Category: Technology
Digital networks help to bridge staffing gaps at Canadian hospitals
Friday, 27 March, 2009 21:19 Written by admin
The northeastern corner of Ontario — a vast area extending from just northeast of Wawa to Hudson Bay — has 51 hospitals and one permanent radiologist.
That’s why Northern Radiology (NORrad) was created seven years ago to allow nine of those hospitals to share digital diagnostic images such as X-rays and ultrasounds. Before NORrad, emergency-room physicians in remote communities with only limited diagnostic capabilities often had to ship patients out to larger centres.
Nano-treatment to torpedo cancer
Friday, 13 March, 2009 20:15 Written by admin
Nanotechnology has been used for the first time to destroy cancer cells with a highly targeted package of “tumour busting” genes.
The technique, which leaves healthy cells unaffected, could potentially offer hope to people with hard-to-treat cancers where surgery is not possible.
Although it has only been tested in mice so far, the researchers hope for human trials in two years.
The UK study is published online by the journal Cancer Research.
Windpipe transplant breakthrough
Wednesday, 19 November, 2008 03:53 Written by admin
Surgeons in Spain have carried out the world’s first tissue-engineered whole organ transplant – using a windpipe made with the patient’s own stem cells.
The groundbreaking technology also means for the first time tissue transplants can be carried out without the need for anti-rejection drugs.
Five months on the patient, 30-year-old mother-of-two Claudia Castillo, is in perfect health, The Lancet reports.
She needed the transplant to save a lung after contracting tuberculosis.
Micro needles aid bionic advances
Tuesday, 18 November, 2008 17:27 Written by admin
Engineers in Wales have helped to develop micro technology which could lead to a bionic man becoming reality.
It is hoped their micro-needle array sensors, which are around the size of a matchstick head, will help amputees move artificial limbs with brain power.
The sensors, which were developed and manufactured by Cardiff University firm MicroBridge Services, comprise of 100 needles just thicker than a human hair.
Fears over electronic cigarettes
Sunday, 12 October, 2008 19:46 Written by admin
Fears are being raised about the boom in sales in the UK of so-called electronic cigarettes.
The cigarettes use replaceable cartridges with shots of nicotine, but have become popular because they are not covered by the smoking ban.
While the products do not contain tar, tobacco or carbon monoxide, experts are worried as users inhale a fine heated mist and there is a lack of regulation.
But retailers said they were healthier than normal cigarettes.