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United News of India
04-06-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Aus researchers develop new antibacterial coating to prevent infections on medical implants
Melbourne, June 4 (UNI) Australian researchers have developed a new antibacterial coating inspired by insect resilin that shows promise, for preventing infections on medical implants. The study is the first to demonstrate that coatings made from resilin-mimetic proteins can fully block bacterial attachment to surfaces, potentially offering a powerful alternative to antibiotics, especially against drug-resistant strains like MRSA, according to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Despite sterilisation, bacteria often colonise implants post-surgery, leading to infections that increasingly resist antibiotics, which has driven interest in self-sterilising materials and antibacterial surfaces, said the study's lead author Namita Roy Choudhury from RMIT. Derived from resilin, the elastic protein that allows fleas to jump, the synthetic version is biocompatible, non-toxic, and highly flexible, according to the RMIT team which tested its variants against E. coli and human skin cells in the lab. The coatings, in nano droplet form known as coacervates, proved 100% effective at repelling bacteria while remaining compatible with healthy human cells, crucial for use in implants, said the study published in Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. These droplets interact with bacterial membranes via electrostatic forces, destabilising them and causing cell death, said co-lead author Nisal Wanasingha from the RMIT. "Unlike antibiotics, which can lead to resistance, the mechanical disruption caused by the resilin coatings may prevent bacteria from establishing resistance mechanisms," Wanasingha said. Potential applications include coatings for surgical tools, catheters, wound dressings, and medical implants as a protective spray, he said, adding unlike silver nanoparticles or chemical antimicrobials, resilin-based coatings are protein-derived and environmentally friendly. UNI/XINHUA ANV GNK
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astrophotographers help crack mystery of ‘sprite fireworks'
On May 19, 2022, two astrophotographers set up near the sacred lake of Pumoyongcuo on the southern Tibetan Plateau captured a vibrant display streaking across the Himalayan sky. Over a single night, Angel An and Shuchang Dong recorded over 100 red sprites, bursts of brilliantly colorful electrical discharges known for both their color and ethereal patterns. Rarely seen secondary jets also joined the atmospheric phenomena, as well as the first-known images in Asia of ghost sprites—greenish glowing that is sometimes seen near the base of an evening's ionosphere. One of the photos was so striking that it even went on to win the 'Skyscapes' category of the Royal Observatory Greenwich's 2023 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. While these dramatic 'sprite fireworks' displays are well-known, little is understood about how and why they form. However, researchers at China's University of Science and Technology are beginning to unravel red sprite behavior thanks in part to the astrophotographers' work. Their results, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, illustrate the complex celestial interactions that can occur far above us. Before they began to study the Himalayan red sprites, Gaopeng Lu and his colleagues encountered a problem: While visually arresting, An and Dong's recordings of the 2022 outbreak weren't timestamped. Without these reference points, Lu's team could not match the sprites to their parent lightning discharges. They came up with a creative workaround: While they didn't know exactly when the sprites occurred, they could figure out where they formed in the night sky. By matching the coordinates of 95 of the sprites with multiple orbital satellite trajectories and star chart positions, researchers managed to pinpoint each electrical event's time to within a one second margin of error. From there, they could link around 70 percent of the red sprites to their parent lightning events, then examine those discharges. 'This event was truly remarkable,' said Gaopeng Lu in an accompanying statement. 'By analyzing the parent lightning discharges, we discovered that the sprites were triggered by high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive mesoscale convective system.' A mesoscale event is a large complex of thunderstorms that include weather systems like lake-effect snow, squall lines, and tropical cyclones, depending on their location. In the case of the May 2022 event, the sprites formed inside an area stretching over 77,220 square miles from the Ganges Plain of northeast India to the Tibetan Plateau's southern foothills. It also featured the highest number of sprites ever recorded in South Asia, most of which featured a positive polarity with peak currents topping +50 kiloamperes (kA). Lu and his team now believe thunderstorms in the Himalayas may produce some of Earth's 'most complex and intense upper-atmospheric electrical discharges' that are likely on par to those documented in the US Great Plains and off European coasts. The team's findings also have important implications for how experts can better characterize regional thunderstorms in the future, including how their physical and chemical attributes affect adjacent areas. Their novel timestamping approach isn't limited to red sprite revelations, either. Any citizen scientist with the right know-how can now also use the study's methodology for their own meteorological work.
