Researchers create orientation-independent magnetic field-sensing nanotube spin qubits

 Purdue University researchers have developed patent-pending one-dimensional boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) containing spin qubits, or spin defects. The BNNTs are more sensitive in detecting off-axis magnetic fields at high resolution than traditional diamond tips used in scanning probe magnetic-field microscopes.

Tongcang Li, a professor of physics and electrical and computer engineering, leads a team that has developed the BNNTs with optically active spin qubits.

He also is on the faculty of the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute.

The team includes Xingyu Gao, Sumukh Vaidya and Saakshi Dikshit, graduate students at Purdue who are co-authors of a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications.

"BNNT spin qubits are more sensitive to detecting off-axis magnetic fields than a diamond nitrogen-vacancy center, which is primarily sensitive to fields that are parallel to its axis, but not perpendicular," Li said.

"BNNTs also are more cost-effective and offer more resilience than brittle diamond tips."

BNNT applications include quantum-sensing technology that measures changes in magnetic fields and collects and analyzes data at the atomic level.

"They also have applications in the semiconductor industry and nanoscale MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging," Gao said.

Li disclosed the nanotube spin qubits to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for patents to protect the intellectual property.

Testing and developing BNNT spin qubits

The system was tested on a custom-built laboratory system, including lasers, detectors and signal generators for controlling the quantum state of the nanotube spin qubits.

"These BNNT spin qubits are sensitive to magnetic fields and exhibit optically detected magnetic resonance," Vaidya said.

"When exposed to a magnetic field, the energy levels of the spin qubits within the BNNTs are altered, which can be measured using light."

On the first demonstration, BNNTs performed comparably to diamond tips.

"Since the boron nitride nanotubes are spatially much smaller than the diamond tips, we expect to be able to achieve superior numbers for the system," Dikshit said.

Li said the Purdue researchers are looking to improve the spatial resolution and magnetic field sensitivity for the BNNT spin qubit system.

Source: ScienceDaily

Nanoparticle therapy offers new hope for prostate cancer patients

 Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men.

A ground-breaking study, conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia, Mount Sinai, the University of Michigan, the University of Texas and others, has demonstrated the clinical success of a new nanoparticle-based, laser-guided therapy for prostate cancer treatment.

The study, which involved 44 men with localized prostate cancer, used gold nanoshellss in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound fusion -- an advanced technique that enhances MRI data -- to precisely target and eliminate cancerous prostate tissue.

Gold nanoshells are tiny particles, thousands of times smaller than a human hair, that can be engineered to strongly absorb specific wavelengths of light and generate heat.

In this case, gold nanoshells were designed to accumulate in the tumors, allowing for highly targeted near-infrared laser treatment that heats and destroys the cancerous tissue while sparing surrounding healthy cells.

This innovative method, called nanoparticle-directed focal photothermal ablation, successfully eliminated cancerous cells in 73% of patients after 12 months, as confirmed by negative biopsies in the treated areas.

Importantly, the treatment was able to achieve these results while preserving key functions, including urinary and sexual health, and without observed side effects, marking a significant improvement in the quality of life for patients.

"Our findings represent a major step forward in prostate cancer treatment. This therapy not only effectively eliminates cancerous cells but also preserves key quality-of-life factors, which is a huge win for patients," said Jennifer L. West, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia, an author on this paper and inventor of this technology.

"This study showcases the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration," West continued.

"Together, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cancer treatment, and it's exciting to be at the forefront of this innovation."

This new cancer treatment is being commercialized by Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc., a company co-founded by Dean West.

A Multi-Institutional Study of Magnetic Resonance/Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Nanoparticle-Directed Focal Therapy for Prostate Ablation was published online September 3, 2024, in the Journal of Urology.

Source: ScienceDaily

New optical technique could revolutionize medical diagnostics

 An Aston University researcher has developed a new technique using light which could revolutionise non-invasive medical diagnostics and optical communication.

The research showcases how a type of light called the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) can be harnessed to improve imaging and data transmission through skin and other biological tissues.A team led by Professor Igor Meglinski found that OAM light has unmatched sensitivity and accuracy that could result in making procedures such as surgery or biopsies unnecessary. In addition it could enable doctors to track the progression of diseases and plan appropriate treatment options.

OAM is defined as a type of structured light beams, which are light fields which have a tailored spatial structure. Often referred to as vortex beams, they have previously been applied to a number of developments in different applications including astronomy, microscopy, imaging, metrology, sensing, and optical communications.

Professor Meglinski in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oulu, Finland conducted the research which is detailed in the paper "Phase preservation of orbital angular momentum of light in multiple scattering environment" which is published in the Nature journal Light Science & Application. The paper has since been named as one of the year's most exciting pieces of research by international optics and photonics membership organisation, Optica.

The study reveals that OAM retains its phase characteristics even when passing through highly scattering media, unlike regular light signals. This means it can detect extremely small changes with an accuracy of up to 0.000001 on the refractive index, far surpassing the capabilities of many current diagnostic technologies.

