Researchers at Duke University have created a new gel-based material that can replace cartilage in the knee. This new substitute is stronger and lasts longer than natural cartilage. Knee pain from worn-out cartilage, known as osteoarthritis, affects nearly one in six adults worldwide. This gel-based substitute could help patients avoid knee replacement surgery and might offer a better treatment option for those with knee pain. Sparta Biomedical is developing and testing the implant in sheep, and human clinical trials started in 2023. In testing, the hydrogel was found to be 26% stronger than n…