Although it does not generally infect humans, a single mutation of the H5N1 virus in the highly pathogenic avian and bovine clade 2.3.4.4b could overcome this barrier and possibly trigger a pandemic. Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have warned of this possibility after studying the three-dimensional structure of the viral hemagglutinin and seeing how a change in one amino acid would make it more suitable for the human cell receptor. The researchers stress the need to monitor new mutations of this virus in order to act quickly in case the global jump to our species occurs.
Bring your dog to work day looks a little different at Spotitearly. The Tel Aviv-based company asks its canine workers to bring their whole selves to the job – particularly their finely trained noses – to help suss out cancer in breath samples. The dogs’ unique capabilities are interpreted by AI to capture canine indicators humans might miss and the combo has remarkably high accuracy, 93% or better in three of the four common cancers tested.
Med-tech happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: Coapt, Foresight Diagnostics, Genedx, Hinge Health, Lifewallet, MSP Recovery, Myant, Simx, Zynex.
New research confirmed long-term efficacy and safety of a novel minimally invasive procedure with Insightec Inc.’s Exablate transcanial magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound system to alleviate symptoms of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
52 North Health Ltd. raised $6 million in financing to bring its oncology products to the market including the Neutrocheck, a point-of-care device and app which monitors cancer patients at home at risk of developing neutropenic sepsis.
Regulatory snapshots, including global submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Nano-x, Tyber.
In breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy reduces the tumor before surgery. However, the response to this treatment does not depend solely on the subtype of malignancies. Other factors could play a key role in its effectiveness, as shown in a study that described how the estrous cycle phases contribute to this variation.