gene to cause the disorder.
A University of Adelaide-led project found that the human brain evolved to become more energetically costly and blood-thirsty, increasing in size by 600% while its metabolic activity grew. This increase is linked to the development of complex thinking and learning abilities.
A new study reconstructs virtual brains from ancient primate skulls, showing that early primates developed larger brains after specialization in vision and neurological functions. The findings suggest that modern primates' large brains are a result of evolutionary adaptations rather than innate traits.
Researchers analyzed CT scans of Pawpawsaurus's skull and found its sense of smell was sharper than some dinosaur predators but less keen than Ankylosaurus. The dinosaur lacked a club tail, but its enlarged nasal cavity may have helped it detect prey or avoid predators.
New research from North Carolina State University finds cribra orbitalia, a condition with porous bone inside the eye sockets, is common in both North America and South Africa, affecting 12.35% of modern North Americans and 16.8% of modern South Africans. The high rates may be linked to iron-poor diet and intestinal parasites.