|
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
|
|
Full Body Scanners for Airport Security
|
Full body scanners may soon replace the metal detectors commonly used in airport security, both in the United States and abroad. After the nearly missed bombing attempt during a Northwest/Delta flight flying from Amsterdam to Detroit on December 25th, airport security is turning to technology that may help identify non-metallic weapons and other concerns, such as the explosive device involved in the Christmas Day threat.
What are Full Body Scans?Much more detailed than typical X-rays, full body scanners are capable of viewing beneath layers of clothing, providing a map of the body’s contours, any prosthetics under the skin, and both metallic and non-metallic objects. These scanners function similar to MRI machines, and are considered safe, as they expose passengers to only very minimal amounts of radiation.
The ControversyBecause the scanning machines provide such accurate images, some passengers and activist groups have opposed the use of them since they believe the images are an invasion of privacy. Concern about children’s rights and protection has also been an issue. Opposing opinions feel that public security is the highest priority, and that the technology available should be used to it's fullest in order to best protect innocent people's lives.
Body Scans in U.S. AirportsWhile the United States has operated full body scanners at airports across the country this year, the use of them was voluntary. Passengers who activated the metal detectors could choose which secondary security step they would prefer: a walk through the scanner or to be pat-down by a security officer. The controversy surrounding the scans will likely continue if security begins to make the use of scanning machines mandatory for passengers. Mandated use of full body scans for all passengers could also impact wait-times in terminals as security personnel review the scanned images, a process that does take longer than reviewing current metal detector security images.
Use of Body Scans WorldwideScanning machines are under trial at Tokyo’s Narita Airport in Japan and Manchester Airport in England. The United States has 40 scanners installed in 19 airports. Today, the Netherlands announced they would begin using their 15 scanners at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, and more scanners are expected to be put into use worldwide.
In the next three weeks the Netherlands will begin using full body scanners on all passengers, beginning with those boarding flights to the U.S. The Dutch interior minister, Guusje ter Horst, said that standard metal detectors would have prevented the man accused responsible for the Christmas Day threat from boarding the plane, according to Reuters. Amid the controversy, the safety of all people in airports and flying remains at the forefront of discussions on the topic.
|
|
|
Friday, August 21, 2009
|
|
Mummy Scan
|
Stanford has recently utilized a CT scan to diagnose the death, life, and preservation of a 2,500 year old mummy. By looking beyond the wraps and mummification, researchers can look for details in the mummy's body that may unlock answers to questions about ancient Egypt.
"What we're trying to do is merge science, culture, history, medicine, art - it gives us an opportunity to incorporate modern techniques and procedures along with one of the oldest things in our collections," said the curator of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to Mercury News.
The scan results made researchers question the actual age of the mummy at the time of death. The information was then compared to other mummy data collected over the years. This is Stanford's second mummy to be scanned in their radiology department.
|
|
|
Thursday, August 20, 2009
|
|
Matching Patients with Therapy
|
Diagnostic scans may prove to be useful in correctly identifying treatments for lung cancer patients. Scans help locate mutations and growth of tumors. By locating the specific mutations, different drugs can be prescribed that will be the most effective.
"Given the fact that the cost of these drugs is exceedingly high ... I think we have to use them in selective subtypes, the ones most likely to respond. If you can select out the right subtype, that is an important finding, and an important cost savings as well" reports one doctor to Reuters.
Doctors examined the specific mutation EGFR, known as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Patients that had the mutation were more likely to react positively to certain drugs. For other patients without his mutation, chemotherapy was proved to be more effective. Knowing this information can help lung cancer patients avoid expensive drugs that may not help their disease or harsh chemotherapy treatments that could have been avoided.
|
|
|
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
|
|
Chinese Medicine for Heart Disease
|
The University of Texas Health Science Center has recently embarked on a study to determine the effect on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on heart health. TCM usually includes acupuncture, herbal remedies, and massage. The study focused on Chinese herbs and their effect on lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart.
The study's lead author told EMaxHealth that Chinese herbs "have profound nitric oxide bioactivity primarily through the enhancement of nitric oxide in the inner walls of blood vessels, but also through their ability to convert nitrite and nitrate into nitric oxide."
The Chinese herbs released constriction on the blood vessels when studied for their nitric oxide component. These herbs are considered alternative medicine and are not regulated by the FDA. However, their health qualities for preventing heart disease may prove to be a more natural option for patients looking for an alternative to western medications.
|
|
|
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
|
|
Using a Scan to Gauge Responses
|
Not knowing the end to a scary movie increases the suspense. Going along with this idea, uncertainty about the economy can also increase a person's anxiety level. Scientists recently studied the association between uncertainty and anxiety with the use of a brain scan. A study by the UW Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has utilized the MRI scan to track emotional responses by participants in response to negative stimuli. Participants were told the images they were to see would be positive, negative, or unknown. Those images which directly followed an "unknown" warning showed the largest reaction in the brain.
