The smart lab: Between manual work and digitization
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Image: Image from a simulation of an electric field from the upper body and heart in the chest of a human; Copyright: arterioscope - TU Graz

arterioscope - TU Graz

Early detection: machine learning in cardiovascular diagnostics

27.09.2024

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have developed a method for the early detection of cardiovascular diseases before symptoms occur. Using a machine learning model that analyzes electric fields, potential diseases can be precisely identified. This technology could improve diagnostics and reduce invasive interventions.
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Image: Close-up of a small hexagonal container filled with red liquid, placed inside a clear experimental setup; Copyright: University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster

University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster

Ultrasound promotes blood vessel growth in damaged tissue

19.09.2024

A team of researchers at the University of Rochester has developed a new approach using ultrasound technology to promote the growth of blood vessels in damaged tissue. The method could have significant applications in reconstructive and plastic surgeries, as well as wound healing.
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Image: Person measuring blood pressure with an electronic blood pressure monitor while holding a smartphone in the other hand.

Smarter monitoring of blood pressure with Esperto

03.09.2024

Blood pressure monitoring technology is evolving rapidly, with various non-invasive methods available on the market. But many of the existing devices measure relative changes in blood pressure rather than providing precise, absolute readings. The startup Esperto Medical uses resonance sonomanometry to deliver accurate, real-time blood pressure measurements.
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Image: Fluorescence image of cells in a culture dish; Copyright: S. Rieck/University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

S. Rieck/University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

Cardiovascular research: Generation of endothelial cells from stem cells

23.08.2024

Researchers at the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn have developed a cost-effective and efficient method to generate functional endothelial cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).
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Image: Image of a 3D printed blood vessel; Copyright: Dr Norbert Radasci, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh

Dr Norbert Radasci, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh

3D-printed blood vessels offer new hope for heart bypass surgery

15.08.2024

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed 3D-printed blood vessels that mimic the properties of human veins. These artificial vessels could significantly improve the outcomes of heart bypass surgeries by reducing complications such as scarring, pain, and infection.
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Image: Researchers examine DNA samples and discuss biomedical treatment

Blood tests: Tracking down cancer with circulating DNA

30.07.2024

Liquid biopsies in the form of blood tests offer the possibility of analyzing circulating free DNA in the blood and thus improving cancer therapies. The advantage of diagnostics using blood tests is that they can help to detect tumors at an early stage and efficiently monitor the progression of cancer.
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Image: soft and stretchy ultrasound patch to continuously monitor blood flow in the brain; Copyright: David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering

David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering

Wearable ultrasound patch enables cerebral blood flow monitoring

23.07.2024

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a soft, stretchy ultrasound patch for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of cerebral blood flow. This wearable technology offers three-dimensional data, advancing beyond the current clinical standard.
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Image: modular field hospital; Copyright: Mohammed Ghannam/MSF

Mohammed Ghannam/MSF

The Modular Field Hospital of Médecins Sans Frontières

04.07.2024

The Modular Field Hospital from Médecins Sans Frontières enables fast and flexible medical aid in crisis areas. The tent camp is quick to set up, adaptable and yet offers working conditions that are similar to those in standard hospitals, despite extreme restrictions.
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Image: Scientist pipettes cells into a test tube in a a laboratory setting

New findings on short-term cultivated CAR T cells in cancer treatment

28.05.2024

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR T) cells are a breakthrough in immunotherapy, offering hope for blood cancer patients who have exhausted other options. These genetically modified cells are designed to attack cancer cells by recognizing specific antigens. The therapy has shown promise, particularly in treating B-cell leukemias and lymphomas.
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Image: A medical sensor is attached to a clear T-connector of a ventilator; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPM

Fraunhofer IPM

Fluorescence sensor for measuring oxygen in breathing air

16.05.2024

The new sensor from Fraunhofer IPM measures the oxygen content in the air we breathe precisely and quickly, which significantly improves patient monitoring.
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Image: The picture shows a graphic of a pink colored mitochondria. The background is black.

