Earliest signs of cancer can be found in the blood
Scientists have developed a highly sensitive blood test that can detect cancerous tumours years before symptoms appear.
The study, published in Cancer Discovery, found that genetic mutations caused by cancer can be detected in the blood up to three years in advance for some patients.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University analysed blood samples from a NIH-funded study, using genome sequencing techniques to identify tumour-related mutations.
In a sample of 52 participants, the test accurately identified eight individuals who were diagnosed with cancer within four months, and detected tumour DNA in earlier samples of four of those individuals, collected three to three-and-a-half years prior to diagnosis.
The findings suggest that multicancer early detection (MCED) tests could lead to more standardised blood screenings, boosting early detection and preventing treatment-resistant tumours, pending validation in larger trials.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Using AI makes you stupid, researchers find
Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots risk making people less intelligent by hampering the development of critical thinking, memory and language skills, research has found. A study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that people who relied on ChatGPT to write essays had lower brain activity than those who used their brain alone. The group who used AI also performed worse than the 'brain-only' participants in a series of tests. Those who had used AI also struggled when asked to perform tasks without it. 'Reliance on AI systems can lead to a passive approach and diminished activation of critical thinking skills when the person later performs tasks alone,' the paper said. Researchers warned that the findings raised 'concerns about the long-term educational implications' of using AI both in schools and in the workplace. It adds to a growing body of work that suggest people's brains switch-off when they use AI. 'Human thinking offloaded' The MIT study monitored 54 people who were asked to write four essays. Participants were divided into three groups. One wrote essays with the help of ChatGPT, another used internet search engines to conduct research and the third relied solely on brainpower. Researchers then asked them questions about their essays while performing so-called electroencephalogram (EEG) scans that measured activity in their brains. Those who relied on ChatGPT, a so-called 'large language model' that can answer complicated questions in plain English, 'performed worse than their counterparts in the brain-only group at all levels: neural, linguistic, scoring', the researchers said. The EEG scans found that 'brain connectivity systematically scaled down with the amount of external support' and was weakest in those who were relying on AI chatbots to help them write essays. The readings in particular showed reduced 'theta' brainwaves, which are associated with learning and memory formation, in those using chatbots. 'Essentially, some of the 'human thinking' and planning was offloaded,' the study said. The impact of AI contrasted with the use of search engines, which had relatively little effect on results. Of those who has used the chatbot, 83pc failed to provide a single correct quote from their essays – compared to around 10pc in those who used a search engine or their own brainpower. Participants who relied on chatbots were able to recall very little information about their essays, suggesting either they had not engaged with the material or had failed to remember it. Those using search engines showed only slightly lower levels of brain engagement compared to those writing without any technical aides and similar levels of recall. Impact on 'cognitive muscles' The findings will fuel concerns that AI chatbots are causing lasting damage to our brains. A study by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon, published in February, found that workers reported lower levels of critical thinking when relying on AI. The authors warned that overuse of AI could leave cognitive muscles 'atrophied and unprepared' for when they are needed. Nataliya Kosmyna, the lead researcher on the MIT study, said the findings demonstrated the 'pressing matter of a likely decrease in learning skills' in those using AI tools when learning or at work. While the AI-assisted group was allowed to use a chatbot in their first three essays, in their final session they were asked to rely solely on their brains. The group continued to show lower memory and critical thinking skills, which the researchers said highlighted concerns that 'frequent AI tool users often bypass deeper engagement with material, leading to 'skill atrophy' in tasks like brainstorming and problem-solving'. The essays written with the help of ChatGPT were also found to be homogenous, repeating similar themes and language. Researchers said AI chatbots could increase 'cognitive debt' in students and lead to 'long-term costs, such as diminished critical inquiry, increased vulnerability to manipulation, decreased creativity'. Teachers have been sounding the alarm that pupils routinely cheating on tests and essays using AI chatbots. A survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute in February found 88pc of UK students were using AI chatbots to help with assessments and learning and that 18pc had directly plagiarised AI text into their work.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Five iconic American food and drink brands set for major change as RFK Jr sets his sights on cancer dyes
