Articles tagged with Radiation
A new study suggests that using 16-MDCT scanners can reduce radiation exposure in body CT scans by 20-30%, while also improving image quality. The technology offers a more dose-efficient option for hospitals with both 4-MDCT and 16-MDCT scanners, allowing them to scan high-risk patient groups with lower radiation doses.
Researchers identified 24 genes that can be used to single out patients for alternate therapies or lower radiation doses. The test could make treatment decisions easier and allow for personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patients' needs.
Researchers found a 1.7-fold increase in cardiovascular death among breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy compared to those who didn't. However, the risk was lower for non-irradiated patients, suggesting that breast cancer may have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a pretreatment test to identify patients at high risk for urinary tract difficulties after brachytherapy. The study found that 37% of high-risk patients developed some urinary difficulties, while 85% of low-risk patients did not experience problems.
African-Americans are more likely to have advanced stage cancer by the time it's diagnosed, and less likely to receive radiation therapy after surgery. Rectal cancer patients of any race still don't always receive optimal post-surgery care, highlighting a need for further studies to improve treatment guidelines.
A new standard has been proposed for coronary artery calcium screening, which aims to improve accuracy and comparability of results. The new system uses a calibrated scoring method and reduces radiation doses for small and medium-sized patients.
A new study found that chemotherapy and radiation together is more effective than sequential treatment in preserving the voice box, with 88% of patients still having their voice after two years. Overall survival rates were similar for all three treatment options.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have found that combining radiation with VEGF Trap, a protein engineered to block angiogenesis activity, can delay tumor growth by up to 40 days. The study suggests that radiation may enhance the effectiveness of VEGF Trap in treating glioblastoma, a common and aggressive brain tumor.
A 10-year study found high doses of radiation improved outcomes for patients with localized prostate cancer, regardless of risk group. Minimal side effects were observed despite higher radiation doses.
The study found statistically significant increases in mortality rates for A-bomb survivors due to radiation exposure, particularly heart disease, digestive diseases, and respiratory diseases. The cohort of over 86,000 people showed a strong correlation between dose estimates and increased risk of noncancer mortality.
Researchers analyzed a large dataset of prostate cancer patients treated with radiation therapy alone. The study examined multiple definitions of biochemical control and found three alternate definitions that offered more accurate predictions of treatment failure.
A new combination treatment using arsenic trioxide and radiation has shown promising results in treating glioblastoma, a previously incurable form of brain cancer. The study found that exposing glioblastoma cells to radiation within two hours of receiving a dose of arsenic trioxide amplified the effects of radiation treatment on its own.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have discovered a gene silencer that blocks cancer cells' ability to repair themselves after chemotherapy and radiation. By reducing the production of targeted repair proteins, the silencer enables cancer cells to become susceptible to therapy.
Brain cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy are at risk of life-threatening infections due to suppressed immune systems. Researchers found that monitoring immune cell counts and administering prophylactic antibiotics can prevent these side effects, with no patient developing pneumonia or other serious infections in the study.
A recent study published at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that breast cancer patients who did not smoke had significantly better long-term outcomes than those who smoked after undergoing lumpectomy and radiation treatment. The study of over 1,000 patients showed that smoking cessation is crucial in managing breast cancer.
Researchers have developed a new test that can identify patients who may suffer serious late toxicity from radiotherapy. The test uses T-lymphocyte apoptosis to predict the risk of late toxicity and can help stratify patients for more aggressive treatment, resulting in improved cancer control with reduced side effects.
Researchers have developed a new technique using wavelet analysis to speed up radiation dose calculations, allowing for more accurate control over radiation doses and reduced damage to adjacent healthy tissues. This breakthrough uses wavelets to give good fast approximations to smooth data fields with 'rough' noise.
A long-term follow-up study of childhood ALL survivors found that those who did not receive brain radiation had comparable survival rates, employment, and marital rates to the general population. However, those who received brain radiation had a slight increase in death rate due to second cancer and higher unemployment rates.
NIST researchers are investigating detection devices to detect dirty bombs and radiation threats, ensuring accuracy in various conditions. The new standards will improve the calibration of detectors, reducing errors in measuring high, medium, or low energy radiation sources.
A new study provides a precise formula to lower CT radiation doses for pediatric patients, reducing abdominal doses by up to 80%. The technique charts offer guidance for both head and body CT scans for children from infancy to adolescence.
Women treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy had a 61% lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who received only radiation. The authors suggest that ovarian hormones play a role in promoting tumor growth after radiation, which may explain the increased breast cancer risk in young women exposed to radiation.
Researchers genetically inactivated an enzyme, acid sphingomyelinase, to show that damage to endothelial cells is another way radiation kills tumor cells. Tumors without the enzyme were radioresistant, while those with it responded well to low doses of radiation.
A recent study provides the first genetic evidence that damage to blood vessels feeding tumors plays a primary role in tumor regression. Damage to endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, can induce apoptosis, leading to tumor death. The study's findings suggest possible new clinical approaches for radiation therapy.
A new study suggests that CT radiation dose can be reduced by 50% for patients who are small or have low weight, providing acceptable image quality. The researchers used a state-of-the-art CT scanner to assess the quality of liver, spleen, and abdominal wall images in 39 patients aged 65 years and older.
A new low-dose CT colonography technique reduces radiation risk for non-invasive colon cancer screening. However, it may limit subtle differentiation of extracolonic soft tissues. The study suggests that this technique is suitable for asymptomatic screening but may require a standard dose for symptomatic patients.
