Porcupine Quills May Be Future of Shots
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: December 11, 2012
Scientists believe porcupines may hold the key to less painful shots.
A study published Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says that the way the animal's quills are designed, it reduces the force it takes to pierce tissue.
Scientists believe these findings will help them develop new needles and other instruments used the puncture the body.
In an interview with NPR, scientist Jeffrey Karp says the adhesive that keeps those barbs in place could also have medicinal worth when it comes to cuts or incisions.
The prototype his team created would work like a strip of Velcro to bind the cut, instead of using staples or sutures.
A study published Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says that the way the animal's quills are designed, it reduces the force it takes to pierce tissue.
Scientists believe these findings will help them develop new needles and other instruments used the puncture the body.
In an interview with NPR, scientist Jeffrey Karp says the adhesive that keeps those barbs in place could also have medicinal worth when it comes to cuts or incisions.
The prototype his team created would work like a strip of Velcro to bind the cut, instead of using staples or sutures.
