New LASER can detect certain cancers in a patients breath?

Apparently it is true.  Using molecular markers by looking at wavelengths that are reflected can be used to fingerprint compounds.  This similar technique is used to determine the makeup of a distant star or planet.  Impressive

Photograph of Ioachim Pupeza and a colleague with the new laser system

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2015/sep/30/new-laser-could-spot-signs-of-cancer-in-exhaled-breath

“Just keep Swimming..” Quick! MOVE! Sitting extended periods results in poor health – despite exercise

Ok It’s official – stand up – right now, and stretch for a few minutes.   There, I just saved your life! 

“The amount of time a person sits during the day is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and death, regardless of regular exercise, according to a review study published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine.”  

All kidding aside, it’ surprised me you need to keep moving to minimize health risks.   I suppose the good news is my Program Team meetings are keeping my teams healthy!

Surprising research reveals heavy drinkers outlive teetotalers

image I am not condoning heaving drinking, but apparently alcohol consumption helps you live longer, even after removing as many other variables such as socioeconomic status, level of physical activity, number of close friends, quality of social support etc.    http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599201433200

Tales of Nuclear Safety

Back in December 2007, the main nuclear reactor that supplies the majority of the worlds supply of cobalt-60 and almost half of the world’s supply of Tech-99 had to be shut down.  This create a shortage of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine.  Apparently the Canadian government saw this possibility and started creation of two new reactors as backups; however, these had to be essentially scraped due to a miscalculation of the power coefficient of reactivity (PCR.)   A negative PCR means as the reaction increases, the design of the reactor is such that the reaction will slow down in a negative feedback loop.  The only problem was when they started tests, it actually had a positive reaction, meaning it would continue to build unless other safety measures were enabled (inserting rods for example to slow the reaction.)  Since the negative PCR was part of the safety spec, it was not allowed to continue. 

 

It’s an interesting read:  http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527431.400-nuclear-safety-when-positive-is-negative.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

How Your Brain Filters Distracting Thoughts

image What was I saying?  Oh yes, apparently the idea that your brain uses gamma ways frequency to differentiate current experiences from past experiences.  “They found that the hippocampus selectively tunes in to different frequencies of gamma waves coming from different brain areas. The lower gamma wave frequencies are used to transmit memories of past experiences, and the higher frequencies are used to convey what is happening where you are right now.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120000140.htm

http://www.kurzweilai.net/news/frame.html?main=news_single.html?id%3D11439

Current US & Britain Intake of Vitamin K too low

image Age related disease such as bone fragility, cardiovascular disease, and kidney and arterial calcification,may be a result of not enough vitamin K intake according to new scientific research.   Eat your greens! http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131554.htm

New Hope for Migraine Sufferers? All you need is a forehead lift

"Nearly one out of four households, including 18 percent of women, suffer from migraines and many patients are not only eager, but desperate to stop the pain," said ASPS Member Surgeon and study author Bahman Guyuron, MD, professor and chairman, department of plastic surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center. "In this study, we’ve shown that surgical treatment of migraine headaches is safe, effective, and that this reasonably short operation can have a colossal impact on the patients’ quality of life – all while eliminating signs of aging for some patients, too." http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731085806.htm

Calorie – Measuring method can be off +10% to –25% or more

Apparently new research suggests factors such as the softness of a food can have a significant impact on the ability of the body to convert the stored energy.  For example, two sets of rats fed the exact same calorie content, but one set was fed hard food, the other soft.  The rats receiving the softer food were significantly overweight compared do the other group.  Check out this fantastic read if you are watching what you eat:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327171.200-the-calorie-delusion-why-food-labels-are-wrong.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

1000-Fold increase in Resolution Possible for MRI (NMR)

image It’s still being investigated, but researches have found a way to increase the resolution of MRIs 1000-fold.   The good news is the MRI scanners would be able to use this without hardware modifications.  Read more here:http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/38423

FDA Sets Standards for Melamine contamination in Baby Formula

Chemist Michael Filigenzi demonstrates how vials of liquefied pet food are placed in trays for testing for the industrial chemical melamine at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California Davis campus in Dav ...It amazes me that a standard is needed for a product consumed by the littlest of us, but apparently it’s necessary. Apparently one part in a million is safe enough; as was set by the FDA this month.  This is a pull-back from the FDA’s initial standing:

“ The agency had left the impression of a zero tolerance on Oct. 3 when it stated: "FDA is currently unable to establish any level of melamine and melamine-related compounds in infant formula that does not raise public health concerns."

Melamine was traced to four infant deaths in China due to contamination, and two samples of US made infant formula were found to have traces below the new standard.  Read more here:http://www.physorg.com/news147111214.html

New Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis Leaves 50 Percent Of Recent Onset Patients Symptom-free Within 36 Weeks

It’s not often you see a clinical study with such impressive results.  This is welcome news for 2.1 million folks in the United States alone.   Read more here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080611135043.htm

New targeted Cancer Therapy Method

A promising new cancer treatment that may one day replace radiation and chemotherapy is edging closer to human trials.

Kanzius RF therapy attaches microscopic nanoparticles to cancer cells and then “cooks” tumors inside the body with harmless radio waves.

Based on technology developed by Pennsylvania inventor John Kanzius, a retired radio and TV engineer, the treatment has proven 100 percent effective at killing cancer cells while leaving neighboring healthy cells unharmed. It is currently being tested at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

“I don’t want to give people false hope,” said Dr. Steve Curley, the professor leading the tests, “but this has the potential to treat a wide variety of cancers.”

http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2008/04/kanzius_therapy