New Atlas

Science Audio available

New antidote for box jellyfish sting isn't entirely new

Ben Coxworth April 30, 2019

The box jellyfish is the world's most venomous creature, with a sting from its trailing tentacles causing intense pain, necrosis of the skin, and in some cases death by cardiac arrest. Now, however, scientists have found an antidote for such stings – and it's an existing cholesterol-lowering drug.

The scientists utilized venom from Chironex fleckeri, the larger and more deadly of the two box ...

Medical Audio available

Synthetic molecule shows promise as multiple sclerosis treatment

Ben Coxworth April 18, 2019

In MS, the immune system attacks and damages myelin, which is the insulation on nerves in the spinal cord, brain and optic nerve. This causes the nerves to short-circuit. In "a potential game-changer," scientists have now demonstrated that a synthetic molecule can restore compromised myelin.

An illustration of a healthy neuron, with its sausage-link-like myelin sheath

VR

UK doctors can practice emergency patient care in virtual reality

Paul Ridden April 1, 2019

Doctors in the south of the UK can now run through virtual reality simulations of emergency care for folks suffering from Type 1 diabetes, before applying what they've learned on real patients.

If successful, the virtual reality training program will be rolled out across the UK during 2019

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Potential Parkinson's treatment delivers protein directly to the brain

Ben Coxworth February 27, 2019

It was just last month that we heard about a brain implant which dispenses a protein to stop seizures in epileptic rats. An unrelated study now suggests that a brain implant in humans, which delivers that same protein, could be used to treat and even reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease.

The Convection Enhanced Delivery system consists of four tubes implanted within the brain, all of which ...

Medical Audio available

"Smart" needle senses tissue pressure to know exactly where it is

Ben Coxworth February 25, 2019

It's safe to say that no one likes the thought of getting a needle in the eye. If they have to, therefore, it would certainly be best if the procedure were performed correctly the first time. A new "smart" tissue-sensing needle is designed to help that happen.

An illustration of the i2T2 needle being used to deliver medication to the eye's suprachoroidal space

Biology Audio available

New Oxford-developed tool reads the life histories of cancer cells

Michael Irving February 12, 2019

Tumors are made up of many different types of cancer cells, and we can’t always clear them all out. Now Oxford researchers have developed a way to track the genetic “life histories” of thousands of individual cancer cells at once, which may lead to more effective and personalized cancer treatments.

Oxford researchers have developed a new technique that can track the "life histories" of cancer cells

Medical

Implant uses copper to fight bone infection

Ben Coxworth January 30, 2019

Resulting from bone-breaks, deep puncture wounds, severe tooth decay or other causes, osteomyelitis is a bone infection that in serious cases may lead to amputations or even death. It's also notoriously difficult to treat, although a newly-developed implant could help change that.

An X-ray showing osteomyelitis in a young person's tibia

Medical

Scientists develop new treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis

Ben Coxworth January 9, 2019

Like so many other diseases, tuberculosis is becoming increasingly resistant to treatment by antibiotics. There may be hope, however, as scientists have developed a new vitamin-based treatment which could both halt the disease, and prevent antibiotic-resistance from developing further.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland's Prof. Sally-Ann Cryan, co-lead scientist on the study

Medical

Experimental treatment uses light to stop itchiness

Ben Coxworth December 17, 2018

Nobody likes being itchy, but for people with conditions such as eczema, it can be quite a serious problem. Scientists at EMBL Rome (the European Molecular Biology Laboratory) may be onto a long-acting solution, in the form of light-activated medication that is injected into the skin.

The treatment may stop itching for up to several months

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

RAP tech takes a sound approach to faster tattoo removal

Ben Coxworth December 11, 2018

Laser-based tattoo removal is typically a long process, often requiring 10 or more treatment sessions spread several weeks apart from one another. A new acoustic system, however, could reportedly allow for complete tattoo removal in as little as two to three closely-spaced sessions.

The business end of the RAP system is a handheld device which is used to send ...