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Handheld probe shows great promise for oral cancer detection

A portable, miniature microscope has been developed to detect oral cancer in real-time, offering a significant improvement over traditional biopsy methods. The handheld probe uses a laser and micromirror technology to create full 3D images of tissue samples, providing high accuracy and potentially reducing treatment costs.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering·DateApr 26, 2012

Why looks can be deceiving

Researchers at McGill University have identified two brain regions critical for recognizing facial expressions and emotions. Damage to these areas can lead to difficulties in understanding social signals, impacting daily life.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateFeb 13, 2012

Light can detect pre-cancerous colon cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed a technology that uses angle-resolved low coherence interferometry to detect pre-cancerous cells in the colon. The device shines short bursts of light into tissue samples and analyzes scattered light for signs of dysplasia, with an accuracy rate of 85%.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateOct 10, 2011

New chemical reagent turns mouse brain transparent

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new aqueous reagent, Scale, which renders biological tissue transparent, allowing for vivid 3D images of neurons and blood vessels deep inside the mouse brain. The reagent's unique properties enable visualization of fluorescently-labeled samples at unprecedented depths and levels of spatial detail.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 30, 2011

Children's National collaborates with NIH researchers to identify gene variant in Proteus syndrome

A team of researchers at Children's National Medical Center has identified the genetic mutation causing Proteus syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by excessive tissue and bone growth. The study found that a point mutation in the AKT1 gene activates sporadic tissue growth associated with Proteus syndrome.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 10, 2011

Lasers ID deadly skin cancer better than doctors

Researchers at Duke University developed a laser-based tool that can identify substantial chemical differences between cancerous and healthy skin tissues. The technique uses two lasers to pump energy into suspicious moles, analyzing the way it redistributes in the skin cells to pinpoint microscopic locations of different skin pigments.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2011

Scientists create 3-D models of whole mouse organs

Scientists at Yale University have developed a method to create high-resolution 3D models of intact mouse organs, allowing for non-invasive imaging and analysis. This breakthrough uses fluorescence microscopy and optical clearing to image tissues up to depths of over two millimeters, enabling the creation of virtual 3D biopsies.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJun 24, 2010

Pressure testing tiny cell samples

Researchers have developed a new technique to study the structural properties of tissues by sucking cells into a pipette, providing information on adhesion and elasticity. This approach complements existing methods and allows for measurements on living tissue in its natural environment.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 25, 2010

Indian spice may delay liver damage and cirrhosis

Curcumin reduces bile duct blockage, liver cell damage, and scarring in mice with chronic liver inflammation. The spice interferes with chemical signalling pathways involved in the inflammatory process, offering a promising alternative to current treatments like ursodeoxycholic acid.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGut·DateMar 23, 2010

'Genome 10K' proposal aims to sequence 10,000 vertebrates

A new initiative aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 vertebrates, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, to gain better understanding of species diversity, evolution, and conservation. The project, called Genome 10K, has the potential to revolutionize our knowledge of cetaceans and inform effective conservation strategies.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Heredity·DateNov 4, 2009

Novel breast tissue feature may predict woman's cancer risk

Mayo Clinic researchers found that certain structural features within breast tissue can indicate a woman's individual cancer risk. The percentage of acini present per lobule at a given age indicates cancer risk. This method is more accurate in predicting risk for an individual than the Gail model.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 5, 2009

Human Tissue Act may have helped research, says study

A new study from the University of Leicester suggests that the Human Tissue Act 2004 may have facilitated medical research by giving Research Ethics Committees clearer guidance. The study analyzed letters written by ethics committees before and after the Act's implementation, concluding that committees were less likely to raise concern...

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalJournal of Clinical Pathology·DateSep 1, 2009

Ben-Gurion U. researchers identify how stressed fat tissue malfunctions

Ben-Gurion University researchers have identified a key signaling pathway in intra-abdominal fat that contributes to obesity-related disorders. The study found that this pathway is activated in response to fat accumulation in the abdomen, correlating with increased cardio-metabolic risk and whole-body insulin resistance.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateJul 14, 2009