New Atlas

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 ...

Medical

Potential acne vaccine goes after bacterial toxins

Ben Coxworth August 29, 2018

Acne sufferers, take heart. Scientists from UC San Diego are now in the process of developing what could – eventually – be a vaccine for the skin disease. Not only may it drastically reduce inflammation, but it's also unlikely to have the side effects of currently-used medications.

If developed for use in humans, the vaccine would be the first to target bacteria already ...

Medical

Natural blue clay may kill germs in wounds

Ben Coxworth August 23, 2018

For centuries, various cultures have used clay as a remedy for infections. Now, scientists from Arizona State University (ASU) and the Mayo Clinic have determined that blue clay in particular may indeed be effective at treating infected wounds.

The blue clay contains bacteria-killing iron and aluminum

Medical

New class of drug compounds puts cancer in a sleeper hold

Michael Irving August 5, 2018

Current cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy are designed to kill tumors, but they often take down healthy cells as well. An emerging technique could provide a more targeted approach, stopping tumerous cells from proliferating and effectively putting the cancer to sleep.

An artist's impression of the KAT6A and KAT6B genes, which are being inhibited by new molecules ...