Headline Jan 12, 2016/ ''' SCIENCE THE *UNBELIEVABLE* '''

''' SCIENCE THE *UNBELIEVABLE* '''

QUICK AND SIMPLE

Technology   :      The Internet 

15 years ago  :      Four hours.

 Today          :       10 minutes

Where once doctors in hospitals would spend hours in the hospital's library looking for the answer to a clinical problem, today it's simple case of searching on their iPad or laptop often while they do their rounds.

Procedure      :      Keyhole surgery

10 years ago  :      Four weeks

Today            :      Four days.

Since the widespread use of keyhole  (or laparoscopic) surgery, patients having knee surgeries enjoy a much faster post-op recovery time. 

KILLING CANCER IN SECONDS

To kill  breast cancer, it usually takes many months of surgery followed chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 

But a new method being developed can kill all cancer cells within seconds by  ''boiling them''.  Called  'Preferential Radio-Frequency'  Ablation, an electrode is inserted into the heart of the tumour and heated to about 90 degree C to destroy the cancer cells.

Studies by the Karolinska Institute and Unilabs in Sweden indicate the method is very successful, especially in  non-aggressive tumours less than 2cm in diameter, says Karin Leifland, director of mammography at Unilabs.

''The tissue and fatty tissue surrounding the cancer are not affected.''

RED ALERT

If you are diabetic and need regular skin prick tests to monitor your blood glucose levels, you'll this : a contact lens that can signal flagging sugar levels by turning red.

The lens contains nonparticles that monitor glucose levels in tear fchanging colours as level change. The reaction turns the lens to a subtle red without affecting vision, says developer Jon Zhang, an assistant professor of chemical and biochemical engineering at the University of Western Ontario.

Although the glucose levels in tear fluid take 30 minutes longer to register than in blood, and most diabetics leave hours between their skin prick tests, making the lens a better option.   

NEXT-GENERATION DRESSINGS

Each time a patient needs to have a wound dressing removed to check for infection, the healing process is interrupted and germs can get in.

Now, a new dressing allows allows staff to tell if an infection is developing without even touching the patient. They only need to check a colour strip on the outside of the dressing.

The secret lies in a dye used in the dressing, which reacts to changing pH levels in the skin. ''Healthy skin and healed wounds usually show a pH value of below 5,'' says Dr Sabine Trupp, a lead researcher at Munich's Farunhofer Research Institute for Modular State Technologies, who developed the colour strip.

''If the pH value is between  6.5 and  8.5 , an infection is frequently present and the indicator colour strip turns purple.''

PANCREAS PARTS

An artificial pancreas, which regulates insulin in people with type 1 diabetes, is now a step closer. The organ would combine an insulin pump and glucose sensors to deliver the correct amount of insulin to the body  -without the need for constant blood checks.

In the US just a few years ago, a trial of two such devices at Massachusetts General Hospital allowed patients to roam around the hospital, and kept their blood sugar within acceptable levels for more than 24 hours.

EYE ART

The first prototypes of a bionic eye are due to trialled in patients in Australia. A camera attached to the a pair of glasses transmits high-frequency radio signals to a microchip implanted in the retina.

The chip converts these signals into electrical impulses, which the retina transmits to the optic nerve and on to the brain in the normal way.

The technology could return some sight to people with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related degeneration.

THE DEEP SLEEP PILLOW

if you're a snorer with a penchant for huggable plush toys, the polar bear-shaped Jukusui-kun    ''deep sleep''  pillow could be for you.

Researchers at  Waseda University in Tokyo developed the robotic pillow to help people with  obstructive sleep aponoea.

The pillow has built in  built-in sensors that measure snoring volume and blood-oxygen levels. When snoring gets too loud or blood-oxygen levels drop, a robotic   ''paw''   gently tickles your face, getting you to roll over and resume normal breathing. 

THE MAGIC MIRROR

A team from  Harvard-MIT  Health Sciences and Technology programme is working on a mirror that could measure the rate of your pulse, respiration and heart while you brush your teeth.

When you step in front of it, you'll see your reflection as normal, along with a digital box which will display your vital signs.

The mirror has built-in-monitor that measures slight variations of the flow in blood vessels in the face. It simplifies health checks by fitting in to your daily routine, says designer and Ph.D student  Ming-Zher Poh.

''Every day you get a snapshot of your health. Data can be transferred over the Internet to your doctor who can track results over days or weeks and spot any deviations.

With respectful dedication to the Scientists, Doctors,  Students, Professors and Teachers of Medicine. See Ya all on !WOW!  -the World Students Society:

''' True Technology '''

Good Night and God Bless

SAM Daily Times - the Voice of the Voiceless