In a landmark medical advancement, researchers at Newcastle University have successfully created a 3D-printed human cornea using stem cells, collagen, and alginate to form a bio-ink. This innovation offers renewed hope to more than 10 million people globally who suffer from corneal blindness due to disease, trauma, or infection. The 3D printing process can produce custom-shaped corneas in under 10 minutes, tailored precisely to each patient using a simple eye scan.

What makes this technology even more promising is its potential to ease the global shortage of donor corneas. Since bio-printed corneas are derived from a patient’s own stem cells, the risk of rejection could be significantly reduced. While clinical trials and regulatory hurdles remain before these corneas can be widely used in patients, this achievement marks a massive step toward revolutionizing eye care and restoring sight for millions.

#3DPrinting #StemCellTherapy #VisionRestoration #MedicalInnovation
#Bioengineering

When You Look at Orion, You're Watching the Life Cycle of Stars Unfold in Real Time

It begins with Betelgeuse — the fiery red giant blazing at Orion’s shoulder. Enormous and unstable, it's nearing the end of its life. Within the next 100,000 years, it will explode in a brilliant supernova, briefly outshining the Moon and turning night into day.

Next, your eyes are drawn to Orion’s Belt — three iconic stars in perfect alignment: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka. These massive suns are younger than Betelgeuse but destined for the same fate — to burn out and collapse into stellar remnants.

And just below them lies the Orion Nebula (M42) — a breathtaking cradle of creation. Here, clouds of gas and dust are actively forming newborn stars, giving rise to the next generation of cosmic giants.

In one glance, Orion tells a timeless story — of stars that are dying, stars in their prime, and stars just beginning to shine. It's not just a constellation; it's a living timeline, stretching millions of years across the sky.

We’re not just stargazing — we’re witnessing the universe in motion.
Background image credit: Akira Fujii�

I paid for my fiancé's engagement ring selling homemade pretzels, I am not ashamed lol

Strange phenomenon

Mouth-taping — where individuals tape their mouths shut before sleep to encourage nasal breathing — has gained popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms.

It’s promoted as a remedy for snoring, sleep apnea, and even general sleep improvement.

Scientific Review Findings:
A 2024 review of 10 clinical studies examined the efficacy and safety of this practice.

The findings revealed minimal to no consistent evidence that mouth-taping provides significant benefits for conditions like snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The studies often had small sample sizes, lacked long-term data, and varied in methodology.

Potential Risks Identified:

Breathing Obstruction: Especially for people with undiagnosed or moderate-to-severe OSA, taping the mouth could worsen oxygen deprivation during sleep.

Panic or Anxiety: Some users report feeling claustrophobic or anxious.

Skin Irritation: Prolonged taping may cause rashes or allergies around the mouth area.

Expert Consensus:

Organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine caution against self-experimenting with unproven TikTok trends.

They recommend CPAP therapy or medical consultation for diagnosed sleep apnea rather than relying on DIY solutions like mouth-taping.