Category: Technology & Devices
US breakthrough research eliminates HIV from infected mice
The elimination of the HIV virus requires clearance and removal of infected DNA from cells and tissues but, current treatment can only suppress its replication. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is then required to stall the virus’ spread – usually a lifelong process. Recently, US researchers from Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and the Department […]
US team introduces first, implant-less robot arm technology
Prosthetics technology has come a long way from brain implants or external sensing systems that are needed to control the robotic appendage – motions can be smooth or jerky depending on the type of control system used. However, the first noninvasive, mind-controlled robotic arm that exhibits smooth, continuous motion previously reserved only for systems involving […]
Scientists develop new laser tech to destroy cancer cells
Accurate detection of circulating tumour cells (CTC) inpatients’ blood can offer insight into the underlying tumour and predict metastases; their elimination is key to containing widespread cancer. Recently, American and Russian scientists have together developed a new kind of laser that can pinpoint and destroy CTCs without surgical interventions, which is a huge advantage to […]
Singapore introduces improvised exoskeleton rehab
Much of rehabilitation for paralysing injuries is repetitive and tiring. In a changing approach, the island Republic has adopted new technology for better rehab programmes. Using the US-made robotic exoskeleton suit, EksoGT, was found to improve rehabilitation therapies by a significant margin. The EksoGT allows a trained physiotherapist to safely increase the intensity and variation […]
Canadian researchers optimise laser surgery
Surgical options so far involve cutting the skin, patching it up and leaving it to heal. This process may soon be redundant as researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, have recently developed a specialised laser microscope that dually diagnoses and performs precise surgical removals without breaking the skin’s surface. The multiphoton excitation […]
US scientists introduce brain-controlled hearing aid
Hearing loss can prove challenging, especially when trying to make out a particular sound in a noisy/crowded space. Complete hearing loss is usually avoidable, but in the event of hearing difficulties, a new type of hearing aid may ease conversation through brain waves that channel sound while also drowning out background noise. Researchers from Columbia […]
US scientists reveal unique, quick bacteria-tracking device
Waiting days for a lab report to determine a bacterial infection could soon be a thing of the past, as scientists at Pennsylvania State University, US, have developed a device that considerably speeds up the process. The microtechnology-based device traps single bacteria cells which are later viewed under an electron microscope – the evaluation is […]
US medical centre first to use unmanned aircraft for organ transport
In a first-ever organ delivery operation, a drone has been used to transport a kidney needed for transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Centre (UMMC), US, where the specially-designed drone ended its 5km journey. A 44-year-old woman from Baltimore who was on dialysis for eight years received the kidney. The United Network for Organ […]
Israeli scientists 3D print “world-first” complete heart with human tissue
Heart disease is the primary cause of death in the US – most patients can only opt for a life-saving transplant, and donors are few. Scientists Tel Aviv University (TAU), Israel, have possibly solved this dilemma by producing the first-ever complete 3D printed heart using human tissue – a breakthrough in regenerative medicine. Lead scientist […]
Polymer coating to protect catheters from infections
A staggering 150 million intravascular catheters are implanted yearly in the US alone, and fatal infections can develop regularly. Antibacterial coatings have then been used to prevent colonisation and kill harmful bacteria, but often lose effectiveness after only two weeks. Most antibacterial coatings also use traditional antibiotics, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance over long term […]
