Lung storage technique offers ‘paradigm shift’ for transplants

The standard for storing lungs for transplant procedures has been to pack them in ice in coolers and rush them to the surgery site. But researchers have found that a warmer temperature can dramatically improve the time during which they stay viable.

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Earpiece zaps nerves to rewire the brain and speed stroke recovery

Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a wearable system that can help patients regain movement and mobility after a stroke. The system consists of a motion-sensing watch and an earpiece that zaps a nerve to help rewire neural circuits.

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Clear chemical connection between physical activity and brain health

We've long known of a link between exercise and benefits to the brain, but there's a lot of mystery as to the precise processes involved. Scientists have unlocked another piece of the puzzle, showing how muscle cells fire up important neural pathways.

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Self-adjusting insulin proves promising for type 1 diabetics

For type 1 diabetics, it's imperative that they maintain healthy blood glucose levels to avoid complications. Researchers have developed a self-adjusting nanoparticle-based insulin that may go some way towards improving blood glucose control.

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Implantable graphene e-tattoo uses light to monitor, correct arrhythmias

A team of researchers led by Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) have developed a novel graphene heart implant that’s about the thickness of a strand of hair and monitors and corrects abnormal heart rhythms using light.

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“Swiss Army knife” bears reveal anti-blood-clotting secret

Bears don't move much all winter long, but people are advised to get up frequently during a long flight to prevent blood clots. A new study uncovers why this discrepancy exists, and how it might lead to safer replacements for blood thinners.

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Hungry for power? Scientists create an edible rechargeable battery

Although it's generally not a good idea to swallow batteries, ingestible medical electronic devices often have batteries in them. A new type of battery could make such devices safer to use, as it's made entirely of edible ingredients.

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Pragmatic approach may be the way forward for clinical trials

That a new cancer trial is about to start in the US is positive but not out of the ordinary, right? Except it is. This trial will be one of the first undertaken in a real-world clinical setting and represents a new model for future clinical trials.

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Minimally-invasive surgical tools pop into shape inside the body

One of the challenges of laparoscopic surgery lies in getting surgical instruments into the patient's body via a narrow catheter. Scientists have set about addressing that problem, with magnetic instruments that pop into and out of shape as needed.

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Special diet triggers self-destruction of brain cancer cells in mice

By removing certain amino acids from the diets fed to rodents suffering from glioblastoma, researchers found that brain cancer cells began dying. What's more, mice put on the restrictive diets were also more receptive to chemotherapy treatment.

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