Latest news with #IEEEAccess
Reuters
18-04-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Health Rounds: DNA researchers are warned to beware of hackers
WASHINGTON, April 18 (Reuters) - (To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here) Publicly accessible DNA research is a prime target for hackers, according to researchers. Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here. The vulnerabilities present risks to the privacy of individuals, scientific integrity and national security, they said. So-called next-generation DNA sequencing - the fast, modern way to determine the sequence of chemicals in a DNA molecule - lets researchers analyze large amounts of genetic material and discover variations associated with diseases, drug treatments and other biological phenomena. But the highly specialized instruments, technologies and software have multiple points of vulnerability, the researchers reported in IEEE Access, opens new tab after reviewing previously published studies. And because many DNA datasets are openly accessible online, there are many possible ways for cybercriminals to access and misuse the information for surveillance, manipulation or malicious experimentation, they said. Among the weaknesses, for example: biochips used with DNA sequencers are susceptible to malware attacks, including trojans that can masquerade as legitimate software, the researchers said. An infected microchip can leak sensitive sequencing data or manipulate genetic information, introducing inaccuracies in crucial genetic data essential for medical diagnostics and research, they added. Another example they cited: attackers could analyze regions of DNA that have been "amplified" - that is, when many copies of that region have been created for research purposes - and find ways to match those regions against public genealogy databases to infer personal information associated with the DNA profiles, linking DNA samples back to individuals. "Despite its importance, cyber-biosecurity remains one of the most neglected and poorly understood research disciplines and is leaving a critical gap in global biosecurity," study leader Dr. Nasreen Anjum of the University of Portsmouth's School of Computing said in a statement. "To make sure our DNA information stays safe and is used only for good, we're urging more research and collaboration to find ways to keep this powerful technology secure," Anjum added. Clogged neck arteries might not need reopening Many patients with a narrowed neck artery may not need one of the risky stroke-preventing procedures that are the usual standard of care, according to a study conducted in Europe and Canada. In the United States alone, well over 100,000 procedures are performed each year to reopen carotid arteries with narrowing, or stenosis. Removing the clogged section of the vessel has been shown to reduce the risk of a stroke. But the procedure itself can trigger a stroke. Along with surgery or minimally invasive placement of a stent, these patients receive blood thinners and drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Because these medications have improved over the years, researchers wondered whether routine carotid artery operations are still necessary in all patients. The researchers recruited 429 mostly older adults with a carotid artery that was at least 50% clogged but whose risk of stroke - at less than 20% - was not very high. Everyone received the usual medication regimens, and half were also randomly assigned to undergo surgery or stenting. Two years later, the researchers saw no differences in rates of stroke, heart attack or death in the two groups, according to a study in The Lancet Neurology, opens new tab. This was true regardless of whether or not patients had been having symptoms from the narrowed carotid artery, such as sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden vision loss or blurred vision or dizziness. An editorial, opens new tab published with the study notes that researchers will continue to follow the trial participants for another three years, and the results at that point will be more reliable. In the meantime, the results suggest that for up to about 75% of patients, medication alone will probably be sufficient to reduce the risk of a stroke, study coauthor Dr. Paul Nederkoorn of Amsterdam UMC said in a statement.
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers develop sensing system for 'laparoscopic surgeries'
ABU DHABI - Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi's Advanced Microfluidics and Microdevices Laboratory (AMMLab) have developed an innovative sensing system that restores the missing tactile feedback in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), enhancing precision, ease of use, and safety. The new "off-the-jaw" system integrates force and angle sensors into the handle of laparoscopic tools, providing surgeons with real-time measurements of grasping forces and insights into tissue stiffness and thickness. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) involves small incisions, reducing pain, shortening recovery times, and lowering infection risks. However, traditional MIS tools eliminate the surgeon's sense of touch, making it difficult to determine the appropriate force to apply or distinguish between different types of tissue. This lack of tactile sensation can lead to errors, such as over- or under-grasping delicate tissues. The researchers' unique "off-the-jaw" design, detailed in IEEE Access, marks a significant departure from previous approaches, which typically placed sensors at the jaws of surgical tools. Beyond improving surgical precision and safety, this new technology could also shorten the learning curve for new surgeons by providing objective tactile feedback, accelerating their mastery of MIS techniques. Its scalability means it could be adapted for robotic-assisted surgery, endoscopy, telemedicine, and other medical applications. "Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionised the field, but the lack of tactile feedback remains a challenge," said NYU Abu Dhabi Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering Mohammad A. Qasaimeh. "Early trials have demonstrated a 30 percent improvement in surgical task efficiency, highlighting the practical impact of this technology on surgical performance," added Wael Othman, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher at the AMMLab.
