Biology & Medicine News and Discussions

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Breath-analyzing sensor dims its glow to show blood oxygen levels
By Ben Coxworth
May 06, 2024
https://newatlas.com/medical/blood-oxyg ... or-breath/

A new sensor could soon allow hospital patients' blood oxygen levels to be checked via their breath. The technology is claimed to be more reliable and less painful than existing traditional methods.

Blood delivers life-sustaining oxygen to the organs and tissues throughout our body.

Therefore, if there isn't enough oxygen in that blood, serious damage may occur to the brain, heart or other areas – potentially resulting in the death of the patient. It's also possible for blood oxygen levels to be too high, causing damage to the lungs.

With such risks in mind, doctors typically monitor critical patients' blood oxygen levels via devices known as pulse oximeters. These clamp onto the end of one finger, where they use light to determine how much oxygen is currently in the bloodstream.

Because pulse oximeters aren't 100% reliable, doctors will sometimes also draw and analyze blood samples. While this technique is a more accurate indicator of blood oxygen levels, it may also be painful and distressing to the patient. It also doesn't provide real-time or continuous readings.

[Tadasuke]

In this episode, recorded during Abundance360 2024, Peter Diamandis and Dean Kamen discuss future of organ manufacturing, Moonshots, and more:

• 15:40 | Creating Organs for Life-Saving Results (in the coming years)
• 25:10 | Custom-Made Organs Now Possible (needs regulatory approval and production facilities)
• 43:43 | The Race to Technical Competence



Dean Kamen is a prolific American inventor, entrepreneur, and advocate for science and technology education. He gained widespread recognition for his invention of the Segway PT, an electric, self-balancing human transporter, and has also made significant contributions to medical technologies, including the first wearable insulin pump for diabetics. Kamen founded DEKA Research & Development Corporation to focus on the development of revolutionary healthcare technologies. He is also the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use, and enjoy science and technology. His work extends beyond inventions to actively inspiring young people through robotics competitions and educational programs, aimed at building future leaders in engineering and technology.

Learn about DEKA: https://www.dekaresearch.com/

Learn about FIRST: https://www.firstinspires.org/

[firestar464]

Study highlights pathoblockers as a future alternative to antibiotics

https://phys.org/news/2024-05-highlight ... otics.html

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Breaking Bonds to Form Bonds: Rethinking the Chemistry of Cation
May 16, 2024

Introduction:

(Eurekalert) A team of chemists from the University of Vienna, led by Nuno Maulide, has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of chemical synthesis, developing a novel method for manipulating carbon-hydrogen bonds. This groundbreaking discovery provides new insights into the molecular interactions of positively charged carbon atoms. By selectively targeting a specific C–H bond, they open doors to synthetic pathways that were previously closed – with potential applications in medicine. The study was recently published in the prestigious journal Science.

Living organisms, including humans, owe their complexity primarily to molecules consisting mainly of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These building blocks form the basis of countless substances essential for daily life, including medications. When chemists embark on synthesizing a new drug, they manipulate molecules through a series of chemical reactions to create compounds with unique properties and structures.

This process involves breaking and forming bonds between atoms. Some bonds, such as those between carbon and hydrogen (C–H bonds), are particularly strong and require considerable energy to break, while others can be more easily modified. Whereas an organic compound typically contains dozens of C–H bonds, chemists traditionally had to resort to manipulating other, weaker bonds. Such bonds are far less common and often need to be introduced in additional synthetic steps, making such approaches costly – thus, more efficient and sustainable synthetic methods are sought after.

C–H Activation as a New Approach

The concept of C–H activation is a revolutionary approach enabling the direct manipulation of strong C–H bonds. This breakthrough not only enhances the efficiency of synthetic processes but can also often reduce their environmental impact and provide more sustainable paths for drug discovery.
A key challenge is the precise manipulation of a specific C–H bond within a molecule containing many different C–H bonds. This obstacle, known as the "selectivity problem," often hinders the broader application of established C–H activation reactions (Figure 1).

Read more here: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1044772

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https://x.com/TheInsiderPaper/status/17 ... 7314221155

NEW: Cancer-causing microplastics are found in 100% of men's testicles in new study — Daily Mail

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More on that here:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05- ... issue.html

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New non-toxic analgesic provides hope to nerve pain sufferers
By Paul McClure
May 20, 2024

A new oral analgesic without the health risks associated with existing pain relievers has been proven safe. According to the drug’s developers, it could revolutionize pain management, especially for those with hard-to-treat conditions like nerve pain.

