Medical
Having already cured many diseases and conditions that were once a death sentence, medical researchers continue to strive to help us live longer and healthier lives. Read about the latest advances here.
Latest News
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Designer protein helps paralyzed mice walk again in breakthrough study
German scientists have restored the ability to walk in mice that had been paralyzed by a complete spinal cord injury. The team created a “designer” signaling protein and injected it into the animals’ brains, stimulating nerve cells to regenerate. -
Eye membrane removal may help transplanted cells reverse glaucoma damage
Glaucoma can cause vision loss that's currently irreversible. But now scientists have found that removing a membrane in the eye could help transplanted cells migrate into the optic nerve and repair the connections, potentially restoring lost vision. -
Phage viruses can make superbugs susceptible to antibiotics again
Bacteria are fast evolving resistance to antibiotics, meaning our best drugs could soon stop working entirely. Now researchers have found a way to bypass drug resistance in these so-called superbugs – by distracting them with predatory viruses. -
Painkiller-dispensing patch could be an alternative to opioids
In order to keep patients from developing opioid addictions, it's best if doctors can avoid prescribing the things in the first place. A new surgical patch could help, by gradually releasing painkillers right where they're needed. -
Externally powered implant designed to treat obesity
When an obese person really needs to lose weight, gastric bypass surgery is sometimes performed – but it's quite an invasive procedure. An experimental new implant, however, may produce similar results with much less fuss. -
Portable X-ray device would let patients check their own bones
Presently, if someone has been involved in a potentially bone-breaking mishap, they have to be X-rayed by trained staff at a hospital. Soon, however, it may be possible for them to perform their own X-rays, using a compact device that could be located just about anywhere. -
Cancer cells hibernate like "bears in winter" to survive chemotherapy
A compelling study is suggesting all cancer cells may have the capacity to enter states of dormancy as a survival mechanism to avoid destruction from chemotherapy. And the mechanism these cells deploy notably resembles one used by hibernating animals. -
Ultrasound drill uses nanodroplets to bust up tough blood clots
Blood clots can be dangerous, and blood thinning drugs aren’t always enough to clear them out. Now, researchers at North Carolina State University have demonstrated an ultrasonic “drill” that can break clots apart with the help of tiny nanodroplets. -
Molecular "off" switch keeps cancer immunotherapy from turning deadly
CAR T cell immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment that supercharges natural tumor-hunting cells, but it can backfire with potentially deadly results. Now, scientists have engineered off switches for these immune cells. -
Artificial enzyme could slow Parkinson's by targeting protein clumps
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by clumps of misfolded proteins accumulating and killing brain cells. Johns Hopkins researchers have developed an artificial enzyme that may stop these clumps from spreading, providing a new potential treatment. -
Heating cancer cells with magnetic nanoparticles can enhance chemotherapy
A new study led by researchers from University College London suggests that combining traditional chemotherapy with an experimental therapy that uses magnetic nanoparticles to heat tumor cells could significantly enhance the efficacy of both treatments. -
Real-time VR system enhances effect of chronic pain therapy
A new study has found integrating an immersive virtual reality system into a chronic pain treatment can significantly enhance a patient’s pain-relief outcome. The research suggests “digiceutical” therapies may be effective for patients suffering chronic pain.