Smart artery stent wirelessly transmits blood flow data

Stents can make a life-saving difference for people with vascular problems, as they open up narrowing blood vessels. An experimental new one goes a step further, by actually transmitting blood flow data to an external computer or mobile device.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSmart artery stent wirelessly transmits blood flow data

Eco-friendlier cement made from sludge and urine

The production of traditional Portland cement is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, as the ingredients have to be heated to very high temperatures. Such is not the case with a new biocement, however, which also incorporates waste materials.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingEco-friendlier cement made from sludge and urine

Study links concussion to changes in gut bacteria

Scientists at the Houston Methodist Research Institute studying brain impacts have turned to the communities of bacteria in the gut, where they've found that changes following a concussion could be used to reveal the state of recovery.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingStudy links concussion to changes in gut bacteria

World’s most powerful X-ray laser now fires a million bursts per second

The world’s most powerful X-ray laser is ready for operation after a massive overhaul. The upgraded LCLS-II uses temperatures colder than deep space to accelerate electrons to near light-speed and fire off a million X-ray bursts per second.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingWorld’s most powerful X-ray laser now fires a million bursts per second

Cells’ trash disposal system shapes as a “toggle” for cancer treatment

Research from MIT has shown how natural cellular cleaning systems are ramped up during cell division, with the newly discovered mechanism potentially offering scientists a "toggle" for treating different kinds of diseases.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingCells’ trash disposal system shapes as a “toggle” for cancer treatment

Spider uses film of air to hide underwater for over half an hour

Last year, we heard how anole lizards are able to breathe underwater from an air bubble on their nose. One of the scientists involved in that study has now documented a spider doing something similar – although the bubble covers its whole body.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSpider uses film of air to hide underwater for over half an hour

Portable MRI could perform onsite checks for tennis wrist injuries

Tennis players are susceptible to wrist cartilage injuries, which may not even present any symptoms at first. A van-based MRI system was designed with that in mind, as it can spot such injuries right at the tennis court, before they become serious.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingPortable MRI could perform onsite checks for tennis wrist injuries

Salt-loaded BioBullets kill zebra mussels by passing as food

Invasive freshwater zebra mussels are a problem in many areas, clogging structures such as water intake and water treatment pipes as they rapidly reproduce. A new technology could help, by getting them to eat "eco-friendly" poison disguised as food.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSalt-loaded BioBullets kill zebra mussels by passing as food

Antigens and immunotherapy break through pancreatic cancer’s barriers

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease, resistant to many treatments. Now, scientists have identified how the tumors protect themselves so well – and more importantly, found a way to potentially bust through those defenses.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingAntigens and immunotherapy break through pancreatic cancer’s barriers

“Factory reset” for the brain rewrites risk of anxiety and alcohol abuse

An intriguing new study has zeroed in on a brain region that is central to the development of both alcohol abuse and anxiety in adults, and demonstrated how gene editing could be used to wipe clean a person's predisposition to both disorders.

Source of Article

Continue Reading“Factory reset” for the brain rewrites risk of anxiety and alcohol abuse