The Latest Updates on Cancer Treatment

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Cancer treatment is considered as one of the highly discussed topics in the medical industry. In light of the above, it is extremely important to figure out the treatment options available for cancer in order to provide the best possible treatment accordingly.

Finding the best possible cancer treatment is essential as it can help healthcare professionals to treat tumors while causing the least damage to the body. In other words, proper cancer treatment can minimize the changes of cancer cell redevelopment within the body as well as side-effects. 

Understanding the Treatment Options Available for Cancer

The treatments available for cancerous infections are severe and need to be handled with extreme attention and with reference to the patient's medical background. As a result, they should be done in the appropriate manner according to individual needs and not be identical for all patients. Taking unreliable or unsuitable treatments for cancer can be risky and has the potential to cause irreversible damages to your body tissues and cells. Healthcare professionals have paid special attention towards this fact in the recent past. 

As a result, they offer the treatments based on growth and character of malignant tumors. It has been empirically found that cancer cells can be treated effectively when they are detected at an early stage. However, it should be noted that the chances of curing cancer cells reduce with age. 

The increasing intensity of cancerous infections has contributed a lot towards the aforementioned fact. Therefore, an appropriate diagnosis of cancer is extremely important to plan out the proper treatment option available. Treatment options are available for almost all types of cancers and it is possible to reverse it and recover from the illness when detected at an early stage and the person is relatively young. 

Cancer treatment rotates around the efforts taken to diagnose cancers as well as the treatment method used to cure abnormal cells. One of the primary objectives of cancer treatment is to restrict the spread of cancer cells. Some harsh medical techniques are being used to restrict it, based on the condition. If the cancer cells are not treated properly, they invade the healthy body tissues and cells as well. Lack of vital resources such as blood and oxygen contribute a lot towards this abnormal behavior. This can cause a tremendous damage to the vital parts of your body in the long run. 

The most convenient option available for patients to stay away from this damage is to control the growth of cancer cells in time. The latest updates on cancer treatment have given more attention towards cancer detection as a result of it. In the meantime, necessary steps are being taken in order to strengthen your immune system. This can help the victim to create a body that is more resistible to future attacks. It will also help to gain maximum benefits out of prescribed medications. 

The Dimensions of Modern World Cancer Treatment

It is extremely important for the patient to take an appropriate treatment as such action can restrict the abnormal growth of cancerous cells. In this regard, more attention is paid towards the origin of cancer cells during the treatment process. Not all types of cancers metastasize at the same speed. Some forms of cancer, such as the ones that develop in your breast, lymph nodes, abdomen, lungs, bloodstream, neck, head and bones develop at a faster rate when compared to those that develop in other parts of your body. A closer look into stats, indicates that the above types of cancers have given rise to cancer deaths that are registered yearly around the world. Therefore, it is considered best that people who suffer from cancers in those areas need to get an aggressive treatment done. 

The treatment options available for cancer depend a lot on the type of tumor and location and size. The tumors are either cancerous or benign. The benign tumors are defined as pre-cancerous or non-cancerous because of their harmless nature to the human body. In other words, they do not have the ability to invade or kill the ordinary cells of your body. The pre-cancerous cells can easily be controlled because they do not have the ability to metastasize. Regular medication or minor surgeries are in a position to control such tumors. They have very little chance of redeveloping as well. 

On the other hand, cancerous tumors are responsible for the development of cancers within your body. They can damage the live tissues and cells in your body. Those cells would get abnormal along with time and accumulate to create a tumor or lump. They are associated with a high chance of reoccurrence as well. Therefore, you will need to opt for a drastic treatment in order to restrict their growth. 

Latest Updates on Cancer Treatments

Different types of cancer can affect human beings and the type of treatment should be based upon it. Surgery can be considered as the most common treatment that is offered to the modern world for cancer patients. It has the potential to treat the cancerous tumors that belong to an initial stage in an effective manner. 

The surgical methods for cancer treatments have gone through some significant developments throughout the past couple of years and they can even be used to treat tumors that are in their second or third stages. However, it would be better to accompany a surgery with other treatment methods such as radiation therapy or chemical therapy in order to receive the best possible results. 

Chemotherapy is another cancer invasive and toxic treatment, which has received a lot of attention in the recent past. People who suffer from cancers that have reached an advance stage are encouraged to go for this treatment. Chemotherapy is also prescribed to patients who have second and third stage cancer. 

