World’s first in vivo human gene editing trial goes without a hitch
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF There are tens of millions of people around the world with incurable inherited conditions and diseases, and being able to swap in new genes and replace faulty genes in vivo will be nothing less than revolutionary. In a world first researchers in the US...
AI can now identify your health problems but just looking at you
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Millions of people around the world go untreated because doctors can’t diagnose, or sometimes even see, their symptoms, but now AI can use photos to identify health conditions in seconds not days, weeks or years. Patient number two was born to first-time parents, late...
New Smart Bandage heals wounds faster and talks to your doctor
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Smart bandages that can heal wounds faster, identify disease and talk with doctors will help doctors track how well wounds are healing and help people heal faster When you think of medical 3D printing applications, and there are plenty of them to choose from,...
Scientists use magnetism to remotely control mice
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Scientists ability to control mice remotely using magnetism could open up new avenues to treat a wide range of degenerative neurological disorders. An international group of scientists based at the Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS) has, for the first time, demonstrated that...
Healing touch, Regenerative Medicine breakthrough reprograms skin cells
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Tissue Nanotransference technology could help us heal organs quickly, and on demand, and put an end to the need for immunosuppressant drugs and the rejection of transplants This week scientists from Ohio State University announced a “breakthrough” in Regenerative medicine, the field of healthcare...
Scientists have built the world’s first biological ‘teleporter’
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF We have reached the point where we can digitise life itself, albeit at a micro scale, and that opens up a whole host of new opportunities, from being able to create bespoke synthetic organisms to teleporting life across the universe. The chance of a...
Scientists found a way to selectively erase memories forever
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Imagine being able to forget memories at the flick of a switch, and now imagine the impact that would have on your life, good or bad. As scientists unravel the mysteries of the brain one day this will become science fact. One thing that...
Cream that creates suntans without the sun also reduces cancer risk
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Lots of people like having a natural looking tan, but with over 100,000 cases of skin cancer a year, noone likes the sun’s nefarious side effects, but now scientists have created a way to tan that doesn’t need the Sun. If you’re like me...
A simple blood test detects cancer years earlier than previously possible
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF A new blood test will, one day, let doctors detect cancer years earlier than ever before, and earlier detection means earlier treatment and better chances of survival for those who have the disease. Scientists from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre and Grail, a...
Scientists are creating next generation vaccines that are contagious
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF The way that we vaccinate people today is, arguably, outmoded, but the next generation of vaccines that are being produced could be contagious and that could change health, and healthcare, forever. What if you never got ill again? Ever. I’m not talking about not...
Indian regulators green light two companies to bring people back from the dead
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF New technology is pushing the boundaries on life extension, and now death, and there are an increasing number of voices that think death is no longer inevitable. There’s a saying, “In life only two things are certain – death and taxes,” and while the...
Scientists have used a new breakthrough treatment to wake up coma patients
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF When patients fall into comas the effects on them, and their loved ones can be fatal or at best catastrophic, but a new breakthrough treatment has managed to wake up long term comatose patients. Sometimes when people experience a severe brain injury, or trauma,...
Promising ‘Genetic Chainsaw in a pill’ could solve the world’s antibiotic crisis
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Bacteria’s stellar ability to rapidly evolve to overcome today’s most potent antibiotics puts tens of millions of lives at high risk, but now scientists are designing new genetics based antibiotic treatments that could kill off bacteria’s natural advantage. Even since Alexander Fleming stumbled across...
Scientists two headed ‘Franken-Rat’ paves the way for human head transplant trials
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Scientists have been performing head transplants on animals for decades, and now a Chinese team want to move to human trials by the end of the year Following hot on the heels of the creation of a Human-Animal hybrid “animal,” a team of Chinese...
The FDA begins “Humans on Chips” trials to replace animal testing
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Bit by bit animal testing is slowly being replaced by new more modern methods, the FDA’s new “Humans on Chips” collaboration will accelerate its demise and make drug testing cheaper, faster and safer. A future without animal testing has taken a step closer this...
DARPA splurges $50million to help spies upload information to their brains ‘Matrix’ style
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF You think that it’s inevitable that the machines will come for your job, but as we get closer to being able to upload knowledge to our brains “Matrix” style, the tables could be about to turn. Being a spy, or a solider for that...
AI has learnt to predict heart attacks more accurately than doctors
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Every year millions of people die from heart disease and this new system could save thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of extra lives Every year an estimated 20 million people die from heart disease, but now, hot on the heels of an artificial intelligence (AI)...
Artificial womb gives new meaning to Lamb in a Bag
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Hundreds of thousands of babies are born prematurely and, one day, this breakthrough will offer parents new hope, it could also signal the beginning of humanity’s ability to create huge Star Wars like clone armies… In February a team of researchers from the UK’s Cambridge...
Scientists discover that a virus might be triggering Coeliac disease
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Coeliac disease affects millions of people around the world, and in extreme cases cause a lot of pain and distress and this discovery could pave the way for new cures and treatments. Coeliac disease, which is bought about by an intolerance to Gluten, can...
3D printed cartilage breakthrough offers millions of suffers new hope
WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF Cartilage is unique in that it doesn’t grow back, leaving Arthritis patients, and cancer and injury victims with no option but surgery, now though 3D bioprinting offers them all new hope. Loosing a part of your body, such as an ear, knee or a...
