Particularly in the case of accelerated drug approvals and drugs for rare diseases (orphan drugs), the evidence available at the time of market access is often insufficient for the early benefit assessment of drugs. Often, the studies are too short or no data on patient-relevant outcomes were collected. Comparisons with the German standard of care Read more about Registry data for the benefit assessment of drugs[…]
Researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN) used a new technique to show how electrical impulses are traveling with high speed in the brain. It appears that myelin, the sheath around neurons, creates a coaxial cable producing multiple waves of electrical potentials traveling in a more complicated manner than was envisioned earlier. These findings Read more about How fast is our energy brain[…]
Electronics are showing up everywhere: on our laps, in pockets and purses and, increasingly, snuggled up against our skin or sewed into our clothing. But the adoption of wearable electronics has so far been limited by their need to derive power from bulky, rigid batteries that reduce comfort and may present safety hazards due to Read more about Wearable battery for human body[…]
For decades, theories have existed to explain patient reports of seeing light flashes during radiation therapy, even with their eyes closed. However, no one has been able to secure evidence of this sensation in humans to prove their theory. A team of researchers at Dartmouth’s and Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center led by radiation oncologist Read more about What are the flashes of light patients report seeing during brain radiotherapy?[…]
In intensive care wards, artificial respiration is often used as a last resort to save a patient’s life. Unfortunately, however, it brings with it the risk of acute or chronic lung damage, particularly if the ventilator is working against the patient’s respiratory impulse. Therefore, researchers from the Fraunhofer Project Group for Automation in Medicine and Read more about An innovative new sensor aiming to provide a gentler way to administer artificial respiration[…]
A material that thickens when you pull on it seems to contradict the laws of physics. However, the so-called auxetic effect, which also occurs in nature, is interesting for a number of applications. A new Empa study recently published in “Nature Communications” shows how this amazing behavior can be improved – and even used to Read more about The use of auxetic membranes to regenerate human tissue after injuries[…]
A Baylor University researcher’s prototype smartphone app — designed to help parents detect early signs of various eye diseases in their children such as retinoblastoma, an aggressive pediatric eye cancer — has passed its first big test. The CRADLE app (ComputeR Assisted Detector LEukocoia) searches for traces of abnormal reflections from the retina called leukocoria Read more about Children eye disorders can be detected by a smatphone app[…]
Cellulose obtained from wood has amazing material properties. Empa researchers are now equipping the biodegradable material with additional functionalities to produce implants for cartilage diseases using 3D printing. It all starts with an ear. Empa researcher Michael Hausmann removes the object shaped like a human ear from the 3D printer and explains: «In viscous state Read more about Bioplotter for novel implants[…]
Producing vaccines is a tricky task – especially in the case of inactivated vaccines, in which pathogens must be killed without altering their structure. Until now, this task has generally involved the use of toxic chemicals. Now, however, an innovative new technology developed by Fraunhofer researchers – the first solution of its kind – will Read more about Producing vaccines without the use of chemicals[…]
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found two biomarkers that could be used to identify a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation in patients who have three ‘clinical risks’. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting around 1.6 million people in the UK. Those with atrial fibrillation may be aware of Read more about Study identifies three simple ‘clinical risks’ and two biomarkers that could be used to screen patients with irregular heart rhythm[…]
The continually rising health care costs in Germany require cost intelligent innovations at the intersecting frontiers of scientific disciplines. Prof. Gerd Geisslinger is Medical Research Officer for the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. In this interview he explains why the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is in a unique position to tackle challenges in medical research and to pull together the four major Read more about 4D: Drugs, Diagnostics, Data, Devices[…]
As obesity continues to be the leading cause of deaths world-wide, researchers are working to understand what role genetics play in a person’s predisposition for obesity. New research is shedding light on the fact that while exercise and diet are important, sometimes there are underlying genetic factors at play. A new study from Western University showed that Read more about Researchers uncover gene that regulates fat accumulation and obesity[…]