Research on bone health and repair. Covers bone healing, mineral density, skeletal evolution, and radiopharmaceutical trials.
Material scientists at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have developed a calcium phosphate cement with added carbon fibers that can seal cracks and promote self-healing. This intrinsic ability could expand the use of bone implants to include load-bearing areas, improving outcomes for patients with fractures or defects.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science discovered the significance of protein Cpeb4 in the formation of osteoclasts, bone-dissolving cells responsible for osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that Cpeb4 plays a critical role in osteoclast differentiation, with its relocalization to nuclei influencing cell behavior.
A genetic risk score has been developed to help identify individuals who are likely to fracture early, even those with normal bone mass density. The study involved 11,351 participants and found that the genetic risk score can predict the timing of fractures in elderly people.
Researchers repurposed two ED medications to boost bone health, with tadalafil and vardenafil enhancing bone formation and preventing resorption. The findings suggest a potential new therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis treatment.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researcher Douglas J. Kennett and collaborators found that maize had become a staple grain in the Americas 4,700 years ago, exceeding what is considered a staple grain. By 4,000 years ago, maize was persistently used as a staple, continuing through the Classic Maya period until today.
A PLOS study found nearly 29% of Jurassic bones bore theropod bites, with most targeting herbivores but some theropods feeding on each other. Scavenging may have been a response to food scarcity in stressed ecosystems.
Researchers have uncovered thousands of ancient animal bones at three sites in Ethiopia, showing early Muslim communities ate a diverse and sophisticated diet, including luxury goods from around the Red Sea. The discovery provides new insights into halal butchery practices and the spread of Islam in Africa.
A study published in The BMJ found a small increased risk of musculoskeletal malformations in babies born to mothers who took fluconazole during the first trimester, but no association with oral clefts or heart defects. The risk was higher for women taking higher doses.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed new biomaterials to advance the field of 3D bioprinting functional tissues. They created a highly printable bioink that can be used to engineer 3D-functional bone tissues, which could potentially create new treatments for patients suffering from arthritis and bone fractures.
Researchers at Uppsala University used synchrotron X-rays to study the organ of balance and surrounding blood vessels. The discovery of a drainage system may improve understanding of how Ménière's disease arises from fluid accumulation in the inner ear.
Researchers analyzed fossil hand joints to find evidence of dual hand use in ancient humans. The discovery supports the idea that the transition to walking on two legs was gradual, with early humans using their hands for both precision grips and branch grasping.
A global survey of 121 fracture liaison services from 31 countries found that adherence to basic DXA quality and reporting procedures was confirmed by less than 50% of services. The study emphasizes the need for targeted education for DXA machine operators and interpreters, particularly in adopting globally-endorsed standards.
A new bone-graft biomaterial supercooled before application could eliminate pain and improve smile outcomes for dental patients. The material, combining octacalcium phosphate with collagen, has shown superior bone regenerative properties compared to earlier substitutes.
Adult skates have a specialized type of progenitor cell that creates new cartilage. Newly healed skate cartilage does not form scar tissue. This discovery may lead to better understanding of how to stop human stem-cell therapies from differentiating into bone, offering hope for cartilage repair therapy.
New discoveries at Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria reveal the earliest evidence of Homo sapiens in Europe, with fossils dating back to 45,820 years ago. The findings indicate that Homo sapiens arrived in Europe and interacted with Neanderthals, bringing new behaviors and tools.
Scientists found dairy residues in ancient pots from hunter-gatherer sites in Lesotho, dating to the 1st millennium AD, confirming contact with farming communities. The discovery suggests that hunter-gatherers adopted animal husbandry techniques from their lowland counterparts.
A new study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that organic nitrates do not have a clinically relevant effect on bone mineral density or bone turnover in postmenopausal women. The treatment caused significant side effects, casting doubt on previous research reporting large positive effects of nitrates on bone health.
A study published in eLife found that rapamycin, an immune-suppressing drug, reduces bone loss, inflammation, and changes to oral bacteria in older mice with gum disease. The treatment also reversed clinical features of periodontal disease, suggesting a potential approach for age-related dental problems.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a self-adapting material that can change its stiffness in response to applied force, mimicking how human bone adjusts to its environment. This advancement holds promise for developing materials that can self-reinforce damaged areas and accelerate treatment of bone-related diseases.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences develop new strontium-substituted bioactive glass bone cement, optimizing strontium concentration to improve bone formation and implant contact. They find optimal osteogenic characteristics with 6 mol% SrO addition, supporting better peri-implant bone regeneration.
