Articles tagged with Gels
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Researchers at Tel Aviv University have invented an innovative method to repair damaged peripheral nerves, with the help of a biodegradable implant and a Guiding Regeneration Gel (GRG) that increases nerve growth. The therapy has already shown promising results in animal models and is expected to be tested clinically soon.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a new material called MeTro gel that mimics the elasticity of human tissues. The material was used to create artificial heart tissue with beating muscle cells, which could potentially advance treatments for heart disease.
A novel thermo-sensitive injectable hydrogel engineered with gene modified bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) successfully repairs articular cartilage defects in rabbits. The study demonstrates the potential of tissue engineering combined with gene therapy for managing defective articular cartilage.
A reformulated version of an anti-HIV gel developed for vaginal use was found safe and acceptable by HIV-negative men and women who used it rectally. The study tested a reduced glycerin formulation of tenofovir gel, which showed promise as a microbicide for preventing or reducing the sexual transmission of HIV from unprotected anal sex.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that a stem cell's environment influences its differentiation into various cell types, with 'grip' playing a crucial role. The study suggests that three-dimensional matrices impact mechanotransduction, guiding stem cell fate and differentiation.
A large-scale study found that oral estrogen therapy increases the risk of gallbladder surgery in postmenopausal women. Women using transdermal therapies like patches or gels were not at increased risk.
The VOICE study found that daily dosing of tenofovir gel was not effective in reducing HIV acquisition due to low adherence rates. In contrast, coital dosing, where women use the product around the time of sex, showed a significant reduction in HIV infections and herpes genital infections.
A NIH/NIAID study found that antiretroviral-based strategies to prevent HIV infection among women were not effective due to low adherence rates. The VOICE trial showed that nearly half of participants, particularly young and unmarried women, failed to use their assigned products daily.
The VOICE study found that daily use of vaginal gel or oral tablets did not prevent HIV in young, unmarried African women. Most participants did not use their assigned products as recommended, resulting in high rates of HIV acquisition among this population.
Bioengineered ears created by Cornell researchers use 3D printing and injectable gels made of living cells to resemble natural ears. The flexible ears can grow cartilage over a three-month period, providing a potential solution for reconstructive surgeons.
A recent study found that tenofovir gel achieves substantially higher concentrations of active drug in vaginal tissue than the oral tablet, suggesting it should be highly effective in protecting women against HIV transmitted through vaginal sex. However, this has not been borne out in HIV prevention trials to date.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a synthetic material that can rebuild itself through chemical communication and interaction with light. The material, known as Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) gel, exhibits autochemotaxis, allowing it to move in response to chemical signals and follow given actions or commands.
Researchers have created a gel that can be painted onto blood vessel walls to form a protective barrier, potentially preventing rupture and inflammation. The gel's 'sheer strength' could shore up weakened vessel walls and prevent the formation of blood clots.
A new study demonstrates that a vaginal microbicide gel is highly effective in blocking HIV infection in non-human primate models. The gel, containing engineered peptides, prevents the virus from entering and infecting cells, offering a promising strategy for prevention and protection against HIV transmission.
A new DNA hydrogel created by Cornell researchers exhibits unique properties, flowing like a liquid but returning to its original shape when placed in water. The material has potential applications in drug delivery and tissue rebuilding, with the ability to be formed into desired shapes.
Researchers use microfabrication techniques to create 3D brain tissues with precise control and manipulation, enabling the study of neuron connections and predicting cell responses to drugs. The new technique paves the way for developing bioengineered implants for organ systems and personalized medicine.
MIT researchers have created a new type of injectable gel that can withstand mechanical stress and remain durable over time. The gel, made with protein hydrogels, forms a reinforcing network when heated to body temperature, making it more suitable for long-term drug release and tissue engineering applications.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a biocompatible gel-based sponge that can be molded to any shape, loaded with drugs or stem cells, and delivered via injection. The sponge pops back to its original shape once inside the body, gradually releasing its cargo before safely degrading.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America proposes guidelines to minimize the risk of infection from contaminated ultrasound gel. The guidelines suggest using sterile, single-dose ultrasound gel in invasive procedures involving non-intact skin or fresh surgical wounds.
Researchers have discovered that lung mucus acts as a physical barrier to nanoparticles, preventing them from reaching target locations in the lungs. The study's findings offer new insights into how drugs can be delivered effectively to treat respiratory diseases.
