Enhancing Wound Healing: An Experimental Study of Regeneration in Planaria
Faculty Mentor
Tara Leath
Area of Research
Biology
Major
Biology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Hands-free technology is rapidly growing in hygiene due to heightened awareness of germ transmission, which has shifted public expectations of touch-free sanitary environments. While this technology may seem optimal to eliminate the spread of bacteria through commonly touched surfaces, it can be counterproductive. Hand dryers do not typically draw in fresh outside air; they pull in the immediate restroom air, which may contain traces of fecal bacteria, mold, and allergens. These bacteria can reproduce in the filters of the dryer and then disperse directly onto freshly washed hands.
METHOD: This study will investigate the levels of contamination on clean hands when using paper towels and hand dryers. This experiment will have (# of participants); all will wash their hands using the WHO’s 5-step recommended handwashing technique. Both hands, front and back, will be swabbed (sterile) prior to the drying method, then each individual sample will be placed on an agar plate. After, half the participants will dry their hands fully using paper towels, while the other half will fully dry their hands using the hand dryer. Both hands of all participants will then be swabbed, front and back, and each individual sample will be placed on an agar plate. All agar plates will be incubated at 37°C for 24 hours.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: While this technology may seem optimal to eliminate the spread of bacteria through commonly touched surfaces, it can be counterproductive, and this study will investigate whether hand dryers increase contamination compared to paper towels.
Enhancing Wound Healing: An Experimental Study of Regeneration in Planaria
INTRODUCTION: Hands-free technology is rapidly growing in hygiene due to heightened awareness of germ transmission, which has shifted public expectations of touch-free sanitary environments. While this technology may seem optimal to eliminate the spread of bacteria through commonly touched surfaces, it can be counterproductive. Hand dryers do not typically draw in fresh outside air; they pull in the immediate restroom air, which may contain traces of fecal bacteria, mold, and allergens. These bacteria can reproduce in the filters of the dryer and then disperse directly onto freshly washed hands.
METHOD: This study will investigate the levels of contamination on clean hands when using paper towels and hand dryers. This experiment will have (# of participants); all will wash their hands using the WHO’s 5-step recommended handwashing technique. Both hands, front and back, will be swabbed (sterile) prior to the drying method, then each individual sample will be placed on an agar plate. After, half the participants will dry their hands fully using paper towels, while the other half will fully dry their hands using the hand dryer. Both hands of all participants will then be swabbed, front and back, and each individual sample will be placed on an agar plate. All agar plates will be incubated at 37°C for 24 hours.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: While this technology may seem optimal to eliminate the spread of bacteria through commonly touched surfaces, it can be counterproductive, and this study will investigate whether hand dryers increase contamination compared to paper towels.