Molecular Check

Conventional wisdom holds that if you live long enough you’ll develop arthritis.  That may not be so likely, however, if researchers could identify the disease in its early stages and see how novel drugs work.  Nanotechnologists at the University Basel believe they have found a solution in using atomic force microscopy to see early signs of cartilage decay-i.e. spreading of collagen fibers in first stage of breaking down.    About 14 million Americans now suffer from osteoarthritis.     MORE

 Image Credit: Martin Stolz and Technology Review