Game-Changing Dual Cancer Therapy Completely Eradicates Tumors Without Harsh Side Effects
Dual Combining phototherapy with chemotherapy may provide a more powerful approach to combat aggressive tumors effectively. Patients with late-stage cancer often have to endure multiple rounds of different types of treatment, which can cause unwanted side effects and may not always help. In hopes of expanding the treatment options for those patients, MIT researchers have designed tiny particles that can be implanted at a tumor site, where they deliver two types of therapy: heat and chemotherapy. This approach could avoid the side effects that often occur when chemotherapy is given intravenously, and the synergistic effect of the two therapies may extend the patient’s lifespan longer than giving one treatment at a time. In a study of mice, the researchers showed that this therapy completely eliminated tumors in most of the animals and significantly prolonged their survival. “One of the examples where this particular technology could be useful is trying to control the growth of really fast-growing tumors,” says Ana Jaklenec, a principal investigator at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. “The goal would be to gain some control over these tumors for patients that don’t really have a lot of options, and this could either prolong their life or at least allow them to have a better quality of life during this period.” Jaklenec is one of the senior authors of the new study, along with Angela Belcher, the James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering and a member of the Koch Institute, and Robert Langer,…
Humans originated in Europe, not Africa, according to fossil discovery
This find challenges the long-held belief that human ancestors evolved solely in Africa, suggesting instead that Europe played a significant role in our evolutionary history. The fossil, uncovered at the Çorakyerler site with support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, reveals that Mediterranean fossil apes were more diverse than previously thought. These apes are part of the earliest known group of hominins, which includes not only African apes like chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas but also humans and their fossil ancestors. Out of Africa? Maybe not This discovery adds weight to the theory that the ancestors of African apes and humans may have evolved in Europe before migrating to Africa between nine and seven million years ago. Professor David Begun from the University of Toronto and Professor Ayla Sevim Erol from Ankara University led the international team of researchers who conducted the study. “Our findings further suggest that hominines not only evolved in western and central Europe but spent over five million years evolving there and spreading to the eastern Mediterranean before eventually dispersing into Africa, probably as a consequence of changing environments and diminishing forests,” explained Professor Begun. “The members of this radiation to which Anadoluvius turkae belongs are currently only identified in Europe and Anatolia.” Partial skull of Anadoluvius turkae The conclusion drawn from the study is based on the analysis of a well-preserved partial cranium discovered in 2015. This fossil includes most of the facial structure and the front part of the braincase, providing valuable insights into the ape’s anatomy. “The completeness of the fossil…
Humans Are Still Dreaming of Clean Energy. Carbon Nanotubes May Be the Turning Point.
“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.” Large swaths of the technology industry—whether they make smartphones, renewable energy storage, or electric vehicles—owe a pretty big debt of gratitude to the creation of the lithium-ion battery. Without it, the modern information age would’ve been severely curtailed in its ability to go mobile and store an impressive amount of energy on the go. But, as is true with all technologies, what was once cutting edge eventually wears out its welcome. And lithium-ion batteries are tiptoeing into this category. Of course, lithium-ion batteries remain immensely important—lithium is even often referred to as “white gold”—but scientists are realizing that some kind of replacement is likely necessary if we want to achieve our clean energy dreams. Lithium-ion batteries don’t work well in extreme temperatures on either end of the scale and have a non-zero chance of exploding (search “Tesla on fire” and you’ll get the picture), and lithium extraction has devastating consequences on the environment and human health. These issues and others like them have led experts to propose things like iron-air batteries, proton batteries, and sodium batteries as possible replacements (or supplements) for humanity’s pervasive use of lithium. Now, a new battery is entering the chat—carbon nanotubes. A new study from an international team of scientists revealed that twisted coils of carbon nanotubes—with each thread being only one-atom thick (also known as single-walled)—could store 15,000 times more energy than steel springs and three times more energy per unit mass than lithium.…
Insurance company denies covering medication for condition that ‘could kill’ med student, she says
Malik JacksonUpdated: Dec 13, 2024 / 10:11 AM CST KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City denied coverage of a medicine that a Missouri woman says could save her life, leaving her with a monthly bill of over $8,000. “I was at risk for spontaneous internal bleeding that could kill me,” Kaitlyn Sy said. Sy, a University of Kansas medical student, said she’s fighting back just weeks after a near-death experience. She’s been forced to pause her medical studies while waiting for this medicine to be approved, compromising her already weak immune system. Sy conducted her interview with Nexstar’s WDAF over Zoom, unable to do it in person because of her condition. Sy has dreamed of becoming a doctor since middle school, “whether that be bringing hope and healing to fellow humans, intellectual stimulating work of diagnosing and treating diseases, being involved in medical research.”Luigi Mangione was reported missing 2 weeks before CEO slain: police But three years ago, doctors diagnosed her with an autoimmune disease that mistakenly attacks the platelets in her blood cells. When she bleeds, there’s nothing to clot those cells. Sy says that could cause life-threatening bleeding. For years, no treatment worked well for her. Just weeks ago, that scenario happened: Sy was forced to go to the ER to treat internal bleeding. Her hematologist had one more option, a pill called Promacta that could stabilize this issue. Things changed when Sy got to the pharmacy. “The pharmacy tech — her…
GOP Rift Opens Over Social Security Bill!
