Regenerative tooth fillings could put an end to root canals

You really don’t want a root canal, and not just because it’s potentially painful. Emptying the tooth of the infected tissue at its heart potentially weakens it, since you can’t grow that organic material back or put toxic fillings in its place. Researchers may have a solution, though. They’ve crafted fillings that get the tooth’s own stem cells to regenerate and repair tissue. This doesn’t mean that your pearly whites would return to normal, but the substance could heal the tooth enough to spare you a root canal or prevent fillings from going south. You’re not going to have this option for a while, but it’s designed to be practical. You can cure the filling with light, so your dentist wouldn’t have to resort to exotic techniques to rescue your teeth. And importantly, it might be less expensive overall — you might not need a cap or crown to reduce the chances that the tooth will break after the surgery. Via: Popular Science , Gizmodo Source: University of Nottingham

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Regenerative tooth fillings could put an end to root canals

Ultrasound Helps Chemo Drugs Sneak Past Blood-Brain Barrier 

A new ultrasound technique uses microbubbles and focused sound waves to help chemo medication sneak past the the stubborn blood-brain barrier. Developed by Canadian surgeons, the technique could eventually be used to treat such conditions as Alzheimer’s and depression. Read more…

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Ultrasound Helps Chemo Drugs Sneak Past Blood-Brain Barrier 

The First Human Head Transplant Will Take Place in 2017

Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero grabbed the world’s attention this past winter when he announced his plans to perform the first human head transplant. Many doubted that such an outrageous procedure would ever see the light of day. Now, Canavero has a date on the books. Read more…

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The First Human Head Transplant Will Take Place in 2017

This Robot Performs Less Intrusive Brain Surgery Through Your Cheek

The thought of a robot burrowing its way through your cheek to access your brain certainly sounds unsettling. But for conditions that require access to areas like the hippocampus located on the underside, it’s actually far less invasive than cutting open the skull on top and having to drill through the entire brain to reach it. Which means there’s far less recovery time for the patient. Read more…

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This Robot Performs Less Intrusive Brain Surgery Through Your Cheek

Doctors Are About to Start Human Trials for Suspended Animation

After years of sci-fi-inspired fantasies about the technique, a team of doctors in Pittsburgh are finally ready to start testing out a procedure that involves putting patients in a state of “suspended animation” while they repair their injuries. Put bluntly, they’re going to kill people and bring them back to life. Read more…        

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Doctors Are About to Start Human Trials for Suspended Animation

British doctor branded his initials on patient’s liver

Artists generally like to sign their work. Painters, sculptors, poets, all leave their name as a mark of pride. But when your brush is a scalpel and your canvas is the human body, it’s probably best to avoid that urge. One British surgeon is finding that out, after being suspended for branding his initials on a patient’s liver . These ain’t cattle, doc! Read more…        

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British doctor branded his initials on patient’s liver