Articles tagged with Vertebrae
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Researchers found that shark vertebral band pairs are related to growth, specifically body width and girth, rather than time or age. This discovery challenges previous methods used for decades and has implications for fisheries management.
Researchers from the University of Toronto discovered that Captorhinus, a small reptile from the Early Permian period, could detach its tail to escape predators. The reptiles had naturally occurring cracks in their vertebrae that allowed them to break away and escape relatively unharmed.
A new image-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment has shown extraordinary results in relieving low back pain and sciatica. The procedure involves inserting a probe to deliver energy to the affected area, resolving herniation without thermal damage, and patients were largely pain-free within a day.
A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has created a stable version of the segmentation clock in a petri dish, revealing its dynamic nature and control mechanisms. The discovery could lead to improved understanding of scoliosis and other human spinal defects.
Researchers found a high incidence of cervical ribs in woolly rhino fossils, suggesting a vulnerable condition that may have contributed to their decline. The study suggests monitoring modern rhinos' vertebrae could indicate the level of extinction risk, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A 132 million-year-old plesiosaur fossil was discovered in northern Germany and identified as a new species, Lagenanectes richterae. The ancient creature had a long neck, short jaws with specialized teeth, and internal channels for electroreceptors.
Researchers have discovered the oldest Asian fossil of a hesperornithiform, a group of diving birds that adapted to ocean life. The specimen, named Chupkaornis keraorum, provides new insights into the early evolution of these birds and their adaptation to marine environments.
A 2.5-year-old fossilized toddler from the species Australopithecus afarensis has provided groundbreaking insights into human spinal column development, dating it back over 3.3 million years. This discovery sheds new light on the evolution of bipedalism and modern human body shape.
A 3.3 million-year-old fossil skeleton known as Selam has provided the first glimpse into how early human ancestors' spines were organized. The study found that portions of the human spinal structure enabling efficient walking motions emerged over 3.3 million years ago.
A new species of ancient snake, Zilantophis schuberti, has been discovered in eastern Tennessee with distinctive wing-shaped projections on its vertebrae. The species lived around 5 million years ago and is closely related to rat snakes and kingsnakes.
A rare small-bodied pterosaur, a flying reptile from the Late Cretaceous period, has been discovered in British Columbia, Canada. The specimen is unusual as most pterosaurs from this time were much larger, but this new discovery provides crucial information about the diversity and success of Late Cretaceous pterosaurs.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found the roots of modern humane medical practices in a pioneering French physician, Andre Feil's 1919 medical school thesis. The thesis challenged long-held opinions about people with deformities and emphasized treating patients with dignity and honor.
Researchers have developed location-specific standards for identifying human remains based on X-rays of the spine, upper leg, or skull. These standards provide a consistent approach to identification with high accuracy and reduced misclassification rates. The study's findings have significant implications for forensic experts and can h...
A new species of 'sail-backed' dinosaur, Morelladon beltrani, has been found in Spain with notable features such as tall neural spines on vertebrae. The discovery sheds light on the diverse iguanodontoid fauna of southern Europe during the late Barremian period.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that most children and adolescents with herniated disks in the lower spine have some type of spinal vertebrae malformation. The researchers analyzed x-rays of 63 patients under age 20 and found that nearly all had at least one type of malformation involving the lumbar spine and sacrum.
Researchers discovered the evolution of the giraffe's long neck involved two stages, with the first stage elongating only the front portion of the C3 vertebra and the second stage extending the back portion. The study found that modern giraffes are the only species to undergo both stages.
A 9,000-year-old case of human decapitation has been discovered in Lapa do Santo, Brazil, featuring amputated hands and v-shaped cut marks on the jaw and vertebrae. The remains are believed to demonstrate sophisticated mortuary rituals among hunter-gatherers in the Americas.
A team of scientists from North Carolina State University and the University of Alberta compared Jurassic and Cretaceous ankylosaur specimens to determine how their tails evolved. They found that the tail stiffened before the growth of the osteoderm knob, with handle-like vertebrae appearing in early ankylosaurs.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have identified a new sauropod dinosaur fossil from the Middle Jurassic Period in Yorkshire, UK. The 176-million-year-old vertebra is the earliest skeletal record of this type of dinosaur in the United Kingdom and sheds light on the country's 'Jurassic World' reputation.
