Using a 3D printer, scientists from Princeton University have successfully created a bionic ear.  Looking to find the most efficient way to merge electronics with tissue, the Princeton team used cells and nanoparticles, followed by a cell culture, to combine a small coil antenna with cartilage. This was the team’s first effort to create a fully functional organ.

This creation extends beyond electronics, as it combines biological elements as well.  Where standard body part engineering involves seeding types of cells onto a polymer material, the technique used in this creation involved replicating complicated 3D biological structures.  The printer layered a variety of materials – ranging from plastic to cells – to build up a finished product.  The team then combined the tissue with antenna electronics, which was a combination of polymer and calf cells, with silver nanoparticles. The calf cells later develop into cartilage.

Cybernetics – the design and implementation of bionic organs and devices that enhance human capabilities – is a fast-growing field and provides great potential for researchers.  The ear created in this project, for example, has the capacity to hear radio frequencies beyond the capabilities of the human ear.

NEXT: Seasonal allergies (infographic)

Sourced from: Science Daily, Printable Functional ‘Bionic’ Ear Melds Electronics and Biology

With rising obesity rates around the country, it probably should come as little surprise that only one in five American adults is getting enough exercise.  The government-produced Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise – such as walking – or 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise – such as jogging.  In addition to the aerobic components, it is also recommended that adults perform some form of muscle strengthening activities at least twice a week.  This can include sit-ups, push-ups, lifting weights or resistance band exercises.

But, according to the research, only 20 percent of Americans are meeting both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening goals.

The highest percentage of people who met the guidelines lived in the West and the Northeast, and the groups that were least likely to get the recommended amount of exercise were Hispanics, women, older adults and obese adults.  Benefits of regular exercise include lower risk of stroke, premature death, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, depression, some cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Only 30 percent of Americans are meeting the strength goals, but close to 50 percent did reach the aerobics goals. The CDC sees that as a foundation on which to build.

NEXT: Scientists use 3D printer to make bionic ear

Sourced from: Medical News Today, Only 20% Of U.S. Adults Get Enough Exercise

In a study conducted by Consumer Reports, nearly 90 percent of the turkey products sampled from retail stores across the U.S. were found to be contaminated with dangerous bacteria.  Some of the products contained germs that can cause illness, including salmonella and staphylococcus aureus.  The researchers also found that products from turkeys fed antibiotics actually contained more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than the other poultry.

The testing showed that almost half of the raw ground meat and patties packages were infected with fecal bacteria.  Sixty percent of the samples contained enteroccus; 60 percent had E. coli; 80 percent were found to have enterococcus bacteria; and half of the E. coli strands were found to be of the antibiotic-resistant variety.   Three samples were contaminated with MRSA, which can prove fatal.

Even though organic turkey was found to harbor just as much bacteria as the other turkey products, those organic products were much less likely to have drug-resistant bacteria in them.  As a result of the study, Consumer Reports strongly recommended that consumers consider switching to organic turkey products.

NEXT: Only 20 percent of Americans get enough exercise

Sourced from: Medical News Today, 90 percent of turkey products contaminated

About a decade ago, a woman reported that she first became aware of her melanoma because her dog barked at the tumor.  Now, scientists have been able to confirm that dogs can detect cancerous cells.

Researchers from the University of Negev in Israel have successfully trained dogs to differentiate cancer cells from non-cancerous in cell cultures.  The dogs were trained to sniff out breast cancer cells, and were also able to identify lung cancer and melanoma.

After training, the animals were tested to determine if their abilities of detection were up to par.  The scientists prepared five cell cultures, four of which were noncancerous and one that was malignant.  The dogs were 100 percent accurate in determining the malignant cells for the three types of cancer.

According to the researchers, the next step is to check the dogs’ reaction to people who have been diagnosed with cancer.  Though the dogs were trained to detect cancerous cell cultures, the scientists believe there could be great potential in training dogs to detect cancer in people.

NEXT: Hello, Cheerios! May 1, 1941

Sourced from: Medical News Today, Dogs Can Detect Breast And Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro

More often than not, research has found that people need to get more sleep, that sleep deprivation can have serious consequences. But in a new study from Harvard Medical School, researchers found that longer sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, especially among people who are overweight and those who snore.

This study utilized data from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study, both of which collect information on demographics, lifestyles and disease.  Across the study, 76,368 women and 30, 121 men were surveyed as a baseline population – the average age was 53 years for women and 56 for men.  From this population, the researchers found 1,973 cases of colorectal cancer.  Overweight people and snorers who reported nine hours of sleep or more per night had a 1.4 to two-fold increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, as compared to overweight and snorers who got seven hours of sleep per night.

The researchers speculate that sleep disruption caused by sleep apnea may reduce sleep quality and increase sleepiness, resulting in more time spent sleeping.  The results indicate that obstructive sleep apnea – common in overweight people and often associated with snoring – may contribute to cancer risk.

NEXT: Dogs can sniff out breast, lung cancer

Sourced from: Medical News Today, Longer Sleep Duration Associated With Increased Risk Of Developing Colorectal Cancer