Researchers analyzed ancient potsherds to find clues about the diet and subsistence practices of ancient East African pastoralists. They discovered that ruminant meat, bones, and marrow were a staple, while milk residues were present at low frequencies.
A 29-million-year-old coquí frog fossil discovered in Puerto Rico has been identified as the oldest record of frogs in the Caribbean. The ancient species displaces an amber frog fossil previously thought to be the oldest, shedding new light on the origins of Caribbean wildlife.
The journal has announced its most frequently cited papers from 2018-19, which will be freely accessible. These papers focus on various aspects of musculoskeletal research, including bone metabolism, osteoimmunology, and gut-muscle axis.
Researchers have identified a new gene, SMAD3, associated with melorheostosis, a rare condition causing excessive bone tissue growth. The study provides a breakthrough in understanding the disease's causes and may lead to the development of treatments.
A new study found that artificial intelligence (AI) can accurately identify patients at risk of osteoporosis and fractures by analyzing electronic radiology reports, outperforming traditional manual methods. The AI tool, XRAIT, detected a significant number of major fractures, improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of illness.
A new study analyzes human bones from medieval cemeteries to shed light on ancient copper cookware. Researchers found that people consumed tiny portions of copper daily, with cities like Ribe using copper pots for 1000 years.
Researchers discovered that bones change shape in response to forces, curving to prevent fractures. The study used computational methods to monitor shape changes over an extended period, finding that the curving process needs to be highly targeted and can lead to a built-in warning mechanism.
A nationwide study found that racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower incomes are less likely to receive office-based care for musculoskeletal conditions, while those with public insurance status are more likely to use emergency department care. This disparity contributes significantly to healthcare expenditures.
Researchers at UConn School of Dental Medicine have discovered a population of stem cells residing along vascular channels in bone that can generate new bone-forming cells. These perivascular cells may regulate bone formation and participate in bone mass maintenance.
Researchers from the University of Bonn analyzed a 15-20 million year old Anolis lizard forefoot preserved in Dominican Republic amber. Despite initial appearance, the bone showed significant chemical transformation and decomposition.
Research finds high levels of selenium in California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fish, causing spinal deformities and affecting their ear bones. The study provides insights into how the fish encounter selenium, shedding light on potential management strategies.
A team of researchers combined genealogical information with genetic data from modern Quebecers to access the genetic profile of Quebec's historical population. The study successfully identified approximately 1.7 million individuals, but limitations in genetic coverage hindered full identification, leaving around 88% of men married bef...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an affordable oral therapy to help broken bones heal faster in people with diabetes. The therapy, grown in plants, uses a protein called insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to stimulate bone-building cells and promote bone regeneration.
Scientists at DESY used an advanced X-ray combination technique to trace nanocarriers for tuberculosis drugs within cells with high precision. The method also revealed the calcium content in human bone, benefiting osteoporosis research.
Scientists use molecular motors to manipulate protein structure, directing stem cells to differentiate into bone cells. The movement of motor molecules induces subtle structural changes, affecting cell attachment and behavior, ultimately leading to altered cell fate.
Researchers discover that mature bone marrow stromal cells can transform into regenerative cells after an injury, providing an alternative source for bone healing. This breakthrough suggests that these cells could be generated through transformation of readily available mature stromal cells.
A specific gut bacterium, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), was found to impair normal skeletal growth and maturation in post-pubertal mice. This is achieved through a Gut-Liver-Bone Axis, where SFB elevates immune responses leading to increased osteoclast activity and decreased osteoblast activity.
A UCLA-led study used machine learning to analyze before-and-after photos of 100 female patients who underwent rhinoplasty, finding that the procedure can make women appear up to 3 years younger. The study estimated a person's age by cropping and extracting features from photographs.
Scientists investigate three 67 million year old oviraptorid egg fossils, determining that the embryos were at different developmental stages and likely hatched at different times. The findings suggest a unique nesting biology similar to modern birds, challenging previous assumptions about oviraptorids.
A 700,000-year-old fossil bone found in Japan indicates that a close relative of the modern dovekie was once thriving in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery suggests that dovekies were more abundant in Japan and the Pacific than previously thought.
