Vibrations could help us learn, while sound waves stimulate bone cell growth.
Now, a research team from Michigan University has developed a strong, microsecond-length ultrasound to combat tumours of the liver.
The targeted sound wave creates, accurate to the millimetre, microbubbles within the affected tissue.
Through their expansion the bubbles destroy cancer cells before collapsing.
In lab tests, up to 75% of liver tumours were eradicated and, spurred on by the treatment, the immune system then tackled the rest.
In 80% of cases there was no recurrence of malignant tissue or metastases.
The treatment, named histotripsy, is low on side-effects and currently being developed as part of a trial study.
For prostate cancer, sport pays off. Effective – not invasive.
