IT MAY be time to start selling face paint in the "itch and bite" sector of your pharmacy.
New research published in the journal Royal Society Open Science reveals that the use of "striped body painting may be related to protection against dangerous parasitic pests", such as horseflies.
While it has long been known that the striping on animals such as zebras discouraged horseflies from biting, it has only now been shown that similar striping with body and face paints can also reduce the visual attractiveness of skin to horseflies.
This cultural feature is common to indigenous tribes in Africa, Australia and Papua New Guinea in places where horseflies are widespread.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have come up with a unique new way to make drugs.
They have managed to genetically modify chickens so that they literally "lay medicines," with their eggs containing clinically significant levels of human proteins, the BBC reports.
Although still at early stages, the Roslin Institute scientists said the technique could be used to produce protein-based therapies such as cancer treatments Herceptin and Avastin, at costs literally chickenfeed compared to current manufacturing methods.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 05 Feb 19
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 05 Feb 19