MEDICA 2022: Where Healthcare is going
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Image: Woman smiling at the camera while holding point-of-care testing equipment in a laboratory setting; Copyright: Sylvester Cancer

Sylvester Cancer

Mouthwash test for predicting head and neck cancer recurrence

18.10.2024

A study by researchers from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, UC San Diego Health, and other collaborating centers suggests that a simple mouthwash-based test could help predict the recurrence of head and neck cancers.
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Image: Images of an ear captured with an otoscopic video camera; Copyright: W. Kim et al., doi 10.1117/1.JBO.29.8.086005.

W. Kim et al., doi 10.1117/1.JBO.29.8.086005.

OCT otoscope enhances ear disease diagnosis

04.09.2024

A new portable otoscope, developed by the Caruso Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Southern California, integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT) to provide high-resolution imaging of the tympanic membrane (TM) and middle ear (ME). This advancement offers clinicians a more comprehensive view of ear health, significantly improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.
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Image: A close-up of a tube for a tuberculosis test in the laboratory

New biomarker predicts side effects of tuberculosis therapy

29.08.2024

Researchers at the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, have discovered a biomarker that can predict the risk of nerve disease during tuberculosis therapy.
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Image: Examination of cell cultures in a laboratory

From lab to market: How vessel-chips are changing drug testing

20.08.2024

As the medical field seeks more ethical and accurate alternatives to traditional drug testing, vessel-chip technology is a prospective solution. This technology promises greater accuracy and a reduced need for animal trials.
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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: A person wearing prototype to address mental health disorders with light on their head; Copyright: Syntropic Medical GmbH

Syntropic Medical GmbH

Start-up secures million-euro funding for mental health innovation

06.05.2024

Syntropic Medical, a pioneering neurotech start-up, has received a substantial seven-figure investment to advance its revolutionary approach to treating mental health disorders using flickering light therapy.
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Image: A close-up picture of a capsule; Copyright: Gerard Cummins, University of Birmingham

Gerard Cummins, University of Birmingham

Swallowable sensors advance gastrointestinal health monitoring

03.05.2024

Researchers from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Birmingham, along with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, have introduced an ingestible capsule equipped with sensors to monitor gut movement, potentially improving gastrointestinal diagnostics and treatment.
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Image: A close-up view of a person examining a patient's skin with a dermatoscope, a specialized device used for inspecting skin lesions that can be indicative of conditions like melanoma

Enhancing melanoma detection in primary care with AI

08.04.2024

In a study by Linköping University, an AI-based mobile app has shown high precision in diagnosing skin melanoma, offering new hope for early detection. This research marks a significant step forward in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for health diagnostics in primary care settings.
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Image: In the foreground, there is a testing sample held by a tweezer. In the background, a woman is looking at the sample; Copyright: HZDR / Anja Schneider

HZDR / Anja Schneider

HZDR team introduces novel pathogen detection approach

12.03.2024

Detecting diseases early or predicting their onset is crucial for healthcare. Dr. Larysa Baraban's team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) develops miniaturized biosensor devices using nanomaterials.
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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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The photo shows a hand holding a silver, tubular device which improves imaging and detecting gastrointestinal cancer; Copyright: J. Crowley

J. Crowley

Imaging device for early gastrointestinal cancer detection

01.03.2024

Gastrointestinal cancers (GCs) pose a significant health challenge worldwide, with early detection being crucial for effective treatment and improved survival rates. To address this need, scientists have developed a new imaging device aimed at enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of GC screening programs.
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Image: Laboratory technician places a tube with a urine sample in a centrifuge for diagnosis; Copyright: kolesnikovsergii

kolesnikovsergii

Smart infection diagnostics: UTI detection with AI

27.02.2024

Traditional detection for Urinary tract infections (UTIs), involving manual microscope examination of urine samples, is slow and time consuming. To improve efficiency, urine screening machines analyze various parameters like bacteria and white blood cells. However, interpreting this data is complex.
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Image: A high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) up close; Copyright: UQ

UQ

Protecting against zika virus with a microarray patch

22.01.2024

In the global fight against the Zika virus, researchers are developing a vaccine patch that promises an effective and painless solution. This needle-free vaccine patch, utilizing the high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP).
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Image: Radiologist does mammograms for woman to check for breast cancer; Copyright: astakhovyaroslav

astakhovyaroslav

AI can identify women with high risk of breast cancer screenings

13.12.2023

The use of AI makes it possible for women with a high risk of breast cancer to be identified in mammography screening examinations so that the cancer can be caught earlier. An international research group led from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden can now show that the method is effective in different European countries.
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Image: Eye test, machine and a woman for optometric assistance, retinal scanning or optical surgery in a clinic.; Copyright: YuriArcursPeopleimages

YuriArcursPeopleimages

Eye scans provide crucial insights into kidney health

08.12.2023

3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help to track the progression of disease, research suggests. The advance could revolutionise monitoring of kidney disease, which often progresses without symptoms in the early stages.
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Image: A person wearing white disposable gloves examines a woman's back with a magnifying glass; Copyright: Medical University of Vienna

