As we baby boomers confront various health issues as we age, its good to keep abreast of medical advances that may offer us hope or, in some cases, maybe just a dose of amusement.
Interestingly, some of these developments were the stuff of science fiction when we were growing up. Take a look:
Silly Putty can help track blood pressure
When we boomers were kids, one of the coolest things you could do with Silly Putty was press it on comics and transfer the image. Now researchers have discovered this polymer can measure blood pressure, pulse and respiration rate. The scientists added grapheneconsidered the thinnest and strongest material to existto Silly Putty, then measured if electrical current would pass through it. They found G-putty was 250 times more sensitive than a typical metal-based sensor and, when placed on a subjects chest, was able to measure how much blood was pushing on artery walls. Who knew?
Speed bumps can help diagnose appendicitis
Apparently, how much pain patients experience when theyre driven over a speed bump is a highly reliable clinical indicator of acute appendicitis. According to a study published in the medical journal BMJ, Asking about speed bumps may contribute to clinical assessment and could be useful in telephone assessment of patients. So if you feel increased abdominal pain when going over a speed bump, maybe you should keep driving straight to the hospitalbecause delayed surgery for acute appendicitis can lead to severe infection, even death. Not funny.
Surgeons want to transplant a human head
A Russian tech geek, a Chinese surgeon and an Italian neurosurgeon walk into an operating roomsounds like the opening line of a joke, right? Well, according to an article in the Washington Post, these three folks want to be involved in the first human head transplant (the Russian is volunteering his head because hes got a fatal genetic disorder). The neurosurgeon says the transplant could happen as early as this year (probably in China since its unlikely to get US or EU approval) and has a 90 percent plus chance of success. It would require 80 surgeons (none named Frankenstein) and cost tens of millions of dollars. Im still wrapping my head around this one
Robot to care for the elderly at home
Remember Rosie, the household robot from The Jetsons? Well, researchers at Rice University and IBM are working on an in-home assistant for elders who wish to age in place named MERAthe Multi-purpose Eldercare Robot Assistant. MERA will monitor an individuals heart rate and respiration, and can detect if someone falls, automatically calling a caregiver or 911. People using the device can also ask it health-related questionslike what are the signs of a stroke or heart attackand MERA shares these messages with caregivers or providers. The device is powered by Watson, IBMs artificial intelligence and analytical softwareand Jeopardy champion. Wonder if MERA plays any games
Part-human, part-pig creature grown in lab
Remember The Island of Doctor Moreau, or Jeff Goldblum in The Fly? Well,according to STAT, a national medical newsletter from Boston Globe Media, scientists recently announced they produced a human-pig chimeraa hybrid created by fusing a sperm and egg from different species. The researchers injected pig embryos with human stem cells, and the chimeras began to grow organs containing human cells. These creatures werent allowed to develop past the fetal stage, but the experiment suggests hybrids might someday be used to grow organs for transplant, easing a dire shortage. Hmmethical considerations aside, what human-animal combos would you like to see?
Got stomach acid? It might be the battery of the future
Also according to STAT, biomedical engineers at Brigham and Womens Hospital believe your churning stomach acid could power ingestible medical devices like long-acting drug-delivery capsules or sensors that can detect blood or toxins. The acid allows electrons to move between two metals, producing a small amount of current, like a battery. In an animal study, an ingestible thermometer was able to poweritself for about six days while transmitting measurements every 12 seconds. Better lay off the antacids, huh?
When you think about it, it is pretty amazing what the human mind has brought to life, inspiring this haiku:
Medicine is like science fiction: its the art of the possible.
