Traditional breast cancer screening consists of monthly self-exams, yearly professional exams, and, for older or high-risk women, mammograms. With recent advances in breast cancer screening and treatment, women have a better chance of surviving the disease than ever before. Scientists and doctors are trying to increase that chance even further, and recently unveiled a new screening technique that may go on to save thousands of lives.
Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is a new technology which was presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2008 Breast Cancer Symposium in Washington, D.C. Unlike mammograms, MBI images the breast using a an injected radiotracter that is able to detect different behaviors between cancerous and healthy cells. In a study presented at the symposium, MBI detected 10 out of 13 cancers among 375 patients. Mammograms detected three. Together, the techniques would have detected 11.
In addition to detecting more cancers, MBI produces fewer false positives than mammograms; 28% of MBI-prompted biopsies proved to be cancerous, compared with only 28% of mammogram prompted biopsies. "Based on the results, MBI has shown great promise as a valuable adjunct to screening mammography in women with dense breasts and who are at an increased risk of developing cancer," said study author Carrie B. Hruska, a research fellow in the department of radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
MBI technology is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. The future of the treatment depends upon it's spread across the country, as the screening is not yet widely available.
To read more, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303193.html
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Restaurant Customer Anonymously Leaves the Tip of a Lifetime
Algonquin, IL, USA
After working as a waitress at the Montarra Grill in Angonquin for three years, Michelle Secreto probably has the menu memorized. She had two suggestions at the ready for a couple who came to the restaurant last week and requested gluten-free meals; Ms. Secreto recommended two seafood specials.
While not the most ordinary of interactions between customer and waitress to begin with, the anonymous couple turned their visit to the Montarra Grill into an unforgettable experience for Secreto when they left her the tip of a lifetime: 1,000 dollars.
Secreto plans to use the money to send her daughter, 12 year-old Ashley, on a school trip to Washington DC later this year.
To read more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414363,00.html
After working as a waitress at the Montarra Grill in Angonquin for three years, Michelle Secreto probably has the menu memorized. She had two suggestions at the ready for a couple who came to the restaurant last week and requested gluten-free meals; Ms. Secreto recommended two seafood specials.
While not the most ordinary of interactions between customer and waitress to begin with, the anonymous couple turned their visit to the Montarra Grill into an unforgettable experience for Secreto when they left her the tip of a lifetime: 1,000 dollars.
Secreto plans to use the money to send her daughter, 12 year-old Ashley, on a school trip to Washington DC later this year.
To read more, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414363,00.html
Monday, September 1, 2008
Michigan Balloonist Survives 9,000 Foot Fall
Anderson, S.C., USA
Chuck Walz is in rough shape; he has a broken leg AND a broken pelvis. But, considering that his hot air balloon deflated at 9,000 feet an plummeted back to Earth with him still in it this week, he's not doing too badly. Apparently, the Michigan native owes his lucky breaks to the fact that his balloon's basket became entangled in tree branches about 10 feet from the ground. Though Walz tumbled out of the basket, his fall was slowed by the collision with the tree. He was concious when rescuers arrived, and has undergone surgery to repair his leg and pelvis. His recovery so far has been promising.
For more information, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414543,00.html
Chuck Walz is in rough shape; he has a broken leg AND a broken pelvis. But, considering that his hot air balloon deflated at 9,000 feet an plummeted back to Earth with him still in it this week, he's not doing too badly. Apparently, the Michigan native owes his lucky breaks to the fact that his balloon's basket became entangled in tree branches about 10 feet from the ground. Though Walz tumbled out of the basket, his fall was slowed by the collision with the tree. He was concious when rescuers arrived, and has undergone surgery to repair his leg and pelvis. His recovery so far has been promising.
For more information, visit http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414543,00.html
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Indiana Grandpa Loses Glasses, Wins the Lottery
ROANOKE, Ind.
Using his five children's birthdays as his lucky numbers every time, Bobby Guffey had played his fair share of lottery games since it started in 1989. He had won a few times over the years, but this time was different: Bobby had forgotten his bifocals at home and accidentally entered a 48 instead of a 46.