NBC News
06-03-2025
- Health
- NBC News
What is scar tape and does it work?
Scars, like diamonds, are forever. Right? That is not necessarily true. Made of silicone, scar tape touts that it can be placed over a wound to minimize scarring and accelerate the healing process. I'm very familiar with scar tape and have used it multiple times. My two kids were both delivered via c-section and I used scar tape after each one. Doctors have told me that while some tend to scar quite a bit, my skin recovers nicely. Even still, I found that scar tape worked nicely to diminish the appearance of my c-section scar even further. We consulted with two board-certified dermatologists to get the scoop on what scar tape is and if it really works for most people. Below, find out what they had to say — plus, get a few recommendations for highly rated scar tape. What is scar tape? 'Scar tape is a wound care product usually made from silicone that is used to help the healing of scars caused by surgery or injury,' explains Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida. In terms of what it does, scar tape provides a protective barrier that can improve the healing environment and help to make scar tissue more flat, softer and less discolored, says Dr. Gary Goldenberg, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City. Scar tape can be purchased over the counter and comes in various shapes and sizes to fit all types of scars. This tape can also be cut down to size to fit over scars of various shapes and sizes perfectly. It has medical adhesive on one side, so it will gently stick to the skin without irritating it. Does scar tape really work? 'Several [research] publications have shown that silicone scar tape is effective — this is especially true of post-surgical scars,' says Goldenberg. But you should also manage your expectations. Chances are, scar tape will not make it look like you were never injured at all — but it can diminish the appearance of a scar. It's also important to note that how well it works depends on various factors — including the severity of the wound and how your skin tends to heal. For example, some people tend to heal well, while others may keloid — their skin raises and gets firm as it heals. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, those with more melanin in their skin may be more prone to keloid. They also note that being on certain medications or having certain medical conditions may also make someone more prone to developing scars that keloid. 'It works similarly to a bandage, protecting your scar from bacteria and painful friction which can inhibit total healing,' says Chacon. 'The added benefits of the silicone is better flexibility and added hydration that helps to nourish the skin and promote even, flat healing.' Research also backs this up. One study published in Advances in Wound Care found that silicone scar tape can limit collagen production around a wound, which can help prevent raised or puckered skin. How to use scar tape Want to give scar tape a try? It's most effective to use it as soon as a wound has closed and healed. You should never use scar tape on an open wound. In terms of what to look for when buying scar tape, Goldenberg suggests looking for options made from medical grade silicone and says that they can adhere to the scar for at least 12 hours. Some products may also be reusable, which can be helpful, he notes. When you're ready to apply the tape, make sure the wound area has been properly cleaned and is dry, says Chacon. 'You should also cut the tape down to size so it fits your scar comfortably.' Then, when applying it, she says you should make sure you don't stretch or spread the skin — doing so can put pressure on your scar and slow down or halt healing. ' Press the tape down onto the scar gently to ensure it adheres to your skin. At the end of each day, remove your scar tape gently so you can clean the wound and reapply your tape. Our experts stressed that one of the secrets to making sure scar tape works for you is committing to it. 'To make it most effective, one has to use it consistently,' says Goldenberg. 'It's recommended to use it for 8 to 12 weeks — going past that may produce diminishing returns.' Highly rated scar tape What are other ways to heal scars? Scar tape isn't your only option for trying to minimize scarring. 'There are many alternative options — including silicone gel,' says Goldenberg, who says the topical gel is good for those with an adhesive allergy. Beyond silicone, there are several other treatments that dermatologists recommend. 'I often suggest organic vitamin E oil or petrolatum, which you can apply directly to a healed wound,' says Goldenberg. 'There are also a number of in-office procedures that can flatten and improve scar appearance.' Goldenberg says he often recommends various laser treatments or microneedling to patients. If you're interested in these, know they come at a much larger cost (sometimes in the thousands of dollars range). If you're interested, it's best to consult a dermatologist about your specific scar to see the most effective. Finally, both of our experts stressed the importance of using sunscreen on your scars (after the wound has fully healed). UV rays can darken scar tissue and make the appearance of scars more pronounced, so protecting that skin is important. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Why trust NBC Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists on scar tape.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Cheddar, stilton or brie: The best types of cheese for your body