Radiotherapy is thought of as the most advanced cancer treatment method available at the moment. In fact, it is known as the last resort of treatment for malignant tumors. Radiotherapy focuses on killing the cancer cells while destroying infected areas. This can cause severe damage to the adjacent tissues however it does attack healthy body cells as well. There have been medical case reported where permanent damage can impact the overall functioning of the body. 

As time passes by, the proliferation of technology leads to significant advances in research and practice around cancer treatment. In this sense, people should not hesitate to visit a healthcare professional if they suspect the existence of tumor or in order to get a treatment done once they are diagnosed. There are less invasive forms of treatment including alternative medicine which has become a growing trend. This type of approach focuses on the use of specific diet and a healthy lifestyle among others as a way to treat cancer. Nevertheless, it has not been extensively proven that such treatment can be more effective in comparison to traditional medicine. 

Summary

Overall, depending on the type and stage of cancer, different treatments are available to eradicate the tumor or slow its development. This could include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. It is important that above all, appropriate supportive care is available for the patient and the family as they go through this difficult stage in their lives.

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*by andreascy*

The Future Is Now: Self-Healing Phones Hit the Market

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Self-Healing phones? I can't resist. Impressive and Awesome! 😮

According to SquareTrade, 25.6 percent of iPhone owners reported failure within the first two years with 18.1 percent caused from accidental damage. Another 7.5 percent of failures were caused from hardware malfunction. 

But, what if that dismal number could be slashed by new cell phones that could heal themselves? It may sound like science fiction, but self-healing phones are already making their way to the marketplace.

Biomimicry Technology

How can a phone heal itself without any human intervention? Well, engineers at the University of Pittsburgh are experimenting with biomimicry, or materials modeled after the human body. Think about when we get a cut. We get a scab, and it heals with little effort. Now, self-healing polymers can mimic that function and repair themselves.

Cell phones repair themselves by restoring their initial molecular structure. While a phone currently can’t repair itself after being run over by a truck, flattened and destroyed, it is possible for it to heal broken circuits and scratches. This could mean less consumer consumption and waste as cell phones become more impervious to damage.

Self-Healing Circuits

Scientists at the University of Illinois are developing a system of capsules inserted along the phone's circuits and filled with liquid metal. If the circuit is broken, the liquid is released to restore its connection and return the electrical flow. This could mean that cell phone users would never even know their phone broke before its fixed and working again. It also could avoid going in for diagnostic testing because the self-healing circuits would figure it out on their own.

Self-Healing Scratches

While we wait for self-healing circuits to hit the market, there is a phone ready for public use. The LG G Flex comes with a curved, OLED display that can actually bend for a limited period of time. This helps keep the screen and phone bend instead of cracking upon impact.

The phone also has a self-healing coat of paint that can withstand wear and tear and heal itself after piercings by sharp objects like keys or a blade. This also makes it easier to grip while it heals itself from scratches.

Functionality

So, we know the LG G Flex can bend and heal itself to a certain extent. But how is its overall user functionality? The phone's large, 6-inch HD curved screen gives it a distinctively cinematic experience. Its contoured shape aligns with your face and keeps the gap minimized between your mouth and the microphone to boost the voice quality. And, people love its long battery life.

Although the reception has been mostly favorable, the one complaint is that the 13-megapixel camera does not live up to expectations. Like many camera phones, it does not do well in low-light situations, and it is difficult to change the brightness.

Other Self-Healing Products

Are you wondering if self-healing polymers and new innovations in self-healing materials are wasted on clumsy cell phone users? Well, self-healing products are already in the public and private marketplace. An article in Forbes explains that now, tanks have the ability to let a bullet through its exterior and snap its damaged frame back into shape in less than a second. NASCAR also uses racetrack barriers that can withstand impact from a racing car, absorb it and return back to its original shape. And, cars are already employing self-healing paints and coats that enable healing in the sunlight. So, it's about time phones caught up with the future.

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*by andreascy*

Why Curved Screens are the Next Innovative Trend

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Between televisions, smartphones, tablets and laptops, most consumer electronics share one distinguishing characteristic: their flat, rectangular displays. It looks like technology is changing that though with a newer trend called curved screens. 

Unlike previous similar wavy displays that featured a contoured glass over a flat display, these new devices and electronics actually use an innovated curved display that offers a variety of benefits from being more ergonomic to improving the multimedia experience.

