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First-of-its-kind child ultrasonography dataset enables a wealth of research

Researchers have created a groundbreaking dataset of ultrasonography scans of three major arteries supplying blood to the brain in children. The dataset consists of 821 participants, allowing for the development of machine learning models that can accurately predict a child's age and cognitive abilities based on their ultrasounds.

Ultrasounds for abalone

Researchers from University of California - Davis found that ultrasounds can detect when abalone are ready to spawn without touching them. The technique creates a gonad index score ranging from 1 to 5 indicating readiness for reproduction.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Smoking before and after conception is linked to delayed embryonic development

A study published in Human Reproduction found that smoking by mothers during the periconceptional period is associated with delayed embryonic development, smaller foetuses at the 20-week ultrasound scan, and lower birth weights. The delay in embryonic development was found to have a greater impact in the second trimester of pregnancy.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 22, 2022

Researchers from the GIST propose ultrasound stimulation as an effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease in new study

Researchers at GIST demonstrate that ultrasound pulses can reduce β-amyloid plaque concentration and tau protein levels in AD-model mice, suggesting a promising non-invasive therapeutic strategy. The treatment also improves brain connectivity without causing harm to brain tissue.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalTranslational Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022

RNA sequencing from single blood draw can predict pregnancy health and preeclampsia prediction

Researchers have developed a technique that analyzes cell-free RNA in a mother's blood to predict healthy pregnancy outcomes and detect potential complications like preeclampsia. The approach showed promise in identifying patterns of gene expression associated with a healthy pregnancy and predicting preeclampsia risk with high accuracy.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Fetal MRI is a valuable adjunct to ultrasound in detecting abnormal extracardiac development in fetuses with congenital heart defects

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that fetal MRI can detect at least one other abnormality in almost 57% of fetuses with heart defects. Additionally, approximately a quarter of all fetuses had structural brain abnormalities, regardless of the severity of the heart defect.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 20, 2021

Recalled noncalcified lesions: ultrasound vs. ultrasound plus mammography

A prospective study found that ultrasound alone adequately completed the diagnostic evaluation of 71.2% of noncalcified lesions, diagnosed 92.1% of cancers, and yielded a sensitivity of 94.9%. Radiologists should consider performing ultrasound first for digital breast tomosynthesis-recalled noncalcified masses.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 15, 2021

World-first clinical trial demonstrates focused ultrasound can deliver antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain

Researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have successfully delivered antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain using focused ultrasound. The treatment, which temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, has shown promising results with tumor size reductions of up to 21% in patients.

SourceFocused Ultrasound Foundation·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 13, 2021

Shear-wave elastography for interventional monitoring of pediatric Budd-Chiari syndrome

A prospective study found that liver stiffness measurements obtained by shear-wave elastography decreased significantly after image-guided intervention for chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome in children. Disease recurrence was typically associated with an increase in liver stiffness measurements compared to prior assessments.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2021

Light in, sound out: photoacoustic probe helps find and fight Wilson's disease and other maladies

Researchers developed a non-toxic, small-molecule probe that provides real-time visualization of disease progression, overcoming limitations of MRI and PET imaging. The probe binds copper ions and detects dysregulated levels, accurately identifying Wilson's disease and other maladies.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

Researchers developing new cancer treatments with high-intensity focused ultrasound

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology is being explored for its potential to destroy cancerous tumours while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Researchers at the University of Waterloo have made significant progress in understanding how HIFU works on a cellular level, paving the way for future clinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·DateAug 24, 2021

Non-invasive potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that low-intensity ultrasound can effectively restore cognition without crossing the blood-brain barrier in mice models. The findings provide a potential new avenue for non-invasive treatment and will help clinicians tailor medical treatments to individual disease progressions.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJun 24, 2021

Anyone can get super-hearing

Researchers at Aalto University developed a new audio technique that allows people to track bats in flight and localise sources of ultrasonic sound, enabling super-hearing. The device records ultrasound using microphones on a small sphere, pitch-shifts the signal, and plays it back through headphones.

SourceAalto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 2, 2021