Professor Meglinski who is based at Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies said: "By showing that OAM light can travel through turbid or cloudy and scattering media, the study opens up new possibilities for advanced biomedical applications.

"For example, this technology could lead to more accurate and non-invasive ways to monitor blood glucose levels, providing an easier and less painful method for people with diabetes."

The research team conducted a series of controlled experiments, transmitting OAM beams through media with varying levels of turbidity and refractive indices. They used advanced detection techniques, including interferometry and digital holography, to capture and analyse the light's behaviour. They found that the consistency between experimental results and theoretical models highlighted the ability of the OAM-based approach.

Source: ScienceDaily

Non-electric touchpad takes sensor technology to extreme conditions

 Researchers at Tampere University have developed the world's first soft touchpad that can sense the force, area and location of contact without electricity. The device utilises pneumatic channels, enabling its use in environments such as MRI machines and other conditions that are unsuitable for electronic devices. Soft devices like soft robots and rehabilitation aids could also benefit from this new technology.

Researchers at Tampere University have developed the world's first soft touchpad that is able to sense the force, area and location of contact without electricity.

That has traditionally required electronic sensors, but the newly developed touchpad does not need electricity as it uses pneumatic channels embedded in the device for detection.

Made entirely of soft silicone, the device contains 32 channels that adapt to touch, each only a few hundred micrometres wide.

In addition to detecting the force, area, and location of touch, the device is precise enough to recognise handwritten letters on its surface and it can even distinguish multiple simultaneous touches.

"Electronic sensors may stop functioning in extreme conditions, such as in a strong magnetic field. Since the touchpad is not electric, a strong magnetic field does not affect it, which makes it ideal for use in devices such as MRI machines," says Doctoral Researcher Vilma Lampinen.

The sensor technology used in the touchpad enables, for example, that if cancer tumours are found during an MRI scan, a pneumatic robot can take a biopsy while the patient is being scanned.

The sensor technology guides this robot together with the data produced by the MRI images.

The pneumatic device can also be used in strong radiation or conditions where even a small spark of electricity would cause a serious hazard.

The flexibility of silicone as a material allows the integration of sensors into applications where traditional hard electronics cannot be used.

These include soft robots, which are made of soft rubber-like materials and typically move using pneumatic power.

By adding data collected by sensors to such soft, non-electric devices, it will be possible to map the location, force, and area of touch across the entire surface of the device in the future.

In addition to soft robots, advanced prosthetic hands would also benefit from adding a sense of touch.

"Soft robotic hands could be used to replace current prosthetic hands on, e.g., production lines. Being soft, they are safer, lighter and potentially cheaper to manufacture. Touch sensors around the hand would also enable a more delicate grip," says Lampinen.

Source: ScienceDaily

New imaging technique accurately detects aggressive kidney cancer

 A new study led by investigators from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has demonstrated a new, non-invasive imaging technique can accurately detect clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common form of kidney cancer.

The findings, published in The Lancet Oncology, could greatly reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries and ensure that patients receive the right treatment at the right time, potentially changing how doctors diagnose and treat the disease in the future.

"If kidney cancer is diagnosed late, the chances of survival drop significantly, especially if the cancer has spread," said Dr. Brian Shuch, director of the Kidney Cancer Program and the Alvin & Carrie Meinhardt Endowed Chair in Kidney Cancer Research at UCLA, and lead author of the study. "But if caught early, over 90% of patients can survive for at least five years. If we are going to survey more tumors, it's crucial to accurately identify clear-cell renal cell carcinoma early on as they have a greater propensity to grow and spread."

Kidney cancers, known as renal cell carcinomas, make up 90% of solid kidney tumors. Every year more than 81,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with kidney cancer. Among the many types of these cancers, the most common and deadly is clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, which accounts for 75% of cases and 90% of kidney cancer deaths. Traditional imaging methods like CT or MRI often struggle to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors, leading to either unnecessary surgeries or delayed treatment.

To help improve the detection of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, the team tested a non-invasive method that uses a monoclonal antibody drug called 89Zr-TLX250, which targets the protein CA9 that is often found in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.

The phase 3 trial, called ZIRCON, included 332 patients with suspect lesions detected on their kidney from 36 research hospitals from nine different countries with UCLA leading international accrual. The average age of participants was 61 years, with 71% being male and 29% female.

The patients were injected with 89Zr-TLX250, which travels through the body and attaches to the protein CA9 if present in the kidney mass. CA9 is highly expressed in up to 95% of clear cell kidney cancers with minimal expression in normal tissue.

A few days after the injection, patients received a PET-CT scan to detect the radioactive part of the drug, which lights up on the scan wherever the protein is present, allowing doctors to see the cancer more clearly. By looking at the scan, doctors can determine if the kidney mass is likely to be cancerous based on whether or not the 89Zr-TLX250 has attached to the cancer cells.

The new imaging method accurately identified the presence of cancer in most cases while minimizing false positives, demonstrating a high performance with 85.5% sensitivity and 87.0% specificity.

