Inexpensive collagen-based dressing could help heal chronic wounds

Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers can be very difficult to treat, potentially leading to amputations or even death due to associated infections. A new dressing, however, may be able to heal such wounds while remaining much less expensive than… Continue reading Inexpensive collagen-based dressing could help heal chronic wounds

Self-powered biodegradable patch zaps broken bones to heal them

Studies have already shown that electrical stimulation helps heal wounds, including broken bones. Scientists have now developed what could be a better way of delivering electricity to such bones, in the form of a biodegradable implant.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Self-powered biodegradable patch zaps broken bones to heal them

Next-gen sutures inspired by tendons boost healing and deliver drugs

While they’ve been around for centuries in various forms and helped heal many a wound in the process, some scientists see a world of possibility when it comes to how sutures might help the human body. A team at McGill University has come up with novel … Continue reading Next-gen sutures inspired by tendons boost healing and deliver drugs

“Brain glue” aids regeneration of neurons after traumatic injury

Traumatic brain injuries can have severe and long-lasting repercussions that involve damage to the organ’s tissue, cognitive impairments and disability. An implantable “brain glue” material developed at the University of Georgia could offer a way to in… Continue reading “Brain glue” aids regeneration of neurons after traumatic injury

Germ-killing, wound-healing, low-cost bandage made from durian husks

Although not a huge seller everywhere, durian fruit is consumed in great quantities in countries like Singapore. Scientists there have now developed a method of using its otherwise-discarded husks to create cheap, eco-friendly, antibacterial hydrogel b… Continue reading Germ-killing, wound-healing, low-cost bandage made from durian husks

Protein discovery promises powerful new muscle regrowth treatments

Although muscle stem cells are able to grow and repair torn muscle tissue after we sustain an injury, they become less effective as we age. Now researchers at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University have discovered a novel p… Continue reading Protein discovery promises powerful new muscle regrowth treatments

Origami-inspired surgical patches could be applied laparoscopically

Although many surgical procedures can now be performed laparoscopically (through a small incision in the skin), it’s still difficult to seal up internal injuries in this manner. MIT is developing a way of doing so, though, that’s inspired by origami.Co… Continue reading Origami-inspired surgical patches could be applied laparoscopically

Glowing bandage monitors oxygen uptake in transplanted tissue

Getting transplanted tissue to behave like the original tissue isn’t always a smooth process, and one of the things physicians look out for following a procedure is how well it takes in oxygen. Wired devices called oximeters are the gold standard when … Continue reading Glowing bandage monitors oxygen uptake in transplanted tissue

Wound-healing hydrogel reduces scars by triggering immune response

Scar tissue is an effective short-term solution to quickly patch up wounded skin, but it’s not so great long-term. Now, researchers at Duke University and UCLA have created a new hydrogel that can trigger a regenerative immune response, helping skin he… Continue reading Wound-healing hydrogel reduces scars by triggering immune response

Scientists reactivate scar-free wound healing in adult skin

When surgery is performed on infants in utero, it’s not uncommon for them to be born without any scars. This comes thanks to a special quality of their skin which scientists now believe could be replicated in adults, potentially leading to scar-free wo… Continue reading Scientists reactivate scar-free wound healing in adult skin