Human beings have always been inspired by the simulation of nature, innovative solutions to various problems in various sectors, especially medical ones.
A study published on August 19 in the journal PLOS ONE revealed the solution of a new puzzle of the mysteries surrounding the world of dinosaurs, which was carried out by a team from the Southern Methodist University in the US.
Unique skeleton
In the study, the researchers sought to uncover the secret of the ability of the skeletons of duck-billed dinosaurs or "hadrosaurs" - which were common in the late Cretaceous period, in addition to many other herbivorous, four-legged and long-necked dinosaurs - to carry their enormous weights that may exceed 3600 kg. .
The researchers used theories that study the mechanism of the collapse of geometric structures, and they measured the contrast between the samples under study and their counterparts in mammals and birds, in order to describe the mechanism by which the characteristics of an organism change with the change of its size.
They also analyzed CT imaging of the sternal / inferior femur and anterior tibia (Proximal tibia) of dinosaur fossils.
The researchers concluded that the structure of the hadrosaurs' trabecular bone is radically different from that of mammals and birds, in that its thickness does not increase with the increase in size of dinosaurs.
Trabecular bone
The researchers, according to the Science Daily report on the study, found that the structure of the trabecular or spongy bone that forms in the inner part of the fossil bone - which was studied - is unique. And unlike mammals and birds, the thickness of the trabecular bone does not increase with the increase in the size of the body of dinosaurs. However, the density of spongy bone formation increases.
The trabecular bone - which surrounds the small spaces or holes in the inner part of the bone - provides support for the skeleton, facilitating the movement of joints and extremities, especially the long bones such as the bones of the extremities.
In this way, the large size of the lightweight trabecular bone helps support the skeleton, facilitate joint mobility and shock absorption without additional weight gain that would impede the movement of dinosaurs at the time were it not for this weight-saving adaptation.
The Southern Methodist University team is the first to use the aforementioned tools to better understand the bone structure of extinct species, and it is also the first to assess the relationship between bone structure and the mechanism of movement in dinosaurs.
Medical engineering solutions
It should be noted that the idea of working on this project began 10 years ago, when Seth Donahue - one of the study participants who is now a specialist in medical engineering at the University of Massachusetts and an expert in animal bone structure - was invited to attend an academic conference in Alaska, where he met the rest Study team members interested in understanding dinosaur life in ancient times.
There the team developed the idea to apply engineering theories to analyzing dinosaur fossils, seeking a new understanding of the mechanism that enabled dinosaurs to adapt to their huge size.
Thus, the study offers a new addition to modern medical science, as knowledge of the mechanisms of trabecular engineering of dinosaurs may help us to better understand, and develop solutions in the field of medical engineering such as designing lightweight and dense structures that may contribute to solving the problems of obese people.