Photo by Benis Arapovic via Vecteezy Researchers in Arkansas are developing experimental surgical sutures that slowly release anti-inflammatory drugs at the wound site, aiming to curb local inflammation, reduce scarring, and potentially improve outcomes of delicate procedures. Working in the laboratory of chemist Sharon K. Hamilton, PhD, at Ouachita Baptist University, undergraduate researcher Mieya Kirby has focused on electrospun polymers, which can be drawn under high voltage into...

MFSD2A is required for the uptake of LPCs containing linoleic acid (LPC18:2) from the blood for normal development of the epidermis. The absence of MFSD2A leads to increased skin inflammation and thickening of the epidermis. Photo by: Bernice Wong Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have pinpointed a lipid transporter that enables epidermal cells to import key fatty acids from the bloodstream, a mechanism they say is critical for preserving skin barrier integrity in health and...

Shoshana Marmon, MD, PhD Some improvements seen in skin thickness and collagen, but study designs varied Topical estrogen is emerging as a sought-after option for menopausal skin changes, but dermatologists caution that the evidence base remains limited and safety questions unresolved, according to a cover article in the Feb. 2026 issue of The Chronicle of Skin & Allergy . Patient interest in facial estrogen preparations has grown in parallel with menopause-focused marketing and social media...