Category: Science

Strongself > Blog > Science

Print a New Body Part

Posted on by Lenny Variano
Researchers at the American Chemical Society
have experimented with using ink containing
human cells. The hope is that in the future they
may be able, through the use of a 3-D printer,
create a new nose, ear or even a knee.
This can make it possible to print cartilage
in different shapes. So far tissue has been
successfully implanted in mice.
The possibility of repairing damage from
accidents and cancer would be amazing.
 

Letting Go

Posted on by Lenny Variano
A study was done in Erasmus University
in the Netherlands, where researchers
asked participants when was the last time
they either gave or withheld forgiveness.
They were all asked to jump 5 times without
bending their knees. The forgivers jumped
11.8 inches on average while those that held
a grudge jumped 8.5 inches. Proving that
forgiving someone can actually unburden
you both mentally and physically.

Taking a Shot in the Stomach…

Posted on by Lenny Variano

 

   Insulin is a lifeline for a person with diabetes. However, it is a protein based drug that is much more beneficial if is administered directly into the bloodstream. Researchers have come up with a pill that will enable you to swallow a needle. A pill, the size of a multi-vitamin, is swallowed containing the needles. The coating of the capsule is dissolved and the drug is administered by a series of needles directly into the gastrointestinal tract. The solid needles are made from sugars or polymers. There is a small reservoir in the capsule containing the insulin and through the action of peristalsis (squeezing of the intestinal tract) the drug is pushed through the needles and administered directly into the bloodstream. So far testing has only been done on animals and has been very promising. If successful it will be useful also in treating many autoimmune diseases as well as cancer.
–Source National Geographic–

 

Hairy (Wolverine) Frog

Posted on by Lenny Variano

This small four-inch amphibian is a resident of Western Africa. What is so strange about this frog, is the manner in which it will defend itself when it encounters a predator. When threatened, it will contract the muscles in its hind legs so forcefully that it causes the bones to break and protrude through its skin. The result is a cat-like appearance of their toe pads with extendable claws. After having defended itself successfully the bones once again retreat back into the frog and it is believed the connective tissue helps the bone to regenerate until the next attack. This regenerative process is common in amphibians.

 

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13991-horror-frog-breaks-own-bones-to-produce-claws/