Category Archives: Celoteh

Drug that gave these mice luscious locks could one day cure baldness

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These mice may look like they’re modeling the Newcastle United 13/14 home shirt, but the truth is actually even more exciting, if a touch less adorable. Researchers from Columbia University Medical Centre have found that an enzyme-inhibiting drug can, in some cases, restore hair growth in mice with alopecia areata.

As the video below explains, the drug – which has already been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and blood diseases – inhibits the activity of Janus Kinase (JAK) enzymes, which are found in hair follicles. By limiting JAK activity, the mice started to grow their hair back in just ten days, and while the drug could be fed to the mice, rubbing it directly onto their skin showed even more lustrous growth.

Video of Blocking Enzymes in Hair Follicles Promotes Hair Growth

After three weeks, the mice were back to their old, furry selves, and while this doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the baldness cure that humans are constantly seeking, it could be a strong start. And potentially not just for male and female pattern baldness, but for hair loss due to chemotherapy.Continue reading→

Boeing reveals microlattice: a metal so thin that it can sit on the head of a dandelion

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Are you a nervous flyer? Do you do everything in your power not to flap your arms uncontrollably to make sure you stay airborne? Well, you might not want to consider that planes of the future could have elements made from microlattice – a metal developed for Boeing that’s 100 times lighter than styrofoam.

You might also be a touch alarmed to hear the experts explain that the metal is 99.9% air. However, it may give you a little more confidence to learn that the inspiration for the design comes from the hardiest of body parts: bone. While bone is hard on the outside to avoid breakages, the inside is largely hollow to allow us to move around all day without needing a sit-down every five minutes.

That’s also the principle behind microlattice. The titular lattice is made up of a series of hollow nickel tubes, with a wall depth of 100 nanometres. How thin is that in old money? Pluck a hair from your head. Okay, now imagine something 1,000 times thinner than that.

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