White Dog and The White Dog Army
Wonderful World Wednesday
White Dog is constantly amazed at the
creative genius and push to conquer disease that drives humans to invent new
ways to detect, analyze and cure so many illness that have in the past killed
millions of people and pets. Every time we read of an advance that gives us an
advantage in the fight against one of these monsters, the White Dog Army howls
in victory and high paws the news.
And to us, NO advance is more
wonderful than one which might one day help put an end to cancer! We woo thanks
to these researchers and wish them success in pushing the limits in detecting
disease. Imagine the possibilities in places decimated by natural disaster or
during an outbreak of widespread salmonella… and give yourself over to a moment
of pure hope that thousands could be saved. Please share in the wonder of this
amazing technology:
Researchers Invent Device to Rapidly
Detect Infectious Diseases
MARCH
01, 2012 http://www.happynews.com/news/312012/researchers-invent-device-rapidly-detect-infectious-disease.htm
University of Tennessee
Infectious diseases can spread very
rapidly, so quickly identifying them can be crucial to stopping an epidemic -
However, current testing for such diseases can take hours and days. But not for
much longer
Infectious diseases can spread very
rapidly, so quickly identifying them can be crucial to stopping an epidemic.
However, current testing for such diseases can take hours and days. But not for
much longer.
Jayne Wu, associate professor of
computer science and electrical engineering at the University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, and Shigetoshi Eda, associate professor of Forestry, Wildlife and
Fisheries at the UT Institute of Agriculture Center for Wildlife Health, have
developed a portable device that can be used onsite to detect infectious
diseases, pathogens as well as physiological conditions in people and animals.
"Time is of the essence in
treating infectious diseases," said Wu. "This device has the
potential to save a lot of lives by saving time in detection. It also saves a
lot of money as it is cheaper to detect diseases than the system that is
currently being used since we do not have to send them to a lab and have the
sample be scrutinized by technicians."
The device can be used by any health
care professional, anywhere. All that's needed is a droplet of blood to place
on a microchip within the device. The microchip is treated with
disease-specific antigens—a toxin or other foreign substance that induces an
immune response in the body—and captures disease-specific antibodies in the
blood. If the antigens and antibodies match, then the device tells the health
care provider that the patient or animal is infected. This happens in a matter
of minutes. So far the device has been used to detect tuberculosis in humans
and wild animals, as well as Johne's disease in cattle.
"Johne's disease is highly
prevalent in this country and is causing more than $200 million of annual
losses to the U.S. dairy industry," said Eda. "Since there is no
practical treatment for the disease, early diagnosis is critically important
for disease control in dairy farms. This, in turn, helps farmers' business and
the milk supply."
The scientists say they expect the
device to be expanded to detect various diseases and physiological conditions.
For instance, the researchers predict it could be useful in diagnosing
Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Their recent development indicated the device
could detect pathogens in food materials. The device also could be valuable for
applications in disaster relief, biodefense or disease outbreaks.
Wu and Eda recently received $15,000
from the UT Research Foundation to assist in further developing their
technology to improve its positioning for licensing and commercialization. The
scientists say they have industry interested in taking their invention to
market.
9 comments:
Wow! That's great!
Dachshund Nola
Amazing stuff! We are thankful whenever we see researchers working to find solutions to real-world problems. :)
Wow, that's pretty amazing to think something could detect such a wide variety of illnesses - and food pathogens, too!
Your pal, Pip
hey WDA,
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
Suka
Very interesting and amazing! Thanks for sharing this with us!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug
That is amazing!!!
Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra
Go humans go!
Yeah!!! we love that people are trying to make the world a better place...
That is so great. One of these days we will be able to fight everything. :)
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