HUMAN PATIENT
'Liquid biopsy can ease financial burden for cancer patients': Scientists on how a $1,000 test could save $10,000 in treatment costs
Liquid biopsy, a blood-based test that detects and analyses cancer-related biomarkers, is gaining ground as a tool to monitor disease progression and guide treatment decisions. Scientists Catherine Alix-Panabieres and Klaus Pantel, who coined the term in 2010, spoke to ET about its growing role in cancer care, the potential to reduce treatment costs through personalised medicine, and the need for more clinical trials to establish its benefits for patients.
MIT scientists built over 400 tiny ecosystems with 12 to 20 bacterial species; after adding an outsider, the more changeable communities were easier to invade
Researchers at MIT have discovered that chaotic ecosystems easily accept new species while stable ones resist invasion. Conventional ecological beliefs suggest high biodiversity prevents invasions, but stability plays a crucial role. This finding has implications for the effectiveness of probiotic supplements in human gut microbiomes. Individuals with more stable guts may struggle to welcome beneficial probiotics. Future studies will further explore these dynamics and their relevance in wellness treatments.
Equities, debt or gold? Kalpen Parekh lays out the right asset allocation approach this Diwali
Investors should prioritize asset allocation instead of merely chasing recent gains. The ongoing market consolidation offers a chance for long-term Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) investors to buy more units at reduced prices. It's beneficial for new investors to seek advice from financial professionals to create effective investment strategies. Investing gradually in equities following market corrections is wise for steady growth.
Who are Dominic Roy and Cooper Bruce? Tulane University students discover new muscle attachment that could reshape hip surgery
In a groundbreaking discovery, Tulane University students Dominic Roy and Cooper Bruce uncovered a new muscle attachment during a cadaver dissection. This pelvic structure holds potential implications for understanding hip pain and surgical procedures. Collaborating with Dr. R Shane Tubbs, they validated their findings through further examinations. This breakthrough could reshape treatment strategies for hip-related ailments, igniting Roy and Bruce's aspirations to enter the medical field.
ET Wealth Expo 2026 | From HNIs to family offices, why 2026 is teaching investors the importance of de-risking: Dheeraj Gaur
Speaking on the sidelines of ET Wealth Expo 2026 in Mumbai, Gaur said the experience of 2026 has reinforced the importance of de-risking portfolios, particularly for high-net-worth investors and family offices that have built significant investable wealth over the years.
FDA flags persistent data-integrity lapses, insanitary conditions at Indian drug facilities
The US FDA continues to identify serious data integrity issues in Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. During inspections, inspectors found discarded documents related to key manufacturing processes, highlighting compliance concerns. To ensure safe medicines, drugmakers are urged to scrutinize their supply chains and monitor suppliers effectively. Additionally, human errors contributed significantly to production incidents, affecting operations and batch release timelines.
Voters elected Democrats who are doctors and challenged RFK Jr. Can they protect the Medicaid Program and remove him from office?
Voters in South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan elected Democrats who have criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health policies. Their wins put the Medicaid program and federal health oversight in the spotlight.
A couple helped fund a new hospital for rescued wildlife in Thailand; it opened in December 2025 to provide emergency treatment and ongoing care
A newly established wildlife hospital in Thailand aims to enhance medical care for rescued animals facing injuries and threats from exploitation or illegal wildlife trade. This state-of-the-art facility will cater to various needs, including emergency treatments and rehabilitation. Long-term care is also available for animals that cannot return to their natural habitat, highlighting the importance of ongoing funding to sustain its vital operations.
In California, researchers tracked desert tortoises in a protected area for 34 years; numbers fell from 589 to 47 by 2002, then rose to 73 by 2012
In California, desert tortoises have suffered an alarming 92% population decline, even within designated protected areas. Research attributes this drastic fall to diseases, predation, and environmental stressors, rendering protective measures inadequate. Although a slight recovery was noted by 2012, the overall trend indicates persistent decline, underscoring the urgent need for holistic conservation strategies to safeguard wildlife.
His grandfather died of pancreatic cancer: This Hyderabad startup founder is using AI to develop a personalised cancer vaccines
Hyderabad-based biotech startup PopVax, founded by Soham Sankaran, is developing AI-powered personalised cancer vaccines using mRNA technology. Inspired partly by his family's experience with pancreatic cancer, he aims to help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells using treatments designed around individual patients' tumour genetics.
Frontline Workers Know How to Solve Your Organization’s Biggest Problems
Frontline employees often know exactly what’s preventing organizations from performing at their best, yet traditional engagement surveys rarely uncover those insights or translate them into action. Companies can close that gap by adopting a disciplined six-step process that combines structured interviews, targeted surveys, collaborative problem solving, and rapid experimentation. When leaders and frontline employees cocreate solutions—and measure their impact—they improve trust, strengthen engagement, and design work that delivers better outcomes for employees, customers, and the business
Assam signs Rs 600 crore deal for India's first state-run proton therapy centre
The Government of Assam has signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt. Ltd. to establish a Proton Beam Therapy Centre. This facility will be the first of its kind in India, aiming to provide advanced cancer treatment. The project involves an investment of approximately Rs. 600 crore, with support from the World Bank. Specialised training will be provided to medical personnel for operating this advanced technology.
Drug-free treatment for diabetes and obesity may become possible as scientists develop a wireless device that detects high blood sugar levels and removes excess sugar from bloodstream
Diabetes treatment news: A team of scientists from France and Switzerland developed a wireless electronic device to manage diabetes. This device removes excess glucose from the bloodstream, potentially providing a drug-free treatment option. In studies, the device effectively regulated glucose levels in diabetic mice while promoting fat usage for energy. Researchers connected it to a continuous glucose monitor, ensuring automatic activation. Further human trials are necessary to ensure safety and effectiveness in patients.
India's first public sector proton beam therapy unit to come up in Assam; state signs MoU with Belgian firm
Assam has signed an MoU with Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications (IBA) to set up India's first public-sector proton beam therapy centre in Guwahati at a cost of Rs 600 crore. The facility will offer advanced cancer treatment, particularly for children, and is expected to take at least three years to become operational.
Hospital balance sheet: How AI could cut costs and improve efficiency
As hospitals grapple with soaring costs in drugs, supplies, and labor, the integration of AI emerges as a vital necessity.
AI is no longer just coding or generating images. It has now designed a virus that was used on a human being. Did the patient survive?
A California startup has used artificial intelligence to design a virus that was administered to a human patient for the first time. The experimental treatment uses bacteriophages to target antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially opening a new way to fight infections that conventional medicines cannot control. However, the patient's recovery has not been disclosed.
Swiss AI drug trial startup receives funding from Spotify-backer Creandum
An AI foundation model, trained on about two million human RNA readouts, would replace these and animal testing with 12-week simulations, the company said.
Microsoft develops AI tool that can diagnose 'sequentially' like a doctor
Microsoft researchers say an AI tool that diagnoses patients step by step, as doctors do, was more than twice as accurate as general physicians at solving complex medical cases, according to a study published on Thursday in Science.
Shamonda virus reported in France as patient dies: Why is it deadly, what are its symptoms, treatment and prevention methods?
Shamonda virus: France has reported the first known human case of the Shamonda virus after a patient died in October, raising questions about the potential risks of the infection. Previously associated mainly with livestock, the virus is transmitted by biting midges and has been detected in animals across parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.
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