. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. It has already lowered choles- terol in animals without side ef- fects. But General Mills, the company exploring chitosan's anti-cholesterol ability, has yet to test the derivative in humans. But crab shell by-products aren't the only marine substances intriguing Sea Grant scientists. Delaware researchers are also delving into medical uses for mussel glue—a strong adhesive used by mussels and barnacles to attach themselves to rocks, piers and even each other. This natural glue hardens and forms a strong ad
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. It has already lowered choles- terol in animals without side ef- fects. But General Mills, the company exploring chitosan's anti-cholesterol ability, has yet to test the derivative in humans. But crab shell by-products aren't the only marine substances intriguing Sea Grant scientists. Delaware researchers are also delving into medical uses for mussel glue—a strong adhesive used by mussels and barnacles to attach themselves to rocks, piers and even each other. This natural glue hardens and forms a strong adhesive bond in a watery environment that is not unlike the inside of the mouth, the eye or the human body. A little dab of this non-toxic adhesive could revolutionize the way broken bones are set, eye surgery is performed and cavities are filled. Even soft body tissues and vital organs could be repaired with a drop or two of mussel glue. But if arthritis is a nagging pain making you miserable, a sponge may offer comfort. Hawaii Sea Grant scientists have isolated a substance called man- oalide from a Pacific sponge. It promises to offer all the benefits of the commonly used anti-inflam- matory drug hydrocortisone. But unlike hydrocortisone, it poses none of the side effects of steroids. This anti-inflammatory snake oil presents a passel of medicinal uses: arthritis, auto-immune dis- eases, asthma, multiple sclerosis, therapy for organ transplants, skin diseases, attacks of poison oak or ivy, insect bites and, yes, snake bites. An amino acid extracted from marine algae and bacteria by California Sea Grant scientists could aid in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system dis- orders. And an acorn worm discov- ered in the deep waters off Maui by Hawaii researchers holds promise for treating tumors. This exploration of the under- water pharmacy is not a lonely search. Researchers from marine institutes, pharmaceutical com- panies and national health organi- zations, such as th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
