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Genetic Changes Shaped Human Bipedalism and Hip Development

11/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Two genetic changes in early humans significantly shaped hip bone development, enabling bipedalism.
The study, published in Nature, reports that one change rotated the ilium by 90 degrees.
A second change delayed the hardening of the ilium, yielding a wider, bowl-shaped pelvis.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded the research, which aimed to improve treatments for hip conditions and may relate to osteoarthritis risk.

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Story summary

Two genetic changes in early humans significantly shaped hip bone development, enabling bipedalism.
The study, published in Nature, reports that one change rotated the ilium by 90 degrees.
A second change delayed the hardening of the ilium, yielding a wider, bowl-shaped pelvis.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded the research, which aimed to improve treatments for hip conditions and may relate to osteoarthritis risk.