Tiny particles could solve billion-dollar problem
New research from Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology finds that nanoparticles of gold and palladium are the most effective catalysts yet identified for remediation of one of the nation's most pervasive and troublesome groundwater pollutants, trichloroethene or TCE. The research, conducted by engineers at Rice and the Georgia Institute of Technology, w...Tiny scaffolding allows stem cells to become working fat cells
Researchers here have used a new microscopic, three-dimensional scaffolding to coax mouse stem cells to transform themselves into fat cells, and then to function identical to how fat cells naturally do in the body. While other studies have previously grown fat cells, or adipocytes, in the laboratory, those cells never completely functioned in the same way they do in normal tissue. They fai...Chemicals in tattoo inks need closer scrutiny
As tattoos have grown in popularity, so have complaints of adverse side effects associated with both their application and removal. A new study, done by chemistry students at Northern Arizona University, looked at the chemical composition of a variety of tattoo inks to better understand their potential health risks. The findings, presented today at the 229th national meeting of the Americ...To control germs, scientists deploy tiny agents provocateurs
Aiming to thwart persistent bacterial infections and better control group behaviors of certain microorganisms, scientists are creating artificial chemicals that infiltrate and sabotage bacterial "mobs." Reporting the work here today (March 13) at the 229th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, University of Wisconsin-Madison chemistry professor Helen Blackwell described the o...Researchers feed tiny pills of RNA to planarians to identify genes essential for regeneration
University of Utah researchers-feeding microscopic pills of RNA to quarter-inch long worms called planarians-have identified many genes essential to understanding a biological mystery that has captivated scientists for hundreds of years: regeneration. In pinpointing the genes, the U School of Medicine researchers have established the planarian as a genetically sound model for human biolog...Big collaboration links learners to science on a tiny scale
In the classroom, st...Synthesize High Yields of Biotinylated aRNA
Ambion now offers an improved MessageAmp II Kit with biotin-11-UTP. MessageAmp II-Biotin Enhanced provides a complete single round amplification kit for biotin array analysis. The biotin modified UTP and ratio of labeled...Fentanyl Narcotic Pain Patch under Scrutiny
Fentanyl skin patches (brand name Duragesic) a potent narcotic medication for pain management// is under FDA scrutiny after reports of deaths in patients using the patch were reported. The FDA says it is conducting an investigation into the deaths associated with these patches as it is unclear if the deaths are due to inappropriate use of the patch or factors related to the quality of the...Scrutiny Sought For Reused Devices in U.S.
A key member of the U.S. Congress called on Monday for more rigorous federal monitoring of reuse of single-use instruments.// The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been monitoring the industry -- called reprocessing -- but significant gaps remain, according to Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.), the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the FDA. <br...Bausch & Lomb Facility under Scrutiny
Bausch & Lomb is one of the leading company which manufactures contact lens solution. But recently it was found that it caused serious eye infections in some users. // After this report the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) started to inspect Bausch & Lomb facilities. There was extensive microbiological testing conducted which would take up to one month to fully analyze the culprit beh...Use of Nanoparticles in Sunscreen under Scrutiny
Nanotechnology is the use of particles which are very small. They are submicroscopic particles which are thought to pose a health hazard. // The petition was raised by environmental groups which asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen its regulation of sunscreens that contain nano-sized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These particles are thought to cause inflammatory a...Tiny Easy Fitting Pump May Be The Answer For Major Open Heart Surgery
Experts say that they have developed a tiny device that could relieve the need for open-heart surgery for thousands of patients//. Scientists at Brunel University’s Institute have developed the new pump, measuring 4mm wide and 10cm long, for Bioengineering and doctors at London's. They claim that the dual-purpose pump would be fed into an artery in the groin area and pushed up inside...