What do you think? Are there other medical advances that wereor still seemlike science fiction to you? If you could have a head transplant, whose would you want? Conversely, who would you donate your head to? Please share
Go here to read the rest:
6 unusual medical advances baby boomers might appreciate - Bangor Daily News
- 001 Strange lesions after stem-cell therapy [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- 002 THE STEM CELL DEBATE IS DEAD says Dr OZ to Michael J. Fox and Orpah - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 003 Cord Blood Stem Cells and Top 10 Causes of Death in US - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 004 A Cure for Liver Disease - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 005 Elaine Fuchs Part 1: Introduction to Stem Cells English Subtitle - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 006 Elaine Fuchs Part 2: Tapping the Potential of Adult Stem Cells, and Summary - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 007 Obama on Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 008 Stem cell treatment on horse a success, vet says - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 009 Repairing Damaged Hearts with Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 010 YEAR 3045 # 10 CLONING TERRA FORMING LOST SOULS LIFE DEATH STEM CELL GENETICS - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 011 Heart repair using own stem cells after heart attack: Future Health keynote speaker - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 012 Adult Stem Cells and Regeneration Part 6 of 6 - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 013 Dr. Oz to Oprah and Michael J Fox: "The stem cell debate is dead." - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 014 Insidermedicine In 60 - January 6, 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 015 Stem cells might be able to reverse the effects of a heart attack. - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 016 Osama Bin Laden DEAD [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 017 Death by Skimboard - Kidlat Young Creatives 2010 - Team Y [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 018 Adult Stem Cells and Regeneration Part 5 of 6 - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 019 Human Trachea Made from Stem Cells Transplanted into Cancer Patient - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 020 Cord Blood Treatments [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 021 Adult Stem Cells and Regeneration Part 1 of 6 - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 022 Adult Stem Cell vs Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ethics Video - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 023 Adult Stem Cells and Regeneration Part 4 of 6 - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 024 Stem Cells Research at Hadassah - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 025 Gay Marriage, Stem Cell Research and the Death Penalty - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 026 Stem cells death with phase contrast - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 027 CHOOSE!-ULTIMATE LIFE OR DEATH?-SCIENCE OR SUPERSTITION?-REASON OR FEAR?-AYN RAND-RELIGULOUS-SARAH PALIN?-NEWS-POLITICS-ATOM-ADAM- SMASHER-STEM... [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 028 Michael Savage on Reality of Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Aired on March 9, 2009 - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 029 Stem Cell Research Policy Of President Bush / Adult Versus Embryonic / Video - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 030 Live apoptosis of stem cells with cisplatin - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 031 Stem cell Fall between the cracks - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 032 Ted Dawson on using stem cells to study Parkinson's disease - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 033 Elaine Fuchs Part 1: Introduction to Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 034 Cord Blood Stem Cells WILL CURE the Top 10 Causes of Death in World - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 035 Discovering Religion: Ep 16 - Embryonic Stem Cells [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 036 Embryonic Stem Cell Research - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- 037 Adult Stem Cells and Regeneration Part 3 of 6 - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- 038 Paltalk News - Ben Bova Stem Cell Research - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- 039 Stem cell research... to fund or not to fund? Should not be the question... - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 040 Stem Cell Research: Huntington's Disease - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 041 Can You Use Someone Else's Cord Blood Stem Cells? - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- 042 Michael J. Fox - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- 043 National History Day 2011: Many Sides Many Stakes - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- 044 Huntington's Disease: Progress and Promise in Stem Cell Research - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- 045 A Lilybugs Life - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- 046 StemCellTV Daily Report-October 26, 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2011]
- 047 Diabetes Type 1 Cure [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2011]
- 048 Embyronic Stem Cell Research - Video [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2011]
- 049 Prometheus and I: building new body parts from stem cells (15 Nov 2011) - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2011]
- 050 ANC Teditorial 11/23/2011 - Stem Cell Research and Cure - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2011]
- 051 11-09-04 GH - Sam McCall [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2012]
- 052 Stem Cell Fraud: A 60 Minutes investigation - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2012]
- 053 UCD stem cell research battles Huntington's disease [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2012]
- 054 Juventas Therapeutics Reports One Year Data From Phase I Heart Failure Clinical Trial [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- 055 A meeting of hearts if not minds [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2012]
- 056 Scientists make strides toward fixing infant hearts [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- 057 Parkinson’s Research: Scientists Grow Artificial Stem Cells [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- 058 Lab-Made Neurons Allow Scientists To Study A Genetic Cause Of Parkinson's [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- 059 Brain cells created from human skin [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- 060 Stem cells used to heal heart attack damage [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2012]
- 061 Broken Hearts Healed with Stem Cells [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- 062 Groundbreaking Clinical Trials Study Cord Blood Stem Cells to Help Treat Brain Injury and Hearing Loss [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2012]
- 063 World news rap - Video [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2012]
- 064 Stem Cell Finding Could Expand Women's Lifetime Supply of Eggs [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2012]
- 065 Eggs may be made throughout adulthood [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2012]
- 066 IU doctors land large grant for adult stem cell research [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- 067 Children improve in rare disorder with own stem cells [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- 068 Stem Cell-Seeded Cardiopatch Could Deliver Results for Damaged Hearts [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- 069 Study suggests breakthrough in organ transplants [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- 070 Fly research gives insight into human stem cell development and cancer [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2012]
- 071 Fly Research Gives Insight Into Human Stem Cell Development [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2012]
- 072 Doctor's license suspended after patient's death [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2012]
- 073 The Prostate Cancer Foundation Expands Global Reach, Adds First Two PCF Young Investigators in China [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- 074 Correcting human mitochondrial mutations [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- 075 Orgenesis Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Autologous Insulin Producing Cells (AIPC) Regeneration ... [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- 076 Stem cells hint at potential treatment for Huntington's Disease [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- 077 'Forged' brain cells offers hope for Huntington's disease treatment [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- 078 A Chance to Ease the Pain Of a Rescue Hero of 9/11 [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]
- 079 Post-Abortion Baby Parts Now a Booming Business [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2012]
- 080 Scientists reprogram cancer cells with low doses of epigenetic drugs [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2012]