Turns out, his poor vision paid off: his Hoosier Lotto ticket bore the winning numbers for a $3 million jackpot.
Not to say that Bobby's strategy of playing his children's birthdays was bad luck. Upon discovering his error at home, Bobby went back to the Huntington service station and purchased a new lotto ticket with his usual numbers. The second won him a handy bonus prize of $1,000.
Using his 3,001,000 earnings, Bobby and his wife, Janell, plan to pay off their house, take a cruise to Hawaii, and set up a trust fund for their five children and 10 grandchildren.
"Christmas will be a lot nicer," Jannell reports.
Using his five children's birthdays as his lucky numbers every time, Bobby Guffey had played his fair share of lottery games since it started in 1989. He had won a few times over the years, but this time was different: Bobby had forgotten his bifocals at home and accidentally entered a 48 instead of a 46.
Turns out, his poor vision paid off: his Hoosier Lotto ticket bore the winning numbers for a $3 million jackpot.
Not to say that Bobby's strategy of playing his children's birthdays was bad luck. Upon discovering his error at home, Bobby went back to the Huntington service station and purchased a new lotto ticket with his usual numbers. The second won him a handy bonus prize of $1,000.
Using his 3,001,000 earnings, Bobby and his wife, Janell, plan to pay off their house, take a cruise to Hawaii, and set up a trust fund for their five children and 10 grandchildren.
"Christmas will be a lot nicer," Jannell reports.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Robotic Suit Helps Paraplegics Stand Tall and Proud
HAIFA, Israel
After two decades of having to look up to people around him, Radi Kaiof is now looking them straight in the eyes. He’s also standing, walking, and climbing stairs: no small feat for someone paralyzed from the waist down.
Radi, a former Israeli paratrooper who was paralyzed 20 years ago while serving in the military, has been participating in the trials of a new robotic suit called ReWalk. Motorized leg supports aided by crutches function as a sort of electronic exoskeleton, powering the 41-year-old's legs to move forward in stride. Body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries allow the wearer to chose a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb.
"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like," Radi beams.
"Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."
ReWalk is the invention of Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli technology outfit. Goffer’s inspiration to help others comes in part from that fact that he himself is paralyzed, though he cannot use his own invention because he does not have full function of his arms.
"It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."
Kate Parkin, director of physical and occupational therapy at NYU Medical Centre, explains that the benefits to standing and walking are great not just for the body, but also for the mind:
"Physically, the body works differently when upright. You can challenge different muscles and allow full expansion of the lung. Psychologically, it lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact."
After our recent post regarding the new control system for quadriplegics, it's great to see even more good news in the arena of health innovations for those living with paralysis.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/robotic-suit-helps-paraplegics-walk/146700
After two decades of having to look up to people around him, Radi Kaiof is now looking them straight in the eyes. He’s also standing, walking, and climbing stairs: no small feat for someone paralyzed from the waist down.
Radi, a former Israeli paratrooper who was paralyzed 20 years ago while serving in the military, has been participating in the trials of a new robotic suit called ReWalk. Motorized leg supports aided by crutches function as a sort of electronic exoskeleton, powering the 41-year-old's legs to move forward in stride. Body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries allow the wearer to chose a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb.
"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like," Radi beams.
"Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."
ReWalk is the invention of Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli technology outfit. Goffer’s inspiration to help others comes in part from that fact that he himself is paralyzed, though he cannot use his own invention because he does not have full function of his arms.
"It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."
Kate Parkin, director of physical and occupational therapy at NYU Medical Centre, explains that the benefits to standing and walking are great not just for the body, but also for the mind:
"Physically, the body works differently when upright. You can challenge different muscles and allow full expansion of the lung. Psychologically, it lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact."
After our recent post regarding the new control system for quadriplegics, it's great to see even more good news in the arena of health innovations for those living with paralysis.
http://news.aol.com/health/article/robotic-suit-helps-paraplegics-walk/146700
Monday, August 25, 2008
A Rare Happy Ending
Toronto, Canada
From an alarmingly long list of plane crash stories, the GNG would like to present this one for our favorite reason: It has a happy ending.
