U.S. Scientists Engineered a “Superwood”

A new wood-based material developed by scientists in the United States may soon disrupt one of the most entrenched pillars of modern manufacturing: steel. Derived from natural timber, this so-called superwood has been chemically and mechanically transformed to become stronger, tougher, and lighter than some industrial metals, all while remaining renewable and biodegradable.

First developed by researchers at the University of Maryland, the process involves removing key components from raw wood and then compressing it into a dense, fibrous structure that radically outperforms untreated timber. According to peer-reviewed tests, the resulting material boasts tensile strength comparable to high-grade alloys, while weighing a fraction of what metals typically do.

It’s not just a promising lab experiment. The material has already begun commercial production through a spin-off company and is being positioned as a low-carbon alternative for industries ranging from construction and aerospace to automotive and defense.

READ MORE...

Predicting A Stroke

Research could lead to potential new ways to predict and prevent strokes in young adults.

A person’s blood type may be linked to their risk of having an early stroke, according to a new meta-analysis of research. The meta-analysis included all available data from genetic studies focusing on ischemic strokes, which are caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain, occurring in younger adults under age 60. 

The study was led by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers, and the findings were published on August 31, 2022, in the journal Neurology.

“The number of people with early strokes is rising. These people are more likely to die from the life-threatening event, and survivors potentially face decades with disability. 

 Despite this, there is little research on the causes of early strokes,” said study co-principal investigator Steven J. Kittner, MD, MPH. He is a Professor of Neurology at UMSOM and a neurologist with the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Kittner and his colleagues conducted the study by performing a meta-analysis of 48 studies on genetics and ischemic stroke that included 17,000 stroke patients and nearly 600,000 healthy controls who never had experienced a stroke. 

They then scrutinized all collected chromosomes to identify genetic variants associated with a stroke. They discovered a link between early-onset stroke – occurring before age 60 – and the area of the chromosome that includes the gene that determines whether a blood type is A, AB, B, or O.  READ MORE...