“Biological clothing”— the future of 3D lab-grown skin grafting
The science of bioengineered skin grafting is making remarkable progress thanks to a team at Columbia University, led by Asst. Prof. Hasan Erbil Abaci. Currently, bioengineered skin is only available in flat sheets, which work well for grafting onto generally smooth, featureless body regions, but Read More...
You and your roommates make up your house’s microbiome
Here at The Optimist Daily we commonly write articles about the gut microbiome, its importance to our health, and how we can keep it happy. These countless microorganisms help shape and direct the lives of their hosts and are impacted by numerous factors, including; diet, smoking, medicines, Read More...
This gel heals the delicate skin of people with “butterfly disease”
What is butterfly disease? The rare disease known as epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic condition that causes the skin to be extremely fragile. Even the slightest touch can tear it, leaving people with wounds that never heal and even resulting in skin cancer. This gives EB its name Read More...
Here’s why mosquitos still bite us even when wearing repellent
As the warmer months approach, the number of mosquito bites you're getting is probably starting to rise. Those pesky insects use their mouths to penetrate our skin and suck up our blood, leaving an itchy, swollen bite in its place. For some areas in the world, a bite from one of these animals Read More...
This insulin patch sticks on the inside of your cheek
According to the CDC, around six million people use insulin to help control their blood sugar in the fight against diabetes. This tedious task of injecting yourself multiple times a day is less than pleasant. Therefore, many research groups globally are looking at better ways to manage this Read More...
Genetic study opens new hope for acne treatment
With the rise of maskne, many more of us have had to deal with the skin disease that is acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 50 million people have acne in the US. Caused by a disorder of the sebaceous glands, the condition causes breakouts, irritation, and scarring as well Read More...
8 Ways to use avocado oil in your skincare routine
Avocado oil is a great addition to your kitchen as it is a healthy fat full of vitamins and minerals, but did you know this versatile oil is also great for your skin? Today we share eight ways to use avocado oil in your skincare routine. Makeup remover A couple of drops of avocado oil on a cotton Read More...
The 4 important health benefits of Vitamin A
Chances are you already know that vitamin A is good for your eye health, but are you aware of all the other ways it can benefit your health? Below, find more reasons to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin A. What is vitamin A? According to the manager of the Micronutrient Information Center Read More...
3D-bioprinting breakthrough prints living skin onto patient wounds
When it comes to skin transplants, there are several challenges that affect the success of these complex surgical operations. On top of a lack of harvest organ availability, there is also the risk that the donor skin graft will be rejected by the patient. What’s more, skin grafts may require Read More...
These 6 essential oils can soothe bug bites and help you skip the scratch
Bug bites are among the few things that can turn a summertime outing into an unappetizing experience. And though scratching provides in-the-moment relief, it only makes bites more painful in the long run and could potentially cause infection. Fortunately, some essential oils have antimicrobial and Read More...