It’s estimated that 27.5% of people globally are affected by pain. While they might be effective, existing analgesics each have their issues. Acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol, Panadol) can be toxic to the liver, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, and others) can damage kidneys and cause stomach ulcers. Meanwhile, opioids are notoriously addictive and responsible for a high number of deaths caused by overdose.

Then, there are conditions for which treatment with traditional analgesics can be ineffective. Nerve pain, or neuropathy, is one example; chronic pain is another. Determined to uncover a new analgesic with the potential to treat these hard-to-treat conditions and avoid the health risks associated with classic analgesics, researchers at South Rampart Pharma developed SRP-001. The drug has been tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial, yielding very promising results.

https://newatlas.com/medical/new-analgesic-human-trial/

[wjfox]

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Virginia Tech Researcher Creates New Acoustic Tool to Move Tiny Bioparticles
by Alex Parrish

May 13, 2024

Introduction:

(Virginia Tech) Medical procedures capable of moving cells inside the body without making incisions have unique benefits. From faster recovery times to less trauma impacting the body, the list of reasons to do surgery without scalpels is growing with the technology used to perform noninvasive treatments.

A new method that might be available in the future is coming to life through research conducted by Zhenhua Tian’s team. The assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering is using tube-shaped acoustic energy to capture tiny biological materials such as cells and bacteria, moving the captive particles without touching them. The work has earned him a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award, reserved for early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education while building a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership.

Tian’s team will use the $649,000 in funding from the award to further develop its work using acoustic energy to create invisible beams capable of trapping, translating, and rotating objects.

Read more here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/04/e ... ard.html

Background Introduction:

(Eurekalert) Undergoing surgery is seldom a pleasant experience, and it can sometimes be highly invasive. Surgical procedures have evolved steadily over the centuries, growing with the knowledge of anatomy and biology.

Innovative methods have also been bolstered with new tools, and a growth in the use of robotics since the 1980s has moved health care forward significantly. Assistant Professor Zhenhua Tian has pressed forward another step in the march of progress using robotics and noninvasive acoustics, and his team’s work has been published in Science Advances.

Robot-assisted surgery

Surgery using robots has been invasive since its invention because cutting is involved and often other instruments are inserted into the incision. However, because robotic-assisted tools can be smaller, the cuts also tend to be smaller than traditional surgeries, making robotics a preferred choice. This form of surgery has proven its benefits and has grown in use over time, with advantages to patients including

• Less discomfort and bleeding
• Less time in the hospital
• Faster recovery periods

In fact, according to the American College of Surgeons, 1.8 percent of surgeries included a robot in 2012. By 2018, that percentage had risen to 15.1 percent and continues to rise through advancements in robotics. Some of the most common procedures involving robotics include appendectomies, hysterectomies, and gastric bypasses.

Read more here: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1045436

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Study reveals promising technology for sepsis treatment using functional magnetic nanoclusters
https://phys.org/news/2024-05-reveals-t ... ional.html
by JooHyeon Heo, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

A research team has introduced a novel technology capable of removing inflammation-triggering agents in extracorporeal blood. The team, led by Professors Joo Hun Kang and Jinmyoung Joo in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Jae Hyuk Lee from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, anticipates that this innovation will open avenues for sepsis treatment by demonstrating excellent therapeutic effects under conditions similar to those of actual patients.

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Sweat sensor gets the goods without resorting to needles or workouts
By Ben Coxworth
May 28, 2024

If you don't like getting needles or working out, this new medical wearable may be for you. It analyzes sweat instead of blood, and it doesn't require patients to generate that sweat by performing strenuous exercises.

First of all, there are already multiple skin-adhered patches which detect biomarker chemicals in the wearer's sweat. Concentrations of those chemicals in the sweat correlate to those in the bloodstream.

While these patches do provide a painless alternative to needle-drawn blood sampling, they require patients to work up a sweat by running on a treadmill or performing some other type of intense exercise. These activities typically must be performed in a clinic, plus not everyone can perform them – examples of such people include infants and individuals with limited mobility.

One alternative involves utilizing strap-on devices that stimulate the sweat glands to release sweat solely via the application of a mild electric current. These gadgets tend to be relatively large, complex and expensive, however, plus they must be applied and operated by trained personnel in a clinical setting.

