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Community-based nutrition education shown to be successful in increasing calcium intake

Researchers found that Vietnamese women who received nutrition education counselling showed significant increases in calcium intake and stable bone mass. In contrast, the control group experienced decreased bone mass. The study suggests community-based education programmes can improve bone health in postmenopausal women.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateDec 15, 2012

Study shows bone metastases treatment can improve overall survival

A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that denosumab was associated with significantly improved overall median survival in lung cancer patients, including those with non-small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer. The treatment also showed improved survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 15, 2012

Taking race out of the equation in measuring women's risk of osteoporosis and fractures

A new approach for assessing fracture risk combines bone density measures with body size and bone size, predicting risk accurately regardless of race or ethnicity. The study found that this composite bone strength index performed just as well as traditional methods in a group of nearly 2,000 women.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 18, 2012

One foot from the grave!

Archaeologists from the University of Leicester found King Richard III remains just inches below Victorian foundations, narrowly avoiding destruction. The team used DNA extracted from a descendant to verify the identity of the remains.

Computerized osteoporosis detection

Researchers have developed a new computerized technique to diagnose osteoporosis using X-rays, which estimates bone porosity and improves accuracy over visual examination. The system has shown high accuracy rates of less than 2% in detecting osteoporosis in elderly Asian patients.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology·DateOct 1, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Sept. 17, 2012

Researchers develop a non-invasive method to track Huntington's disease progression by detecting mutant huntingtin protein in immune cells. Additionally, CXCR1/2 inhibition improves pancreatic islet survival after transplantation, and the loss of thyroid stimulating hormone contributes to osteoporosis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 17, 2012

New discovery related to gum disease

Researchers at UofL School of Dentistry have discovered a way to prevent inflammation and bone loss surrounding teeth by blocking the natural signaling pathway of enzyme GSK3b. This finding has implications for preventing periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory condition causing tooth loss.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalMolecular Medicine·DateSep 11, 2012

For the rooster, size matters

Researchers at Linköping University have discovered two 'pleiotropic' genes influencing comb size, bone growth and egg production in domestic chickens. The study reveals the genetic basis for the correlation between comb size and increased egg-laying.

SourceLinköping University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateSep 4, 2012

Even minor physical activity may benefit bone health in premenopausal women

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that even minor physical activity can benefit bone health in premenopausal women by reducing sclerostin and enhancing IGF-1 levels. The study involved 1,235 premenopausal women who were followed for eight weeks, with those engaging in more than two hour...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateAug 15, 2012

Close to the bone

A genetic screening approach has identified nine new genes associated with bone health, providing clues to the cause of bone disorders such as osteoporosis. The study used a collaborative effort between specialist skills in mouse gene deletion and bone measurement, assessing the strength of bones in 100 mutant mouse lines.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 2, 2012

Research funding targets bone health

A team of scientists led by Robert Young is working on developing small molecule compounds and nano-medicines that stimulate bone regeneration, aiming to improve understanding of bone renewal biology and promote bone repair and regeneration. The grant is part of a $7 million funding package targeting bone health research.

UCLA researcher discovers epigenetic links in cell-fate decisions of adult stem cells

Researchers found two key epigenetic regulating genes that govern cell-fate determination of human bone marrow stem cells. The discovery may allow stem cells to differentiate specifically into bone cells while inhibiting fat cell differentiation, paving the way for therapies in regenerative medicine and osteoporosis treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 6, 2012

A better way to grow bone: Fresh, purified fat stem cells grow bone faster and better

Researchers at UCLA discovered that purified human perivascular stem cells can form bone faster and with higher quality than traditional methods, potentially eliminating the need for invasive bone grafts. The study uses a fresh cell composition called stromal vascular fraction to isolate and purify the stem cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateJun 11, 2012

Doing the tooth implant 2-step

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology concludes that a two-step tooth implantation method is more effective than a one-step process. The research found that implants placed using the two-step procedure show less wear and tear over time, with greater bone stability.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal Of Clinical Periodontology·DateMay 22, 2012

Physical properties predict stem cell outcome

Researchers at Brown University have discovered that the stiffness, viscosity, and other mechanical properties of adult stem cells can foretell what they will become, enabling a filter to extract needed cells from larger tissue samples. This breakthrough could lead to better healing outcomes in tissue engineering.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2012