Medical University of Vienna

Skin cancer diagnoses using AI are as reliable as those made by medical experts

02.11.2023

An Austrian-Australian research team led by dermatologist Harald Kittler from MedUni Vienna investigated the extent to which diagnosis and therapy of pigmented skin lesions benefit from it in a realistic clinical scenario.
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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: The monitor uses a biosensor made with nanobodies that is integrated into an air sampler that operates based on the wet cyclone technology; Copyright: Joseph Puthussery

Joseph Puthussery

Biosensing: air monitor can detect COVID-19 variants

13.07.2023

Scientists are looking at ways to surveil indoor environments in real time for viruses. By combining recent advances in aerosol sampling technology and an ultrasensitive biosensing technique, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a real-time monitor that can detect any of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in a room in about 5 minutes.
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Image: Prof Asma Khalil using portable ultrasound device on patient; Copyright: St George's, University of London

St George's, University of London

Extra pregnancy scan slashes number of breech births and risk to babies

14.04.2023

Adding a third routine scan at the end of pregnancy can slash the number of unexpected breech births by 70% and the risks of the baby being born with severe health complications, according to research led by doctors at St George’s, University of London, and published in PLOS Medicine.
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Image: ENT doctor or dentist with a medical instrument examining the oral cavity; Copyright: YuriArcursPeopleimages

ONWARD Medical NV

PANDORA test could pave the way for better oral cancer detection

06.04.2023

Surrey scientists have developed a proof-of-concept test called PANDORA that was shown to be over 92% accurate at identifying patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The test was also shown to be more than 80% accurate at identifying patients with pre-cancer or oral epithelial dysplasia (OED).
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Image: Picture of the complete sensor with a PDMS well of 100 μl volume for the drop test; Copyright: HZDR/Sandoval Bojorquez

HZDR/Sandoval Bojorquez

Nanobiosensor developed for detecting SARS-CoV-2

04.04.2023

Infection and immunity status of the population are considered key parameters for handling pandemics. For this purpose, detecting antigens and antibodies is of great importance. The devices currently used for this purpose - what are known as point-of-care (POC) devices- are one option for rapid screening. Their sensitivity, however, needs further improvement.
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Image: Closeup of ultrasound examination of abdominal cavity, stomach and heart with sonography sensor; Copyright: Natabuena

Natabuena

Ultrasound method could lead to easier disease diagnosis in body tissue

17.03.2023

A new ultrasound method that can measure the level of tension in human tissue for the first time - a key indicator of disease - has been developed by researchers from the University of Sheffield.
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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: A man in a white shirt is having a heart attack; Copyright: Rawpixel

Rawpixel

Bracelet sensor assesses troponin levels to aid heart attack diagnosis

13.03.2023

An experimental wrist-worn device was found to predict troponin-I and obstructed arteries with 90% accuracy in five minutes, according to research.
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Image: A man lies in a bed in front of the laptop and holds a pill case in his hand; Copyright: Iakobchuk

Iakobchuk

AI can help patients interpret home tests for COVID-19

03.02.2023

George Mason University researchers found that computerized symptom screenings can supplement at-home COVID-19 tests to better confirm the diagnosis for patients and clinicians.
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Image: Pregnant woman in a yellow dress is looking at her phone; Copyright: DragonImages

DragonImages

All-round care: digital services during pregnancy

16.01.2023

Digital services relating to pregnancy are still far from commonplace in Germany. Yet their usefulness is beyond question. Of course, they should not replace the midwife or the visit to the doctor. But in our Topic of the Month, you can find out just how diverse the possibilities of digitization can be during the time between a positive pregnancy test and birth.
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Image: A pregnant woman getting her blood pressure measured; Copyright: dasha11

dasha11

SMART Start: Digitization in prenatal care

16.01.2023

Pregnancy means many prenatal visits. Regularly scheduled checkup appointments are important to help expectant mothers get ready for the healthiest pregnancy possible. The question is: Could some parameters be measured and monitored via smart devices from the comfort of one’s own home? The SMART Start project explores this issue.
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Image: Test tubes with blood for checking antibodies in the fridge; Copyright: lorenzocapunata

lorenzocapunata

When antibodies do a pirouette

12.01.2023

Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg have developed a method for binding specific molecules in samples and serums, such as antibodies in the blood, to the surface of iron oxide particles thus allowing them to be identified using an inexpensive and compact detector.
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Image: Two doctors in scrubs look at a screen during an AI-assisted colonoscopy; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB)

Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB)

AI improves colorectal cancer screening in Lynch syndrome

10.01.2023

Researchers at the National Center for Hereditary Tumor Diseases (NZET) at Bonn University Hospital (UKB) have now found that artificial intelligence (AI) can improve the effectiveness of colonoscopy in the presence of Lynch syndrome.
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Image: Doctor takes a sample for coronavirus testing from a subject's nose; Copyright: Prostock-studio

