Today in Research: Bacon Cures Nose Bleeds; Stem Cell Success

Discovered: A tasty, pork-based nose-bleed remedy; stem cells work; magnetic soap; cancer doesn't stop smokers; and the very real benefits of monogamy.

• Bacon cures nose bleeds? The bacon craze had already gone too far, but this latest finding suggests it will continue down that path of lunacy. A new study, printed in a real medical journal (Annals of Otolaryngology), found that using strips of cured bacon helped those afflicted with chronic nose-bleeds. "Cured salted pork crafted as a nasal tampon and packed within the nasal vaults successfully stopped nasal hemorrhage promptly, effectively, and without sequelae" (or aftereffect of the condition), explains the study. Apparently they used to do these sorts of the things back in the day, but bacteria caused all sorts of infection, so doctors stopped. Now that bacon's back in, there seems no better place to stick those delicious smelling sticks of fat. [The Guardian]

• Some success with stem cells and blindness. Sorry anti-stem cell folks, stem-cells work. Patients who received stem cell treatments for a progressive form of blindness have reported better eye-sight, indicated research published in medical journal Lancet. Sounds incredible to us, but the researcher touted the results hesitantly. "The improvement in vision is a tiny biological signal. It could be disproven, or it could be the beginning of something fantastic," said Dr. Steven Schwartz. "The important thing here is that at four months, we saw the cells transplanted successfully into the subretinal space, they engrafted, and there was no immune rejection and not tumors, so it appeared safe." Safety first! [io9]

Read the full story at The Atlantic Wire.