About Curved Screen Technology

Deemed the new flat screen, curved technology using displays based on OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology, which has made it simpler for manufacturers to enhance or improve two-dimensional screens. Curved screens, which are flat panels that are bent after the fact are also flexible, which means they can be bent with a certain amount of pressure. 

Curved screens are made possible because of a newer flexible glass called Willow, which is manufactured by Corning. It is about as thin as a piece of paper and is chemically coated to enhance transparency and conduct electricity. The thinner the glass, the more curvature you can get. The OLED displays are placed on this type of glass. Televisions with these types of curved and flexible screens can bend on demand by using a remote control. 

Samsung was one of the first to market both televisions and smartphones with the curved screen technology. In 2013, the Samsung Galaxy Round, which is a tablet/smartphone hybrid, was released with its concave screen. The telecommunications giant also introduced a 55-inch OLED TV, which not only had a stunning picture with its 4,500mm curvature radius, but an almost $10,000 price tag to go with it. LG also came out with a 55-inch OLED television, which has a 5,000mm curvature radius.

Besides the Galaxy Round, the LG G Flex from T-Mobile also uses the curved screen technology. Because the curved screen contours to your face, the design reduces the distance between your mouth and the microphone, thus enhancing voice quality. The OLED display also provides a bright, vivid panoramic experience and reduces the glare. In addition to these two devices, it is also rumored that the Apple iPhone 6 is designed to use the same concave screen technology.

Benefits of Curved Screen Technology

Curved screen technology will take some getting used to, especially as more manufacturers create products with it. However, there are several benefits to using it:

- More ergonomic: Phones with curved screens fit more comfortably in your hand.

- Improved multimedia experience: Similar to an iMax experience, the curved screen enhances multimedia viewing by negating the distortion of the screen’s edges and create an image that is perceived as flat. 

- Increased battery life: The LG G Flex has a “tap to life” function that allows users to tap twice on the phone to wake it up instead of picking it up and turning it on. It also has a 3500mAh battery, which produced a longer life than typical smartphone batteries.

Wave of the Future or Just a Gimmick?

Curved screens may just seem like a marketing gimmick, especially when it comes to televisions, since mounting and viewing may require extra attention. However, researchers strongly believe that curved screen displays are the next innovative trend in electronics.

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Smartphones with curved screens offer reduced glossiness typically found in flat displays, and improve screen privacy. That, coupled with the subtle concave of the screen, has opened up the doors to improving on this technology for other products and for future generations.

*by andreascy*

Real Life Super Humans Via Robotic Software

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Research for robotic-type suits for the military has been under the microscope, so to speak, since the 1990’s. 

The first actual suit was unveiled in 2002 but it lacked power. As the advancement of technology birthed smaller and more versatile sensors as well as faster microprocessors, many researchers were becoming convinced that a wearable robot - exoskeleton -- should be further considered, developed and perfected; and it has, pending a few tweaks here and there. A compact box on the back of the robot-suit houses the on-board computer and the control systems.

Continued perfection is moving forward; and one research company, out of several, is working under a two-year, $10 Million grant from the U.S. Army. The realization of a motorized human is on the verge of completion. A handful of engineers are on the thresh-hold of fulfilling the military’s fantasy of mechanically-enhanced soldiers that would have the super-human ability to lift equipment weighing 200 pounds as if it were only 30-some ounces.

Using a sensor attached to the wearer’s skin, the exoskeleton detects brain signals sent to muscles. The on-board computer analyzes these signals to determine how it must move and with how much force. 

Medical and Military Applications:

Medical: 

The software that commands artificial muscles, as well as control systems, has applications beyond the military. For those who are wheel-chair bound, the possibilities are wide open and remain extremely tantalizing. Developed technology in the field of robotics software has been eagerly embraced by a variety of medical organizations which recognize and have responded to the need for better mobility beyond the wheelchair. An artificially-intelligent brace is being developed to allow paraplegics and the elderly to walk once again. The technology and mechanics involved very much parallel those of the military counterparts.

In 2009, intelligent braces and exoskeletons were used in more than 100 hospitals and welfare centers throughout Japan, with encouraging success. America’s medical arena has followed suit.

