Health & Medicine
Using photodynamic therapy to target circulating tumour cells
Dr Jin Woo Choi from Kyung Hee University & Yi Rang Kim from Oncocross, Ltd. in South Korea, have developed a novel photodynamic therapy (PDT) method which can eradicate circulating tumour cells (CTCs), reducing the risk of metastatic cancer development. In PDT, light is used to illuminate and activate photosensitisers which then produce potent reactive oxygen species which can induce […]
A daunting challenge for medical schools: The decline of clinical skills
Dr Fabrizia Faustinella, a faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, believes that the most significant challenge currently facing medical education is the decline in clinical skills. Dr Faustinella argues that a deterioration in skills such as history-taking and physical examination can have serious consequences, and must be addressed as part of a thorough, patient-centered approach to medical education. Medical […]
Revolutionising infant nutrition: Benefits of human milk oligosaccharides
Although it is widely accepted that breast milk provides the best nutrition for new-borns, there is still much we don’t know about it. Up until now, one of the most puzzling aspects has been the presence of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), components that offer no nutritional value. Nestlé is revolutionising our understanding of these elements. Their research shows that HMOs promote […]
Drosophila Fezf found to be essential in neural circuit formation
Billions of neurons are wired up to into highly organised neural circuits in the brain. The creation of these circuits is a complex process and it is essential that neurons find the correct partners. Matt Pecot and colleagues from Harvard Medical School are interested in understanding this neural circuit formation. In their studies, by using Drosophila, they have identified the […]
ADHD and its comorbidities: Implications for management
Dr Wen-Harn Pan, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, is interested in the relationship between nutrition and health. One of her most recent projects, published last year, investigated the link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and whether risk factors such as allergy and anaemia could be modified to improve the ways in which attention deficit hyperactivity is both identified and […]
Exciting advancements in ovarian cancer treatment
Ovarian cancer is treacherous and challenging to treat. With standard treatment unchanged since the 1990s and newer costly treatments failing to restrain the tumour’s growth over long periods of time, an overhaul in anti-cancer treatment is urgently needed. With fresh insights into the biology and progression of ovarian cancer, Lev Ashraphyan, Vsevolod Kiselev from Institute of Gynecologic Oncology and Mammology […]
Fluorescent imaging sheds new light on apoptosis
Researchers at the Avera Cancer Institute are using state-of-the-art fluorescent imaging to shed new light on the physical and biochemical processes behind apoptosis – also known as ‘programmed cell death’. The novel, cost-effective and user-friendly method uses three fluorescent stains, enabling the real-time, structure-function based identification of apoptosis in live, apoptotic tumour cells. This unique protocol developed by Dr Nandini […]
NPCR: Next generation cancer register
Knowledge is power and in this modern age, data is often our most valuable commodity. Nowhere is this truer than in healthcare, where patient data is revolutionizing the way we treat diseases such as cancer. To that end, the National Prostate Cancer Register (NPCR) is providing a valuable resource for physicians, patients, and researchers. And it has already contributed to […]
A framework for global health promotion: The Circle of Health
The Circle of Health (COH) is an interactive and exemplary framework that bridges gaps in health promotion and draws together both the external and internal factors that drive our health. Spearheaded by Patsy Beattie-Huggan, BN, MScN, founder and president of The Quaich Inc., this novel tool was developed, refined and evaluated through broad consultation in PEI, Canada. With collaborators Kirsten […]
RNA sequencing reveals secrets of skin aging
As we age, so does our skin. One of the factors that affects how quickly skin appears to age is exposure to UV light. Dr Jeong-Sun Seo of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Republic of Korea, is investigating how UV light affects skin aging at the genetic level. Using RNA sequencing data, Dr Seo and his team demonstrate that some […]