New and Improved Bone Tests

Two new approaches to test bone density provide a simpler way to predict risk of osteoporosis.

| 1 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
1:00
Share

Closeup of hip bonePATRIX VIA FLICKR

The current standard for predicting osteoporosis risk uses dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone mineral density. But studies suggest that the technique doesn’t accurately predict the risk of fracture. Now, two new approaches provide a more precise way to determine whether bones are prone to breaking.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute used a technique known as laser-capture microscopy to characterize the protein composition of a tiny sample of bone, which then could be used to determine the age of each bone section, according to a study to be published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. Because older bone is more fragile, the method was able to predict the sections of bone more likely to break. As well as helping diagnose osteoporosis, the technology could allow ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Keywords

Meet the Author

  • Tia Ghose

    This person does not yet have a bio.
Share
3D illustration of a gold lipid nanoparticle with pink nucleic acid inside of it. Purple and teal spikes stick out from the lipid bilayer representing polyethylene glycol.
February 2025, Issue 1

A Nanoparticle Delivery System for Gene Therapy

A reimagined lipid vehicle for nucleic acids could overcome the limitations of current vectors.

View this Issue
Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

Enhancing Therapeutic Antibody Discovery with Cross-Platform Workflows

sartorius logo
Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Considerations for Cell-Based Assays in Immuno-Oncology Research

Lonza
An illustration of animal and tree silhouettes.

From Water Bears to Grizzly Bears: Unusual Animal Models

Taconic Biosciences
Sex Differences in Neurological Research

Sex Differences in Neurological Research

bit.bio logo

Products

Photo of a researcher overseeing large scale production processes in a laboratory.

Scaling Lentiviral Vector Manufacturing for Optimal Productivity

Thermo Fisher Logo
Collage-style urban graphic of wastewater surveillance and treatment

Putting Pathogens to the Test with Wastewater Surveillance

An illustration of an mRNA molecule in front of a multicolored background.

Generating High-Quality mRNA for In Vivo Delivery with lipid nanoparticles

Thermo Fisher Logo
Tecan Logo

Tecan introduces Veya: bringing digital, scalable automation to labs worldwide