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from the SCARab's-diSCARded-skin-skein-SCARcely-SCARs dept.
A team of researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology has developed a silk protein-based gel that they claim allows for skin healing without scarring. In their paper published in the journal Biomaterials Science, the group describes their gel and how well it works.
Scarring due to a skin injury is not just unsightly—for many, it can also be a painful reminder of a wound. For these reasons, scientists have sought a way to heal wounds without scarring. In this new effort, the team in China claims to have found such a solution—a sericin hydrogel.
The gel used by the researchers was based on a silk protein—the researchers extracted sericin from silk fibers and then used a UV light and a photoinitiator to cross-link the protein chains. The result was a gel that adhered well to cells and did not trigger much of an immune response. The researchers note that it also has adjustable mechanical properties. They explain that the gel allows for scar-free healing by inhibiting inflammation and by promoting the development of new blood vessels. It was also found to regulate TGF-β growth factors, which resulted in stem cells being routed to the injury site allowing new skin to develop, rather than scar tissue.
Now you can better hide your alien subdermal implants.
(Score: 2) by Unixnut on Tuesday November 06 2018, @03:10PM
Not sure. There seems to be an issue of balance with regards to the state vs parents.
I.e. how much right does a parent have over their kids before they are of the age of consent. The mutilation of genitals is one such example. Should parents be allowed to make permanent body alterations to their kids before the kids have a say?
Personally I don't think they should, but a lot of people fall under the "they are my kids" rule. The thing about genital mutilation is that the arguments for doing it are cultural or religious, and interfering with culture or religion in this modern politically correct society is a headache at best.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) seems to have a lot more exposure and attempts to stop it vs male genital mutilation (MGM). I suspect part of the reason of that is the strong feminist lobby is lobbying for FGM being banned, as it has been tied to male oppression of women from birth. Whereas there is no real male equivalent (homonist?) lobbying for MGM being banned.
Also, if you try to ban MGM, you get called out as being anti-semitic (FGM is no longer practiced by Jews, but MGM still is). This makes it a lot harder to ban F/MGM outright, so people concentrate on saving those they can.