Real Wolverine: Like Calciums, Human Needs Metal To Maintain Strong Bones

The international team of researchers, led by The University of Manchester has discovered the mechanism behind the growth of bones in human body. Their finding has provided, just like the "adamantium" bones of fictional superhero Wolverine from "X-Men" fresh insight into how bones grow and develop, that provide a vital part of the process.

According to Phys, the team has analyzed how mammals' bones grow by studying the skeleton growth of rodents. The scientists have linked the common man and fictional superhero like wolverine from the X-Men.

Reportedly, the skeleton of Wolverine's is made out of the fictional alloy 'adamantium'. Besides this, the trace metals found in human bones include copper, calcium, zinc and strontium. However, all vertebrates, including mammals rely on tiny concentrations of trace metals in our bones to control the formation of growth and repair.

Science Times has reported the process is responsible for the development of most of the bones in the body. The process is layered into distinct areas of activity from the center of the developing bone to its extremities. The activities that are taking place during bone growth can be divided into three categories, like cartilage, replacement and mineralised or "ossified" bone.

Although, it is well-known fact that certain metals can aid in bone health. The researchers to produce detailed images of where these minute metals were located within the tiny bones of the mouse limb by the bright X-rays generated by Diamond.

However, the analysis of the bone elements can lead the scientists to understand the processes involved in the biochemical stages of "ossification." After the finding, the scientists have stated that the studies are useful to be applied not only in the medical field but also to understand the growth of human bones in time to time.

Meanwhile, the finding results can also be used in chemistry and material science also. Scientists hope that the finding will help to identify ossification and other bone processes, such as remodeling and cartilage in the fossil record, from fossil mice to dinosaurs.