Bones get mended with high tech glass-of-milk

(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at the new Nuclear-Magnetic Resonance unit at the University of Warwick have discovered how a high tech glass of milk is helping bones mend.

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 researchers saw calcium rush into the bioglass in the first hour of implantation.

Physicist Professor Mark Smith explains: "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.

"We looked at it through our NMR machine and were amazed by what we saw. Fluid 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."

Audio: Listen to Professor Mark Smith discuss this research

Source: University of Warwick