Researchers identified a link between specific genetic mutations and increased risk of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. They also developed a non-invasive method to measure thymidylate synthase inhibition using carbon-labeled thymidine PET scanning.
A recent study reveals that emergency room physicians often fail to inform patients about the risks and benefits of radiology procedures, including abdominal pelvic CT scans. The study found that only 22% of physicians accurately explained the radiation dose, while 74% underestimated it.
Researchers found that a combination of endostatin and radiation therapy reduced new blood vessel growth in mice with squamous cell cancer. After radiation, endostatin blocked the growth of new blood vessels, leading to long-term survival and tumor control in 40% of mice.
Theoretical chemist Schaefer wins the ACS Award for his groundbreaking work on simulating genetic material responses to electron bombardment. His research uses computer programs to derive new formulations and concepts, shedding light on complex chemical behavior and emerging properties of materials.
Individuals with reduced functional Artemis protein are prone to mild immunodeficiency and increased risk of developing lymphomas. This finding suggests that mutations in Artemis or other DNA repair genes may be responsible for immune deficiency and/or lymphoma cases.
Researchers found that Deinococcus radiodurans' DNA is packed tightly into a ring, preventing breakage and allowing it to withstand extreme stresses. The microbe's unique ring-like DNA structure enables it to repair damaged DNA and survive in harsh environments.
Research in mice found that rapamycin combined with radiation treatment delayed the regrowth of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) human tumors by an average of 19 days. Rapamycin inhibits the activity of mTOR, a protein promoting tumor growth, and its combination with radiation may enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
A study of Japanese atomic bomb survivors found a significant association between radiation exposure and an increased risk of all nervous system tumors, with higher risks for schwannomas, men, and children. The authors suggest that these increased risks persist throughout lifetime, regardless of age at exposure.
The University of Houston is developing blueprints for Texas spaceports and a Mars colony, aiming to provide a less expensive alternative to government-run facilities. The program will consider factors such as propulsion systems, habitat design, and radiation protection, with the goal of creating a sustainable human presence on Mars.
Researchers found that combining whole brain radiation with stereotactic radiosurgery improved survival rates by one to two months for patients with single brain metastases. Those with multiple metastases showed some improvement in survival, but not as much, and added medications may further enhance treatment outcomes.
Researchers discovered a biochemical signaling pathway activated by radiation that makes blood vessels resistant to therapy. Inhibiting this pathway enhances radiation-induced cell death and cytotoxicity in endothelial cells. The approach aims to destroy existing blood vessels, helping to defeat the tumor.
Researchers at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute are studying cellular responses to environmental stress to better understand how it contributes to cancer development. The team aims to characterize networks of systems that operate during exposure to DNA-damaging events, with a focus on DNA repair and damage tolerance pathways.
A randomized trial found that a shorter radiation therapy course did not increase breast cancer recurrence or cosmetic issues, but may have quality-of-life benefits. The study suggests that women with small, completely removed tumors could potentially receive shorter, more convenient treatment.
Researchers will use tiny devices called nanosensors that can detect early signs of radiation-induced cell damage. The sensors, which pass easily through blood membranes, aim to avoid problems with current implantable sensors and eliminate blood sampling.
A study of female radiologic technologists found that prolonged exposure to low dose radiation is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer mortality. Women who started working as radiologic technologists before 1940 were nearly three times more likely to die from breast cancer than those who began working in 1960 or later.
In a Phase I trial, patients receiving recombinant Angiostatin with radiation showed significant tumor regression and minimal toxicity. The findings support the safety of Angiostatin when combined with radiation therapy, paving the way for future trials of combination therapy.
Researchers evaluated 407 patients who had surgery to remove their cancer and were at high risk for recurrence. The study found no significant difference between radiation alone and chemotherapy plus radiation in reducing cancer recurrence or improving overall survival rates.
Dinosaur expert Paul C. Sereno has made groundbreaking discoveries in Africa, including the giant predator Carcharodontosaurus and the spinosaur Suchomimus. His research is transforming our understanding of dinosaur evolution, shedding light on their diversity and abundance during the Cretaceous period.
A study of 928 children with Hodgkin's disease found a 45-fold increase in breast cancer risk for girls, particularly those diagnosed with early-stage disease. The increased risk may be linked to treatment protocols and radiation dosages.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that a certain chemotherapy drug combination can increase the risk of lung inflammation in breast cancer patients. The study suggests doctors use extra caution when administering radiation therapy with paclitaxel, as it may lead to radiation pneumonitis in up to 14.6% of patients.
Researchers found that prostate cancer patients who underwent seed implantation (brachytherapy) experienced more urinary, sexual, and bowel problems compared to those treated with high-quality conformal external-beam radiation. The procedure's invasive nature may contribute to the higher side effects.
Patients face increased risk of cancer progression due to inadequate staffing and technical support for advanced radiation therapies like IMRT and SRT. These high-tech treatments require specialized personnel and equipment, which can lead to longer waiting times and higher healthcare costs.
Researchers examine how personality, culture, and group dynamics influence behavior and health outcomes in isolated environments. They also investigate the risks of space radiation exposure on astronauts' bodies, aiming to identify traits that maximize crew functioning and reduce individual and group problems.
Researchers at Penn State found a correlation between jet stream strength and precipitation in the Sahel region, which has been experiencing drought since the 1970s. The Tropical Easterly Jet was mostly weaker during dry periods, while the African Easterly Jet showed slightly stronger patterns in very dry years.
Geologist Arnie Miller's research reveals regional origins of radiations in Ordovician fossils, contradicting the global diversity trend. Localized tectonic activity and emergence of volcanoes triggered diversification on different paleo-continents.