Tattoo frenzy among researchers
Scientists in Germany say that tattoos could be the ideal way of delivering vaccines into the body.
The researchers say that in tests undertaken with mice, tattoos were much more effective in provoking a response from the immune system.
Tattoos could be a useful way of delivering therapeutic vaccines in humans, including for some cancers.
Such vaccines have often failed to produce the expected immune response when delivered using an injection.
Tattoos have played a part in human culture for thousands of years.
Just over 100 years ago, the practice became more widely available with the invention of the electric tattoo machine in the United States. The same basic instrument is still in use to create tattoos today.
The word “tattoo” is a borrowing of the Samoan word tatau, meaning to mark or strike twice. The first syllable “ta”, meaning “hand”, is repeated twice as an onomatopoeic reference to the repetitive nature of the action, and the final syllable “U” translates to “color”. (…)
The most common method of tattooing in modern times is the electric tattoo machine, which inserts ink into the skin via a group of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit. The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 80 to 150 times a second.
related { Tattoo with breast implants }
February 8th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
that looks like terry richardson in 30 years!