Toothpaste made from hair could stop decay, KCL scientists say
She added: "This technology bridges the gap between biology and dentistry, providing an eco-friendly biomaterial that mirrors natural processes."Not only is it sustainably sourced from biological waste materials like hair and skin, it also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in restorative dentistry, which are toxic and less durable."In their study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, the scientists extracted keratin from wool.
They discovered that when keratin is applied to the tooth surface and comes into contact with the minerals naturally present in saliva, it forms a highly organised, crystal-like scaffold that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel.Over time, this scaffold continues to attract calcium and phosphate ions, leading to the growth of a protective enamel-like coating around the tooth, according to researchers.Acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene and ageing all contribute to enamel erosion and decay, leading to tooth sensitivity, pain and eventually tooth loss.
Dr Sherif Elsharkawy, senior author and consultant in prosthodontics at KCL, said: "Unlike bones and hair, enamel does not regenerate, once it is lost, it's gone forever."We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us to not just treat symptoms but restore biological function using the body's own materials. "With further development and the right industry partnerships, we may soon be growing stronger, healthier smiles from something as simple as a haircut."
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20 minutes ago
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How to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy WITHOUT risking weight gain, reveals top GP - as 'King Kong' jab is set to TRIPLE in price
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Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
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The presence of both pre- and post-mortem blood on the Shroud is unusual, suggesting processes inconsistent with natural decomposition, interpreted by some as aligning with resurrection accounts. The AB blood type was first documented in 1982 by Italian biographer Dr Pierluigi Baima Bollone and colleagues, who analyzed a sample from the Shroud's pierced side. Subsequent testing also detected M, N, and S antigens in blood from the foot area, confirming the blood was unquestionably human. The researchers tested the samples in two ways to figure out the blood type. First, they checked for antibodies by putting the fibers on slides, keeping them cold at about 39°F for a long time, adding A1 or B red blood cells and letting them sit for 30 minutes. They looked at the slides under a regular microscope and later used a powerful electron microscope after preserving the fibers in alcohol and coating them with gold. 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'If this were a hoax, painted or dyed, the material would have soaked through completely. 'Instead, the image is so thin we could shave it off with a razor. Even the world's best scientists are baffled.' He suggested the imprint could have formed through a sudden chemical reaction triggered by an immense burst of energy, possibly corresponding to the moment of the Resurrection. Paolo Di Lazzaro, a physicist and laser specialist at ENEA Laboratories near Rome, spent five years studying the Shroud. His team managed to recreate the chemical change in the linen fibers using a massive burst of 34 trillion watts of energy. This 'cold' energy, lasting just a quarter of a billionth of a second, altered the linen's structure to form the image on the Shroud, Dr Johnston explained. Measuring 14 feet long, the linen was first publicly displayed in the 1350s and presented as the actual burial cloth of Christ. 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Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
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Tucker Carlson's jaw drops at staggering 1-in-200-billion Shroud of Turin odds
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