Radiation from airport body scanner may detect early sign of skin cancer
Terahertz radiation, the technology that peeks underneath clothing at airport security screening check points has great potential for looking underneath human skin to diagnose cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages, a researcher has revealed. Anis Rahman, Ph.D., explained that malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, starts in pigment-producing cells located in the deepest part of the epidermis. Biochemical changes that are hallmarks of cancer occur in the melanocytes long before mole-like melanomas appear on the skin. Rahman said that terahertz radiation- form of ‘non-ionizing’ radiation- is ideal for looking beneath the skin and detecting early signs of melanoma. T-rays can be focused harmlessly below into the body and capture biochemical signatures of events like the start of cancer. Rahman, president and chief technology officer of Applied Research and Photonics in Harrisburg, Pa., described research focusing T-rays through donated samples of human skin that suggest the technology could be valuable in diagnosing melanoma. In addition to developing T-rays for cancer diagnostics, Rahman’s team has successfully harnessed them to measure the real-time absorption rates and penetration in the outer layer of skin of topically applied drugs and shampoo. Other wide-ranging applications include the detection of early stages of tooth decay, trace pesticides on produce, flaws in pharmaceutical tablet coatings, and concealed weapons under clothing, as well as testing the effectiveness of skin cosmetics. (ANI)
Soon, implantable electronic shrink wrap to heal human hearts
Researchers have revealed that laminating de
vices, which could enhance human health and
performance by marrying electronics with the human body, onto tissues could help achieve natural motions, without mechanical constraint. John A. Rogers, Ph.D., of the Departments of Materials Science, Engineering, and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and editorial advisory board member for ACS Nano, talked about materials for a new generation of electronic devices that promise to revolutionize health care in the world of tomorrow, at the American Chemical Society meeting. Rogers said that materials, mechanics designs and manufacturing systems are now available for electronic systems that achieve effective elastic moduli and bending stiffness’s matched to the surfaces of major organs of the body, including the skin, the heart and the brain. The researcher said that laminating such devices onto these tissues leads to conformal contact, and adequate adhesion based on van der Waals interactions alone, in a manner that can accommodate natural motions, without mechanical constraint. The key aspects of this type of technology were highlighted, with an emphasis on the materials, the soft lithographic manufacturing methods and several examples of clinically relevant modes of use. (ANI)
Early talkers more likely to drink as teens
Children with advanced verbal abilities are more likely to drink as adolescents, a new study has found. Finnish researchers conducted two surveys of twins, including a total of 5,457 families. Parents were asked to remember when each twin reached certain milestones, and their other traits in childhood. Then, the twins were surveyed about their smoking, drinking and drug habits at least four times between ages 11 and 25. The twin in a family who started talking first, who read first and who was more expressive as a child was also more likely to start drinking first. The language-alcohol link held true for both surveys of twins; the set born between 1975 and 1979 and the set born between 1983 and 1987, ‘LiveScience’ reported. Children with advanced language skills also drank more often, and became more intoxicated when they drank. Also, they were more likely to report a “sensation seeking” personality trait. However, the study could not determine whether the advanced language skills caused the drinking behaviour. One reason behind this link could be the better the child communicates, the more friends he or she has, and the more likely the teen is invited to a party with alcohol. (PTI)