Medical devices such as catheters extend from within a patient's body out through an opening in their skin, and unfortunately those openings often become infected. Thanks to new research, however, ultraviolet optical fibers may eventually keep such infections from occurring.
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For centuries, various cultures have used clay as a remedy for infections. Now, scientists from Arizona State University (ASU) and the Mayo Clinic have determined that blue clay in particular may indeed be effective at treating infected wounds.
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The scratches that form on stainless steel may seem minuscule to us, but they provide a haven for microscopic bacteria. Scientists at the University of Toronto have developed a method of making those scratches less hospitable to the microbes, using a surprisingly simple substance – cooking oil.
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It's never a good thing when donated human blood – or even the blood in our bodies – is infected with bacteria. Scientists at the University of California San Diego, however, are developing a means of removing such blood-borne microbes using tiny ultrasound-powered robots.
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Healthcare-associated infections are definitely no good, but neither is the overuse of antibiotics, as it creates resistant strains of bacteria. With that in mind, a new type of medical glove has been developed, that kills microbes without the use of added chemicals.
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When an implant is introduced to the body, there's a chance that its surface will be colonized by bacteria. In some cases, such infections require the implant to be removed. It's recently been discovered, however, that coating implants with graphene flakes could help keep that from happening.
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Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have used a new technique to produce detailed images of dragonfly wings, showing more than 10 billion tiny 'fingers' (nanostructures) lining the wing surface that make bacteria tear themselves apart.
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For decades, it's been known that broad-spectrum UVC light kills viruses and bacteria. Unfortunately, it also causes skin cancer and cataracts in people. Now, however, scientists have discovered that a narrow spectrum of UVC can eradicate airborne viruses without harming humans.
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When you get a cavity filled, you certainly don't want plaque growing on the filing – it could cause the tooth to decay all over again. That's why scientists have evaluated a new dental composite material that not only kills bacteria on contact, but that also stands up to everyday wear and tear.
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For some time now, scientists have been looking for a way of incorporating bacteriophages (bacteria-killing viruses) into antibacterial food wrap, but it's proven difficult to keep them alive. Now, however, researchers may have found a way.
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