A researcher has uncovered a relationship between upright locomotion and spinal health, finding that human vertebrae with disc problems are closer in shape to those of chimpanzees than those without disc problems. The study suggests that evolution may not have fully adapted the human spine for bipedal walking.
A study found that humans are more commonly afflicted with spinal disease due to their unique vertebrae shape, which shares similarities with non-human primates. Researchers studied human, chimpanzee, and orangutan vertebrae to uncover the link between vertebral shape and disc herniation.
Researchers at Empa use computer simulations and 3D X-ray imaging to study back pain caused by mechanical issues. They aim to identify misalignments in the spinal column and develop personalized therapy recommendations.
Researchers developed LevelCheck software to assist surgeons in identifying the correct vertebra during spine surgery. The software achieves 100% accuracy in just 26 seconds, helping prevent wrong-level surgeries and improving patient safety.
A minimally invasive spinal fusion procedure results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, and a shorter hospital stay. The surgery allows for faster recovery and return to work, greatly improving patients' quality of life.
Researchers have discovered that three of King Richard III's injuries had the potential to cause death quickly, including two to the skull and one to the pelvis. The forensic analysis used modern techniques such as CT scans and micro-CT imaging to analyze trauma to the skeleton and determine which wounds might have proved fatal.
A new species of short-necked marine reptile, Eohupehsuchus brevicollis, has been discovered in Hubei Province, China. The specimen features a short neck with six cervical vertebrae and broken digits, suggesting the break occurred prior to death.
Researchers found that a combination of developmental and biomechanical problems prevents evolutionary change in the number of trunk vertebrae in fast running and agile mammals. In contrast, these problems barely affect slow and sturdy mammals.
Researchers found that woolly mammoths had a high incidence of abnormal neck vertebrae, including cervical ribs, which are often associated with inbreeding and environmental stress. This suggests that reproductive issues may have contributed to the mammoths' decline and eventual extinction.
Researchers analyzed vertebrae from four females and four males in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, determining ages of up to 40 years for females and 73 years for males. The study used radiocarbon analysis to pinpoint age in the vertebra layers, providing irrefutable evidence of white shark longevity.
A new study suggests that adult white sharks in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean may live for up to 70 years or longer. Researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine age estimates and found that growth rates slow down as sharks age, leading to underestimated ages.
A team of paleontologists discovered a new evolutionary mechanism for body elongation in early ray-finned fishes, characterized by the doubling of vertebral arches. The exceptionally preserved form, Saurichthys curionii, had a unique two-vertebral arch per myomeric segment, resulting in an overall elongate appearance and flexibility.
Scientists describe a new species of Hero Shrew with an interlocking spine that may represent intermediate character states between other shrews. The new species possesses features that enable it to position itself between palm trunks and access beetle larvae, providing a unique adaptation for survival.
Researchers have discovered that turtles began living in shells around 40 million years ago, challenging previous estimates of their evolutionary history. The study, published in Current Biology, suggests that the earliest known species of turtles, Eunotosaurus africanus, had a shell-forming mechanism similar to modern turtles.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have found the oldest known dinosaur embryos in China, shedding light on the rapid growth and high reproductive rate of these ancient animals. The discoveries provide valuable insights into the biology of dinosaurs, including their development and behavior.
A study in Spine found little to no evidence of worsening degeneration over time in patients with degenerative cervical spine disease. For many patients, observation may be a better choice than surgery, as the condition appears to be relatively stable at medium-term follow-up.
Researchers use high-energy X-rays and new data extraction protocol to study 360 million year old fossils, shedding light on how early vertebrates moved from water onto land. The discovery reveals a new understanding of the backbone's structure and its functional evolution.
Researchers discovered that embryo growth is controlled by oscillating gene expression in neighboring cells, resulting in well-proportioned animals. The speed of this wave determines the size of future vertebrae, with faster waves indicating larger vertebrae.
A new study reveals that white shark diets change with age, but individual sharks show surprising variability in dietary preferences. The researchers analyzed growth bands in shark vertebrae to trace variations in diet over a shark's lifetime.
A new biomedical device aims to alleviate chronic back pain by duplicating the natural motion of the spine. Developed by BYU engineers and licensed to Crocker Spinal Technologies, the artificial disc has shown promise in studies and is set to begin international sales distribution as early as next year.
A 345-million-year-old eel fossil, Tarrasius problematicus, has been found with a human-like spine, contradicting the long-held assumption that such complex anatomy is exclusive to land-dwelling animals. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of spinal organization in fish species.
