Are cell phones mutating the shape of our bones?

Are Cell Phones Mutating the Shape of Our Bones?

In recent years, a surprising new topic has been popping up all over the media - the idea that cell phones and tablets could be mutating the shape of our bones. This concept stems from a scientific report that suggests using these devices can cause serious and long-lasting changes to our bodies, but not in the way you might think.

A study conducted by David Shahar and Mark Sayers, experts in biomechanics at Australia's University of the Sunshine Coast, delves into how modern technology is shaping the skeletons of young people. Biomechanics explores how mechanical laws apply to living organisms, including humans. Shahar and Sayers' study also involves osteobiography, used to decipher someone's life from their bones. It's already known that skeletons adapt to a person's lifestyle, such as how larger bones were found on the Pacific island of Tinian in 1924 due to working with heavy stones.

One key point in their research is the External Occipital Protuberance (EOP), a bone growth at the back of the skull connected to the nuchal ligament. As individuals spend more time hunched over their devices, the strain on the neck causes the EOP to grow longer, a condition sometimes referred to as "text neck." Interestingly, the study found this effect to be more prevalent in men than women.

The potential impact of these changes on our health is a significant concern. While we often hear about the radiation from phones being a potential health risk, this study highlights a different aspect of technology's impact on our bodies. Shahar and Sayers suggest that this elongation of the EOP is a degenerative process that could worsen over time if not addressed. Other issues, such as "text thumb" or thumb arthritis, are also a cause for concern.

Critics of the study argue that there isn't enough concrete evidence to support the claim that cell phones are causing our bones to mutate. Archaeologists point out that longer skull bones are not uncommon and that the study's findings may be overstated. However, the impact of technology on our physical health is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

In the end, only time will tell the true effects of constant device use on our bodies. Whether we will see a generation with spikes protruding from their necks as a result of excessive phone use remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the changing relationship between humans and technology is a topic that deserves attention and further research.