According to the world science and technology report: 2007 is about to become a thing of the past, and all sorts of year-end lists are coming out. Medical discoveries are one of the focal points that people are most concerned about. In the year that is about to pass, scientists have made many discoveries and inventions in this field, big and small. The following are the top ten medical breakthroughs selected by Time magazine:
Circumcision can prevent AIDS
Researchers have found that when having sexual intercourse with women, men who have undergone surgical circumcision are at least 51% less likely to be infected with HIV than those who have not.
Rapid detection of breast cancer spread
Surgical experts can now more quickly assess whether breast cancer is likely to spread. After the implementation of the new molecular test, doctors can accurately detect sentinel lymph nodes by testing the molecular cells of breast cancer during the initial surgery: if the test results prove malignant tumors, doctors will immediately remove the invaded lymph nodes, sparing patients from waiting and possibly undergoing another surgery.
Human avian influenza vaccine available
Because of concerns that the avian influenza virus could mutate into a more contagious form and trigger a global pandemic, this year the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) first approved the trial of an avian influenza human vaccine. The vaccine is derived from the human body's response to the avian influenza virus and requires two intramuscular injections.
One dose of Alli after meals reduces fat by 30%
There is now a new weapon for weight loss: Alli. As the first weight-loss drug approved by the FDA for direct sale in stores across the United States, Alli uses lipase extracted from monkeys, which the human body can use to break down and digest fat in food. Taking one dose of Alli immediately after meals can reduce the body's absorption of fat by 30%.
Discovery of new diabetes genes
Scientists have discovered four new groups of gene variants this year that may be associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Getting rid of menstruation becomes a reality
Almost all women dream of being free from the troubles of menstruation. It has now been confirmed that Lybrel, the first continuous-use contraceptive drug approved by the FDA, does indeed have this effect.
Let muscle soreness go to hell
People often experience chronic fatigue, muscle soreness, and stiffness, eventually having to resort to medication for relief. This year, the FDA approved the use of the drug Lyrica. Test results show that Lyrica not only effectively alleviates muscle soreness but also significantly improves the quality of life for patients.
Early diagnosis of lung cancer becomes easier
The number one cancer killer in the United States - lung cancer - is fatal mainly because when it is diagnosed, it usually has progressed to a considerable extent and is difficult to treat. The latest blood tests can diagnose the likelihood of illness earlier and with great accuracy, detecting protein levels in the blood at various stages of lung cancer, which are very rare in healthy populations.
Stem cells can be obtained from amniotic fluid
This year was a major breakthrough in stem cell research, especially regarding amniotic fluid topics. Researchers believe that stem cells extracted from amniotic fluid, abbreviated as AFS, have the potential to stimulate most, but not all, of the 220 known specific stem cells present in the human body, thus potentially playing a certain role between embryonic and adult AFS stem cells. Most importantly, AFS is relatively easy to obtain.
Vitamin D reduces the risk of cancer
Everyone knows the benefits of the "sunshine vitamin," and the latest research findings in 2007 further prove that Vitamin D has many other benefits: a diet rich in Vitamin D can reduce the chances of getting diabetes, oral diseases, multiple sclerosis, and even cancer. Moreover, people with higher levels of Vitamin D in their blood are half as likely to develop liver cancer compared to others.