Medical
Alzheimer’s may be predicted during eye exam in the future
It may be possible in the future to screen patients for Alzheimer’s disease using an eye exam. Using technology similar to what is found in many eye doctors’ offices, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have detected evidence suggesting Alzheimer’s in older patients who had no symptoms of the disease. Their study, involving 30 patients, is published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmolog...
Keeping cancer out of breath blocks drug resistance
A combination of existing drugs shows promise that it could reduce the size of cancerous tumours much more effectively than current treatments. As cancer patients know all too well, many effective anti-cancer drugs don’t stay effective long. Most tumours will become drug resistant over time as their cells rapidly mutate. Chemists from The University of Texas at Austin and Korea University have demonstrated a new approach to blocki...
Artificial intelligence to detect often-missed cancer tumours
Doctors may soon have help in the fight against cancer thanks to the UCF’s Center for Research in Computer Vision. Engineers at the center have taught a computer how to detect tiny specks of lung cancer in CT scans, which radiologists often have a difficult time identifying. The artificial intelligence system is about 95% accurate, compared to 65% when done by human eyes, the team said.
Sonata system receives FDA clearance to market
Gynesonics has announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market its Sonata Sonography-Guided Transcervical Fibroid Ablation (Sonata) System. The Sonata System combines a breakthrough integrated technology which is the first and only intrauterine ultrasound system with a proprietary radiofrequency ablation device, providing a transcervical, incision-free, uterus-preserving treatment for uterine fibroids.
Implant for GERD avoids swallowing complications
An implantable device has been approved for use in Europe to help treat acid reflux disease. The IM RefluxStop device from Implantica, a company based in Zug, Switzerland, is designed to avoid some of the limitations of current minimally invasive reconstructive acid reflux procedures, such as difficulty swallowing, burping, and vomiting.
Magnetic stimulation of lower spine eliminates need for catheter
More than 80% of the 250,000 Americans living with a spinal cord injury lose the ability to urinate voluntarily after their injury. According to a 2012 study, the desire to regain bladder control outranks even their wish to walk again. In a study of five men whose injuries occurred five to 13 years ago, UCLA neuroscientists stimulated the lower spinal cord through the skin with a magnetic device placed at the lumbar spine.
Facebook and NYU launch collaboration to improve MRI
Facebook and NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology have announced fastMRI, a new collaborative research project that will investigate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to make magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans up to 10 times faster. If this effort is successful, it will make MRI technology available to more people, expanding access to this key diagnostic tool.
Chips, light and coding can help beat bacteria
The never-ending fight against bacteria has taken a turn in humanity’s favour with the announcement of a tool that could give the upper hand in drug research. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has produced alarming headlines in recent years, with the prospect of commonly prescribed treatments becoming obsolete setting off alarm bells in the medical establishment.
Magnetic gel can be used to ease pain
UCLA bioengineers have demonstrated that a gel-like material containing tiny magnetic particles could be used to manage chronic pain from disease or injury. Broadly, the study demonstrates the promising use of biomechanical forces that push and pull on cells to treat disease.
Transcranial stimulation for OCD cleared in US
The FDA has permitted marketing of the Brainsway Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation System for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). “Transcranial magnetic stimulation has shown its potential to help patients suffering from depression and headaches,” said Carlos Peña, Ph.D., M.S., director of the Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological He...