Ed Robertson flies his own Cessna 206 floatplane. He's also the lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies. Sunday afternoon, Robertson and three pass angers - reportedly his wife and two friends -took off from Baptiste Lake, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Bancroft. Ontario Provincial police Sgt. Bruce Quigg reports that none of the plane's occupants were injured.
Robertson's friend Gord Peel has said that the plane stalled, but Robertson was able to set it down gently, netted by trees with its nose resting on the ground. The pilot and passengers, shaken but unhurt, were able to exit through the aircraft's windows.
Barenaked Ladies manager Adam Smith said "Everyone is fine and that is the important thing," . . . That's all the comment we have at this time."
Special thanks to the Gander for this story.
From an alarmingly long list of plane crash stories, the GNG would like to present this one for our favorite reason: It has a happy ending.
Ed Robertson flies his own Cessna 206 floatplane. He's also the lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies. Sunday afternoon, Robertson and three pass angers - reportedly his wife and two friends -took off from Baptiste Lake, Ontario. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Bancroft. Ontario Provincial police Sgt. Bruce Quigg reports that none of the plane's occupants were injured.
Robertson's friend Gord Peel has said that the plane stalled, but Robertson was able to set it down gently, netted by trees with its nose resting on the ground. The pilot and passengers, shaken but unhurt, were able to exit through the aircraft's windows.
Barenaked Ladies manager Adam Smith said "Everyone is fine and that is the important thing," . . . That's all the comment we have at this time."
Special thanks to the Gander for this story.
Tongue Technology Gives Paralyzed a Big Hand
ATLANTA, Georgia
Researchers at Georgia Tech are in the process of turning the tongue into a joystick… but not just for video games, but for computers, household appliances, wheelchairs, and more. The new technology turns the inside of a persons mouth into a virtual computer keyboard, allowing those people paralyzed from the neck down to have unprecedented control over their environment. The tongue presents several advantages over the existing systems: the muscle is flexible, sensitive and tireless. It would benefit a large percentage of those disabled from the neck down due to spinal cord injury because it the tongue is controlled by the brain. There are a few versions of tongue controlled systems out there: one uses a nine-button keypad placed on the roof of the mouth to control electronics. Another uses a virtual keyboard manipulated by an extremely tiny magnet placed on the tip of the tongue and inside each cheek. Software picks up on the tongue’s movements translates them into controls for electronics.
"You could have full control over your environment by just being able to move your tongue," said Maysam Ghovanloo, a Georgia Tech assistant professor who leads the team's research.
Mike Jones, a vice president of research and technology at the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta rehabilitation hospital adds that the new tongue tech has advantages over existing imprecise and expensive technologies:
"This could give you an almost infinite number of switches and options for communication… It's easy, and somebody could learn an entirely different language."
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/25/tongue.computing.ap/index.html
Researchers at Georgia Tech are in the process of turning the tongue into a joystick… but not just for video games, but for computers, household appliances, wheelchairs, and more. The new technology turns the inside of a persons mouth into a virtual computer keyboard, allowing those people paralyzed from the neck down to have unprecedented control over their environment. The tongue presents several advantages over the existing systems: the muscle is flexible, sensitive and tireless. It would benefit a large percentage of those disabled from the neck down due to spinal cord injury because it the tongue is controlled by the brain. There are a few versions of tongue controlled systems out there: one uses a nine-button keypad placed on the roof of the mouth to control electronics. Another uses a virtual keyboard manipulated by an extremely tiny magnet placed on the tip of the tongue and inside each cheek. Software picks up on the tongue’s movements translates them into controls for electronics.
"You could have full control over your environment by just being able to move your tongue," said Maysam Ghovanloo, a Georgia Tech assistant professor who leads the team's research.
Mike Jones, a vice president of research and technology at the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta rehabilitation hospital adds that the new tongue tech has advantages over existing imprecise and expensive technologies:
"This could give you an almost infinite number of switches and options for communication… It's easy, and somebody could learn an entirely different language."
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/25/tongue.computing.ap/index.html
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