How a high tech Bioglass-of-milk-a-day helps bones mend

Washington, Aug 27 : Researchers at the University of Warwick have found how a high tech glass of milk helps bones mend.

The researchers at the new Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance unit at the university said that the low temperature Bioglass is used to help fix broken bones, but until now no one has been able to understand the process.

Using a strong magnetic field to 'see' into the bones, the researchers found calcium rush into the bioglass in the first hour of implantation.

"Bioglass is used to help mend broken bones. Recently researchers working at Imperial College discovered a new kind of bioglass, which seemed to work better, but they could not work out all the details why," physicist professor Mark Smith said.

"We looked at it through our NMR machine and were amazed by what we saw. Fluid simulating patient's bodies rushed calcium out of the bioglass and then into the new bones. It seems perhaps a glass-of-milk-a-day really is what the doctor ordered," he added.

The new Bioglass uses chemicals rather than heat to form the replacement bones.

The University of Warwick worked in collaboration with Imperial College and Kent University of the project.

ANI