Some of the crew survived the initial destruction of the shuttle, but only for about 40 seconds. They learned a number of problems: helmets were not designed to protect the head, causing lethal trauma; the inertial restraints didn't lock their torsos, only their lower extremities; none of them were properly sealed in their suites; etc. Probably nothing in the report will affect the few remaining launches of the shuttle, but I'm sure it will influence the design of future space craft.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/12/30/columbia.shuttle.disaster/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/12/30/columbia.shuttle.disaster/index.html