Al Etihad
25-03-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers develop sensing system for 'laparoscopic surgeries'
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi's Advanced Microfluidics and Microdevices Laboratory (AMMLab) have developed an innovative sensing system that restores the missing tactile feedback in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), enhancing precision, ease of use, and safety. The new "off-the-jaw" system integrates force and angle sensors into the handle of laparoscopic tools, providing surgeons with real-time measurements of grasping forces and insights into tissue stiffness and thickness. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) involves small incisions, reducing pain, shortening recovery times, and lowering infection risks. However, traditional MIS tools eliminate the surgeon's sense of touch, making it difficult to determine the appropriate force to apply or distinguish between different types of tissue. This lack of tactile sensation can lead to errors, such as over- or under-grasping delicate tissues. The researchers' unique "off-the-jaw" design, detailed in IEEE Access, marks a significant departure from previous approaches, which typically placed sensors at the jaws of surgical tools. Beyond improving surgical precision and safety, this new technology could also shorten the learning curve for new surgeons by providing objective tactile feedback, accelerating their mastery of MIS techniques. Its scalability means it could be adapted for robotic-assisted surgery, endoscopy, telemedicine, and other medical applications. "Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionised the field, but the lack of tactile feedback remains a challenge," said NYU Abu Dhabi Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering Mohammad A. Qasaimeh. "Early trials have demonstrated a 30 percent improvement in surgical task efficiency, highlighting the practical impact of this technology on surgical performance," added Wael Othman, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher at the AMMLab.
Zawya
25-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
NYUAD researchers develop affordable sensing system to restore sense of touch in minimally invasive surgery
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi's Advanced Microfluidics and Microdevices Laboratory (AMMLab) have developed an innovative sensing system that restores the missing tactile feedback in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), enhancing precision, ease of use, and safety. The new "off-the-jaw" system integrates force and angle sensors into the handle of laparoscopic tools, providing surgeons with real-time measurements of grasping forces and insights into tissue stiffness and thickness. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) involves small incisions, reducing pain, shortening recovery times, and lowering infection risks. However, traditional MIS tools eliminate the surgeon's sense of touch, making it difficult to determine the appropriate force to apply or distinguish between different types of tissue. This lack of tactile sensation can lead to errors, such as over- or under-grasping delicate tissues. The NYU Abu Dhabi researchers' unique "off-the-jaw" design, detailed in IEEE Access, marks a significant departure from previous approaches, which typically placed sensors at the jaws of surgical tools. It is the first solution to separate the sensing mechanism from the surgical site itself. This solution offers a simplified, cost-effective alternative that seamlessly integrates with any commercially available laparoscopic tool, addressing challenges related to sensor integration, wiring complexity, contamination, and sterilization requirements. Beyond improving surgical precision and safety, this new technology could also shorten the learning curve for new surgeons by providing objective tactile feedback, accelerating their mastery of MIS techniques. Its scalability means it could be adapted for robotic-assisted surgery, endoscopy, telemedicine, and other medical applications. "Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the field, but the lack of tactile feedback remains a challenge," said NYU Abu Dhabi Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering Mohammad A. Qasaimeh. "Our new system restores this missing sense of touch, giving surgeons real-time data on tissue stiffness and thickness. This 'off-the-jaw' approach not only eliminates contamination risks but also makes the technology easier to integrate without requiring complex modifications to existing surgical tools." "Early trials have demonstrated a 30 percent improvement in surgical task efficiency, highlighting the practical impact of this technology on surgical performance," added Wael Othman, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher at the AMMLab. "Looking ahead, we plan to refine this system for robotic-assisted surgeries and explore even more sensitive microfluidic-based sensors for enhanced tissue differentiation." About NYU Abu Dhabi NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the top 30 universities in the world, making NYU Abu Dhabi the highest-ranked university in the UAE and MENA region. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity's shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi's high-achieving students have come from over 120 countries and speak over 100 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.