Military:

As stated, the military exoskeleton responds to movements of the wearer; and provides astonishing load-bearing assistance over any terrain. The user can support up to 220 pounds and walk continuously at a steady pace and cover over 12 miles without stopping and without exertion. Research is looking into using advanced fuel cells to provide up to 72 hours of continual use without impeding a soldier’s movements in any way.

Overview of Functioning:

Mechanical engineering as well as software engineering combine forces to prompt computer-assisted sensors to control the exoskeleton’s systems. A variety of sensors work in perfect harmony to determine force and position factors. The sensors are connected through the Ethernet to computer processors in each leg and arm joint, which stimulate the actuators which are, simply, mechanical devices that convert energy into motion. This delivers up to 200 kg per square centimeter of force through high-pressure hydraulics. As if that weren’t astounding enough, it should be noted that each joint in the arms and legs has its own processing capability and the joints stay in communication with each other on a constant basis.

While the world is accustom to helpful software applications like file sharing by RLink, this goes beyond the normal realms of technology. With everything in place, the wearer can lift 50 pounds placed in each hand while leaving the arm in a horizontally, extended position for a prolonged period of time with no effort --- Astounding!

*by andreascy*

How A Breathalyzer Works

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Breathalyzers were scientifically developed in order to help law enforcement personnel to establish if an individual was driving while impaired due to alcohol. 

The technical non-invasive devices can ascertain, if a driver is drunk so the driven can be removed from the road. Breathalyzers test the concentration of blood alcohol in the driver’s blood.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Years ago the blood alcohol concentration level use to be 0.10. Now most states have a blood alcohol level of 0.08. This limit is also being lowered in some states to 0.05. The American Medical Association has stated that drivers with a level of 0.05 are impaired and should not be driving. A breathalyzer test showing that a driver has a level of 0.15, would prove that per 100 ml of blood, the driver shows 0.15 grams of alcohol present.

Fruit juice or milk is digested but the body does not digest alcohol. It is possible to determine the lever of alcohol by using a person’s breath because it is absorbed by the body. Alcohol goes immediately through the bloodstream and circulates until it is evaporated in the lungs. The molecules of alcohol do not mix with other liquids in the body. Alcohol is volatile in the blood because it is absorbed into the membranes of the mouth, stomach, intestines and throat. Blood passes through the lungs, which allows the alcohol to pass over the lungs air sacs and releases alcohol through the person’s breath. The breath that is being expelled holds the same amount of alcohol that is in the bloodstream. The breathalyzer can then accurately measure the evaporated alcohol through the breath. This is how the blood alcohol concentration is measured accurately for intoxication.

How the Evaporated Alcohol is Measured

Just like a diabetic kit with strips, levels of alcohol will produce chemical reaction on a piece of paper that will make the paper change color. When using a breathalyzer, the breath will travel through a solution. The solution will change color and the police officers will compare that color to the chart for intoxication levels.

The breathalyzer itself has a couple of different devices. There is a straw, which the offender will blow into so the person’s breath comes up from the lungs. The two cylinders with vials contain water, silver nitrate, sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate. A deep breath needs to pull air deep from the lungs.

Once the alcohol is removed from the air, it is absorbed by the liquid solution. The degree of change in color depends on the amount of evaporated alcohol that is in the breath taken from the offender. Only one vial has a chemical reaction. The other vial stays the same. An electrical current is produced which will make a needle on a gage to move. The officer operating the breathalyzer will watch the needle and wait for it to stop moving and then turn a knob to replace the needle to the point where it started. The more the knob has to be turned the higher amount of alcohol is in the solution. This will give the officer the reading level of intoxication.

RELATED: Science Nation - This Breathalyzer Reveals Signs of Disease

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*by andreascy*

Meet The World's Smallest Flying Robot: The RoboBee

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hello THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY lovers! 😍👍

As you already know, I'm working a lot these days and this is something that takes a lot of my personal time. It keeps me away from my Blog, but I'm still active on social media.

Ok let's see today's topic. A team of Science folks came up with something interesting that really toke our attention. Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) put a decade's work into developing the penny-sized robot, before it took off for the first time.

They have created a robot the size of a fly that makes uses of smart composite materials and piezoelectric technology performing the agile manoeuvres of an insect. RoboBee, which is built from carbon fiber, weighs a fraction of a gram and has super-fast electric "muscles" to power its wings that can even sit on a fingertip.

