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Protein Gel Quickly Stops Bleeding
Stefan vd Linden writes, "An international team of scientists has discovered a substance to heal bleeding wounds within seconds. They're using a solution of protein molecules that self-organizes into a biodegradable gel. Until now they've only tested it on animals, but the tests were highly successful. From the article: 'Some surgeons are already excited about the material. "I see great potential in the eye field, the gastro-intestinal field, and in neurosurgery," says Dimitri Azar, head of ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, US. "In the eye, even a drop of blood will blur your vision for a long time," Azar adds. "A material that would stop the bleeding could lead to a paradigm shift in how we practice surgery in the eye."'"
It's called platelets. It was invented long ago. Thank goodness, or I would have died the first time my nose bled...
There exists no way of exchanging information without making judgments. --Bene Gesserit Axiom
this would be great... if I cut myself shaving its a real pain in the ass... I have to doctor myself for a good hour to get some litle nicks to stop. My shots to stop bleeding cost around 1,000 bucks a pop, so its not like I can just give myself a shot for a minor nick - granted this won't help with joint bleeds, but hey, as long as they don't charge an arm and a leg for the stuff, i'll be happy.
Now if I could just rub it on the skin to stop joint and muscle bleeds... wow... a gift from heaven?
There's a company called HemCon that makes a chitosan bandage - it's a protein gel bandage made from chitosan extracted from shrimp shells. The US Army currently uses it in Iraq & Afghanistan.
probably by giving them wounds. why do you ask?
oh wait, you thought you were making some point in a clever way.
You didn't
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Indeed - superglue was invented to close wounds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superglue#Medicine and is still used in hospitals around the world
How about packing helmets/vests/etc with a layer of this stuff for things that get through? I for one would prefer that the padding in a helmet be filled with this rather than plain ol' squishy gel.
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
I was really enjoying the article blurb going 'oh right! Awesome!' to myself until I read "paradigm shift"... Not even the best technology can overcome the power of a cliche.