Medical opinion: Sometimes no treatment is the best treatment Aug 18, 2008
There is also regular shedding of the outer layer of skin epithelium called keratin from the eardrum and canal, which naturally migrates outward. The ear canal is also rich in blood supply, which supports the growth of microorganism, most of which are harmless. (Yuma Daily Sun, AZ)
Podiatrists Offer Tips to Combat Heat-Related Stress on Feet: Xenna Foot Care Products Can Help Jul 7, 2008
NonyX Nail Gel is a patented, easy-to-use gel that breaks down and removes keratin debris - the discolored, yellow or thick granular buildup under nails that causes them to become discolored and unattractive. NonyX Gel softens keratin debris using natural ethanoic acid, which permits it to be gradually scraped out with a manicure tool, beginning after about four weeks ... Once the white or yellow keratin debris is removed, regular use of NonyX keeps nails free of keratin debris buildup, leaving... (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
FOXSexpert: 8 Signs Your Partner is Addicted to Porn Jun 10, 2008
A study by the University of Melbourne in Australia found that, when applied to the penis, the female hormone estrogen acts as a "living condom." By boosting a defensive protein in the skin known as keratin application of the estrogen cream Estriol to the inner foreskin of the penis acted as a barrier against HIV.. Malaysia Encourages Women to Carry Condoms. (Fox News)
Estrogen Applied To Human Penis Could Block Spread Of HIV, Study Suggests Jun 6, 2008
The study to be published in PLoS ONE journal June 4 reveals that application of oestrogen to the human penis increased the thickness of the natural keratin layer on the skin, which could prevent HIV from infecting the male ... This suggested that oestrogen could induce a thickening of the keratin layer of the foreskin epidermis in the same way as it acts in the vagina, said Dr Pask ... Keratin on our skin acts a barrier to viral infection. (Science Daily)
Female hormones key to HIV prevention Jun 5, 2008
ASHLEY HALL: Professor Roger Short of the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Medicine says that thickening of the tissue is a process known as keratinisation ... And since keratinisation is a complete barrier to the virus, Professor Short wanted to check if those oestrogen sensitive receptors were also on the penis ... And low and behold, the foreskin of the penis behaves exactly like the vagina of the female and responds within 24 hours to the local application of a very weak oestrogen, by... (ABC Online)
Australian researchers say 'natural condom' could stop HIV... Jun 5, 2008
University of Melbourne researcher Professor Roger Short said that use of an oestrogen cream could quadruple the thin layer of the protein keratin on the skin and thereby provide a natural defensive layer ... Short, a strong advocate of the circumcision of men as a protection against HIV, said he had not yet done tests to prove that the virus was defeated by the keratin cover. (The Drudge Report)
HIV spread to be reduced in new discovery Jun 5, 2008
A study by Department of Zoology of the University of Melbourne has found that applying oestrogen to the penis increases the thickness of the natural keratin layer in the skin. The study, published in PLoS ONE (PLoS One) journal Wednesday, showed that keratin on skin acts a barrier to viral infection, so increasing the keratin layer could prevent HIV from infecting the male ... Lead researcher Professor Roger Short, of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, said using naturally... (Xinhuanet, China)
For the record May 7, 2008
Correction: Because of a reporting error, the price of Keratin Complex Hair Therapy hair straightening at Beaucage Salon in Sunday's Magazine story "What's Hot in Beauty and Body" was misquoted as $345. The treatment costs $375. (Boston Globe)
What's Hot in Beauty and Body May 5, 2008
Small bunches of about 25 strands of human hair come in lengths of up to 22 inches and are attached with a small amount of a long-lasting keratin and nylon bond. (Keratin is one of the proteins in hair ... This year, there's a formaldehyde-free alternative called Keratin Complex Hair Therapy that is used to achieve the same sleek end. (Boston Globe)
Flaky freckle’ no reason to fret May 4, 2008
Keratin refers to dead cell layer, and -osis means condition of. But the bottom is alive, still there, and growing. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Suffering For Beauty Apr 15, 2008
The solution: A formaldehyde-free straightening treatment that has the same effects is Keratin Complex Hair Therapy, developed by stylist Peter Coppola. Smoothed instead with the vitamin keratin, "it reduces frizz and curl up to 95 percent and lasts up to three months," Coppola says. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
CODY CORDELLOS, 23, spends three days a week in... Apr 1, 2008
