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To be or not to be a white blood cell, that is the question

Researchers discovered a mechanism that determines whether immature blood cells differentiate into red or subtypes of white blood cells. The study found that repression of Bach factors contributes to the development of anemia of infection/inflammation, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for treating bone marrow and blood disord...

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Immunology·DateSep 25, 2018

New light shed on the people who built Stonehenge

A University of Oxford study suggests that some people buried at Stonehenge had moved with and transported bluestones from the Preseli Mountains in west Wales. The research combined radiocarbon-dating with new developments in archaeological analysis to investigate the lives of those buried at the iconic monument.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 2, 2018

Blood formation: Researchers engineer human bone marrow tissue

Scientists from the University of Basel and ETH Zurich have developed an artificial bone marrow niche that mimics natural biological properties, allowing hematopoietic stem cells to multiply for several days. This breakthrough could lead to personalized research models for blood diseases like leukemia and drug screening.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2018

NIH researchers crack mystery behind rare bone disorder

Researchers have identified the genetic basis of melorheostosis, a rare bone disorder characterized by excess bone formation resembling dripping candle wax. The study found that mutations in the MAP2K1 gene were responsible for the condition, offering potential treatment targets and insights into bone development.

Live 3-D printing of osteogenic scaffolds into bone defects

A team of researchers has successfully developed a novel method for live 3D printing osteogenic scaffolds into bone defects. The method uses nanobiosilica-based scaffolds with adequate 3D printing properties to improve implantability and rapid bone healing capability, resulting in nearly 55% bone defect healing after four weeks.

Knee joint signals bones to grow

Researchers discovered a communication system between the knee joint and developing bones in mice, which controls bone growth during early development and after injury. The study suggests that bone growth is controlled not only from within the bone itself but also by neighboring cells situated in nearby joints.

SourceeLife·DateJul 25, 2017

Networking is key for cells during bone formation

Researchers have identified a universal mechanism behind bone cell organization, revealing a quantitative framework to assess bone quality. The study shows that different bone types exhibit varying levels of connectivity but similar efficiency in intercellular transport and communication.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 18, 2017

Football boosts bone development in boys

Playing football improves bone development compared to swimming and cycling, particularly after a year of training. The study found that adolescents who played football had better bones than those who engaged in non-weight-bearing sports.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJul 12, 2017

Tiny bubbles help heal broken bones, in pigs

Researchers have developed a novel gene therapy method that utilizes microbubbles and ultrasound to promote bone growth and healing in nonunion fractures. The technique, which involves injecting genetic material for a bone growth factor into the affected area, has been shown to completely heal broken bones in pigs within eight weeks.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 17, 2017

New material regrows bone

A team of researchers developed a new material that regrows quality bone in the affected area without developing scar tissue. The breakthrough could potentially treat patients with severe skull or facial injuries, making painful bone grafting obsolete.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 8, 2017

Key regulator of bone development identified

Researchers at Penn State University have identified Speckle-type POZ Protein (Spop) as a key regulator of bone development. The study reveals that Spop positively regulates Hedgehog signaling during bone formation, leading to reduced bone density and brachydactyly-like symptoms.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2016

Study appears first in the nation to examine the impact of vitamin K supplements on the cardiovascul

Researchers are enrolling 60 obese children in an eight-week study to examine the impact of vitamin K supplements on their cardiovascular health. The study aims to determine whether vitamin K can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce lipid levels in the blood, potentially reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.