Determine stroke risk early with tear fluid, mitochondria and AI

08.03.2024

Over 100 million people globally suffer from strokes annually, with ischemic strokes being the most common. However, many strokes go undetected, leading to severe consequences like dementia or depression. Prof. Olga Golubnitschaja from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) has spearheaded a comprehensive approach to assess stroke risk early, focusing on predictive medicine.
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Image: Robotically controlled rotating magnetic field to control the millirobot wirelessly through an aorta and kidney; Copyright: University of Twente

University of Twente

Miniature marvels: wireless millirobots successfully navigate arteries

18.12.2023

For the first time ever, wireless millirobots navigated a narrow blood vessel both along and against arterial flow. Researchers from the University of Twente and Radboudumc inserted the screw-shaped robots in a detached aorta with kidneys where they controlled them using a robotically controlled rotating magnet.
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Image: Medical suction cup balanced on a fingertip; Copyright: Transire Bio

Transire Bio

Suction cup as a direct route for medication into the bloodstream

02.11.2023

Many diseases require weekly or even daily injections of medication into the blood. To make this gentler for patients, researchers have developed a suction cup for the inside of the cheek. The suction cup allows drugs to be administered non-invasively directly into the blood. With the founding of the start-up Transire Bio, this is now to become marketable.
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Image: Cellular Cartography - Charting the Sizes and Abundance of Our Body's Cells Reveals Mathematical Order Underlying Life; Copyright: MPIMIS

MPIMIS

Cellular cartography: sizes and abundance revealed

27.09.2023

An international team of scientists has created the first comprehensive index of human cells, mapping the sizes and abundance of all cell types across the entire body.
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Image: Nurse prepares patient for blood test; Copyright: seventyfourimages

seventyfourimages

New blood test gives very high accuracy to screen for Alzheimer’s disease

08.09.2023

A new blood test called p-tau217 shows promise as an Alzheimer's disease biomarker, and when used in a two-step workflow very high accuracy to either identify or exclude brain amyloidosis, the most important and earliest pathology.
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Image: artificial isolated heart on white background; Copyright: ozaiachin

ozaiachin

When the heart loses its nerves

01.09.2023

How do nerves and blood vessels interact in the aging heart? Recent research results from the Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration and the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute at Goethe University Frankfurt shed new light on aging processes in the heart.
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Image: Judit Burgaya and Prof. Dr. Marco Galardini in the TWINCORE at a bar table with a laptop; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

How harmless turns dangerous

24.08.2023

MHH researcher Prof. Galardini from the RESIST Cluster of Excellence finds causes for bloodstream infections in the genes of bacteria. This will enable better diagnostics and vaccinations in the future.
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Image: Petri dish with bacterial cultures in laboratory; Copyright: felipecaparros

felipecaparros

Noninvasive technology tests for malaria without a blood sample

07.08.2023

A novel testing platform under development by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and CytoAstra, LLC could provide a new noninvasive test for malaria that doesn’t require a blood sample.
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Image: An older woman in a plaid blouse looks thoughtfully out of the window; Copyright: Lancaster University

Lancaster University

Neurology: researchers identify changes in ageing brain using novel techniques

04.08.2023

Researchers investigating brain activity in older people say the coordination between neuronal activity and the brain’s oxygenation is altered.
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Image: Symbolic photo: It shows a used CytoSorb® cartridge; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

Adsorber in blood purification: widely used, no proven benefit

19.07.2023

Many hospitals use the adsorber CytoSorb to purify the blood of seriously ill patients in order to trap inflammatory substances and prevent the life-threatening cytokine storm. MHH researchers have now found in a meta-study that the treatment does not reduce mortality and may even cause harm.
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Image: Woman in a laboratory collecting blood samples; Copyright: Prostock-studio

