SINGAPORE — Two Australian researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland in Australia have caused quite a stir after discovering horn-like growths from examining more than 200 X-rays of young adults.

They claim that bone spurs measuring about 1 to 3 cm had developed on the backs of skulls in 41 per cent of those aged between 18 and 30 years old.

And they have attributed the bone growth to the prevalent use of technology, particularly handheld devices such as smartphones.

TODAY explains the basis of their findings and whether they are able to withstand scrutiny from the wider scientific community.

WHERE THE 'HORNS' COME FROM

When people tilt their heads forward, the weight is shifted from the spine to the muscles at the back of the head, which can cause bone growth in the connecting tendons and ligaments, said the authors who conducted the research, Dr David Shahar and Associate Professor Mark Sayers.

And with an average head weighing as much as a large watermelon at 4.5 kg, this could be a problem, said Dr Shahar in previous media interviews.

The so-called “horns” are actually comprised of bone building up on the neck muscles attached to the skull, as a way for the body to respond to the extra weight.

Bone spurs are not new. They are often seen in elderly people who are hunched over owing to long-term poor posture and significant stress loads on their bodies.

But what’s worrying, according to Dr Shahar, is that until this research these bone growths have rarely been found among the young. He was also surprised at how large these spikes are.

The researchers say their discovery marks the first documentation of a physiological or skeletal reaction to the use of advanced technology in everyday life.

SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED?

Dr Shahar said poor posture arising out of extended phone use was the cause of these bone spurs.

Associate Professor Sayers said the problem was not in the growth itself, but that the head and neck may not be in “proper configuration”, he told the Washington Post.

The idea of modern technology causing neck problems is not new, with terms like “text neck” entering the language. It refers to a stress injury to the neck caused by holding one’s head forward for long periods of time, such as when using handheld devices.

However, some experts have cast doubts on the study.

Physiology professor Michael Nitabach told the Washington Post that conclusions cannot be drawn as the cell phone habits of the research subjects are not known.

Other experts told the New York Times that the study is based on looking back at X-rays taken in the past, that it lacks a control group and cannot prove cause and effect.

Also, the subjects were people who were having enough neck trouble to visit a chiropractic clinic and require X-rays, so it’s not clear what implications the results have for the rest of the population.

Dr Chin Pak Lin, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Orthopaedic Centre in Singapore, said that the observation by the researchers is “rather astute”.

He has not seen such bone spurs among his patients but will now “hunt for it”.

However, he added that he “wouldn't read too much into it until more conclusive research is done”.