A recent paper lays out the progress of the robot’s fabrication and flight, but two major hurdles remain in the RoboBee’s flightpath. One hurdle is how to power the bee and the other is how to give it a digital brain small enough to keep the bee in flight. 

In the video below (Video courtesy of Kevin Ma and Pakpong Chirarattananon) demonstrating RoboBee’s maneuvering capabilities, you can see that the current prototypes are still connected to computers and power sources. Scientists hope to cut the cord as the project develops, until they can create entirely autonomous colonies of these.

It’s simultaneously frightening and exciting. Guess what military will do with it! 😮 

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*by andreascy*

Chemistry World : 3D Printing of a Soft Network

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

3D Printing has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything. Designers and engineers in the aerospace and automotive sectors have been using the process for decades to build prototypes. Many complex parts manufactured by 3D Printing are now present on aircraft, satellites, medical industry etc. etc.

3D Printing technology is advancing rapidly and its cost is falling dramatically. And this means something that was once restricted to a few elite industries is quickly becoming  more widely available and affordable. It's going to open up so many new possibilities for new businesses, new business models, start-up companies, new products and much more!

Now lets learn about a synthetic material capable of performing some of the functions of living cells : Oxford University scientists have used a specially modified 3D prototype printer to lay down a network of interconnected, electrically conductive droplets. 

This technology could find it's way into tissue engineering applications, helping to support cells that are being grown into healthy new organs - replace damaged human tissue or deliver drugs to specific locations.

"We aren't trying to make materials that faithfully resemble tissues, but rather structures that can carry out the functions of tissues," says Professor Hagan Bayley, who led the research reported in the journal Science.

3D Printing lets you build an object as complex as an organ, layer by layer or droplet by droplet, explains Cameron Ferris a research associate from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science at the University of Wollongong.

Read the full story at Chemistry World.
Related topics : 3D Printing Technology - Make things by printing them : How it works
Science Nation - Printable Robots Designed to be Consumer friendly, Inexpensive
Hi-Tech & Custom Designed 3D Printed Prosthetics
The Tomorrow Project : Conversations about Synthetic Biology
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*by andreascy*

Why A Solar Set-Up Is A Good Idea

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

It’s no surprise: In today’s world, we use a lot of excess energy and power. With so much technology, we stretch our resources to the limit to power our convenient lifestyles. We also emit a lot of pollution into the atmosphere. But who ever said that in order to have convenience, you have to forget about the Earth and what’s best for the environment? 

Fortunately, there’s an alternative – for your house, anyway. It is called a Solar Set-Up, and it can do a lot for you, as you do a lot for the environment. What are the advantages to having one for your home? Here are the positive features of a solar set-up:

Saves On Utility Costs

When you invest in a solar set-up, you actually save money overall. How? Your utility bills can decrease by as much as 20 to 30 percent each month. That is money that really adds up over time, amounting to over thousands of dollars, so you can actually end up saving a lot of money over the years.

Protects the Environment

By getting a solar set-up, you can really do your part for the environment. Using solar panels, a solar set-up converts DC power into AC power, which is then used to generate your household electricity. In addition, a solar set-up reduces the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. The average American home emits more than 16,000 pounds of CO2 annually, so switching to this set-up really does drastically reduce pollution and does its part for the environment.

No Large, Upfront Investment

If you’re thinking “That sounds great, but I just don’t know if I could afford it,” you’re in luck. While some companies make it so expensive that you have to finance your solar set-up, others work to make it more affordable. Companies like Vivint make it affordable because they don’t have these large, upfront costs. For example, Vivint uses a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA. A PPA is an agreement where you buy the power your system produces. And it’s at a lower rate than you would otherwise pay on your utility bill.

Professionally Trained Installers and Complete In-House Management

Companies like Vivint also have professionally trained installers and complete in-house management. Basically, this means the homeowner doesn’t have to worry about whether or not the system is set up correctly. For example, Vivint’s installation staff completes rigorous training in order to provide quality service. And unlike some providers, companies like Vivint manage the entire process in-house so that good service and customer satisfaction is a guarantee.

RECOMMENDED: 10 Reasons Why The World Should Go Solar

Bottom Line? Going green really is more of a reality than a lot of people think. It is efficient and affordable. And it can really end up saving a lot of money in the long run. In addition, it does a lot for the environment without requiring you to give up anything at all. In the end, these positive features of a solar set-up really make it a win-win situation.

*by andreascy*