Scientists find 'glue' in human bones

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jul 18, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- University of California-Santa Barbara scientists announced Monday a startling discovery about the properties of human bone -- "glue."

The scientists describe finding a sort of "glue" in human bone in the cover story of the August issue of the international scientific journal, Nature Materials.

The article describes how healthy bone resists fracture and how unhealthy bone fractures at the molecular level. The article, the researchers said, includes the highest resolution images of bone ever published, revealing the location of the adhesive or "glue" that holds together mineralized collagen fibrils (protein fibers) of bone.

The researchers said the glue appears to contain "springs" that uncoil when the bone is stressed, helping it absorb shock. When the stress is relaxed, they return to their original structure.

The lead author, UCSB physics doctoral student George Fantner, said the possible implications for human health are important and might lead to therapy for bone fractures, or even to prevention.

The researchers said bone fracture is a serious problem for elderly people, especially those with osteoporosis, and is one of the leading factors in decreasing quality of life for elderly people