New Cancer Breakthrough: Illuminating Dye Detects Hidden Cells

University of Oxford scientists have developed a dye that can stick to cancer cells, providing surgeons with a “second pair of eyes” during tumor removal procedures. This dye helps to identify areas of cancerous tissue that may not be visible to the naked eye, allowing doctors to remove more of the cancer in real-time and reducing the risk of the disease recurring. Professor Freddie Hamdy, the Nuffield Professor of Surgery at Oxford, explains how they made the dye attach to specific cancer cells and how they use a special camera to detect the dye during surgeries.

A new electric headset designed to treat depression has been approved for broader use within the NHS. Developed by Flow Neuroscience, this headset utilizes a brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to send a weak electric current to the part of the brain responsible for emotional expression. In a recent NHS trial, patients used the headset for thirty minutes each day for six weeks and over 58% of them experienced improvements in their symptoms. Erin Lee, CEO of Flow Neuroscience, discusses how the headset works and why it can be an effective alternative to medication for certain patients.

Following a ransomware attack on major London hospitals, the NHS is urging O blood-type donors to make appointments to donate blood. Due to the IT attack, the affected hospitals are unable to match patients’ blood at their usual frequency. O-negative blood is considered universal and can be given to anyone in need. The attack on the pathology firm Synnovis has caused several hospitals to declare a critical incident, leading to canceled operations and tests as well as disruptions in blood transfusions.

In addition to these topics, the podcast episode discusses generative AI’s anticipated dominance at an upcoming Apple conference, YouTube’s new restrictions on gun videos, and a new skateboarding MMO game to be released this summer from the makers of Tony Hawk’s series. You can listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast streaming platform.