Stanford Engineering
05 September 2025
Endocrinologist Joy Wu says that osteoporosis can affect more than half of women and a quarter of men over 50 – often without symptoms until a fracture changes everything, leading to a loss of mobility and independence. Wu explains why bones weaken with age and how to strengthen them through exercise and smart medicine. Her lab is exploring innovative drugs and turning skin cells into new bone-forming osteoblasts. We’re delving into the great mystery of building new bone and making old bones stronger, Wu tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Joy WuConnect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Joy Wu, a professor of endocrinology at Stanford University. (00:03:06) Path into Bone Research Joy shares her path from endocrinology training to studying bone biology. (00:04:10) Calcium and Vitamin D in Bone Health How these nutrients build strong bones and prevent fractures. (00:05:13) Why Bones Heal Themselves Why bones can regenerate so effectively compared to other tissues. (00:06:26) Can We Feel Our Bones? The mystery of weather-related aches at old fracture sites. (00:07:23) Understanding Osteoporosis The prevalence of osteoporosis in the elderly, especially in women. (00:08:34) Diagnosing Osteoporosis Why osteoporosis often goes undetected until fractures appear. (00:09:36) Risk Factors Beyond Aging The risk factors outside of aging that can lead to osteoporosis. (00:10:48) Steroids, Exercise, and Bone Health The impact of systemic steroids and exercise on bone health. (00:12:40) Height Loss and Spine Fractures How shrinking height in older adults can signal vertebral fractures. (00:14:46) Cancer and Bone Health How cancers spread to bone and how therapies affect bone health. (00:17:09) Medications for Osteoporosis The complexities of using certain medications in cancer patients with bone loss. (00:20:10) Hormones and Bone Growth Using SERMs to protect bone while reducing breast cancer risk. (00:21:45) Stem Cells and Building Bone Research on reprogramming skin cells into bone-forming osteoblasts. (00:23:31) Why Treatments Plateau Why bone-building drugs stop working after two years. (00:24:49) Challenges in Bone Regeneration The potential of Wnt signalling and stem cells in lasting bone regeneration. (00:28:09) Validating Osteoblasts in the Lab Testing whether reprogrammed cells behave like natural osteoblasts. (00:29:11) Future Outlook for Bone Biology The limits of bone cell replication and what it means for future therapies. (00:30:10) Advice for Strong Bones Practical do’s and don’ts for optimizing bone health. (00:32:41) Conclusion Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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