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High-status Danish Vikings wore exotic beaver furs

Researchers analyzed ancient proteins in high-status Viking graves to identify beaver fur, supporting the idea that it was a luxury item. The discovery suggests that wearing exotic fur was an obvious visual statement of affluence and social status during the Viking Age.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

Skin: An additional tool for the versatile elephant trunk

Researchers found that an elephant's folded skin plays a crucial role in its flexible and strong trunk, enabling it to grasp fragile vegetation and rip apart tree trunks. The study suggests that wrapping soft robotics with a skin-like structure could give machines protection and strength while maintaining flexibility.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2022

Taking Vitamin D during pregnancy could lower the risk of eczema in babies

A new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that taking Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy can substantially reduce the chances of babies developing atopic eczema. Babies who were breastfed for more than a month showed a lower risk of eczema, suggesting that supplementation may have long-lasting benefits.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 5, 2022

Skin’s protective chains uncovered

Researchers at Hokkaido University identified over 1,300 types of ceramides in the top layer of human skin, including their chain lengths and fatty acid compositions. The discovery could improve understanding of skin barrier function and disease pathology.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022

Scientists craft living human skin for robots

Researchers have developed a method to create living human skin on robots, providing a realistic texture and self-healing properties. The skin is made up of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts, which conform to the robot's surface and can even repair wounds with the help of a collagen bandage.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Human skin can be damaged by exposure to thirdhand smoke and electronic cigarette spills

Researchers discovered that dermal contact with nicotine concentrations found in thirdhand smoke and electronic cigarette spills can impair wound healing, increase susceptibility to skin infections, and cause oxidative stress in skin cells. The study suggests that even a short exposure of 24 hours is sufficient to cause skin damage.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAtmosphere·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

The right moisturiser for children with eczema is the one that they like to use, study finds

A study has found that there is no single best moisturiser for children with eczema, highlighting the importance of patient education and choice. The trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, compared four types of moisturisers and found that reactions were common regardless of type.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 23, 2022

New imaging technology developed by UCLA research team may reduce need for skin biopsies

A new virtual histology technology may reduce the need for invasive skin biopsies, providing a biopsy-free solution for rapid diagnosis of malignant skin tumors. The technology uses deep-learning frameworks to transform images of intact skin into detailed, virtually stained images.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2021

Pregnancy stretch marks cause stress and emotional burden, study finds

Researchers found that nearly 75% of pregnant women with stretch marks reported moderate to prominent embarrassment, which impacted their social activities, self-esteem, and clothing choices. The study highlights the need for open discussions about stretch marks to normalize them and identify potential mental health issues.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalInternational Journal of Women’s Dermatology·TypeSurvey·DateNov 9, 2021

New, promising opportunities for treating skin fibrosis

Scientists have shown that applying an electric field to the skin affects collagen pathways, temporarily reducing production and increasing degradation. This opens new therapeutic perspectives for the topical treatment of skin fibrosis characterized by excessive collagen deposition.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateOct 21, 2021

This laser is supposed to rejuvenate vaginal tissue. But scientists say it’s no better than a placebo

A new trial has found that vaginal laser therapy treatments claim to reduce negative vaginal symptoms of menopause – experienced by about half of all women – by up to 100 per cent. However, the study shows they might not work at all, with no difference found between the laser treatment and a placebo.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 12, 2021

Glycerin is safe, effective in psoriasis model

Researchers found glycerin, a natural ingredient in many skin lotions, reduces psoriasis symptoms by calming scaly patches and promoting healthy skin cell maturation. The study's results support anecdotal reports from patients with psoriasis, providing objective evidence of glycerin's effectiveness in combatting the condition.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateOct 4, 2021

A skin crawling treatment for acne?

A team of scientists at McGill University has invented a smart device for personalized skin care inspired by the male diving beetle. The device collects and monitors body fluids while sticking to the skin's surface, paving the way for more accurate diagnostics and treatment for skin diseases like acne.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2021

Switching from Western diet to a balanced diet may reduce skin, joint inflammation

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that a Western diet rich in sugar and fat disrupts gut microorganisms, leading to psoriasis flares. Switching to a balanced diet restores gut health and suppresses skin inflammation, offering a potential solution for managing the condition.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateJun 22, 2021

NTU Singapore scientists turn aquaculture waste into new biomaterial for tissue repair

The researchers developed a biomaterial made from discarded bullfrog skin and fish scales that acts as a scaffold for bone-forming cells to multiply, leading to the formation of new bone. The biomaterial has shown low risk of triggering an inflammatory response and could be used to assist with bone growth around surgical implants.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering C·DateMay 27, 2021

Neural network could help clinicians look for 'ugly duckling' pre-cancerous skin lesions

A neural network system analyzes photographs to rank and distinguish suspicious skin lesions, suggesting it can aid clinicians in spotting precancerous marks during clinical visits. The platform's performance was demonstrated with a sensitivity and specificity of 90.3% and 89.9%, respectively, in identifying 'ugly duckling' lesions.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2021