Most cheeses are fermented to some degree, but some more intensely than others, so more microbes are present. Swiss cheese, for example, has distinctive holes that are the handiwork of Propionibacterium freudenreichii, a bacterium that releases carbon dioxide as it ferments. Certain strains are known to survive digestion, and research suggests they may help reduce gut inflammation and support vitamin B12 production. Surprisingly, not all blue cheese makes the gut-friendly list. Those distinctive blue veins come from mould (Penicillium roqueforti), but some varieties like Stilton are known to contain gut-friendly bacteria, too. 'It's the cheeses that contain Lactobacillus bacteria that are more likely to have beneficial effects,' says Dr Leeming. 'But we don't know much about the fungal species on blue cheese yet.' Ageing doesn't necessarily make a cheese more gut friendly. 'Aged cheeses like Parmesan and Gruyère lose most of their live bacteria over time,' she says. The best cheese for gut health is aged long enough for healthy bacteria to thrive but not so long that they decline. What about unpasteurised cheese? 'In theory, unpasteurised cheese is better for your gut health than pasteurised because of the extra potential for live microbes,' says Dr Leeming. But there are safety considerations. A 2022 UK study found that while 82 per cent of unpasteurised cheeses were safe to eat, they aren't completely risk-free. Pregnant people, young children, frail older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, should avoid unpasteurised cheese, Dr Leeming says. Is cheese good for bone health? Cheese can help maintain strong healthy bones because it contains calcium, phosphorus, protein, and vitamin K2, says Alex Ruani, a doctoral researcher in nutrition science education at University College London and the chief science educator at The Health Sciences Academy. 'Some research indicates that regular, moderate cheese consumption could support bone strength in post-menopausal women and elderly individuals,' she says. This could be because nutrients in cheese can help reduce excessive bone loss. 'This happens when natural bone breakdown outpaces bone formation, leading to brittle bones, height loss and a higher risk of fractures,' Ruani says. There's evidence that vegans generally have lower bone density than non-vegans, and a higher risk of fractures and osteoporosis. 'Vegans are advised to consume fortified plant-based alternatives or top up with supplements to maintain healthy bone density,' Ruani says. Will cheese make you gain weight? Full-fat cheese is generally high in calories. For example, a 30g serving of cheddar, one of most energy-dense cheeses, contains around 120 calories. Parmesan and Gruyère contain similar amounts. 'But although cheese is calorie-dense, in moderation it doesn't inherently cause fat gain and can be part of a healthy, nutrient-rich diet,' Ruani says. A study of the latest evidence, published in Advances of Nutrition in 2023, found that moderate cheese intake doesn't necessarily lead to obesity and may even support weight management. This could be because cheese is high in protein and fat, which helps us keep full for longer. The same study found that eating cheese neither increased nor decreased the overall risk of death from any cause. Some animal studies have suggested that butyric acid, a type of fat, may play a useful role in weight management, but there's limited good evidence for this. How much cheese is healthy? Although scientific opinion has changed about saturated fats in cheese, this isn't a green light to consume excessive amounts. 'Cheese can be part of a healthy diet, but you should look at your overall saturated fat intake and your own health needs when deciding how much to eat,' says Dell Stanford, a senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation. 'Cheese is also high in salt, which can raise your blood pressure. Having high cholesterol and high blood pressure put you at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke.' Official guidelines recommend no more than 30g of cheese per day, a piece roughly the size of a matchbox. This aligns with recommendations for healthy people to limit their saturated fat intake to 11 per cent of total calories, or 220 calories per day as part of a 2,000-calories-a-day diet. For those with, or at high risk of cardiovascular disease, the recommended daily limit of saturated fat intake is 7 per cent of calories. For some people, eating slightly more cheese than recommended is unlikely to do any harm. 'In healthy individuals, up to 40-60g of cheese per day is generally considered safe and likely beneficial for bone health without excess saturated fat or caloric intake,' Ruani says. 'But it's important to ensure we stay within the limit of saturated fat from all sources combined.' Dr Feeney agrees that eating slightly more than the recommended amount is unlikely to be harmful. 'The saturated fat in cheese doesn't seem to have the detrimental effects of saturated fats from other sources,' she says. 'Bearing in mind that cheese is energy dense, someone who is concerned about their weight might like to eat less but from a heart health perspective, more than 30g is not a problem.' Here we look at the different types of cheeses and their average nutritional profile (nutritional values are based on a 30g serving unless otherwise indicated):
