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'Virus Sponge' Could Improve Flu Treatments, Diabetes Care, Vaccine Development

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the many-pegs-in-many-holes dept.

University of Maryland researchers have announced a new "virus sponge" that could aid in the treatment of, among other things, avian flu. The sponge woks similar to kidney dialysis, filtering the harmful virus from the blood. "The virus sponge is based on a technology called molecular imprinting. In molecular imprinting, researchers stamp a molecule's shape into a substance (in this case, a hydrogel--a sponge-like material). When the specific molecule filters through the hydrogel, it fits in the imprint hole and is trapped."

5 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Hmm, how about an alcohol sponge? by flyingfsck · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think that a method to remove alcohol from the bloodstream the moment you walk out the door of the pub would be a killer app, except that then all of a sudden that gorgeous girl at your side will just become a common broad and that just might ruin the rest of the night...

    --
    Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
  3. Re:To quote Seinfeld by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny
    But is this virus sponge worthy?

    I was thinking more like: virus sponge = woman who goes down on anything. =)

  4. huh by minus_273 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I though the virus sponge already existed. We always called it Paris Hilton...

    --
    The war with islam is a war on the beast
    The war on terror is a war for peace
  5. Old news by illegalcortex · · Score: 3, Funny

    We already have a virus sponge. It's called Windows.