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Silk screws used to repair fractures (BBC)
By Helen Briggs
BBC News
Screws made from 100% silk have been used to repair broken bones in research that could transform surgery.
US scientists say metal fixtures can potentially be replaced with plates and screws made from the natural fibre, which will eventually dissolve in the body.
So far the technique has only been tested on rodents.
Silk was once used to make sutures, but more recently has been used in modern medical implants.
In the new research, a team of medical engineers at Tufts University, Massachusetts, made screws from medical grade silk using specially designed moulds.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26438497