All posts tagged: bone

What is osteopenia? The bone condition that develops silently and affects millions of people

What is osteopenia? The bone condition that develops silently and affects millions of people

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Around 40% of adults worldwide are affected by osteopenia: a loss of bone mineral density. This condition is extremely common, particularly in postmenopausal women and elderly adults. It’s estimated that more than 500,000 fractures occur annually in the UK due to low bone density. Osteopenia itself does not usually cause symptoms and it develops silently over time. Many people may not even be aware that they have the condition until they have experienced a fracture or had a bone density test, typically recommended because of risk factors such as age and menopause. This makes osteopenia a significant but often under-recognised public health issue. Bone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous renewal through a process called bone remodelling. During this process, old bone is broken down (resorption) and new bone is formed (formation). During early adulthood this process is balanced, so …

Women in their 40s and 50s should be doing this one underrated type of exercise to improve balance and bone health, according to an expert

Women in their 40s and 50s should be doing this one underrated type of exercise to improve balance and bone health, according to an expert

Published by Jenni Sidey

You might assume that jumping exercises are something you should avoid as you get older, but you’d be mistaken. Although low-impact workouts are great for helping you build strength, recover from injury and protect sensitive joints, incorporating some high-impact moves into your routines could also support your body, particularly for women. “Jump training can improve bone health, balance, and your ability to perform all kinds of activities from walking up the stairs to catching yourself if you step off a curb,” says Dr Elizabeth Knight, who researches women’s health at menopause wellness platform Respin. Article continues below You may like “These are all key areas for long-term health, and midlife is the time when these indicators can start to decline, often slowly, so you might not notice until you’ve lost a lot,” she says. According to Knight, a solid workout routine includes strength, cardio, mobility and impact exercises—such as jumping movements. “Adding exercises like jump training to your routine before you experience falls, fractures and weakness is the goal,” she explains. “This is a proactive …

Ancient Roman bone penis discovered in forgotten museum box

Ancient Roman bone penis discovered in forgotten museum box

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Archaeologists in the Netherlands recently discovered a sizable conversation starter tucked away in a forgotten storage box. Amid a long overdue archive cataloguing project at Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen southeast of Amsterdam, researchers identified a roughly 7.8-inch-long penis carved from bone dating back 1,800–2,000 years to ancient Rome. Romans typically weren’t too scandalized by nudity in artwork, including depictions of male genitalia. What’s more, they often saw penises as symbolically protective. Phallus sculptures frequently decorated homes, usually above entrances to guard against the “Evil Eye.” In some instances, they even adorned jewelry. This is the first known example of its kind carved from bone. Credit: Provincie Gelderland Despite this, the recent discovery in the historic Dutch city may be the first of its kind. While archaeologists know of phalluses crafted from stone and wood, the archived item is the only documented example carved from bone. While unclear what kind of bone the sculpture is made from, it almost certainly …

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Published by skeptic

Emerging evidence indicates that PFAS exposure in early life could influence bone development during adolescence, raising concerns about the long-term health implications of these persistent environmental chemicals. A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society reports associations between early exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lower bone density in teenagers. Researchers found that the timing of exposure may play a critical role, with certain developmental stages appearing more sensitive than others. The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Tracking PFAS exposure across childhood PFAS are a large class of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial processes and consumer products, including food packaging, non-stick cookware and water-resistant materials. Often referred to as forever chemicals, they are resistant to degradation and can accumulate in both the environment and human tissue. ©Shutterstock/VectorMine To examine potential health effects, researchers analysed data from 218 participants enrolled in a long-term birth cohort study. Blood samples were collected at multiple points: at birth and at ages three, eight and twelve. Bone density …

‘Unusually large’ tyrannosaur leg bone points to 10,000-pound behemoth

‘Unusually large’ tyrannosaur leg bone points to 10,000-pound behemoth

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. A newly uncovered tyrannosaur leg bone is shaking things up in the dinosaur world. The leg bone uncovered in New Mexico belongs to an unusually large tyrannosaur—the group of dinosaurs that includes the mightyTyrannosaurus rex. The shinbone is three feet long and about five inches in diameter, only slightly smaller than the largest known Tyrannosaurus specimen. The giant leg bone is detailed in a study published today in the journal Scientific Reports.  The shinbone was uncovered in northwestern New Mexico’s fossil-rich Kirtland Formation. It dates back 74 million years ago to the Late Campanian age. At the time, present-day North America had a subtropical climate and was split in half by a seaway that ran from the Gulf of Mexico north to the Arctic. This particular tyrannosaur lived near the seaway’s western coast, which was full of jungles and forests. “For New Mexico during the time this tyrannosaur roamed the landscape, picture something like the current Gulf Coast, a …

Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display

Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display

Published by Sam Flores

new video loaded: Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display transcript Back transcript Remains Believed to Be St. Francis’ Are on Rare Public Display The bones of St. Francis, preserved in a nitrogen-filled plexiglass case, were shown to the public just once, briefly, in 1978. “Today, the boys and I have just had the opportunity to go and walk past his body lying there. He must be the saint with the greatest following of them all. He’s such an incredible saint, and it’s been a very, very moving experience for all of our boys. We have boys who are 10 years old right up to 18.” The bones of St. Francis, preserved in a nitrogen-filled plexiglass case, were shown to the public just once, briefly, in 1978. By McKinnon de Kuyper February 22, 2026 Source link

The silent reason your bone density drops in your 30s – and how to stop it

The silent reason your bone density drops in your 30s – and how to stop it

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you’re in midlife, it’s important to know that strong bones are the cornerstone of our overall well-being. They do far more than just keep us upright and moving; they act as a protective shield for our vital organs and serve as a “bank” for essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. As we get older, our bone density naturally begins to dip, which can lead to problems ranging from fractures to osteoporosis. Reaching for supplements might be your first impulse for bone health, but they aren’t something to be taken on a whim.  Even though many of these health-boosting solutions are available over-the-counter, don’t be fooled into thinking they are completely harmless just because they’re “natural.”   But how can we stay ahead of the curve? It’s always best to seek expert advice to find out if you actually need them. We spoke to pharmacist Mar Santamaria to discover the best habits for bone strength and how the right supplements can help you keep your frame in tip-top shape. The science of bone remodelling: Why density peaks …

New Scientist recommends 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

New Scientist recommends 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Published by skeptic

Ralph Fiennes in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Sony Pictures You wait decades for another sequel to Danny Boyle’s virus-based horror classic 28 Days Later and then two come along. Hot on the heels of last year’s 28 Years Later, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up almost straight after the provocative final scene of its predecessor, which introduced us to a murderous gang led by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’ Connell). Indeed, the humans are the major threat this time, with the “infected” primarily represented by Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), so called by Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, pictured), with whom he has an unlikely friendship. As these two stargaze and dance to Duran Duran (really), Kelson learns more about the virus and starts to develop a cure. But the characters are on a collision course, coming together for a truly heavy-metal finale. While it can be a tough watch, there’s humour and humanity amid the horror. If the third 28 Years Later film succeeds, this may go down as one of the …

Curing Zombies in “The Bone Temple”

Curing Zombies in “The Bone Temple”

Published by Jenni Sidey

We like to think that monsters are timeless. Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy—we know what they look like, how they behave, and what motivates them. But the historian knows better. Monsters are chameleons that reflect their times. They reveal much about the worries and dreams of the societies that produce them. For instance, take Dracula. This monster came to fame with Bram Stoker’s famous 1897 novel. In the book, the Count is an Eastern European ghoul, whose ambition is to storm England, enslave its women, and “pollute” its blood with vampirism. As historians recognize, the context of Stoker’s book is of a time of anxious imperialism. The British Empire was extending deeply into distant lands, and “race” theory was telling the English that their “blood,” while superior to other races, was in danger of being overwhelmed by “foreigners.” In such a climate, a non-English monster, making his way into the homeland and going after its women, was especially frightening. Notably, Dracula was also trying to get his clammy claws on London’s real estate, in a dark …

Why Aaron Taylor-Johnson Isn’t In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Why Aaron Taylor-Johnson Isn’t In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Published by Sam Flores

Any Aaron Taylor-Johnson fans out there were likely disappointed to learn that the actor didn’t return for the recent 28 Years Later sequel The Bone Temple. Despite being the lead of last year’s 28 Years Later, and surviving the first film in the planned trilogy, Aaron was absent from Nia DaCosta’s horror follow-up. Speaking to ScreenRant as part of a recent interview, the filmmaker explained that Aaron’s character was intentionally excluded from the story to allow his son Spike to come of age, after making the choice to leave the safety of home. “The story is not about him,” she said of Aaron’s character. “This phase is about [Spike] not being at home and not having the security of dad to save you. “I think that’s why it was really important for it to be Spike on his own, trying to figure out how to navigate the world,” the director added. The second 28 Years Later film was about Alfie Williams’ character striking out on his own Last year’s revival of Danny Boyle’s film franchise …