The company behind some of America's most iconic foods has announced a major recipe overhaul that may leave some of your favorite snacks looking a little different. Kraft Heinz, the company behind Kraft Mac and Cheese and Heinz ketchup, announced it will remove artificial colors from its products by 2027. Products that currently use these dyes include Kool Aid, Crystal Light, MiO, Jet-Puffed marshmallows and Jell-O. Kraft Heinz, which said nearly 90 percent of its US products are already free of artificial colors or synthetic dyes, also pledged it would not launch any new products with artificial colors in the US effective immediately. Used in the American food supply for decades to give treats an appealing hue, in recent years concerns have been raised over the health effects of food dyes - including animal studies suggesting they can cause hyperactivity, cancer and other health problems. The move from Kraft Heinz comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr outlined plans to ban synthetic food dyes from the US food supply as part of a broader move to address chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Many packaged food companies, including W.K. Kellogg and Tyson Foods have been working on reformulating existing products and introducing new items without artificial dyes. Earlier this month, Walmart-owned Sam's Club said it would eliminate over 40 ingredients, including artificial colors and aspartame, from its private label brand Member's Mark, by the end of this year. Kraft Heinz said that for the small portion of products that currently contain artificial colors it plans to remove the dyes where they are not critical, or replace them with natural colors. The Jell-O maker added it would also look to reinvent products with new colors where a matching natural replacement is not available. It said the company was also working with its brand licensees to encourage them to remove artificial colors as well. Commenting on the move, the company's North America president Pedro Navio said: 'As a food company with a 150+ year heritage, we are continuously evolving our recipes, products, and portfolio to deliver superiority to consumers and customers. 'The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors, and we've been on a journey to reduce our use of FD&C colors across the remainder of our portfolio. 'In fact, we removed artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from our beloved Kraft Mac & Cheese back in 2016. 'Our iconic Heinz Tomato Ketchup has never had artificial dyes – the red color comes simply from the world's best tomatoes. 'Above all, we are focused on providing nutritious, affordable, and great-tasting food for Americans and this is a privilege we don't take lightly.' Health advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes from foods, citing studies indicating they can cause neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity and attention issues, in children. The FDA has maintained that the approved dyes are safe and that 'the totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives.' The FDA currently allows 36 food color additives, including eight synthetic dyes. In January, the agency announced that the dye known as Red 3 — used in candies, cakes and some medications — would be banned in food by 2027 because it caused cancer in laboratory rats. Artificial dyes are used widely in US foods, but in Canada and Europe — where synthetic colors are required to carry warning labels — manufacturers mostly use natural substitutes. Several states, including California and West Virginia, have passed laws restricting the use of artificial colors in foods. FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary announced in April that the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in America's food supply within the next two years. The massive shakeup will free children from the 'toxic soup' that makes up much of America's food supply, Dr Makary said. Dr Makary, a trained surgeon, began his remarks by calling attention to an oft-cited review in The Lancet, which reported ties between artificial food dyes and hyperactivity in children. 'So why are we taking a gamble,' Makary said. The Trump administration will ask food companies to phase out the use of Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 by the end of 2026 and start using natural alternatives, which the FDA will approve or deny first. The move is not legally binding and companies do not have to comply. 'For companies that are currently using petroleum based red dye, try watermelon juice or beet juice,' Makary said, lifting small bottles of juice off his podium. 'For companies currently combining petroleum-based yellow chemical and red dyes together, try carrot juice.' The latest proposal also revokes approval for two dyes, citrus red 2 and orange B, which are not as common as the other dyes. The FDA has not reached any formal agreement with the food industry to carry out these goals, though they apparently have 'an understanding,' and the agency has not put forward a detailed plan for achieving them.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Why Elon Musk shared a copy of urine test results
Elon Musk shared the results of a drug test to refute accusations of drug use during President Donald Trump 's 2024 campaign, following a New York Times report alleging he used ketamine, ecstasy, and magic mushrooms. Musk posted results from a June 11 lab test conducted by Fastest Labs of South Austin, Texas, showing negative results for amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, cannabinoids, and fentanyl. The New York Times report alleged Musk's drug use was "chronic" and caused bladder issues, with sources claiming he kept narcotics in a daily medication pill box. Musk previously admitted to using prescription ketamine for mental health issues but denied current use, accusing the newspaper of "lying." The allegations coincided with Musk's departure from the White House after a 130-day stint as DOGE leader a nd a subsequent online spat with Trump, which Musk later expressed regret over.
