Zika Infects Neural Cells Related to Skull Formation, Affecting Their Function
October 3rd 2016Cranial neural crest cells-which give rise to the bones and cartilage of the skull-are vulnerable to Zika virus, report Stanford University School of Medicine researchers September 29 in Cell Host & Microbe. The discovery, made by infecting in vitro cultures of human cells, offers a potential mechanism for how children born with the virus can have smaller-than-average skulls and disproportionate facial features.
Influenza Vaccination Recommendations Released
October 2nd 2016While current U.S. flu activity is low overall, localized influenza outbreaks have been reported. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Now is a good time to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for protection to set in.
Self-Adhesive Dressing Generates Electrical Current That Promotes Healing, Reduces Infection Risk
September 30th 2016Good news for the millions of people who suffer from skin wounds that won’t heal. A team of researchers at Ohio State University has brought a potentially transformative solution to the problem by creating a portable adhesive patch that drives a continuous, small electrical current to stimulate healing and reduce the risk of infection.
Best Practices for Hand-Washing Items in the SPD
September 27th 2016Q: Currently our process for hand-washed items is that once they are placed in the window one of my staff members wipes the item down with alcohol and then will blow it out (if necessary) place it in the dryer or prepare for sterilization. We do not wear gloves during this process. I have reached out to other facilities and they do not either. I have a new employee who is uncomfortable with wiping off items that come through the window without wearing gloves. What is the best practice?