Blue dye helps repair spinal cord damage, turns rats into cute animals: Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center injected mice with spinal cord injuries with a derivative of food coloring Blue Number One. The Brilliant Blue G dye, which helps control the activity of ATP by blocking its activation of P2X7 receptors, was shown to help repair the injured spinal cords — treated animals even started moving their previously paralyzed limbs. 
Nanodiamonds serve as transport mechanism for therapeutic insulin: Scientists at Northwestern University are developing technology that utilizes nanostructures, called nanodiamonds, to humorally transport and deliver insulin molecules to wounds. It has been postulated that insulin can help wounds heal faster, by enhancing local area angiogenesis. Noting that burn wound sites can have a more basic pH level (unlike infected wounds, which are acidic), the researchers were able to attach insulin to nanodiamond particles so that it is released in a basic environment, delivering the drug where it’s needed.
Artificial cell structure as a new model to study lung diseases: At Duke University, scientists used a single basal cell to grow hollow spheres of differentiated ciliary and secretory lung cells. This type of research should help investigators to learn more about lung health and develop new treatments using a stand-alone test platform that resembles real lungs.
ArthroSteer steerable arthroscopy product line débuts: Orthodynamix announced the availability of its ArthroSteer steerable arthroscopy instrument line. During arthroscopy, it’s often difficult to get instruments exactly where one wants them to go because of the tight spaces involved. Orthodynamix hopes to make these challenges less stressful on the surgeon and more effective for the patient.
LINEAC/MRI combination may help target moving tumors: At the Annual Meeting of the American Assn. of Physicists in Medicine in Anaheim, Calif., researchers from the University of Alberta presented a new system for radiation oncology that combines a linear accelerator and an MRI machine. The hybrid device allows live viewing of tumor tissue and precise radiation targeting of moving organs, such as the lungs, prostate and maybe even the heart. The biggest problem is that the magnet is a permanent type and provides nowhere near the resolution of modern 3 Tesla superconducting magnets.
