University of California - Irvine Jan 9 2025 An international research team led by the University of California, Irvine has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Most cartilage relies on an external extracellular matrix for strength, but "lipocartilage," which is found in the ears, nose and throat of mammals, is uniquely packed with fat-filled cells called "lipochondrocytes" that provide super-stable