Prostock-studio

Molecular tumor profiling: blood test to determine the optimal cancer therapy

11.07.2023

If a tumor is diagnosed, tissue samples are usually investigated to determine the molecular tumor profile for personalized cancer treatment. However, tissue biopsy cannot be performed in all affected individuals. Therefore, the University Hospital Zurich has licensed a liquid biopsy for the analysis of more than 300 genes and offers this test as a modern diagnostic method to tumor patients.
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Image: A woman with dark hair and a white coat sits in a laboratory and smiles at the camera; Copyright: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University

Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University

Sickle cell disease: portable tool for diagnosis, monitoring receives U.S. patent

30.06.2023

Using microfluidics, flow cytometry and electrical impedance, Sarah Du recently received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a novel invention that will offer patients a better way to manage their disease.
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Image: Two young men in white coats, Dr. Jonas Hall and Dr. Niklas Klümper, pose in front of the camera in a research complex; Copyright: University Hospital of Bonn (UKB)

University Hospital of Bonn (UKB)

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma: improved prediction of therapy response

29.06.2023

The study demonstrates a significant improvement in predicting the response to therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma by incorporating the level of inflammation, which was assessed using two straightforward blood parameters, alongside the conventional imaging-based approach.
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Image: A female lab worker puts a sample vial with blood from a rack into a centrifuge; Copyright: seventyfourimages

seventyfourimages

Blood biomarkers plus genomics in the prediction of disease risk

16.06.2023

Being to identify people at high risk of chronic disease means that they can be targeted with prevention measures before they become sick. Polygenic risk scores, where genomic information alone is used to assess the risk of developing diseases, have been receiving a lot of attention recently.
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Image: Several tubes of blood in a laboratory for a blood test; Copyright: mirarahneva

mirarahneva

Neurosurgery: blood tests can show impact on the brain

31.05.2023

Damage to the brains of patients operated on for brain tumors may be assessed by measuring biomarkers in the blood pre- and postoperatively. A new study by University of Gothenburg researchers shows that the increase in markers tallies well with the impairment caused by insufficient blood flow.
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Image: PhD student Maja Struczynska with the model of a single fibrinogen molecule; Copyright: Jens Meyer/Uni Jena

Jens Meyer/Uni Jena

Specially coated titanium reduces risk of clots on prostheses

26.05.2023

An international research team led by the german University of Jena has now developed a promising approach to significantly reducing blood clotting on the heart valve material titanium.
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Image: Microscopic image of bone-marrow cells of a multiple myeloma patient.; Copyright: Berend Snijder Lab / ETH Zurich

Berend Snijder Lab / ETH Zurich

How to fight blood cancer more effectively

05.05.2023

Despite approved treatments being available, multiple myeloma remains incurable. But researchers at ETH Zurich and University Hospital Zurich set out to improve treatment outcomes by testing hundreds of existing therapeutics outside the body to predict their effectiveness.
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Image: Pregnant woman sitting on bed checking her blood sugar level with glucometer; Copyright: AnnaStills

AnnaStills

Type 2 diabetes: risk displayed in early pregnancy blood samples

27.04.2023

Researchers from the University of Turku discovered that women who developed prediabetes after pregnancy had aberrations already in their early pregnancy blood serum metabolomic profile.
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Image: An incubator crib in a paediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital; Copyright: DC_Studio

Mint_Images

Bedside portable MRI: use in pediatric ECMO patients

13.04.2023

The neonatology team at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) has conducted the world's first study of children receiving ECMO therapy using the mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The procedure, known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), involves oxygenating the blood outside the body.
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Image: Group picture of the representatives of Nimble Diagnostics (thirteen persons); Copyright: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC)

Stent implants: Nimble Diagnostics closes financing round of one million euros

10.04.2023

NIMBLE Diagnostics, a spin-off of the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), the UPC and the University of Barcelona (UB), has successfully closed a funding round led by Grow Ventures, together with Namarel Ventures and the Inveniam Group, that has secured more than one million euros.
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Image: Close-up of a female hand holding the orange ribbon symbolizing the fight against leukemia; Copyright: JoPanwatD

JoPanwatD

AI finds targets for CAR-T cell therapy against acute myeloid leukemia

20.03.2023

Unlike other forms of blood cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cannot currently be treated with CAR-T cell immunotherapy. The reason is that specific molecular targets with which certain immune cells could specifically target AML cells are lacking, which would permit the immune system to attack cancer.
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Image: Blood test tube for laboratory on white background; Copyright: grafvision

grafvision

Epilepsy could become easier to pinpoint with blood test

17.03.2023

Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have discovered higher levels of immune proteins in the blood before and after an epileptic seizure.
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Image: The photo shows the scanning of a blood sample in a laboratory at CiiM.; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

What leads to severe COVID-19 diseases?

