Bones
How many bones are in the human body?
The human skeleton is like a jigsaw puzzle of bones that support our body, allow us to move, protect our organs and generally help keep us alive.
Instant Genius Podcast | Forensic anthropology, with Prof Sue Black
Forensic scientist Prof Sue Black joins us on these episodes of our podcasts Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
The stories hidden in your bones | How a forensic anthropologist would identify your body
Forensic anthropologist Prof Dame Sue Black talks to Amy Barrett about what it’s like to dissect a human body, how a single bone can tell a whole story, and the ways in which we can identify perpetrators from the backs of their hands.
Sue Black | What stories do our skeletons tell?
Professor Sue Black reveals how forensic anthropologists search for the criminal secrets that are etched on the bones of victims.
Six incredible things we learned about bones from forensic anthropologist Prof Sue Black
In a recent episode of our podcast with Prof Sue Black, we discussed what it’s like to dissect a human body, how a single bone can tell a whole story, and what makes the skeleton so important.
Sue Black reveals the secrets stored in our bones
Read the full transcript of our Science Focus Podcast interview with Sue Black on the human skeleton – listen to the full episode at the bottom of the page.
Dinosaur sex differences 'hard to spot' from fossils alone
The scientists say their work also challenges previous research that suggested male Tyrannosaurus rex were smaller than females.
New analysis of Broken Hill skull raises human ancestry questions
The specimen is believed to be aged between 274,000 and 324,000 years, much younger than the 500,000 previously thought.
The Bone Wars | How a bitter rivalry drove progress in palaeontology
In this extract from The Secret Life of Bones, Brian Switek (pen name of science writer and fossil fanatic Riley Black) explains how Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope's rivalry brought us the Triceratops.
Shanidar skeleton discovery sheds light on Neanderthal 'flower burial'
Pollen found around 70,000-year-old remains reopens the debate as to whether ancient humans buried their dead.
Brian Switek | How did bones evolve?
Fossil fanatic Brian Switek explains what a bone actually is, and why they are so important in human history.
Micro implants could restore walking in spinal injury patients
The implants could potentially include a direct connection to the brain.
Babies from ancient Ecuador found wearing the skulls of other children as helmets
We need to interpret the finding in the context of the culture of the time, the researchers say.
In pictures | Journey underneath the skin with amazing illustrations from the new book Anatomicum
In the new book from the Wellcome Collection, curators Dr Jennifer Z Paxton and Katy Wiedemann take the reader on a journey around the human body.
Salamander-like cartilage regrowth sheds light on why hip and knee injuries take longer to heal
Cartilage in human joints can repair itself through a process similar to that used by salamanders and zebrafish to regenerate limbs, researchers say.
Low-cost arthritis drug 'significantly reduces' symptoms of blood cancers
A simple arthritis drug could be an effective and low-cost solution in treating patients with blood cancer.
Newly identified stem cells could regrow bones
It may be possible to uncover the mechanisms that underlie tissue growth and regeneration.
Why can't bones grow back?
Unfortunately, without the magical Skele-gro us muggles are unable to regrow whole limbs. However, the potential is there in every one of our cells.