Grain-sized soft robot delivers medications, guided by magnetic fields

If you’re ever faced with trying to pick up a grain of rice with a pair of chopsticks, spare a thought for the scientists behind this latest innovation, which has been called “a medical breakthrough on the verge of happening.” They’ve painstakingly bui… Continue reading Grain-sized soft robot delivers medications, guided by magnetic fields

“Embarrassingly simple” tag puts IV chemotherapy drugs in pill form

Taking a pill is the easiest, least invasive way to take medicine, but unfortunately, not all drugs work that way. Now, Stanford scientists have found “an embarrassingly simple solution” that could make almost any drug molecule effective in oral pill f… Continue reading “Embarrassingly simple” tag puts IV chemotherapy drugs in pill form

Tiny skin-stabbing stars designed to get meds through the epidermis

While topically-applied medications do help alleviate various skin conditions, they would be even more effective if they could better penetrate the skin’s surface. Newly developed nanoceramic “stars” may one day help, by poking tiny holes in the skin.C… Continue reading Tiny skin-stabbing stars designed to get meds through the epidermis

Nanoscale ‘Russian doll’ tech delivers two drugs at different times

Researchers have developed technology that creates nanoscale sacs containing a compartment within a compartment, like a Russian matryoshka doll. The novel tech is capable of delivering two drugs simultaneously or at different times.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading Nanoscale ‘Russian doll’ tech delivers two drugs at different times

“Fancy threads” could release drugs right where the body needs them

Swiss scientists have developed textile fibers that can be loaded up with just about any drug, then used to dispense that medication precisely where it’s needed in the body. The fibers could be utilized in sutures or bandages, or even just implanted on… Continue reading “Fancy threads” could release drugs right where the body needs them

Oral insulin drops under the tongue could replace diabetes injections

Diabetics sick of daily injections may have renewed hope for a less invasive alternative. Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have developed a new delivery method for insulin where users just place a few drops under their tongue.Cont… Continue reading Oral insulin drops under the tongue could replace diabetes injections

Inhaling graphene is safe, according to human trial

Inhaling an ultra-pure form of the ‘wonder material’ graphene did not produce any short-term adverse effects on lung and cardiovascular function in a small group of healthy volunteers. The first-in-human study opens the door to developing a novel targe… Continue reading Inhaling graphene is safe, according to human trial

New drug triggers “calcium storm” to choke cancer cells to death

No matter how important something is, too much of anything is bad for you. Scientists have now put that principle to work to kill cancer, with a new drug that causes calcium to build up and choke the tumor to death.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, Sc… Continue reading New drug triggers “calcium storm” to choke cancer cells to death

Smartphone-controlled skin patch releases multiple medications on demand

Nobody likes having to get needles on a frequent basis, or even having to take multiple medications orally throughout the day. A new wearable patch could help, by painlessly administering different drugs through the skin when triggered by a smartphone…. Continue reading Smartphone-controlled skin patch releases multiple medications on demand