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IMAGE: Concept art showing the 3D mapping of microscopic objects by the phonon probe system. The optical fibre contains a metal layer on its tip and projects red laser light into. view more
Credit: Dr Salvatore La Cavera
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed an ultrasonic imaging system, which can be deployed on the tip of a hair-thin optical fibre, and will be insertable into the human body to visualise cell abnormalities in 3D.
The new technology produces microscopic and nanoscopic resolution images that will one day help clinicians to examine cells inhabiting hard-to-reach parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, and offer more effective diagnoses for diseases ranging from gastric cancer to bacterial meningitis.
Black healthcare workers treating patients in hospitals during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, were more likely than their white counterparts to.
Panama cuts ties with Taiwan, switches to China
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Beijing: China delivered another diplomatic punch to Taiwan on Tuesday by establishing relations with Panama at the expense of Taipei, further isolating the island’s Beijing-sceptic government.
China, which considers self-ruled Taiwan a renegade province waiting to be reunited with the mainland, has been infuriated by President Tsai Ing-wen’s refusal to acknowledge the island is part of “one China”, unlike her predecessor Ma Ying-jeou.
Panama is the third country to switch allegiances to China since Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party was swept to power last year, China’s nationalistic Global Times reported, warning more would follow in a “domino effect”.
COVID-19 vaccine
In those who have not previously been infected and have so far only received one dose of vaccine the immune response to variants of concern may be insufficient.
The findings, published today in the journal
Science and led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, Imperial College London and University College London, looked at immune responses in UK healthcare workers at Barts and Royal Free hospitals following their first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
They found that people who had previously had mild or asymptomatic infection had significantly enhanced protection against the Kent and South Africa variants, after a single dose of the mRNA vaccine. In those without prior COVID-19, the immune response was less strong after a first dose, potentially leaving them at risk from variants.
Hair-thin ultrasonic probe could help examine hard-to-reach parts of the body 30 Apr 2021
Professional Engineering
The optical sensor has a diameter of 125 micrometres – approximately the size of a human hair. The photo shows it against a penny for perspective (Credit: Dr Salvatore La Cavera) An ultrasonic imaging system fitted on the tip of a hair-thin optical fibre could help examine hard-to-reach areas within the body, its developers have said.
The probe, which will visualise cell abnormalities in 3D, was developed at the University of Nottingham.
The technology produces microscopic and nanoscopic resolution images, which will help doctors examine cells in areas such as the gastrointestinal tract. It could also offer more effective diagnoses for diseases ranging from gastric cancer to bacterial meningitis.