Health Check

Can light emitting bandages treat cancer?

Jul 3, 2024

BBC health and science correspondent, James Gallagher, and Claudia Hammond discuss groundbreaking health research at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition. Topics include using UV light to target cancer cells, predicting COVID-19 severity with blood tests, immune monitoring for vaccines, and analyzing baby movements for developmental issues.

26:29

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Episode guests

James Gallagher

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Quick takeaways

Deep ultraviolet light targets cancer cells with precision by interacting with proteins, essential for therapy in sensitive areas like the brain.

Blood test predicts severe COVID-19 cases early, aiding in resource allocation and targeted interventions.

Deep dives

Ultraviolet Light for Targeted Tumor Treatment

Using deep ultraviolet wavelengths, researchers aim to target cancerous cells with extreme precision by exploiting how the light interacts with proteins in cells. This technology allows for the resection of tissues down to the single cell level, crucial for cancer therapy in delicate areas like the brain.

Intro

2min

Exploring the Power of Deep Ultraviolet Light in Medical Applications

8min

Analyzing Blood Samples to Predict COVID-19 Severity

3min

Immune Monitoring and Vaccine Defense

4min

Rapid Blood Test Development and Brain Scanning Devices

4min

Interpreting Data from Wearable Devices and Baby Movements Study

7min

A special episode from this year’s annual Royal Society Summer Exhibition in London, with Claudia Hammond joined by BBC health and science correspondent, James Gallagher, to take a look at a range of new health research.

The exhibitions include a look at how special forms of UV light might be able to cut away cancerous cells in brain tumours, with the possibility of light emitting bandages also being used to target cancer treatments.

Claudia and James also look at research from The Francis Crick Institute into whether a simple blood test can help work out how to quickly identify patients who are most likely to deteriorate when they have a virus.

We also hear how much brain devices we can buy online really tell us about our brain activity, as well as research into how the way babies wriggle may help identify future developmental issues.

Claudia and James also compete in a number of scientific games to see who is this year’s Summer Exhibition champion.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Dan Welsh

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Health Check

Can light emitting bandages treat cancer?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Ultraviolet Light for Targeted Tumor Treatment

Photodynamic Therapy and Deep Ultraviolet Light Applications

Predicting Severe COVID Cases Through Blood Tests

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts