Ultra sensitive optical biosensor can detect cancer in very early stages

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The nanosensor, which fits in the palm of a hand, acts like a biological sieve, isolating a small protein molecule weighing less than 800 quadrillionths of a nanogram from an extremely dilute solution.

 Opening the door for new detection method that could allow doctors to diagnose patients with certain cancers far earlier than possible today, researchers have developed an optical sensor that they claim is one million times more sensitive than the current best available. The nanosensor, which fits in the palm of a hand, acts like a biological sieve, isolating a small protein molecule weighing less than 800 quadrillionths of a nanogram from an extremely dilute solution. ‘This biosensing platform may help to unlock the next era of initial cancer detection,’ said lead researcher Giuseppe Strangi, professor of physics at Case Western Reserve University in the US. The research was published online in the journal Nature Materials. ‘The prognosis of many cancers depends on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis’ Strangi said. 

‘Very early, most circulating tumour cells express proteins of a very low molecular weight, less than 500 Daltons (standard unit for atomic mass),’ Strangi explained. These proteins are usually too small and in too low a concentration to detect with current test methods, yielding false negative results. ‘With this platform, we’ve detected proteins of 244 Daltons, which should enable doctors to detect cancers earlier–we don’t know how much earlier yet,’ he said. The researchers believe the sensing technology will also be useful in diagnosing and monitoring other diseases as well. Strangi and Nima Sharifi, also from Case Western Reserve University, have begun testing the sensor with proteins related to prostate cancer. ‘High sensitivity detection of cancer-specific proteins in blood should enable detection of tumours when they are at an earlier disease stage,’ Sharifi said. ‘This new sensing technology may help us not only detect cancers, but what subset of cancer, what’s driving its growth and spread and what it’s sensitive to,’ he said.

 ‘The sensor, for example, may help us determine markers of aggressive prostate cancers, which require treatments, or indolent forms that don’t,’ Sharifi explained. Strangi’s lab is working with other oncologists worldwide to test the device and begin moving the sensor toward clinical use. ‘We consider this just the beginning of our research,’ he said.

Surprising Ways Onions Can Be Used As a Medicine

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Onions as Part of Your Diet

There are many good reasons why onions should be used as part of your diet. Studies on its nutritional value have concluded that they have a number of health benefits and are effective in: Lowering your susceptibility to Colon Cancer Lowering your susceptibility to Prostrate Cancer Lowering your susceptibility to Stomach Cancer Helping your sleep patterns and improving your mood Providing strength and structure to your skin and hair Onions can be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes, so it is easy to fit them into your weekly dietary plan. Eating onions just two or three times a week can make a big difference. However, including them in your diet is not the only way you can use onions to positively affect your health. They have a number of medicinal and healing properties that can be used to fight various ailments. We fully expect some of them to surprise you!

Which Properties of an Onion Make It Such an Effective Healer?

Onions contain a compound called Quercetin which has both strong anti-bacterial properties and the ability to fight harmful toxins. It is a powerful antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and can lower cholesterol levels. The densest concentration of Quercetin is found in the outer rings nearest to the bulb's skin as well as the part of the onion that is closest to the root. This goodness is found in both red and white onions, and both types can be used as part of these natural remedies.

1. Onions Can Heal Cuts

Onions are effective in the treatment of cuts to the skin. If you nick yourself with a knife cutting one, apply a slice of the onion to the injured area immediately. The raw onion will prevent infection and clean the wound. Next, take a piece of the onion's skin and place it over the top of the wound, sealing it with an adhesive. You will find that the bleeding stops quickly and the wound looks clean. If you have a larger cut or graze, use gauze to fix a piece of onion over the top of it. You can keep the onion on the wound for as long as required, just make sure you change the gauze regularly.

2. Onions Can Lower a Fever

While it may sound odd, putting an onion in a sock is a surprisingly successful means of lowering your body temperature when you are suffering from a high fever! Chop up some potatoes and slice an onion in half. Put one half of the onion into one sock, and the other half into the other sock (and add some potato slices in each of the socks as well). Next, put the socks on your feet - ensure that the mixture is pressed against your soles. You should find that your temperature lowers in a relatively short time.

3. Onions Can Cure an Earache and Help Remove Wax

An onion's anti-inflammatory properties make it a powerful defense against earache and it can also be used to soften ear wax, making the wax easier to remove. If you are suffering from an earache, chop up an onion, take the inner part (that is the hard section at the 'heart' of the onion) and place it in your ear for remedial relief. You will achieve best results by implementing the procedure shortly before you got to sleep. If you are someone who suffers from regular, excessive wax build-up, then you might want to perform this trick regularly. 4. Onions Can Fight the Common Cold One of the oldest recognized uses of an onion is its employment as a weapon to fight the common cold. If you feel you are developing the tell-tale signs of a coming cold (sniffles, sore throat etc) then raid your cupboard for an onion. It is most effective when eaten raw, and you should try and eat a whole one (perhaps chop it up and mix it in a salad to make it more palatable). Alternatively, boil the onion and use it alongside ginger and honey to make a tea. It will raise your defenses and help you fight off the cold.   5. Onions Can Sooth Burns Onions are incredibly effective in soothing small burns and the recipe for doing so could not be simpler. If you have burnt yourself in the kitchen or garage, simply take half a chopped onion and apply it directly to the wound. Hold it in place for a few minutes and the pain should quickly start to ease.   6. Onions Can Provide Cough Relief The use of onions as part of a cheap, effective cough remedy is another practice which dates back centuries. It is best employed with a few other basic ingredients and there are a couple of things you can try. Firstly, peel a red or white onion, and cut it into large slices. Layer the slices in a sealable jar and place brown sugar on top. Close the lid of the jar and let it sit for some time (around 6 hours is optimum). A syrup will form in the jar. Take a spoonful of the syrup as regularly as needed. The brown sugar makes the syrup more palatable and the resulting mixture does not taste too bad. Re-make the syrup every couple of days, replacing the old mixture with the new. If you want an alternative, pour honey over the sliced onion instead of the brown sugar (use both if you have a particularly sweet tooth). Add a sprinkling of grated garlic for an extra health boost.    7. Onions Can Remove Eye Irritations An onion's ability to remove eye irritants is derived from its most widely known feature - its ability to make our eyes water when chopped. This is a great property if you need to flush out an unwanted bit of dirt, a pesky fly or any other small irritant before it turns your whole eye red. Simply chop an onion and let nature takes its course! Make sure you don't touch your eye after chopping the onion though - that will add to your pain. Wash your hands thoroughly before you do so.   8. Onions Can Fight Insect Stings Here is where the antihistamine properties of an onion come in handy. If you got stung by a bee or wasp, then a bit of crushed or grated onion applied directly to the skin can be extremely beneficial for pain relief. The antihistamine will prevent an allergic reaction while the anti-inflammatory qualities of the onion will reduce any associated swelling. Keep the onion in place until the pain has subsided by using a breathable bandage that you should replace regularly. I've personally used onion to prevent getting fever. At the first sign of fever, I cut a big onion into 4 pieces and keep it in my bedroom, the smell of the onion will be strong and I leave it for 4-5 days, by then my signs of fever disappears and the onion turns black. Don't touch by hand before throwing in the bin, as onion takes in the bacteria and virus. That is why, they say, never cut an onion and keep for long before cooking ! as it takes the bacteria and virus from around the room.

Skin too can be preserved to save burn and accident victims

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It is not just eyes and blood that can be preserved; the same applies to the skin too. Karnataka got its first skin bank, the sixth in the country, on Wednesday. The unit is at the State-run Victoria Hospital and Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Doctors hope that the skin bank may help save the lives of countless burn victims, as harvested skin is the best form of ‘biological dressing’ available today.

The skin is collected within six hours of a person’s death and preserved for future use, after taking consent from the donor’s family. “Without harvested skin, even patients with 50 per cent burns don’t usually survive,” said Smitha Segu, associate professor and head, plastic surgery, Victoria Hospital.

“The main cause of death in accident and burn victims is infection. Grafting artificial or harvested skin on wounds is an effective way to improve healing,” said Dr. Devadass P.K., Dean, Victoria Hospital.

Mahabodhi Burns Centre at Victoria Hospital receives around 160 cases a month.

St. John’s Hospital in Madiwala procures harvested skin from the National Burns Centre, Mumbai, for treatment of severe burn victims. “The skin has to be couriered and reaches the next day. There is the possibility of transit delay,” said Sunderraj Ellur, additional professor, department of plastic reconstructive surgery and burns, St. John’s Hospital.

Although artificial skin is available, it is prohibitively expensive. The government has agreed to fund all skin grafts at the skin bank, which was inaugurated by Minister for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil. “A nominal charge may be levied,” said Dr. Segu.

The Rotary Bangalore Midtown and Ashirvad Pipes have funded the infrastructure of the skin bank.

It will take a month for the lab to be sterilised and the first skin harvest to be made. The first specimens will need to be tested for two to three months before the skin is ready for treating patients.

 

Calm Breathing Can Reduce Your Anxiety

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 when tense and full of anxiety, the best way to relax is to slow down your breathing, it will make you calm & helps you to handle those difficult situations. 
This technique is called calm breathing ( diaphragmatic breathing), it involves taking smooth small breaths, this can be done standing or sitting without slouching, whether you're sitting or standing your feet should be hip distance apart. 
Breathe in slowly through the nose and let the air flow into your stomach for 4 seconds. hold your breath for 1-2 seconds
exhale slowly through your mouth for about 4 seconds
 pause for a few seconds before taking a 2nd breath. 
keep doing this for 3-5 minutes
 this will prevent you from getting the weakness and the tingling sensation you get when you're tensed.
 you can do this exercise even when you're calm, it will help you to do when you need it.

Reduce Pain in Your Wrists & Hands with these 7 Exercises

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When daily tasks get difficult due to stiffness, swelling, or pain in your hands, the right exercises can help get your hands back in motion. In fact, it is vital that you do not neglect exercising your hands during your workout regimes (the fingers, palms and wrists should be given priority while warming up). Doing so will help improve your range of motion and ease aches and pains.

 

Painful Hands: The Cause

When dealing with hand pain, arthritis is often the cause. It wears away at the cartilage of a joint (the cushioning material between bones). Consequently, this can cause inflammation and irritation of the synovial lining, which produces the synovial fluid that helps protect and lubricate the joint. The pain can get worse, particularly when used frequently for repetitive tasks, such as typing on a computer keyboard, or gripping kitchen utensils. Strength in your hands may also be diminished, making them weak, which consequently can make it hard to perform even the simplest of tasks.
Treating Hand Pain
Medicinal options are available for treating hand arthritis, such as taking pain-relieving medicines orally. Injections and steroid medicines, which decrease swelling in the joints, can also support and protect your hands. If a joint is actually damaged, surgery may be your best option. However, regardless of whether you have arthritis in your hands or not, one easy and non-invasive way to keep your hands pain-free is to do hand exercises to increase flexibility in the joints and improve their range of motion. Exercising your wrists, palms and fingers will help strengthen the muscles that support the hand joints, enabling you to perform hand movements with less discomfort. Exercise will also help keep ligaments and tendons flexible, as well as increase the production of synovial fluid, improving joint function.

7 Exercises to Alleviate Hand Pain

Exercise 1: Make a Fist

Here's How: This easy exercise can be done anywhere and any time your hand feels stiff. Hold your hand out straight and slowly bend it into a gentle fist, placing your thumb on the outside of your hand. Do not squeeze your hand tightly. Repeat the exercise 10 times, then repeat the whole sequence with the opposite hand.

Exercise 2: Finger Bends

Here's How: Hold your hand up straight. Bend your thumb down toward your palm, hold it for a couple of seconds, then straighten it back up. Bend your index finger toward your palm, hold it for a couple of seconds and release back into its neutral position. Repeat the process with each finger on your hand, then repeat the entire sequence on your opposite hand.

Exercise 3: Thumb Bend

Here's How: Hold your hand out straight. Bend your thumb inward toward your palm. Stretch out your thumb, as much as you can, toward the bottom of your pinky finger. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and return your thumb to the starting position. Repeat 10 times, then repeat the exercise on your right hand.

Exercise 4: Make an 'O'

Here's How: Start with your hand in the starting position (straight out). Then, curve all of your fingers, forming an 'O' shape. Hold for a couple of seconds, then straighten your fingers out again. Repeat the exercise a couple of times on each hand, and whenever it feels achy or stiff.

Exercise 5: Table Bend

Here's How: Place the side of your hand (the pinky finger) on a table, pointing your thumb upward. Bend the other four fingers until your hand makes an 'L' shape. Hold the position for a couple of seconds, then straighten your fingers, moving them back into the starting position. Repeat for a total of 10 times, and repeat the sequence on the opposite hand.

Exercise 6: Finger Lift

Here's How: Place your left hand, palm down, on a flat surface. Lift your thumb slowly off the table, holding for a couple of seconds, then lower. Repeat this process with each finger, then repeat the entire sequence on your opposite hand.  

Exercise 7: Wrist Stretch

Here's How: Exercising your wrists is just as important, because arthritis tends to make them sore and stiff. Hold your right arm out in front of you, palm facing down. With your left hand, press down on your right one as indicated in the image, until you feel a stretch in your wrist and arm. Hold the position for a couple of seconds and repeat the process 10 times. Once done, repeat the entire sequence on your opposite hand.