Police understand the importance of sleep—but for many, the nature of the job makes it hard to get enough of it.

A new study from The University of Texas at Arlington, published in Policing: An International Journal, explores how sleep deprivation affects police and their performance on the job.

Inside each cell of the human body are proteins that control which genes are expressed at the right place and time. However, intriguingly, many of the most important proteins involved in gene regulation lack stable structure. Exactly how these disorganized molecules give rise to precise gene expression has become a highly debated question in the field of molecular biology. Now, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered that key components of this machinery instead rely on a structured “bridge” protein to interact and carry out gene activation.

A research team from the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has developed biomimetic hydrogel bioadhesives that can seal wounds within seconds—eliminating the need for sutures or staples. Inspired by how mollusks adhere to wet surfaces, these PTLA bioadhesives offer strong, rapid adhesion even under wet or extreme conditions. The innovation, published in Advanced Materials, showed exceptional hemostasis and sealing performance in animal models, with potential applications in emergency medicine, minimally invasive surgery, and battlefield care.

Led by Dr. Shady Farah and Ph.D. student Qi Wu, the team has filed an international patent for the technology, which also demonstrates antimicrobial, antioxidant, and self-gelling properties—paving the way for next-generation wound care materials.