Humans have two layers of skin, the inner dermis and the outer epidermis, which are held together by different proteins such as collagen and keratin, which give the skin its flexible yet tough properties. The genes of EB patients lack the code for the crucial collagen protein, the glue that holds the two layers together, meaning the top layer of skin can literally fall off and tear like tissue paper. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Want Fewer Bad Hair Days? Eat Better! Jan 17, 2008
FOR STRONG/FAST GROWING HAIR Protein: a building block of hair (meat, fish, eggs) B12: prevents hair loss (meat, eggs, fish, yogurt) Iron: prevents hair loss Calcium: essential for hair growth (yogurt, milk) Biotin: Helps produce keratin; may prevent graying and hair loss (wheat germ, brewers yeast, organ meats, oatmeal, egg yolk, soy, mushrooms, bananas, peanuts) Silica: strengthens hair, prevents hair loss (sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, strawberries). Choose: lean beef, eggs, chicken,... (CBS News -- US)
Protein In Human Hair Shows Promise For Regenerating Nerves Jan 13, 2008
In the journal Biomaterials, scientists from Wake Forest University School of Medicine reported that in animal studies the protein keratin was able to speed up nerve regeneration and improve nerve function compared to current treatment options ... "The fact that we were able to accomplish this with gels made from keratin is pretty remarkable." ... Van Dyke's team was the first to use keratin, which is believed to contain molecules that regulate cell behavior. (Science Daily)
Dinosaur Mummy Found With Fossilized Skin And Soft Tissues Dec 4, 2007
Among the exciting discoveries are a fleshy pad on Dakota's palm, hooves on its feet made of keratin, and well-preserved skin scales that vary in size and shape across the body, tail, arms and legs of the dinosaur. The National Geographic Channel will air a documentary on this unprecedented find on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT. "Dino Autopsy" offers never-before-seen details of what dinosaurs really looked like, as well as clues to how they moved and lived. (Science Daily)
Natural compound in broccoli could treat devastating genetic skin disorder Dec 3, 2007
In EBS patients, the bottom layer of the epidermis, which is made of cells called keratinocytes, is unusually fragile and ruptures readily. Molecularly, most cases of EBS result from mutations in genes that produce the proteins keratin 5 (K5) and keratin 14 (K14) ... These proteins co-polymerize to form the intermediate filament cytoskeleton in basal keratinocytes. (EurekAlert!)
Fact or Fiction?: Stress Causes Gray Hair Oct 31, 2007
Keratinocytes (epidermal cells) build the hair from the bottom up, stacking atop one another and eventually dying, leaving behind mostly keratin, a colorless protein that gives hair its texture and strength. (Keratin is also a primary component of nails, the outer layer of skin, animal hooves and claws ... As keratinocytes construct hairs, neighboring melanocytes manufacture a pigment called melanin, which is delivered to the keratinocytes in little packages called melanosomes. (Scientific American)
Health Alarm Over New Hair Straightener Oct 27, 2007
But Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT) uses formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer ... BKT claims to use keratin, a type of protein, rather than chemicals to naturally smooth out and straighten hair. (CBS News)
Scientists cull DNA from extinct mammoth Sep 28, 2007
Schuster explained that keratin, the hard covering of hair, could protect the DNA. Hair also can more easily be cleaned of contaminants such as bacteria ... "We plan to use hair and other keratin-containing body parts, such as nail and horn, to untangle the secrets of populations that lived long ago, so these populations can send a message from the past about what it might have taken for them to survive," Schuster said. (Herald Online, SC -- Health)
Protecting the skin, the body's fragile armor Sep 5, 2007
Over a period of about four weeks, a newborn skin cell will detach from the starter pool and begin heading upward, gradually shedding such unnecessary cellular baggage as its nucleus, and cross-linking its primary content, the tough, stretchy protein keratin, into ever tighter bundles, and secreting a drizzle of greasy lipids that help lend skin its Saran-wrap seal. By the time a fully matured epidermal cell reaches the light, Fuchs said, it's essentially a dead sack full of highly cross-linked... (International Herald Tribune)
Natural chemical found in broccoli helps combat skin blistering disease Aug 21, 2007
D., professor of biological chemistry, lies in two specific genes that make proteins known as keratins. Normally, the keratins join together and form highly resilient fibers in the lower portion of skin, helping make it durable ... If either keratin is defective, they dont mesh and the lower skin tissue becomes unusually fragile and gets damaged from the mildest mechanical stress leading to blistering pain, a higher risk of infection, and in the most severe cases, death. (EurekAlert!)