"These results have obvious relevance to our current economic times. Expectations have a dramatic impact on many aspects of our lives, including performance at work and school, interpersonal relationships and health. Expectations can alter perceptions of negative events as well as neural and emotional responses" reports the study leader to Science Daily.
The results showed that if a person was told the image they would see was going to be negative, their response to a disturbing image was less than if they had no idea what type of image they would see next. If a person is expecting a negative outcome, they are better able to cope with less anxiety. The brain is a complex organ that is continually studied by scientists. Using scanning technology allows scientists the ability to track activity in the brain and better understand physical and emotional responses.
|
|
|
Monday, August 17, 2009
|
|
Scans to be Part of Healthcare Reform
|
New healthcare reforms are currently under discussion in regards to the utilization of medical imaging scans. These reforms may limit the Medicare payments for these tests. As a result, the number of tests completed may decrease. The use of diagnostic imaging has gained popularity in the past few years, even despite recent reports that over-scanning can be harmful to one's health.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the legislation under review will increase the assumed percentage of patients being prescribed the scans from 50% currently to 75%. If this occurs, critics believe that Medicare will pay less for patient scans due to the higher utilization rate. Critics say that boosting the assumed utilization rate will hurt smaller hospitals were the equipment is used less frequently.
The legislation may restrict medical imaging, but is not intended to halter technological growth. Critics of the legislation believe that growth in technology and use is being confused for over-utilization. Both sides of the issue will be speaking out as the legislation comes closer to being finalized.
|
|
|
Friday, August 14, 2009
|
|
Chocolate Is Good For the Heart
|
Those who have suffered from a heart attack may get some sweet advice. Eating chocolate two or three times a week may cut the risk of developing heart disease by three fold. The study is featured in the September issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine. The main ingredient in chocolate (cocoa) has been found to lower blood pressure and protect the body from molecules that may build up over time leading to heart disease.
Kenneth Makamal, co-author of the study, explained the results of the study to AFP News. "It was specific to chocolate -- we found no benefit to sweets in general. It seems that antioxidants in cocoa are a likely candidate."
Chocolate may be the key to a healthy heart, but consumers should not get carried away. Chocolate should always be eaten in moderation to ensure a healthy balanced diet. For those dealing with weight issues, consult a physician before adding as chocolate routine to your diet.
|
|
|
Thursday, August 13, 2009
|
|
The Study of Sound
|
A scan of the brain can help detect abnormalities and help diagnose disease. The technology is also being used in other arenas, such as mapping of brain functioning. Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute recently examined the brain's neural systems in regards to processing images and sounds.
"It turns out that the brain uses the same strategy to encode sounds than it uses to encode different images. This may make it easier for people to combine sounds and images that belong to the same object, such as the dribbling of a basketball" explains the study leader at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
Participants in the study underwent an FMRI, a functional magnetic resonance imaging test, in order to examine brain reactions. Researchers want to understand how the brain decodes information including sounds. The future of such research is still unknown. Researchers hope one day to be able to analyze brain patterns and possibly even reconstruct dreams.
|
|
|
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
|
|
Don't Ignore the Signs
|
One's ability to hear may decrease as they age. However, these symptoms may not always be the case of old age. A Chicago woman dismissed her one-sided hearing as a product of aging, but became worried when her face began to tingle. Once scanned with an MRI, doctors were able to diagnose a benign brain tumor.
"Too often, seemingly minor hearing loss is trivialized and ignored. If it is in one ear in a person at midlife, that can be a sign of a tumor growing" explains one doctor to the Chicago Tribune.
The woman had an acoustic neuroma, a brain tumor on a cranial nerve leading to the inner ear. According to the Chicago Tribune, over 2,500 people in the US are diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma each year. People should be aware of signs their body sends to identifying a problem within their system.
|
|
|
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
|
|
Advances for Cervical Cancer
|
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan may help those dealing with cervical cancer track the progression of the disease. With this knowledge, doctors will have a better understanding of proper treatments they can offer to their patients.
The Sun Journal reports, "In some studies, researchers treated cancer patients with chemotherapy drugs, and within days, they were able to use PET scans to see whether the drug is working or a different type of treatment was needed."
The PET scans can also help rule out harsh therapies that may not be able to cure a patient. Tumors are able to be tracked to see if they are progressing, or if therapy has had an effect on the tumor size. The scan is still being tested for the use in cancer studies and may be used more frequently if the tests continue to show results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
