Nanotechnology breakthrough revolutionizes prostate cancer testingMany American men who develop prostate cancer undergo a radical prostatectomy surgery, the removal of the prostate gland, to increase their chances of survival. Even without the gland, though, there is still a chance the cancer will return. A new nanoparticle-based technology being developed by a team of Northwestern scientists could help detect the recurring cancer earlier than ever before.
This diagnostic tool works by identifying a substance called prostate-specific antigen. Patients who have had their prostate gland removed can be tested for the level of PSA in their system; non-rising levels are a good indicator their cancer will not come back.
The new technique being pioneered by NU scientists, the “nano-PSA assay,” is 300 times more sensitive in detecting PSA than a simple blood test. This allows doctors to intervene earlier in cases of recurring tumors. Wealth and HealthResearchers from the Kellogg School of Management have made a surprising discovery regarding uninsured Americans between the ages of 51 and 64. Uninsured individuals in this group showed a higher risk of retirement savings loss when faced with large medical expenses.
The study – “Does Major Illness Cause Financial Catastrophe?” – suggests older people without insurance could lose up to half of their household assets if struck by a significant illness such as heart disease, stroke or cancer.Sonar detects computer user’s presence and helps decrease power consumptionLeaving a computer’s monitor on while away wastes power and shortens a laptop battery’s life. But researchers at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science have come up with a solution using nothing more than a computer’s speakers and microphone.
The team has developed software that emits a high frequency tone from the microphone, which is then recorded by the computer’s speakers. By listening to variances in the tone’s echo, the software can determine whether or not the user is in front of the computer. If not, the computer’s monitor goes blank until the user returns and touches the mouse, at which time the sonar is reactivated.[email protected]
