Medical
Stem cell technique shows promise for bone repair
A study, affiliated with South Korea's UNIST, has introduced a new treatment for skeletal system injuries, using stem cells from human bone marrow and a carbon material with photocatalytic properties. A recent study, affiliated with UNIST has developed a method of repairing injured bone using stem cells from human bone marrow and a carbon material with photocatalytic properties, which could lead to powerful treatments for skeletal system inj...
3D bioprinter can print totally functional human skin
Scientists from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), CIEMAT (Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, in collaboration with the firm BioDan Group, have presented a prototype for a 3D bioprinter that can create totally functional human skin. This skin is adequate for transplanting to patients or for use in research or the testing of cosmetic, chemical, and ...
How is IoT changing the face of healthcare?
The Internet of Things is about to transform the way we live and work. And if it reaches its fullest potential, it will fundamentally change every aspect of our lives. That sort of disruption is evident in the healthcare sector, where the pen and paper has been the primary means of recording patient information for decades. But now, healthcare technology is changing in major ways.
Blood-repellent materials improve medical implants
Medical implants like stents, catheters and tubing introduce risk for blood clotting and infection - a perpetual problem for many patients. Colorado State University engineers offer a potential solution: A specially grown, "superhemophobic" titanium surface that's extremely repellent to blood. The material could form the basis for surgical implants with lower risk of rejection by the body.
Developing tools to enhance human memory
The EU-funded RECALL project has been exploring ways of using technology to augment human memory, for instance by feeding data from purpose-built personal memory banks onto screens and other interfaces to replay and remind people of key information from events in the recent or distant past. Four European universities came together in the three-year RECALL project to research the possibilities of using technology to augment human memory.
Latest approach to the diagnostics of breast cancer
An international group of scientists has created an approach to the diagnostics of breast cancer with the help of nanoparticles of porous silicone. A relatively new term for modern science, nanoteranostics is a conjunction of nanoscale diagnostics and therapeutic methods. One of the prospective methods of nanoteranostics is using nanoparticles of porous silicone for the detection of damaged cells.
Technique could elucidate Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
In research that could one day lead to advances against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, University of Michigan engineering researchers have demonstrated a technique for precisely measuring the properties of individual protein molecules floating in a liquid. Proteins are essential to the function of every cell. Measuring their properties in blood and other body fluids could unlock valuable information, as the mole...
Analysing molecular mechanisms behind cognition
EU-funded scientists have investigated the role of synapse dysfunction in intellectual development and shed more light on the molecular mechanisms behind cognition. The aim MASDUHID (Molecular analysis of synaptic dysfunctions underlying human intellectual disabilities) project was to understand the synaptic molecular dysfunction associated with intellectual disorders, especially non-syndromic intellectual disability (NSID).
Antibody design opens door for brain treatments
Immunotherapy has proven to be effective against many serious diseases. But to treat diseases in the brain, the antibodies must first get past the obstacle of the blood-brain barrier. In a new study, a research group at Uppsala University describes their development of a new antibody design that increases brain uptake of antibodies almost 100-fold. Immunotherapy entails treatment with antibodies; it is the fastest growing field in pharmaceut...
Drug delivery system for the treatment of Parkinson’s
Renishaw’s latest drug delivery system, to be used in partnership with Herantis Pharma Plc’s drug candidate CDNF for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, is about to enter phase 1-2 clinical trials. The study will be supported by a €6 million grant from Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s are notoriously difficul...