Source: Science Daily

Ultrasound can be used as search and rescue tool for the brain

 Ultrasound, once used almost exclusively to take images of the body, is quickly developing into a targeted therapy that can have a potentially life-changing impact on our brains, according to the authors of a new article.

For decades, health professionals across the world have used ultrasound as a means of monitoring the development of unborn babies and assessing the health of patients' internal organs.

But writing in the journal PLOS Biology, researchers from Stanford University, the University of Plymouth, and Attune Neurosciences say it has now been demonstrated to offer a non-invasive and precise way of targeting specific areas of the human brain.

This is enabling them to investigate how a technique known as transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) can help people with conditions ranging from pain, alcoholism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Parkinson's disease, all without the use of drugs or surgery.

Beyond the treatment, the researchers discuss in the new article how the technology can also be used to temporarily test areas before treating them, serving as a sort of "search and rescue tool for the brain."

This enables them to find the sources of brain-related issues and disorders prior to treating them, which may be on the critical path towards personalized treatments.

However, they acknowledge there are still a number of complex challenges that need to be addressed before TUS can be rolled out in healthcare settings -- and maybe even homes -- on a global scale.

These include the fact that each of the 8.2 billion brains and skulls on the planet is different, and work is still required to tailor the technique so that it can be delivered in such a way as to enable as many people as possible to benefit from it.

And while significant advances have been made to the technology, reaching a point where it can still be effective -- but also sustainable from a cost perspective -- is still some years away.

But at present the researchers have developed and are testing a TUS device small and simple enough for people to use them at home following a series of clinical assessments, rather than having to continually go into hospitals or other healthcare settings.

The article was written by Dr Keith Murphy, co-founder of Attune Neurosciences and researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Professor Elsa Fouragnan, who leads the Brain Stimulation Lab in the University of Plymouth's Brain Research and Imaging Centre.

Dr Murphy said: "There are countless reasons people can't get to a clinic, whether it's financial strain or simply not having the time. In the past few years, we've made substantial progress towards a device that leverages MRI precision guidance but may still be used safely at home. We've always believed that portability was a critical step towards making advanced brain therapies accessible to everyone and we've made great strides in demonstrating that it works."

The researchers further discuss how focused ultrasound can also be integrated with other emerging technologies, for example improving the accuracy and effectiveness of interfaces that enable direct communication between the brain and external devices.

Professor Fouragnan added: "Over many years, we have improved our understanding of how the brain works and the failings within it that lead to neurological and mental health conditions. However, while advances have been made in treatments, they have not happened at a similar pace. We believe TUS can fill that gap and through our research to this point, we have discovered how it can be a genuine search and rescue tool for the brain. Clinicians and patients are excited about its potential, and if the current pace of development continues, we could have a risk-free technology that can positively impact millions, if not billions, of people."

Source: ScienceDaily

New imaging analysis technique revolutionizes diagnostics of head and neck cancers

 Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck area is among the ten most common types of cancer.

Using a method based on machine learning, researchers at the University of Helsinki in collaboration with the University of Turku and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Bio medicine in Germany analysed hundreds of bio bank patient samples at the level of accuracy of individual cells. The new technology combines indicators of cancer cell behavior and the architecture of the tumor and the surrounding healthy tissue to create a type of 'fingerprint' for each patient that can be used to assess the prognosis and treatment response to cancer.

The most significant finding of the study was the development of a new imaging analysis technique that combines analyses of biomarkers of cell behavior with morphological analyses of single cell shape and the structure of the entire tumor tissues. The method enabled the identification of two new previously undetected groups of patients. For the first group, the prognosis was exceptionally good, while in the second it was exceptionally bad. The difference was explained by the specif combination of a specific cancer cell state and the composition of the tissue surrounding the cancer cells. In the latter group, the aggressiveness of the disease was associated with signalling between cancer tissue and surrounding healthy connective tissue mediated by the epidermal growth factor (EGF).

"These results are a breakthrough in understanding cancer development and diagnostics. For the first time, we have shown that specific combinations of malignant cells and tissue cell types in what is considered healthy tissue have a strong prognostic effect on cancer progression. In addition, we identified a key signalling pathway that explains this compound effect and which can be pharmacological targeted, consequently significantly affecting the progression of the cancer," says Research Director Sara Wickström.

"In addition, our method was able to identify patients with a particularly poor prognosis who would benefit from an aggressive treatment strategy. On the other hand, we also identified a group of patients whose prognosis was good and for whom a less aggressive treatment, such as a surgical procedure alone, could be sufficient. This would help preserve patient quality of life" says Postdoctoral Researcher Karolina Punovuori from Wickström's research group.

Diagnostic test under development

The new imaging method opens the door for precision diagnoses for cancers in the head and neck area. The researchers are currently developing a diagnostic test for more accurate diagnosis of this type of cancer. In addition, they are also studying the use of the method in the diagnostics of other types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer. They have received Business Finland's Research to Business funding for the Multi vision Diagnostics project, which develops applications that may become available to cancer clinics.

Source: ScienceDaily