Sask. researchers use new scanner in first-of-its-kind study on children’s bone strength

WATCH: A new scanner at the University of Saskatchewan is helping researchers learn why some bones are more fragile than others.

A new scanner at the University of Saskatchewan is helping researchers learn why some bones are more fragile than others.

It’s part of the Canadian Bone Strength Development Study, a first-of-its-kind national project examining how bones grow in children with and without Type 1 diabetes.

It’s not yet known why children with Type 1 diabetes are at greater risk of fractures.

The university recently acquired an advanced scanner — a second-generation high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography device — with funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Ali Rezaei, a PhD candidate in the College of Kinesiology, operates the scanner for young participants.

“They’re always curious about the machine at first,” he said. “Once I explain how it works, they relax, and all they have to do is sit still for about two minutes.”

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Those two minutes produce detailed images of bone structure. Engineers then use the data to create digital models to test bone strength.

“Basically, we can see how strong your bone is based on the images of your bone,” said Saija Kontulainen, associate dean of research in the College of Kinesiology.

Kontulainen is working with J.D. Johnston from the College of Engineering and Dr. Munier Nour from the College of Medicine as part of the study to better understand how to build stronger bones.

“When we know how bones are growing, we can design interventions to help optimize that,” she said.

Researchers hope the findings will lead to earlier treatments that improve bone strength and long-term quality of life.

The team is still recruiting participants and is seeking girls aged 10 to 11 and boys aged 11 to 12.