US approval for first AI device to help detect colon cancer
12th April 2021
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised a new medical device that uses artificial intelligence (AI) based on machine learning to help clinicians detect potentials signs of colon cancer.
The GI Genius device consists of hardware and software designed to highlight portions of the colon where the device detects a potential lesion.
The software uses AI algorithm techniques to identify regions of interests – during a colonoscopy, the device system generates markers and superimposes them on the video from the endoscope camera when it identifies a potential lesion.
Genome editing toolkit to speed up gene therapy development
Appeared in BioNews 1090
A genome editing consortium funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled plans to develop a new genome editing toolkit to accelerate the development of gene therapies.
The Somatic Cell Genome Editing Consortium (SCGE) was granted $190 million to develop standardised genome editing approaches and methods, the outline for which was published last week. The overall goal is to facilitate the development of genome editing approaches for the treatment of multiple diseases, by providing a standardised starting platform. The consortium encompasses 75 principal investigators across 38 institutions. NIH realised it was important for all of us who are investigating gene editing to work together toward a common goal, said author and SCGE member Professor Danith Ly of Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania. What we ll end up with is a very valuable, rigorously evaluated resource
AZ Covid-19 vaccine and blood clots: the risks explained
By Darcy Jimenez 12 Apr 2021 (Last Updated April 12th, 2021 15:32)
Health authorities in the UK and Europe have confirmed a possible link between the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and a small number of blood clot cases, but are yet to establish a definite causal relation. Despite no risk factors having been identified, some countries have paused use of the jab in younger age groups – so how worried should we be?
The EMA and MHRA have confirmed a possible link between AZ’s jab and “extremely rare” blood clot cases. Credit: Jernej Furman
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BOSTON - (April 12, 2021) - A new source of energy expending brown fat cells has been uncovered by researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center, which they say points towards potential new therapeutic options for obesity. According to the new report, published today by
Nature Metabolism, the key lies in the expression of a receptor called Trpv1 (temperature-sensitive ion channel transient receptor potential cation subfamily V member 1) a protein known to sense noxious stimuli, including pain and temperature.
Specifically, the authors point to smooth muscle cells expressing the Trpv1 receptor and identify them as a novel source of energy-burning brown fat cells (adipocytes). This should translate into increased overall energy expenditure - and ultimately, researchers hope, reduced weight.