Senate Republicans argued behind closed doors over a proposed bill that would increase Social Security benefits for people who are eligible for non-Social Security government pensions, with some party members wanting to stop the measure because of its cost. “I think most of our members were alarmed that something so big” would have come to the Senate floor, an unidentified Republican senator told The Hill, adding that the lawmakers had held an “intense discussion.” Senate conservatives led by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., are calling for Social Security reforms, including raising the retirement age, as a way to repeal policies reducing public-sector workers’ Social Security benefits. The House passed its bipartisan bill, the Social Security Fairness Act, by a vote of 327-75 earlier this month. The Senate version of the bill is expected to come up for a vote Wednesday. The Senate bill has 14 GOP co-sponsors, but Paul and other Republicans are arguing that it will speed up Social Security bankruptcy. The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, and if passed will repeal the 1983 Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) enacted in 1977, which allows public-sector workers to receive full Social Security benefits. WEP reduces Social Security benefits for workers getting pensions for employment not covered by Social Security and GPO reduces benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers of people who get government pensions. Read More Here at Newsmax!
Elon Predicts One Million Humans Will Be Augmented By Neuralink By 2030
Tech investor Apoorv Agrawal has described Neuralink as the “most important company of the decade.” The bold claim on X has sparked widespread attention, but it was Elon Musk’s repost that elevated the conversation to a new level: “Bit rate and patient number will increase hyperexponentially over the next 5+ years. My guess is combined I/O bit rate > 1Mbs and augmented humans >1M by 2030.” This statement is a vision for a future where the boundary between humans and machines dissolves at a scale that could redefine humanity itself. Are education systems ready for what’s coming and how might they need to adapt? The Promise of Neuralink Neuralink’s work in 2024 has already reshaped what we think is possible. The company moved its technology out of the lab and into the real world, successfully implanting its N1 device in human patients. For people with severe disabilities, this implant represents independence. By translating neural signals into digital commands, the N1 enables users to interact with computers and other devices using only their thoughts. Thanks to the N1, Neuralink’s first patient, Noland Arbaugh, can now use his computer, play video games, and connect with friends, all without physical movement. Using a Star Wars reference, he likened using the Neuralink to using the force on a cursor. The second participant is designing intricate 3D objects using CAD software through thought alone. These stories are inspiring, but they’re only the beginning. Neuralink’s technology is poised to augment human potential. Musk’s comments emphasize the potential of Neuralink in breathtaking terms. A…
As Trust in Health Care Craters, Pharmacist Reveals 5 Biggest ‘Scam’ Medications to Watch Out For
More Americans than ever are skeptical of the health-care system — and with good reason. According to data published last month by public health researcher Preeti Vankar at Statista, only 60 percent of Americans had trust in their health-care system — lower than Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand — in 2022. And this doesn’t just extend to health-care conglomerates or hospitals, either. There are also pharmaceutical companies — including those who sell over-the-counter medications. One pharmacist has said you have every reason to be skeptical — and in a viral video, he shared the five biggest “scam” medications that consumers should watch out for on shelves. The video by Grant Harting, a pharmacist licensed in three states, was released a month ago — and has received 6.5 million views on YouTube alone. In it, he went inside a CVS and pointed out the five biggest over-the-counter rip-offs he says consumers should be on the lookout for. Now, of course, this isn’t medical advice, so make sure to ask your doctor — but if you’re looking at these five products, maybe you should have another look. First off is a medication that works, just at a hefty price: ZzzQuil, the version of NyQuil that doesn’t have the cough and cold ingredients. Read The full Article Here