01.03.2023

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 leads to severe disease in some people, while others do not get ill or only experience mild disease. But why is this the case? Unfortunately, we do not know exactly. We do know that an overactive innate immune system is causing severe COVID-19 disease, but it is unclear how this is regulated.
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Image: A closeup of a foot on red fabric pads; Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.0.

CC BY-SA 2.0.

More accurate way of checking the blood flow in the feet of patients with type 2 diabetes

15.02.2023

Aston University scientists have discovered a more accurate way of checking the blood flow in the feet of patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Image: Human blood cells, highly magnified under the microscope; Copyright: PeterHermesFurian

PeterHermesFurian

"Spleen-on-a-chip" yields insight into sickle cell disease

06.02.2023

With this microfluidic device, researchers modeled how sickled blood cells clog the spleen’s filters, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition.
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Image: Dr Christoph Schultheiss determines blood values for Long COVID in the research laboratory; Copyright: Universitätsmedizin Halle

Universitätsmedizin Halle

Long COVID: blood values indicate reprogramming of immune cells

26.01.2023

The underlying mechanisms of long COVID are not yet fully understood. Molecular clues to different subgroups of long COVID have now been provided by a research group at University Medicine Halle.
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Image: Close up of female scientist in white uniform holding microtiter plate while working in laboratory, Copyright: gstockstudio

gstockstudio

New blood test differentiates neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease from other dementias

23.01.2023

A new blood test that can track and follow the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease – and exclude other dementias.
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Image: Close-up Of A Man Checking Blood Sugar Level At Home With Glucometer And Test Strips; Copyright: dolgachov

dolgachov

Type 2 diabetes: Machine learning can predict poor glycemic control from patient information systems

13.01.2023

The risk for poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes can be predicted with confidence by using machine learning methods, a new study from Finland finds.
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Image: Two men in white coats are standing at a microscope in the laboratory; Copyright: National University of Singapore

National University of Singapore

Scientists identify blood biomarker for cognitive impairment and dementia

02.01.2023

A recent study by a team comprising researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National University Health System (NUHS) revealed that low levels of ergothioneine (ET) in blood plasma may predict an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, suggesting possible therapeutic or early screening measures for cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly.
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Image: Scientist works with medical test tube to analyze green liquid; Copyright: DC_Studio

DC_Studio

Diagnosing breast cancer through liquid biopsy

22.09.2022

Breast cancer diagnosis usually includes invasive testing with tissue biopsies. The samples have to be extracted from the cancerous tissue or cells. To make the process easier on the patients, the project LIBIMEDOTS is currently developing a different approach with liquid biopsy technology.
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Image: Care workers in overalls in a patient room; Copyright: PantherMedia / Wavebreakmedia ltd

PantherMedia / Wavebreakmedia ltd

Better management of hospital resources in pandemic times through DNA measurement

15.02.2022

For nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept a firm grip on the world and caused many intensive care units to hit full capacity. It would help medical professionals tremendously if they could make a reliable prognosis the moment patients are hospitalized. cfDNA screening could play an important role in the assessment of COVID-19 severity in patients.
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Image: lexandra Hansard, Sanjay Gokhale and George Alexandrakis; Copyright: UT Arlington

UT Arlington

Wearable device could reduce racial disparities in blood measurements

29.10.2021

Bioengineers and scientists at The University of Texas at Arlington, in collaboration with Austin’s Shani Biotechnologies, LLC, have developed a new noninvasive technology that may help real-time monitoring of key blood parameters, such as hemoglobin, especially in Black patients.
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Image: a robot arm transporting a petri dish; Copyright: PantherMedia / angellodeco

