Are Cellphones Re-shaping Our Skeletons?

What if our beloved smartphones were so powerful that they could reshape the very bones in our bodies? It might sound like a plot twist from a sci-fi movie, but it's a hot topic making waves in the media lately. A recent scientific report suggests that our trusty phones and tablets might be causing some serious and long-lasting changes to our skeletons – and not in a way you'd expect.

In a quirky turn of events, biomechanics experts David Shahar and Mark Sayers from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia have been diving into the world of skeletons, combining biomechanics with Osteobiography – a method that reveals someone's life story through their bones. Forget dusty history books; these guys are uncovering tales from bones!

It's been common knowledge that skeletons adapt to our lifestyles, telling unique stories. Think about the hefty bones found on the Pacific island of Tinian in 1924; stone structures in the area explained the robust nature of the islanders' bones – a result of working with heavy stones, giving them naturally larger arms, legs, and collarbones.

Now, Shahar and Sayers believe that modern technology is leaving its mark on the skeletons of the younger generation. How? Enter the "EOP" – or external occipital protuberance, for the science enthusiasts. Some have even playfully called it a "foam ball" or a "devil-like horn." In reality, it's a bony growth found at the back of the skull, connected to the nuchal ligament, which plays a crucial role in linking neck muscles to the skull. This bony growth acts like an anchor, creating an effect similar to a ship's anchor at the top of the nuchal ligament.

So, what sparked this investigation into our skeletons? Shahar and Sayers took a peek at X-rays from chiropractors, focusing on people aged 18 to 86. They wanted to understand how our skeletons change over time, especially as many X-rays were related to neck pains. The revelation? Young people seem to have a more widespread EOP, and the researchers theorize that it's linked to poor posture while glued to phones and tablets. As our heads crane forward during screen time, extra pressure is put on the skull, causing the EOP to grow gradually.

This phenomenon has been humorously dubbed "text neck." The study also found that it's more common in men. In 2016, 67% of men had a larger EOP compared to 20% of women. By 2018, with a larger test group of 1200 people, males appeared to be five times more likely to develop these "text necks."

But wait, what's the potential impact on humanity? We often hear about phone radiation and its potential links to cancer, but can our beloved gadgets actually cause significant health issues? This report has sparked debates on the topic, marking the first time experts explicitly point out how tech is affecting our bodies. Shahar and Sayers suggest that elongated EOPs represent a degenerative process, hinting at things getting worse for the younger generation if they continue their device obsession.

There's also a mention of "text thumb" or thumb arthritis, where serious problems can develop, akin to the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome. However, not everyone is buying into the horned and spiked narrative. Critics argue that the report isn't conclusive, emphasizing that longer skull bones aren't a groundbreaking revelation and are particularly common in males.

So, are Shahar and Sayers on to something groundbreaking, or have they simply crafted a theory based on well-known facts? Regardless, one thing is undeniable – technology has a profound impact on our lives. The idea that future generations might physically change due to constant device interaction is a serious issue that warrants attention. Perhaps the archaeologists of the future will decide whether we'll evolve into beings with spikes sticking out of the backs of our necks – or maybe, we could use a bit more leisure time taking walks in the park and less time on our phones.