Arthritis plagued, achy joints may soon be a thing of the past thanks to ongoing research on cartilage replacement. Articular cartilage that coats the ends of bones in large joints like hips or knees absorbs impact and reduces friction, but it can wear out over time. Researchers are developing a technique to harvest stem cells from the bone marrow or liposuction waste of a patient, and convert them into cartilage cells that are then implanted back into that same patient. The goal is to resurface entire joints where deteriorated cartilage is causing pain. Large animal testing is currently occurring, and if all goes well, human trials could begin in four to five years. Read more at NOVA Next.