PantherMedia / angellodeco

The smart lab: The shift to more digitization is picking up speed

01.10.2021

They have probably never been in the spotlight as much as during the pandemic: laboratories. In Germany alone, around 73 million COVID-19-tests have been evaluated since the beginning of 2020. And even away from Corona, laboratory physicians have a lot to do – blood, urine and aspirates have to be evaluated every day. That results in an enormous amount of work, just in terms of organization.
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Image: Scientist with pipette in laboratory ; Copyright: PantherMedia/alexraths

PantherMedia/lucadp

Genetic test better than blood test for cardiovascular diseases

31.08.2021

Determining an individual’s blood group based on genetic tests instead of merely traditional blood tests can provide a better picture of the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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Image: a transportable device that visually resembles a pistol; Copyright: REACT

REACT

Life-saving device rapidly stops bleeding from knife wounds

05.07.2021

Joseph Bentley, a final year Product Design and Technology student, has designed REACT – a new method for rapidly stopping catastrophic blood loss from a knife wound that could be carried out by first responding police officers while waiting for an ambulance.
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Image: Rescue team in action; Copyright: PantherMedia/HayDmitriy

PantherMedia/HayDmitriy

Mobile and intelligent – emergency blood analysis

08.03.2021

Things need to move fast in an emergency. Making the right call in this setting can be a challenge for emergency medical services – especially when symptoms are ambiguous, which is the case if a patient has difficulty breathing or exhibits a cardiovascular or poisoning emergency. A blood analysis is paramount to deliver a fast and accurate diagnosis. This is where mobOx comes in.
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Image: Marathon runner; Copyright: panthermedia.net/adamgregor

Sports medicine – keep moving to stay healthy

01.07.2019

Physical activity plays a big role in today's society. Whether you are an amateur or professional athlete – incorporating exercise into your life positively impacts your mental and physical health. Ideally, sport should be fun, pressure-free and not overburden you. But can you measure individual performance and align it with sports?
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Image: Sports shoes of an athlete; Copyright: panthermedia.net/ Daxiao_Productions

Sports medicine - performance values in best health

01.07.2019

Those who integrate physical activities into their own lifestyle live healthier and more balanced. But where are the physical limits? Can health status measurements also be carried out on the road? Discover more about how sports medical examinations contribute to maintain performance and minimize health risks in our Topic of the Month.
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Image: Preview picture of video

RAS-Q - Mobile blood gas exchange for COPD patients

23.04.2019

According to WHO, about 251 million people worldwide had Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease in 2016. COPD denotes not a single, but several diseases that are caused by smoking and air pollution, among others. Patients at a later disease stage often need ventilation and are thus bound to the location of their devices.
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Image: CT scan open; Copyright: panthermedia.net/SimpleFoto

Functional imaging: a look at the command center

01.04.2019

All information from our body and the environment converges in our brain and is transformed into reactions in milliseconds. It is essential for medicine and research to know what our switching centre looks like. Functional methods are used to observe it more closely during work.
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Image: Patient during an fMRI examination; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Chris De Silver

Functional imaging: what makes the brain tick?

01.04.2019

Our brain is the command center of our body. This is where all information and impressions are collected and converted into responses and movements. Modern imaging techniques offer physicians and researchers unique insights into the actions of the human central nervous system. The functional imaging technique allows them to watch our brain in action.
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Image: Ellipsoid of revolution with a gold coating to detect backscattered photons from the skin tissue; Copyright: Sven Delbeck/Fachhochschule Südwestfalen

Sven Delbeck/Fachhochschule Südwestfalen

Blood Sugar Monitoring: Using Infrared Instead of Invasive Techniques

22.03.2019

Over six million people in Germany have diabetes. It is estimated that almost 400 million people are affected by this disease worldwide. Diabetes sufferers must prick their fingers several times a day to monitor their blood sugar.
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