The new wearable is claimed to combine the best aspects of both systems, without their drawbacks. It is being developed by scientists from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and Northwestern University in Illinois.

https://newatlas.com/medical/skin-stimu ... at-sensor/

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Tiny Fern Breaks the World Record for the Largest Genome of Any Organism
by Eleanor Higgs (edited by Laura Simmons)
May 31, 2024

Introduction:

(IFL Science) The saying goes that good things come in small packages, and while the discovery of the world's largest genome in any organism is an incredible find, the reality is a little bit more complicated than that. The New Caledonian fork fern species Tmesipteris oblanceolate has a genome that when stretched out would be taller than Big Ben’s tower, and is now a three-time world record holder.

With more than 100 meters of DNA (328 feet), the tiny unassuming fork fern has the largest amount of DNA stored in the nucleus of any living organism on the planet. To put this into context, the human genome has 3.1 gigabase pairs, which would stretch out to around 2 meters (6.5 feet), while T. oblanceolate has 160.45. The fern has thereby taken the largest fern genome, the largest plant genome, and the largest genome world records.

While this may sound surprising for such a small plant, six of the top 10 largest genomes are held by plants. The previous title holder Paris japonica, a Japanese flowering plant, has a genome of 148.89 gigabase pairs, while in the animal kingdom the marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) joined the party at 129.90 Gbp, with the salamander species the Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi) at 117.47 gigabase pairs. These species have some of the largest genomes among animals, but they're far smaller than these plants.

Despite holding the world record, T. oblanceolata is actually at more of a disadvantage than its smaller-genomed compatriots. Having a big genome and lots of DNA requires big cells, meaning that the larger-genomed species are more likely to be slower growing and less efficient at photosynthesis.

Read more here: https://www.iflscience.com/tiny-fern-b ... sm-74447

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Antibody discovery promises new hope in influenza B battle, paves way for universal vaccine
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06- ... uenza.html
by Bill Snyder, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated human monoclonal antibodies against influenza B, a significant public health threat that disproportionately affects children, the elderly and other immunocompromised individuals.

Seasonal flu vaccines cover influenza B and the more common influenza A but do not stimulate the broadest possible range of immune responses against both viruses. In addition, people whose immune systems have been weakened by age or illness may not respond effectively to the flu shot.

Small-molecule drugs that block neuraminidase, a major surface glycoprotein of the influenza virus, can help treat early infection, but they provide limited benefit when the infection is more severe, and they are generally less effective in treating influenza B infections. Thus, another way to combat this virus is needed.

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One in six people who stop antidepressants will experience discontinuation symptoms as a direct result, says study

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06- ... esult.html

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On that note:

New study redefines how antidepressants aid in treating major depressive disorder

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06- ... ssive.html

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Opioid giant's tactics to influence doctors revealed in court documents

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06- ... ealed.html

Dear.

[firestar464]

Lifting the Veil on Near-Death Experiences

https://archive.ph/MgVto

[Time_Traveller]

Top doctors warn shortage of NHS radiologists will rise to 40 per cent by 2028

12 hours ago

The shortages of NHS radiologists will rise from 30 to 40 per cent by 2028, top doctors have warned amid reports of worsening delays in patients getting life-saving treatment.

The drastic shortfall will paralyse the system if no action is taken to retain doctors and recruit more, The Royal College of Radiologists said.

In a new survey of doctors, nearly half - 47 per cent - of those working in cancer centres said they saw weekly delays last year– up from 28 per cent the year before.

Reported delays in radiotherapy are also worsening, with 43 per cent of clinicians reporting weekly delays in 2023 – up from 22 per cent in 2022.

The report comes as a new analysis from Cancer Research UK found more than 380,000 cancer patients have not been treated on time since 2015.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/heal ... 61385.html

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Study identifies first drug therapy for sleep apnea
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06- ... apnea.html
by University of California - San Diego

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and international collaborators have led a worldwide, advanced study demonstrating the potential of tirzepatide, known to manage type 2 diabetes, as the first effective drug therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-related disorder characterized by repeated episodes of irregular breathing due to complete or partial blockage of the upper airway.

The results, published in the June 21, 2024 online edition of New England Journal of Medicine, highlight the treatment's potential to improve the quality of life for millions around the world affected by OSA.

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ESM3: Simulating 500 million years of evolution with a language model

https://www.evolutionaryscale.ai/blog/esm3-release