Bags of blood wait to be checked and washed Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. This summer, hospitals around the country are launching major new research to settle if fresher blood really is better for at least some patients. And if so, they're also hunting ways to turn back the clock for older blood _ like the University of Miami's work to wash away some cellular debris _ and offset any deterioration. The University of Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital is testing whether "washing" blood before transfusing it could help, by ridding blood of microparticles that accumulate the longer it's stored. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

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Studies aim to settle if fresher blood is better

• By ncs-import
• July 27, 2010