Prostock-studio

COMPASS for highly sensitive rapid tests

09.01.2023

A newly developed rapid test needs only a few seconds to reliably detect pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. It is based on specially designed magnetic nanoparticles.
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Image: small empty test tubes with lids in different colors; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/C. Tillmann

Messe Düsseldorf/C. Tillmann

RNA technologies make targeted immune activation possible

03.11.2022

MEDICA 2022 is right around the corner, ready to deliver insights into the advancements and innovations in laboratory medicine. One of the key topics of the MEDICA LABMED Forum is RNA technologies and the wide range of applications that involve cell biology. RNA technologies not only enable Covid-19 vaccines but promise an array of treatment options for genetic diseases, in and beyond oncology.
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Image: A woman lies in her bed with dim lighting, on the nightstand is a small box that monitors her sleep; Copyright: Sleepiz AG

Sleepiz AG

Sleep screening: Sleepiz is your contactless at-home sleep laboratory

23.05.2022

People around the world suffer from sleep disorders. Some conditions like sleep apnea or chronic respiratory disease can lead to serious health problems. Patients require medical long-term monitoring, but it’s currently not an easy feat. Graduates of ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen plan to change that and developed Sleepiz.
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Image: A woman is sleeping in her bed, next to her a smartphone; Copyright: PantherMedia/kleberpicui

PantherMedia/kleberpicui

Respiratory diseases: "AI helps patients track symptom severity"

01.04.2022

When they are presented with respiratory disease, physicians listen to the lungs and airways to assess the sound of the patient’s breath and cough. Artificial intelligence now helps patients with respiratory diseases even outside of the doctor’s office: "ResGuard Med" monitors coughing during the night, detects the worsening of symptoms and issues an alert.
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Image: Preview picture of video

Affair of the heart: MRI – Detecting coronary heart disease hazard patterns

03.02.2022

The University Hospital Düsseldorf is researching a new method of heart imaging in the MRI: It can detect the early formation of coronary heart disease and show associated lesions before they cause any symptoms. A contrast agent containing fluorine atoms is used for this. We learn more about this method in the video interview with Prof. Ulrich Flögel and Dr. Florian Bönner.
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Image: A person in a lab coat is holding a device with an antenna extended into a glass; Coypright: Universität des Saarlandes

Universität des Saarlandes

Coronavirus: Using odors to detect an infection

10.01.2022

Rapid COVID-19 tests can be rather uncomfortable as samples are typically collected with a deep nasal or throat swab. Scientists now explore an alternative to rapid diagnostic tests based on a patient’s breath.
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Image: Emergency cardiology. ecg with supraventricular arrhythmias and brief atrial fibrillation ; Copyright: PantherMedia/Olga355

PantherMedia/Olga355

Screening for atrial fibrillation could reduce risk of stroke

30.08.2021

Screening for atrial fibrillation in 75- and 76-year-olds could reduce the risk of stroke, severe bleeding and death, according to a study at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that has been published.
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Image: lung sound recording device; Copyright: TU Graz

TU Graz

COVID-19: Screening system for lung sound analysis

08.12.2020

Our bodies constantly make sounds that are not always audible to the naked ear. The occurrence of certain noises or changes in normal sounds can be an indication of illness. Using the example of the lung, a research team at Graz University of Technology has been intensively engaged in noise recording and the development of computer-aided analysis methods as a supplement to medical diagnosis.
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Image: Colorful cubes with heart symbols are floating over a smartphone; Copyright: panthermedia.net/thodonal

Cardiology: digital solutions support those coping with chronic illness

03.02.2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Acute events such as heart attacks and strokes stand out in this setting. Chronic heart diseases can also be a debilitating condition for many patients. If cardiology uses digital methods and tools, it can reach more affected people.
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Image: diagnostic test on a table; Copyright: beta web GmbH/Melanie Prüser

beta web GmbH/Melanie Prüser

Single-use tests: sensitivity and easy use combined for diagnostics

12.12.2019

Diagnostic testing usually takes some time and a sterile environment to get the results. To cut down on the costs and effort spend on these tasks there are different diagnostic tests. One of them are single-use tests offered by SensDx S.A. The technology behind them not only makes the process faster and easier, but provides the opportunity to expand into home use in the future as well.
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Image: Wrist with smartwatch, which measures the pulse rate; Copyright: panthermedia.net / Lev Dolgachov

panthermedia.net / Lev Dolgachov

mHealth: Atrial fibrillation detection – App supports heart health

08.05.2019

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of persistent cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Researchers estimate that 1.8 million Germans are presently affected by this disease. The condition is difficult to diagnose, frequently goes undetected and may result in a stroke. A new smartwatch medical app is designed to help patients detect atrial fibrillation before it’s too late.
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Image: digital capture of an eye; Copyright: panthermedia.net / cosmin momir

A digital look inside the human eye – when algorithms diagnose Diabetes

02.01.2019

Diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes has become very common and is often described as a lifestyle disease. More and more people are suffering from this chronic metabolic disorder. Next to established diagnostic procedures, digital retinal screening has shown to be successful - a promising technique that will also play an important role in the diagnosis of other diseases in the future.
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