Skin and Sunlight Aug 4, 2007
Squamous cell carcinoma originates from the outermost layer of cells that produce keratin, the fibrous substance that covers the skin ... There may also be associated thickening of the keratin layer, giving it a dry, rough texture. (Suite101.com)
An Ark Program to Save Amphibians Jul 13, 2007
It is suspected that they use keratin as a food source. Affected frogs and salamanders show neurological signs and sloughing skin. (Suite101.com)
Sexual problems could lead to rhinos' extinction Jul 5, 2007
Rhino horns, made of hair-like keratin fibers, have reputed aphrodisiac qualities and are a prized ingredient of traditional Asian medicine. Free Newsletters. (Scientific American)
How sunburns work Jun 6, 2007
These dead cells are loaded with keratin - the same protein that makes fingernails so tough - so your skin is surprisingly strong. Below the stratum cornea is the granular layer (the layer that generates the dead cells), and below that is the basal layer. (Herald Online, SC -- Health)
Time to Show Off Your Tootsies: Are Your Feet Ready for Summer? Jun 5, 2007
This discoloration is frequently keratin debris buildup under the nail. Xenna's NonyX Nail Gel softens and exfoliates keratin debris ... After about four weeks of regular use, loosened keratin debris can begin to be scraped out with a manicure tool. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
X-Fusion Is Great For Thin- Hair Woes Apr 23, 2007
It is keratin (what our hair is made of) fibers. If you have a computer, you can go to: and there is a zip code guide that will show you salons in your area that carry this product. (The Ledger)
Time for the chop Dec 24, 2006
Scientist have discovered that the skin covering the inner side of the foreskin is by its nature (has a very low amount of a protein called keratin which stops viruses entering into the body, plus some other factors) acts as an open door to STDs. Circumcision, by removing the foreskin, closes this door. (Nature News Service)
Good Nutrition Helps Cows Fight Off Mastitis Infections Nov 30, 2006
Making matters worse is that a cow's keratin plugs that protect her teats from invading organisms are gone part of the time, due to milking. What's more, an udder swollen with vast amounts of milk after freshening is more prone to milking machine liner slippage. (Agri-View, WI)
Scientists Crack Rhino Horn Riddle Nov 13, 2006
The horns of most animals have a bony core covered by a thin sheath of keratin, the same substance as hair and nails. Rhino horns are unique, however, because they are composed entirely of keratin ... -- Keratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins; tough and insoluble, they form the hard but nonmineralized structures found in reptiles, birds and. (Science Daily)
What is toenail fungus and what's the best way to get rid of it? Nov 7, 2006
The microorganism that causes toenail fungus is a dermatophyte, which lives on keratin, the protein that nails are made of, and thrives in the dark, moist, warm environment of sweaty feet. As toenail fungi grow, the nails become thicker and may smell foul. (Boston Globe)
More of this story Oct 31, 2006
The ARS technology turns keratin, a key ingredient of feathers, into lightweight plastic, comparable in strength and stiffness to polyethylene or polypropylene. These are a potential substitute for the petroleum-based product, and can be molded in the same manner as other plastics. (Porterville Recorder, CA)
Keratin cover grows to protect Oct 15, 2006
The nail s exterior is made up mostly of a hardened, compressed protein called keratin ... The exterior is mostly a hardened, compressed protein called keratin ... This keratin forms the tough nail plate. (North County Times)
Salons are letting down their hair Sep 30, 2006
The adhesive may be made with artificial keratin (keratin is a primary protein in hair) or nylon. If the extensions are done well, the join, or point of attachment, will barely be visible and feel no bigger than a grain of rice. (International Herald Tribune)
Of Rice And Hen: Fashions From The Farm Sep 18, 2006
Chicken feathers are composed mostly of keratin, the same type of protein that is found in wool. The researchers are particularly interested in the barbs and barbules, the thin, filamentous network that forms the fluffy parts of the feather. (Science Daily)
Four Out Of Five Head Lice Resistant To Common Treatment Jun 15, 2006
Hair consists 90% of a biological polymer, -keratin, and about 10% water, which modifies its mechanical properties. The speed of. (Science Daily)
Bedsores And Bald Hides: Novel Roles Revealed For A 'Scaffolding' Protein May 19, 2006
K17 belongs to a family of proteins known as keratin intermediate filaments, which are part of the cytoskeleton, an intricate network of flexible protein fibers that maintain cell shape and strength ... That the hair is fragile is not surprising given that K17 is a keratin protein, known to provide structure and strength, says Coulombe ... -- Keratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins; tough and insoluble, they form the hard but nonmineralized structures found in reptiles, birds and. (Science Daily)
Top 10 spa tricks May 12, 2006
"L'Anza Body Building Shampoo (R143) and Conditioner (R153), with keratin amino acids, herbal extracts and magnesium, curb oiliness and add body," he adds. 9. (iAfrica.com)
PanAfrica: Circumcision Reduces HIV Infection Risk Says New Study May 3, 2006
The study authors suggest keratin, or lack thereof in uncircumcised men, may provide the answer. They explain that in circumcised men the outer surface of the foreskin and the glans penis have thick layers of keratin which acts as a protective layer ... However, keratin is all but absent on the inner surface of the foreskin putting this area at higher risk of HIV infection. (allAfrica.com)
Scientists take cue from Noah as killer fungus threatens amphibians Apr 27, 2006
Chytrid fungus is carried in water, but the disease is specific to amphibians, invisibly feeding on their skin's keratin and causing it to thicken. The exact mode of death is unknown--it may produce a toxin or it may impair the amphibian's ability to breathe and absorb water through its skin. (FOX59, IN)
Male Circumcision Protects Women From AIDS - Study Feb 10, 2006
"Also that mucosal layer does not have the thick keratin (skin) that the outside skin of the foreskin has," Oliver Laeyendecker, who worked on the study, said in an interview. "Not only do you have more virus there because of the types of cells that are there, but the barrier is easier to go through from the man to the woman on that skin surface because it doesn't have to go through a lot.". (MEDLINEplus)
Help! My manicure is causing my nails to split Feb 7, 2006
Many manicurists remove the cuticles, first by softening them with strong alkalis that break down the cuticles protein, or keratin. This, too, can cause inflammation and infection of the surrounding tissue and nail root. (MSNBC -- Health)
