Medical

A nontri‘vial’ matter—researchers find glass containers may degrade certain biomolecules

By Lisa McDonald / July 13, 2021

Many chemicals are stored in glass containers due to the assumed chemical durability of glass. Purdue University researchers found that glass surfaces can cause some biomolecules to degrade, however—leading them to recommend that these chemicals not be stored in glass containers.

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Improving safety of implants: A review on nanotechnology as an anti-infection strategy in periprosthetic joint infections

By Lisa McDonald / June 22, 2021

Periprosthetic joint infection is a serious complication that can occur in joint replacement surgery. Researchers in Italy and the United States review the research on using nanotechnology to prevent and treat PJI.

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New bifunctional composite bioceramic hydrogel shows promise for treating skin cancer

By Lisa McDonald / June 1, 2021

Treatment of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, often involves removing the affected tissue or organ, which leaves wounds that are difficult to heal. Researchers in China, Turkey, and Australia developed a new bifunctional composite bioceramic hydrogel for treating melanoma via a minimally invasive technique called photothermal treatment.

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Can you build a better mask? US agencies open $500,000 challenge to improve face masks

By April Gocha / April 13, 2021

Despite being well over a year-deep into the COVID-19 pandemic, there still is plenty of room for improvement in terms of everyday consumer face masks. With that in mind, U.S. government agencies have partnered to host an open innovation challenge to build a better face mask—and they are backing winning ideas with $500,000 in prize money.

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New ASTM standards provide measure to gauge effectiveness of face masks

By April Gocha / March 16, 2021

Face masks are everywhere today—yet despite the vast array of choices, there is a disappointing lack of information about how effective each of those choices are. A newly released ASTM International standard finally provides a validated set of consensus metrics to evaluate the efficiency of consumer face masks.

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If you live in America and brush your teeth, get excited—bioactive glass toothpaste is on the way

By April Gocha / March 2, 2021

After a long and interesting journey, bioactive glass toothpaste is set to soon be available in the United States. U.K.-based company BioMin received FDA premarket clearance for its Restore Plus toothpaste under the Dr.Collins brand.

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Dynamic geometric modeling allows fabrication of complex-shaped ceramic bone implants

By Lisa McDonald / December 8, 2020

Conventional CAD modeling of ceramic bone implants is limited in the structures that it can design. Researchers at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Russia explored using function representation modeling instead to expand the design possibilities.

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Ceramic resonators allow for targeted clinical magnetic resonance imaging

By Lisa McDonald / December 4, 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive medical imaging technique used to diagnose a variety of conditions. Conventional MRI scanners face limitations when used to examine small areas, but a modified scanner proposed by Russian researchers may overcome this limitation.

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Better bodies with biomaterials, plus more inside December 2020 ACerS Bulletin

By Lisa McDonald / November 19, 2020

The December 2020 issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring applications of ceramics and glass in the human body—is now available online. Plus—C&GM and ceramicSOURCE

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An en‘light’ening approach to cancer treatment: New GO-templated gold nanosheet shows promise for photothermal therapy

By Lisa McDonald / November 13, 2020

Traditional methods of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for treating cancer can be extremely taxing on the body. Photothermal therapy is a minimally invasive and locally focused alternative, and a recent paper by researchers in China looks at the potential of a new graphene oxide-templated gold nanosheet for use in this treatment.

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