Fossils could reveal why racehorses’ legs prone to fracture
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Scientists at the University’s Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease are investigating 15-milion-year-old horse fossils to understand why the legs of modern racehorses can be prone to fracture.
Using computer models to simulate how the fossil bones respond to various forces, Dr Ellen Singer and Dr Nathan Jeffery are comparing ancient bones with modern ones to see how the leg joints have evolved to withstand certain forces and at what point they become vulnerable to fracture.
Dr Singer and Dr Jeffery explain their research to BBC Science Correspondent Victoria Gill in the film below: