New Atlas

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Cell reprogramming converts open wounds into healthy skin

Nick Lavars September 5, 2018

Tapping into the machinery of a cell and rewiring it to take on another identity is an exciting capability that scientists are just beginning to explore. Now researchers at the Salk Institute report another groundbreaking advance, converting open wounds into healthy skin.

Salk Institute scientists converted one type of cell (seen in red) into basal keratinocytes (green), a ...

Medical

Natural blue clay may kill germs in wounds

Ben Coxworth August 23, 2018

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.

The blue clay contains bacteria-killing iron and aluminum

Medical

Healing lamp lights the way for improved treatment of chronic ulcers

Ben Coxworth July 26, 2018

Chronic skin ulcers such as those associated with diabetes are notoriously difficult to treat. As a result, we've seen experimental approaches such as spray-on skin, ultrasound band-aids, and silver-laced dressings. Now, scientists are getting very good results using a high-tech lamp.

Plans call for the lamp to be tested on diabetic ulcers within 12 months

Medical

Smart bandage could monitor and medicate chronic wounds

Ben Coxworth July 6, 2018

Chronic skin wounds may be notoriously difficult to treat, but at the same time they shouldn't be OVER-treated, subjecting patients to more antibiotics than is necessary. That's why scientists have developed a "smart" bandage that only dispenses medication as needed.

The prototype smart bandage, with its microprocessor visible at left

Medical

Drug-free bandage heals diabetic wounds faster

Ben Coxworth June 11, 2018

Because diabetics often have both nerve damage and poor circulation, they will often not notice when they receive skin wounds, which proceed to heal very slowly. Those wounds can thus become chronic. A new regenerative bandage, however, could help keep this from happening.

Stained epidermis cells cultured on A5G81

Medical

Handheld skin printer may work where skin grafts don't

Ben Coxworth May 4, 2018

Four years ago, we heard how researchers had created a microwave-oven-sized 3D printer that could produce sheets of skin for treating burns. Now, some of the same scientists have developed a handheld device that prints skin directly onto deep wounds.

From left to right, associate professor Axel Guenther, Navid Hakimi and Richard Cheng with the skin ...

Medical

Plastic beads could help heal burn wounds

Ben Coxworth May 4, 2018

One of the problems with antibiotics is the fact that new ones have to constantly be produced, in order to kill resistant strains of bacteria. When it comes to treating infected wounds, however, antibiotics may be getting some help – in the form of microscopic polystyrene beads.

The microbeads are coated with a protein known as multivalent adhesion molecule 7, or MAV7

Medical

Injectable bandages promise to stop bleeding and speed wound healing

Rich Haridy April 2, 2018

A team from Texas A&M University has created a novel injectable bandage that blends a commonly used food thickening agent with nanoparticles. The result is an injectable hydrogel than can rapidly stop bleeding and potentially promote wound healing.

Researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel than can rapidly stop bleeding and potentially promote wound healing

Medical

Wound monitoring app may keep patients out of hospitals

Ben Coxworth January 22, 2018

According to recent studies, surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading cause of hospital readmission following an operation. In hopes of catching those SSIs before readmission is necessary, scientists have developed an experimental app known as WoundCare.

An experimental app called WoundCare aims to reduce hospital readmissions

Medical

Handheld device reveals bacteria in wounds

Ben Coxworth December 18, 2017

One of the problems with bacteria is the fact that they can't be seen with the naked eye – this can be particularly problematic for physicians who are checking wounds for infection. That's why the MolecuLight i:X was created. The device allows doctors to see where bacteria are present in real time.

The MolecuLight i:X is use – bacteria shows up red