Researchers create a dynamic gel made of DNA that mechanically responds to stimuli in the same way cells do. The DNA gel's movement runs on ATP, allowing for faster and stronger mechanics than other smart gels based on synthetic polymers.
Researchers at Rice University and MIT developed a thin-film polymer metamaterial that changes color in response to ions, enabling the creation of inexpensive sensors for food spoilage detection, security, and high-contrast displays. The sensors can be tuned to react in specific ways by adjusting the solvent used.
A team of experts at Harvard created a hydrogel that can stretch to 21 times its original length, is self-healing, and exceptionally tough. The gel combines two weak polymers in an 8:1 ratio, forming a complex network that reinforces each other.
SRI International researchers are developing a topical microbicide gel to prevent HIV and HSV-2 infections in women. The novel product will utilize a patented bioadhesive polymeric platform for sustained drug delivery, aiming to limit the risk of drug resistance.
Researchers at Penn University have developed a method to rapidly create vasculature using 3D printed templates of filament networks, improving the function of engineered living tissues. They used a material composed of sugar and other compounds to create stable vascular systems that can be easily dissolved and replaced with cells.
A study led by Dr. Christina Wang at LA BioMed has shown a new male contraceptive gel containing testosterone and Nestorone to sharply lower sperm counts in men, achieving low sperm concentrations in 88-89% of participants. The results warrant further study as a safe and effective hormonal male contraceptive.
A new study presents a promising reversible male contraceptive method using a combination of testosterone and Nestorone gels. The study found that 88-89% of men using the gel experienced very low sperm counts, and complete absence of sperm occurred in significantly more men compared to those using testosterone alone.
A new intestinal gel formulation of levodopa/carbidopa has improved the duration of treatment benefits in people with advanced Parkinson's disease, reducing 'off' time and dyskinesia. The study found that the continuous delivery reduced 'off' time by nearly four hours, two hours more than standard oral formulations.
Researchers from Microbicide Trials Network reformulated tenofovir gel to reduce glycerin content, making it safer and more effective for rectal use. The new formulation is three times less likely to cause cells to release water and equally effective against HIV as the original vaginal formulation.
Researchers examined how vaginal gel formulation affects user experience, finding specific sensations and experiences reported by women. This information can help develop better microbicides that women will use consistently, reducing the impact of HIV on vulnerable populations.
A phase three clinical trial shows LCIG reduces 'off' time by an average of nearly two extra hours per day compared to standard levodopa-carbidopa therapy. This innovation delivers levodopa-carbidopa continuously, minimizing fluctuations that contribute to wearing off.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and MIT demonstrated that a nonoscillating gel can be resuscitated by mechanical pressure, paving the way for robots to 'feel' like humans do. This discovery could lead to the development of artificial skin with sensory capabilities.
Scientists have developed lab-made, invisible filaments that resemble uncooked spaghetti with nanoscale dimensions, which can serve as scaffolds for tissue repair. These 'noodle gels' and 'spaghetti highways' could guide cells to specific locations for repair and deliver beneficial substances to diseased areas.
A combined therapy of Epiduo Gel containing adapalene and benzoyl peroxide with doxycycline proved more effective in reducing acne lesions compared to other regimens. Patients who received this treatment experienced significant improvement, with 50% reporting nearly clear or cleared acne.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new method of halftone gel lithography for photo-patterning polymer gel sheets, mimicking nature's ability to shape growth patterns. This technique allows for the creation of complex shapes and may aid advances in biomedicine, robotics and tunable micro-optics.
A Phase I clinical study has confirmed that a new rectal formulation of tenofovir gel is safe and well-tolerated when used daily for one week. The gel, designed to reduce glycerin levels, showed promise in preventing HIV transmission from anal sex, with high adherence rates among participants.
Researchers discover that phytoplankton release their toxic cargo when exposed to blue light, which stimulates a process called exocytosis. This discovery provides a handle on understanding the development of huge phytoplankton blooms and affects several square miles of ocean's upper surface.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed an injectable hydrogel that could repair cardiac tissue damaged by heart attacks. The gel promotes positive remodeling-type response and is compatible with catheter delivery, offering a minimally invasive treatment option.
The VOICE trial has stopped using tenofovir gel due to its lack of effectiveness in preventing HIV. Women enrolled in the study will still participate in the daily use of Truvada, which was found to be effective.
The Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) study found that daily use of an antiretroviral-containing oral tablet or vaginal gel was not effective in preventing HIV infection among women. The study will continue to examine the safety and effectiveness of oral Truvada as a preventive measure for women.
