Since skin patches that monitor the brain health to defibrillators that prevent seizures, the list of innovations seems science fiction, but it can not be real.
1. A patch monotoriza health
The future of health care goes through a patch, thin as paper. Low cost, Bio-patch, which has been developed by the Institute of Technology KTH Stockholm, can be placed in different parts of the body to measure the bioelectric signals and monitor the temperature.
"In the chest, performed electrocardiograms; the skull, brain waves measured; and arm, said the muscle response to stimulation of the central nervous system, "says Geng Yang, a researcher at KTH. "The patient can view the data in your 'smartphone' or send them to their doctor for diagnosis. This is a very valuable tool for patients with heart disease, neurological problems or those who have just been discharged from hospital after an operation, "he adds.
2. The best test of cardiovascular risk
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, also monitors TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide). The reason? People with higher levels of this substance in the blood have a 2.5 times greater risk of heart attack than the rest, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The TMAO is a substance produced by intestinal bacteria when we choline-rich foods such as eggs, red meat and dairy. Once it enters the bloodstream, it accelerates the formation of cholesterol deposits in the arteries.
3. Predict diabetes 10 years ahead
Can you imagine being able to predict the risk of diabetes 10 years before getting it? This is now possible, thanks to the work of researchers at Vanderbilt University (USA) have identified a biomarker (2-AAA) independent of glycemia and excess weight. For 12 years they have been following a group of people and have shown that those with the highest concentrations of 2-AAA have up to four times the risk of developing diabetes. And it is studying a test for rapid detection.
4. A hormone to strengthen the heart
The survival of patients with acute heart failure by 50%, less than five years. The treatment of this disease, however, is the same since the 70s has now been found that a synthetic version of the hormone relaxin, which produce pregnant to help them withstand the stress that the fetus poses to his heart increases his life as much as 37%, according to a team from the University of California. The new drug, called serelaxina, widens vessels, increases the supply of oxygen and is anti-inflammatory.
5. Mediterranean diet with scientific backing
It never had a rigorous scientific study assessed the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the risk of heart attacks and strokes, even Predimed (Prevention with Mediterranean Diet). This Spanish study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has been considered as relevant believed it could change certain nutritional guidelines.
Their findings: 30% of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths could be prevented with a typical Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil and / or nuts. You can even have a glass of wine with meals. "We spend much money on drugs, and this diet is that outweighs the benefits of those treatments, without side effects," said Miguel Angel Martinez, PREDIMED coordinator and professor of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Navarra.
6. 'Defibrillator' cerebral anti-seizure
A kind of defibrillator for the brain helps prevent epileptic seizures. Dubbed NeuroPace, the system includes sensors implanted in the brain to detect precursors subtle tremors of an attack. Then sends electrical signals that counteract erroneous messages and stops the seizure before it develops. With this device, according to studies, in the first year of use episodes are reduced by 40% and two years, 53%.
7. Total Anesthesia minimizing risks
The role of the anesthesiologist is vital in surgery. In addition to controlling heart rate, respiration and brain function, you should follow the details of the operation and to adjust the dose of sedatives and painkillers. A new software for computers with touchscreens makes your job easier, to let you know if everything is properly developed, follow step by step the surgeon's work and document the whole process. A momentous support in prolonged operations.
8. Egg quality to the dream of being a mother
Some low-quality eggs account for many cases of female infertility. This year, a group of researchers from Stanford University (USA) has developed a glass-in-the activation technique that helps women with ovarian failure to produce healthy and mature eggs again.
The process involves extracting and treating ovarian tissue in the laboratory with proteins and other factors that help immature follicles develop and become eggs. Of the 27 women undergoing this treatment, five produced viable eggs, one is pregnant and another has already given birth to a healthy baby.
9. Curing faster hepatitis C
Some 150 million people have hepatitis C in the world. With 70% of cured patients, the most common therapy hitherto required 48 weeks of treatment with antiviral drugs and injections of interferon, with its feared and debilitating side effects. Now, a new drug, sofosbuvir, has proved successful in up to 95% of cases. And what's best: This medication is only taken for 12 weeks and does not require the administration of interferon.
10. A new laser against Alzheimer's
A new technique of phototherapy could cure Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Developed by experts at the University of Chalmers (Sweden) and the Technical University of Wroclaw (Poland), multiphoton laser allows to distinguish between aggregations of proteins that cause damage (preventing normal cellular processes) and proteins that work well.
We have developed a method to distinguish these structures using single laser light without toxicities or affect surrounding healthy tissue. It is a completely new approach representing a breakthrough in this field, "the researchers explain.
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