Tag: Cancer

Windscreen-wipers aren’t just useful in cars. For doctors examining lungs, it’s equally important to have a clear view. During a feasibility study, a research team at Leeds University developed a mini-robot that can reach the lungs’ smallest bronchial tubes. Manually-operated instruments currently used in lung examinations are either too wide in diameter, or too difficult to control. The robot,...

The ideal prosthetic limb is both stiff and flexible. The human protein P53 helps the body to fight cancer, preventing damaged cells from turning into cancer cells, and the latter from spreading. It is, however, very ‘floppy’, infrequently produced by the body and quickly broken down. Which explains why a research team in Sweden took a closer look at...

Special sponges could remove oil slicks from the ocean. If only treating cancer was as simple. A bioengineering research team from Houston has developed a process that offers hope. First step: ovarian and colorectal cancer. Globule-sized powerpacks of highly-dosed cells are implanted next to tumours and within the peritoneum. A minor procedure that minimises the side-effects of treatment. The...

Tests for fertility or breast cancer can now be conducted from home. Colorectal cancer screenings not so much. In the USA, only 40-55% of Hispanic adults show for appointments, with women more likely to attend than men. The lack of early diagnosis leads to a disproportionately high death rate for colorectal cancer in Hispanic individuals. Now, a Rhode Island...

Bacteria in the gut can help reduce side effects from radiotherapy. Now a Hong Kong research team has made a breakthrough discovery with regard to liver cancer. The third most deadly cancer, it often goes undetected until it’s too late. The team analysed membrane particles segregated from blood platelets, which function as a messenger between cells. Within the particles...

It’s possible to detect skin cancer using your mobile. For women, however, breast cancer remains the most common type. A research team at Duke University has developed an AI to support mammography teams. The system assesses scans to determine whether a biopsy is required. In order to make the AI trustworthy, it was not only taught to read medical...

Finding your perfect match can take time. A research team from Harvard Medical School and the University of California in Davis has recently discovered that combining two drugs can support the recovery process of pancreatic and liver cancer patients. Tumor cells that have been killed off during chemotherapy can cause inflammation, leading to metastasis. To stop this from happening,...