A new trial suggests that a Foley catheter is as successful in inducing labor as the widely used hormone-like gel prostaglandin E2, but with lower rates of infection and complications. The study found similar vaginal delivery rates and reduced risks of caesarean section, operative deliveries for fetal distress, and neonatal admissions.
Researchers at Rice University have made a groundbreaking discovery by creating giant flakes of graphene oxide that form a gel-like liquid crystal in water. This alignment enables the creation of metamaterials with unique mechanical and electronic properties, as well as high-strength fibers with enhanced properties.
The VOICE trial will continue testing the safety and effectiveness of oral Truvada and tenofovir gel, while discontinuing daily use of oral tenofovir tablets. The trial enrolled 5,029 women across three countries to evaluate the efficacy of ARV-based approaches in preventing HIV transmission.
Researchers at MIT have created a way to make microparticles of nearly any shape using temperature-sensitive materials, allowing for precise placement of drugs and cells. This technique enables the creation of artificial tissues that mimic natural tissue structures.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a soft memory device that functions well in wet environments, similar to the human brain. The device has biocompatibility and holds promise for interfacing electronics with biological systems, such as cells or tissue.
The CAPRISA 004 study demonstrated the effectiveness of tenofovir 1% gel in reducing HIV and herpes infection risk in women. The study showed a 39% reduction in HIV infections and 51% reduction in genital herpes infections compared to placebo.
A new clinical trial is being conducted to evaluate the safety of a promising HIV prevention gel, tenofovir gel, in pregnant and breastfeeding women. The study aims to provide critical information on the safety of using tenofovir gel during pregnancy and lactation.
A new sealant gel has been found to be effective in closing spinal wounds following surgery, achieving a watertight seal 100% of the time. The polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel sealant plugs miniscule leaks in the spinal column's sheath, reducing the risk of infection and meningitis.
A team of researchers from the University of Manchester has made a breakthrough in developing an injectable gel to permanently replace the workings of the intervertebral disc, which is estimated to affect 80% of people at some point in their lives.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an injectable gel that can release medicine only when needed, targeting specific joints affected by arthritis. The gel is made from a self-assembling material that can disassemble in response to enzymes present during inflammation.
Researchers investigated the risks of starting antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with TB, finding that early ART may not reduce AIDS risk for those with fewer than 250 CD4+ T cells. Microbicide studies showed promise with rectally applied tenofovir gel reducing HIV infection risk in men and women.
Researchers have reformedulated tenofovir gel to make it safe and effective for rectal use, with laboratory tests showing reduced harm to the lining of the rectum and comparable HIV protection. The reformulated gel is now being tested in clinical trials to address concerns about comfort and side effects.
A study found that tenofovir gel provided significant protection against HIV in rectal tissue, with a strong effect seen after one week of use. The results suggest that rectal microbicides could be an effective method for preventing HIV transmission, particularly in high-risk populations.
A Phase II trial found that tenofovir gel achieved a more than 100-times higher concentration of active drug in vaginal tissue compared to the oral tablet. Most US women preferred the oral tablet, while African women favored the gel and tablet equally. The study's findings will be better understood in the context of VOICE results.
Researchers unveil structure of small molecules by analyzing residual dipolar couplings in partially aligned samples. This new approach provides valuable structural information, even when traditional methods fail.
Rice University researchers settle a long-standing controversy in polymer dynamics by proving that flexibility enhances the mobility of stiff filaments. The study shows that nanotubes and other fine filaments can navigate through crowded environments and fixed networks with ease, paving the way for new sensing technologies.
CONRAD will receive funding to develop vaginal rings that provide both contraceptive and HIV prevention, addressing unintended pregnancies and HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. The grant aims to improve reproductive health choices for women and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The world's third rectal microbicide trial has been launched in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to test the safety and acceptability of tenofovir gel. The study aims to determine if rectal use of the gel reduces the risk of HIV among men and women who engage in receptive anal intercourse.
Researchers testing tenofovir gel's rectal safety in a new trial led by the NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network. The study aims to determine if rectal use of tenofovir gel is safe and effective in preventing HIV transmission among men and women who engage in receptive anal intercourse.
A team at North Carolina State University has created water-gel-based solar devices that produce electricity, mimicking nature's solar cells. The devices use light-sensitive molecules and electrodes to generate power, potentially replacing silicon-based solar cells with a more environmentally friendly option.