(07.08.2018)
In a recent article in the Austrian daily newspaper Kronen Zeitung, Dr. Wolfgang Grisold describes how polyneuropathies often occur as a consequence of diabetes and what this means for patients: „Süßer“ Angriff auf die Nerven (Sweet attack on the nerves, German only).
Originally used for treating kidney stones, extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) has extended its range of applications. Beneficial effects on bone fractures, chronic wounds and neural defects have been observed. The latter lead to the idea of ESWT for spinal cord injuries.
The results obtained at the LBI Trauma are promising – soon patients will be treated in course of the first clinical study.
(29.05.2018)
Coagulopathies – conditions in which the blood’s ability to form clots is impaired – occur in one quarter of patients at the intensive care unit, with often life-threatening consequences. They are caused by high blood loss or reactions following systemic shock, but also previous intake of anticoagulants. Hemostasis and wound closure are vitally important as soon as possible after injury. To counteract coagulopathies blood transfusion in high amounts used to be the treatment of choice. However, blood products are valuable (because essential for the treatment of certain pathologies) and may cause unwanted side effects.
When it comes to the impact of meat consumption on global warming, in vitro meat is getting more and more attention. The muscle tissue derived from cell cultures is ecologically friendly taking up less land and water and causing less greenhouse gases in its production than meat derived from traditional farming.
The Austrian daily newspaper featured Katja Posa, scientist at the LBI Trauma, in their series Geistesblitz (flash of genius). The article not only reported about the promising research on the application of extracorporeal shockwave therapy for treating spinal cord injury. It also paints a portrait of Katja, who besides her scientific work as molecular biologist started pursuing a medical degree to gain a complete view “from bench to bedside”, moreover likes to shoot short movies and performs as a singer.
Human extracellular matrix as natural environment for our cells would pose a promising source for medical products, yet every year tons of these natural resources are thrown away. Johannes Hackethal explained to us at the Science Slam in Vienna what reasonable human resource management could look like.
Microscopic images from the microcosm of our body serve as abstract scores for the musical event. Medical terms as familiar yet strange platform for the harmonization of language, sound and body turn into unusual, disturbing or inspiring “body sound”, enabling new associations for how we perceive our body.
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Fifty years ago the psychology professor James Bedford became the first person to be frozen after death, in the hope of future scientific progress which might find a cure to his late stage cancer. Today this is still the primary motivation for many followers of cryonic body preservation – more than 250 men and women have invested in a future chance.
The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute was represented by Johannes Zipperle at the Falling Walls Lab 2017. The annual innovation contest which leaves its participants a mere three minutes to present their ideas is all about breaking barriers. Johannes Zipperle, scientist and biomedical illustrator at the LBI Trauma, talked about the border between science and art and the necessity for modern science communication to tear it down. The victory went to Agnes Rainer for her exciting talk ''Breaking the Wall of Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis''.
New adhesives inspired by nature have recently found widespread public interest. Originating from a variety of animals and plants they might ultimately replace cytotoxic adhesives used in clinics and broaden the application range of tissue adhesives.
In search for the optimal natural template Janek von Byern is interested in the trail of grapevine snails and the defense mechanism of mole salamanders, while Sylvia Nürnberger harvests the “cement” used by ticks to anchor tightly into the host’s skin.