Research paid for by the US Navy has resulted in a new combat bandage for troops. The new "battle dressing" is coated with an algae which causes broken blood vessels to constrict and save wounded soldiers from bleeding to death. For thousands of years, the most common cause of death among wounded soldiers has been bleeding to death. A tourniquet (tying off the limb to stop blood flow) sometimes saved the situation, although a common side effect was a lost limb. But many wounds were not treatable, until now, by tourniquets. With the widespread use of flak vests, the most common form of fatal wound is one that causes heavy bleeding. The new 100mm by 100mm battle dressing will go a long way towards eliminating that problem.