Category: Medical Breakthrough

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison claim a significant breakthrough with the creation of the first 3D-printed brain organoids that exhibit functions akin to natural brain tissue. Senior author Su-Chun Zhang explains that these organoids, developed from stem cells, showcase communication between neurons, signal transmission, interactions through neurotransmitters, and the formation of networks with support cells within the printed tissue.

The challenge in creating brain organoids lies in the limited control over their final structure when stem cells self-assemble into three-dimensional tissues. This lack of control hinders researchers in designing the best brain organoids for their studies. While some have attempted 3D bioprinting, challenges include keeping soft, cell-filled “inks” in place and preventing the use of stiffer substances or scaffolding that hinder natural cell connections.

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a breakthrough in bone regeneration by successfully using a novel “bone bandage” on mice. The team created a freestanding biomimetic scaffold that combines a piezoelectric framework with the growth-promoting properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp), a naturally occurring mineral in bones.

Piezoelectric materials, like bone, generate an electric charge in response to mechanical stress, playing a crucial role in the bone repair process. The innovative approach involves integrating HAp within the piezoelectric framework of polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)), a polymer film, to create an independent scaffold. This scaffold generates electrical signals when pressure is applied, setting it apart from previous research and providing a versatile platform for bone regeneration.

Researchers from Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Boston University’s Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences have joined forces to tackle gait freezing in individuals battling Parkinson’s disease. This collaborative project introduces a revolutionary soft, wearable robot, designed to be worn around the hips and thighs, offering a promising solution for those facing mobility challenges due to the condition.

The innovative robotic exosuit, as reported by Interesting Engineering, provides subtle yet significant nudges to the hips during leg swings, effectively extending strides and preventing sudden movement loss. This breakthrough aims to not only enhance mobility but also restore independence to individuals grappling with the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease.

For nearly three decades, scientists have been dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of creating human organs through lab-grown cells. A significant stride towards this ambitious goal is being made by Erin Bedford and her team at Aspect Biosystems, a Vancouver-based company pioneering a groundbreaking 3D printing process that utilizes human pancreas cells to address Type 1 diabetes.

Erin Bedford, now at the helm of bioprinting innovation, joined Aspect Biosystems in 2018 as one of its first employees. Armed with a freshly earned doctorate in nanotechnology from the University of Waterloo, Bedford sought a practical application for her expertise. She found the prospect of applying nanotechnology to replace and repair bodily functions through 3D-printed tissue immensely exciting, especially given its potential to address a significant and unmet medical need.

Spinal injuries disrupt the transmission of electrical signals from the brain to the lower body, causing a reduction in mobility and, in severe cases, leading to total paralysis. Spinal stimulators have emerged as a solution, being surgically implanted devices that can bypass the injury site to restore some mobility. However, existing stimulators are often bulky, require surgery, and present precision challenges. In a recent study, the Johns Hopkins research team unveiled a smaller, flexible, and stretchable device, offering a potential game-changer in spinal injury treatment.

Unlike traditional stimulators, the new device is strategically placed on the ventrolateral epidural surface, closer to motor neurons for enhanced precision. Remarkably, it can be injected into place using a regular syringe, eliminating the need for surgery. Tests conducted on paralyzed mice yielded promising results, demonstrating the potential of this groundbreaking technology.

In a San Francisco laboratory, a woman named Ann interacts with an avatar using a groundbreaking brain–computer interface (BCI). Paralyzed by a brainstem stroke in 2005, Ann regained a semblance of speech control through a grid of more than 250 electrodes implanted by neurosurgeon Edward Chang. As she thinks of words, the BCI converts her neural activity into text at an impressive 78 words per minute, a significant leap from previous BCI capabilities.

Researchers have achieved remarkable feats in 2023, contributing to the growing enthusiasm around implantable BCIs. Beyond rapid text conversion, a study showcased a digital connection between the brain and spinal cord, enabling a paralyzed individual to walk by decoding intentions. This progress has ignited hopes of transitioning from proof of principles to transformative therapies within the next five years.

A groundbreaking development in bioprinting has the potential to transform the field of human skin replacement. This innovative bioprinted skin is the result of a novel process that combines all six primary skin cell types with hydrogels, enabling the creation of thick, multilayered skin. When successfully transplanted, this advanced skin can accelerate wound healing and significantly reduce scarring, heralding a new era of reliability and natural integration for skin grafts and transplants.

The integration of hydrogels with the primary skin cell types represents a remarkable advancement. It offers the prospect of faster healing and less evidence of transplants, as patients require less time to nurse the bioprinted skin back to health. While researchers have previously explored the creation of living skin for robots, this breakthrough demonstrates that generating full-thickness human bioengineered skin is both achievable and highly beneficial. It promotes faster healing and a more authentic appearance following the application of bioprinted skin.

A pioneering research endeavor, spearheaded by Professor Ja Hyoung Ryu from UNIST’s Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with Professor Hyewon Chung from Konkuk University, has achieved a major milestone in the quest to combat age-related diseases. Their state-of-the-art technology promises a fresh perspective on tackling these ailments by selectively eradicating aging cells while leaving healthy cells untouched. This groundbreaking advancement is poised to reshape the landscape of healthcare and usher in a new era of precisely targeted therapeutic solutions.

As people age, senescent cells, commonly referred to as aging cells, play a significant role in contributing to various inflammatory conditions and age-related maladies. To address this formidable challenge, the research team set their sights on developing a technology capable of accurately homing in on and eliminating aging cells, all while preserving the vitality of normal healthy cells. Their study revolved around the creation of organic molecules tailored to specifically target receptors that are excessively expressed on the membranes of aging cells. These molecules harnessed the heightened levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in aging cells, thereby promoting the formation of disulfide bonds and generating oligomers that bind together.

In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland have reported the discovery of a novel type of brain cell, revealed in a study published in the journal Nature. This newfound cell exhibits characteristics that bridge the gap between neurons and astrocytes, the non-neuronal glial cells crucial for supporting and safeguarding neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

The researchers identified these hybrid cells within specific regions of the brain, in contrast to the usual dispersed distribution of astrocytes. Notably, these hybrid cells demonstrated the ability to produce the neurotransmitter glutamate, a key regulator of neuronal activity and excitation levels.

Keith Thomas, a Long Island native, remembers the sunny Sunday afternoon vividly. He dove into the wrong side of the pool, and his world went dark. That July day in 2020, a few months into the pandemic, marked a tragic turn in his life. He suffered a severe neck injury, fracturing the C4 and C5 vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. But a groundbreaking clinical trial, employing a pioneering bioelectrical therapy known as a double neural bypass, has brought hope and progress back to his life.

The experimental procedure, conducted at Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, was led by Chad Bouton, a professor at Northwell’s Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine. The therapy combines artificial intelligence (AI), brain-computer interface (BCI) implants, external computers, and wearable technology, offering a unique solution to restore communication between the brain and the body when traditional means fail.

Medical technology company Fountain Life is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to detect heart attack risks years before symptoms appear. With nearly half of all heart attacks being “silent,” this AI coronary artery scan offers a crucial tool in identifying pre-symptomatic heart conditions.

The procedure, which takes less than an hour, involves injecting a simple dye into the vein and performing a quick CAT scan of the heart. The ultra-flexible micro-endovascular probes are precisely delivered into tiny blood vessels without the need for invasive surgery, accessing brain regions that were previously challenging to reach safely. AI then analyzes the results, providing valuable insights into plaque buildup, its stability, and potential risks.