Hallan los restos de anestésico más antiguos en instrumentos quirúrgicos chinos de la antigüedad

26 de mayo de 2026

Reportado por IA

Los residuos hallados en instrumentos médicos del siglo XV demuestran que los médicos chinos utilizaban un compuesto vegetal tóxico para aliviar el dolor durante las cirugías. El descubrimiento constituye la prueba química más antigua del uso de anestesia en cualquier parte del mundo.

Las tijeras y pinzas quirúrgicas recuperadas de la tumba del médico Xia Quan, quien vivió entre 1348 y 1411 en la provincia de Jiangsu, contienen trazas de aconitina. Investigadores de la Universidad del Noroeste en Xi'an identificaron el compuesto mediante análisis láser. Aunque los instrumentos fueron desenterrados originalmente en 1974, el estudio químico es reciente.

Study finds madecassic acid, a Centella compound used in skincare, can inhibit drug-resistant E. coli in lab tests

21 de abril de 2026 Reportado por IA Imagen generada por IA Verificado por hechos

Researchers at the University of Kent, working with University College London, report that madecassic acid—a compound derived from the medicinal herb Centella asiatica and widely used in skincare—can inhibit the growth of antibiotic-resistant E. coli by targeting a bacterial respiratory system not found in humans or other animals.

Neanderthals may have used birch tar as wound treatment

Experiments suggest Neanderthals could have applied birch tar, found at their sites, as an antiseptic for wounds due to its antibiotic properties. Researchers replicated ancient production methods and tested the tar against bacteria causing skin infections. The findings build on evidence of Neanderthals using medicinal plants.

Smell of Egyptian mummies reveals 2,000-year-old embalming secrets

16 de marzo de 2026 Reportado por IA

Chemists at the University of Bristol analyzed the air around tiny fragments of Egyptian mummies to identify volatile organic compounds linked to embalming materials. The study, covering remains from 3200 BC to 395 AD, found 81 distinct compounds from oils, resins, beeswax, and bitumen. These clues show mummification practices grew more complex over time.

Salud

Mexican researchers develop antibiotics from venom and peppers

Salud

Scientists identify brain circuit for chronic pain transition

Ciencia

Bronze Age Britons used bone tools for copper mining

Chinese scientists use AI to crack moon's far side mystery

Chinese scientists have used an AI model to determine the chemical make-up of the moon's far side, offering new insights into one of lunar science's enduring mysteries. The findings add to insights from China's historic Chang'e-6 mission to the lunar far side in 2024.

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$3.4 million worth of suspected drugs, arrests two men

3 de abril de 2026 Reportado por IA

Hong Kong customs officers seized 6.5kg of suspected drugs worth HK$3.4 million (US$433,800) and arrested two men in separate operations earlier this week. The Customs and Excise Department said the first arrest took place at Hong Kong International Airport, where 3.1kg of suspected ketamine was found in a 43-year-old man's baggage from Bangkok; the second involved 1.7kg each of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine in Yau Ma Tei.

27 de mayo de 2026 02:18