Researchers have developed a new method to transform stem cells into bone cells using an artificial muscle sheet with shape-memory function. This technology has potential applications in treating complex bone fractures by culturing stem cells on the sheet and adapting them to directly strengthen bones.
A randomized study found that MIV-711 significantly reduced bone and cartilage progression in knee osteoarthritis patients. However, the treatment had no beneficial effects on osteoarthritic knee pain.
A study revealed oxytocin's role in promoting bone synthesis while curbing bone loss during pregnancy and lactation. Oxytocin administration also reduced total body fat in mice, suggesting potential as a drug target for these conditions.
After just two weeks of reduced physical activity, older adults experience significant losses in muscle mass and strength, as well as gains in body fat percentage. This can lead to a reduction in cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial function, which are critical for maintaining healthy muscles and metabolic health.
Researchers from the University of Bonn used strontium isotope analysis to determine the origins of victims in a 1,400-year-old Maya mass grave. The study found that most victims grew up at least 95 miles from Uxul, with some showing signs of high social status.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a new mechanism that contributes to adult bone maintenance and repair. Periosteal stem cells, previously poorly understood, play a major role in bone healing and respond to mechanical injury and inflammatory molecules, offering potential therapeutic applications for conditions l...
New fossil species Origolestes lii sheds light on transitional gap in mammalian ear evolution. The discovery provides a crucial reference point for understanding the decoupling of jaw and hearing systems, paving the way for improved hearing and chewing capabilities in future mammals.
Researchers discovered that mimicking human bone's trabeculae structure can create artificial materials lasting up to 100 times longer than current designs. By increasing the thickness of horizontal struts, they achieved significant durability enhancements in 3D-printed polymers.
Researchers established B6CaP, a prostate-derived tumor line that frequently metastasizes to bones and grows in an immunocompetent host, overcoming limitations of previous models. This model is useful for studying mechanisms of bone metastasis and tumor immune response.
Researchers have found that Svalbard reindeer populations have recovered enough to recolonize virtually all non-glaciated areas in the archipelago. The population now numbers around 22,000, a significant increase from pre-hunting levels. Protection implemented in the 1920s has enabled the animals to thrive and expand their habitats.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study suggests two new approaches to treating bone metastases from prostate cancer: targeting different signaling pathways for lytic and blastic lesions. Both types of bone metastases show promise with anti-cancer immunotherapy, particularly those with high PD-L1 levels.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the meat-eating dinosaur Majungasaurus grew new teeth rapidly, possibly due to gnawing on bones. This rapid tooth replacement rate puts Majungasaurus in the same league as sharks and big herbivorous dinosaurs.
A team of researchers used micro-CT imaging to study the composition and age of 22 ancient ivory manikins, found in the Duke University collection. The study revealed that most of the manikins were composed of true elephant ivory, while some contained alternative materials such as antler or whale bone.
Researchers found that Majungasaurus grew new teeth roughly two to 13 times faster than other carnivorous dinosaurs, replacing them every couple of months. This rapid tooth growth may have been due to the need to gnaw on bones to ingest certain nutrients, requiring exceptionally strong teeth.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a way to strengthen bone structure using computer software, potentially treating osteoporosis and creating lightweight materials for the aerospace industry. The team found that horizontal rod-like struts play a crucial role in extending the fatigue life of bone.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that attach to microcracks, allowing for clear imaging using X-ray-based technique with hafnium particles. This breakthrough could enable doctors to detect serious problems like heart blockages more accurately.
A study using ancient bone protein analysis identified green turtles as a primary target for human consumption in Florida and the Caribbean thousands of years ago. The technique, collagen fingerprinting, allowed scientists to visualize distinct chemical signatures in collagen that are species-specific.
Researchers at UTSA are reexamining bone mineral density and proteoglycans to improve fracture risk assessments. Studies show that BMD captures only 50-60% of actual bone fragility fractures, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach.
A Rutgers study found that cycling-related facial and head injuries have remained steady despite an increase in bicyclists on the road. However, there was a significant rise in serious injuries among older adults, particularly those aged 55-64, with over 86,000 hospitalizations from 2008 to 2017.
Archaeologists have analyzed King Apries I's palace fragments and found two unknown pigments: lead-antimonate yellow and lead-tin yellow. These naturally occurring mineral pigments were used in European paintings from the Middle Ages onwards, but their use in Antiquity has hitherto been unknown.