Optical fiber imaging method advances studies of Alzheimer's disease

Published: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:48:39 EDT

An optical fiber as thin as a strand of hair holds promise for use in minimally invasive deep-tissue studies of patients' brains that show the effects Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders. The challenge is efficiently increasing image resolution at the subcellular level, because loss of information is inevitable from light scrambling.

Global AFib study finds simple ablation has best outcomes

Published: Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:47:03 EDT

Results from one of the largest global studies of atrial fibrillation (AFib) procedures show that the simple approach is usually best when it comes to ablation, a procedure where physicians destroy or ablate cardiac tissue to correct irregular heart rhythms. Researchers found that using advanced image-guided technology to more aggressively target diseased areas of the heart that cause arrythmias didn't lead to better outcomes for patients -- and put some at higher risk of strokes, according to new results.

Single brain scan can diagnose Alzheimer's disease

Published: Mon, 20 Jun 2022 10:08:27 EDT

A single MRI scan of the brain could be enough to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, according to new research.

Preadolescents exposed to high levels of air pollution in their first years of life display changes in brain connectivity

Published: Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:32:49 EDT

Higher exposure to air pollution is associated with higher functional brain connectivity among several brain regions in preadolescents, while exposure to traffic noise was not, according to a study. The findings also identify the first years of life as the most sensitive period of exposure to air pollution.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can control prostate cancer with fewer side effects

Published: Wed, 15 Jun 2022 10:29:26 EDT

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can help some men with prostate cancer avoid surgery or radiation.

Automating renal access in kidney stone surgery using AI-enabled surgical robot

Published: Tue, 14 Jun 2022 09:55:59 EDT

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an efficient surgical intervention for removing large kidney stones. However, it is a challenging procedure that requires years of training to perform. To meet the need for quick skill-building, scientists have now developed and trialed an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled robotic device for assisting surgeons in PCNL. Its notable features include ease of use and better accuracy in creating renal access.

Researchers demonstrate near-non-invasive In-vivo imaging in mouse cortex at an unprecedented depth

Published: Mon, 13 Jun 2022 12:45:36 EDT

A research team has demonstrated in-vivo imaging of fine neuronal structures in mouse cortex through the intact skull at an unprecedented depth of 750 µm below pia, making high-resolution microscopy in cortex near non-invasive and measurably facilitating the study of the living brain.

Virtual CT scans cut patient radiation exposure in half during PET/CT studies

Published: Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:21:21 EDT

A novel artificial intelligence method can be used to generate high-quality 'PET/CT' images and subsequently decrease radiation exposure to the patient. The method bypasses the need for CT-based attenuation correction, potentially allowing for more frequent PET imaging to monitor disease and treatment progression without radiation exposure from CT acquisition.

Chemists design chemical probe for detecting minute temperature shifts in the body

Published: Mon, 06 Jun 2022 13:44:18 EDT

A chemistry team has engineered a cobalt complex to act as a noninvasive chemical thermometer. They've done so by making the cobalt complex's nuclear spin ­-- a workhorse, fundamental magnetic property ­­-- mimic the agile, but less stable sensitivity of an electron's spin.

Researchers take optical coherence tomography to the next level

Published: Thu, 02 Jun 2022 11:42:31 EDT

Researchers have developed an enhanced version of optical coherence tomography (OCT) that can image biomedical samples at higher contrast and resolution over a wider 3D field of view than was previously possible.