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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 TheFool on Tuesday November 06 2018, @03:22PM (2 children)
When I was very young, my sister and I were fighting in the car about something. I don't really remember much about it, but she took a swipe at my face and left a 2" scar beneath one of my eyes. Somehow it never went away as my face grew, just got a bit distorted.
It would be a shame if they just erased it. I can tease my sister about how she horribly disfigured me for life when we see each other now.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Tuesday November 06 2018, @07:19PM (1 child)
I wonder how your sister feels about your "teasing".
Every time she sees you or looks at a picture with you in it she would be reminded that you still haven't forgiven her for that event.
If you really have forgiven her then stop bringing it up. If you haven't maybe it is time you did.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 2) by TheFool on Tuesday November 06 2018, @09:01PM
Thank you for your concern about my sister.
If you're actually wondering how she feels about it, she thinks the whole incident was amusing. So do I. It really only comes up when we're reminiscing about when we were kids.
She'll usually laugh (because I'm not "horribly disfigured", the scar is pretty thin even if it does span a good portion of my face), comment on me being a wuss and/or how I probably deserved it, then tease me about how I really ruined her life in some other (non-ruinous) way. We did a lot of silly stuff growing up, so neither of us has a shortage of these kinds of incidents. Now that we're older we can have fun remembering them.