Diagnosis

The earlier cancer is detected, the better. MIT scientists have developed a diagnostic system that can be performed as a urine test to detect the presence of cancer, and if a positive is returned, a follow-up test can locate where it is in the body.

A study is reporting a blood-based biomarker can detect the presence of 13 neurodegenerative disorders, from dementia to motor neuron disease, and determine whether those with depression are suffering from the early stages of neurodegenerative disease.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an electronic nose that may be able to sniff out signs of cancer from blood plasma samples. In tests, the device was able to detect a range of cancer types with over 90 percent accuracy.

Scientists may have identified three new subtypes of multiple sclerosis. Analyzing thousands of MRI scans, AI algorithms uncovered patterns regarding which areas of the brain are affected first, which could lead to more focused treatment options.

A simple home test for breast cancer and a UV energy-harvesting window made of recycled materials are the big winners of this year’s James Dyson Awards. The annual competition encourages university students to develop innovative solutions to problems.

A protein, previously found to be an effective blood-based biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases, has for the first time been detected in eye fluid. The discovery lays the foundation for eye tests to catch neurodegenerative diseases before symptoms appear.

Two new studies, published in The Lancet Neurology, are suggesting increasing levels of a particular brain protein, detected in blood and spinal fluid, could be the earliest sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s.

A new study is suggesting signs of the disease ALS may be detectable in teeth, decades before the onset of any symptoms. The research points to a dysfunction in metabolizing metals as a possible factor in the onset of this still mysterious disease.

A new case report describes the discovery of throat cancer in a subject using a novel saliva test designed to detect human papillomavirus virus. The saliva screening test appears very promising but needs further validation before broad deployment.

Research from a medical student is pointing to an early-stage biomarker for a variety of cancers. The research found subjects with abnormally small red blood cells were twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer as those with normal blood results.

Some medical experts around the world are suggesting a loss of the sense of smell may be an early indication of COVID-19. The preliminary, and still anecdotal, observation is not officially recognized as a COVID-19 symptom by the WHO at this stage.

A new study led by researchers from UC San Diego is suggesting unique microbial DNA signatures detected in blood samples can not only potentially identify dozens of different cancers but also catch the disease in its earliest stages.