A study by Case Western Reserve University researchers suggests that the evolution of human vertebrae adapted for upright walking is the primary cause of backbone fractures, not osteoporosis. The team found that human vertebrae are larger and more porous than those in apes, but also thinner and less protected against cracks and breaks.
Researchers at EPFL discover that specific genes, known as Hox, are involved in this process, situated one after the other on the DNA strand. The genes unfold like an old-fashioned computer punchcard, delivering instructions for each new layer of the embryo to be built.
Research published in BioMed Central's EvoDevo journal reveals that sloths and manatees have evolved unusual neck structures without apparent problems. The study suggests that slow lifestyles and low metabolic rates allowed these animals to alter their neck length without side effects, unlike other mammals.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii have developed a new mouse model that reveals how patterning and developmental proteins influence cervical vertebrae formation. The study, led by Dr. Jinzeng Yang, aims to improve understanding of congenital cervical vertebrae malformation in humans.
Scientists at University of Cambridge discover how sloths evolved their unique neck skeleton, finding early bone formation in distal neck vertebrae. The study reveals that sloth's bottom neck vertebrae are developmentally similar to ribcage vertebrae of other mammals.
Patients who underwent fusion surgery as children have shown sustained low back pain and good function, even after 30 years. Researchers will continue to study the patients' posture and X-rays to develop safe surgical techniques for better treatment strategies.
Three new studies presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons detail advances in back care and treatment options for specific back and spine conditions. Patients who seek treatment during the first six months of symptoms respond better to treatment, with surgery offering advantages over non-surgical treatment regardless o...
European consortium identifies Hox genes as key regulators of vertebral development, controlling both type and number. Cdx genes also play a crucial role in embryo growth, with Hox activation compensating for Cdx deficiency.
A world-first study has revealed that percutaneous vertebroplasty, a common treatment for painful osteoporotic fractures, is not an effective treatment. The study found no significant benefits of the procedure in improving symptoms or quality of life over six months.
Researchers are studying the life history of spiny dogfish sharks in the Gulf of Maine, using new techniques to determine their age and growth rate. Preliminary results show that the age at maturity has not changed dramatically, but the growth rate may be slowing down.
Researchers estimate that the 60-million-year-old Titanoboa cerrejonensis snake would have required an average annual temperature of 30-34°C to survive. Its size is comparable to that of today's anacondas and reticulated pythons, but its discovery challenges our understanding of climate and species adaptation.
The largest prehistoric snake ever recorded was Titanoboa cerrejonensis, which measured 13 meters and weighed 1,140 kilograms. Scientists estimate that the snake would have required an average annual temperature of 30 to 34 C to survive.
The Stowers Institute Lab has discovered that the rate of somite formation, a process controlling the number of vertebrae, varies across species. Smaller vertebrae precursors result in more somites formed.
A study at the University of Texas at Austin found that human spines evolved differently in males and females due to back pressure from pregnancy. The adaptation, which first appeared at least two million years ago, includes larger joints and a more angled vertebrae curve in females.
A new study from Harvard University reveals that women's lower spines have evolved to be more flexible and supportive than men's, allowing for increased extension and stability during pregnancy. The research found that women lean back by up to 60% to maintain a stable center of gravity, offsetting the weight of the baby.
The Pourquié Lab has demonstrated the crucial role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in somitogenesis, a process required for vertebrae formation. The study successfully characterized and verified FGF signaling's importance during this process, providing new insights into the clock and wavefront explanation of somitogenesis.
Engineers are developing new biological cements to repair burst fractures of the spine, a major leap forward in treatment. The novel cement materials mimic the chemical composition of bone and can be injected at the fracture site to stabilize the spine with minimal invasive surgery.
A study by the University of Chicago Medical Center found that a specialized chiropractic adjustment can lower blood pressure significantly in individuals with a misaligned Atlas vertebra and high blood pressure. The results showed a decrease equal to taking two blood-pressure drugs at once, with no change in heart rate.
A team of radiologists used CT scans to re-examine the mummy of King Tutankhamun, estimating his age at death between 18-20 years old. The findings suggest a premortem fracture to the femoral bone, potentially caused by an open wound that became infected and fatal.
A new procedure utilizes plasma-mediated radiofrequency energy to gently remove soft tissue from spinal tumors, reducing damage to healthy tissue. The technique, called Coblation SpineWand, provides pain relief and improved mobility for patients with decreased risk of complications.