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Hip at what cost? How the human pelvis adapted to bipedalism and childbirth

Project description

Solving the mystery of the human pelvis

For millions of years, the human skeleton has been shaped by evolutionary selective pressures. This is particularly evident in the unique structure of the human pelvis compared to other primates. While this modification enabled efficient bipedalism, it also poses challenges during childbirth. Obstructed labour contributes to 8 % of maternal mortality today, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of pelvic anatomy. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RISEN project will explore the mechanisms driving pelvic development and how external factors like bipedalism and health status impact adult bone morphology. With innovative technologies and data fusion, RISEN research outcomes will significantly impact contemporary society and women’s public health, contributing to EU research priorities and fostering scientific expertise.

Objective

Evolutionary selective pressures have shaped the human skeleton for millions of years, contributing to its distinctiveness compared to other primates. Among all the elements of our skeleton that have undergone huge modification, arguably one of the most distinctive ones is the pelvis. The pelvis plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the skeleton against external forces during locomotion and as such, selection pressures have acted particularly on it. However, efficient bipedalism came at a cost, when balancing other selection pressures. As a result, the difficulty of childbirth has been constant during human evolution. Today, obstructed labour is the cause of 8% of maternal mortality. A deep analysis of the biosocial dynamics that act from birth to adulthood is fundamental for a complete understanding of pelvic anatomy. Such a developmental perspective on the pelvis anatomy is currently missing. RISEN aims to fill this gap by extensively exploring the mechanisms that lie behind pelvic development, unravelling how, when, and to what extent external influences - e.g. bipedalism, health status - affect adult bone morphology. Thanks to the proposed innovative and multidisciplinary methodology that leverages cutting-edge technologies and brings together biological and cultural data, RISEN (24 months, USA – 12 months, Italy) will produce a comprehensive investigation that will have a huge impact on contemporary society or public health issues related to women's lives. This international and interdisciplinary project will give the fellow a full background and foster scientific expertise to accomplish a project as ambitious as RISEN. This project responds to EU research priorities through the transfer of gained knowledge and partnerships development with leading experts. Not only does it improve employability and career prospects, but also contributes to the EU's competitiveness and growth.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

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Coordinator

ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 265 099,20
Address
VIA ZAMBONI 33
40126 Bologna
Italy

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Region
Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Bologna
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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Partners (3)

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