April 23 2021
News – Curated by Amanda Scott, Alias Group Creative
Scientists’ horror over ‘escape mutation’ of new COVID strain
Experts have discovered what they believe is the world’s most mutated COVID strain – and there’s one detail in particular that has scientists worried. Scientists have detected what is believed to be the world’s [...]
Coronavirus Does Not Infect the Brain but Still Inflicts Damage
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, likely does not directly infect the brain but can still inflict significant neurological damage, according to a new study from neuropathologists, neurologists, and neuroradiologists at Columbia University Vagelos [...]
Research finds a potential new ‘silver bullet’ nanoparticle to treat brain cancer
ANSTO has contributed to a comprehensive investigation of a promising type of nanoparticle that could potentially be used for intractable brain cancers in a combined therapy. The study, which was led by Dr. Moeava [...]
Trial to study effect of immune system on Covid reinfection
The immune response needed to protect people against reinfection with the coronavirus will be explored in a new human challenge trial, researchers have revealed. Human challenge trials involve deliberately exposing healthy people to a [...]
Duke working on developing flu shot using new CoV vaccine technology
Researchers from Duke University are developing a flu shot with the new technology that was used for two coronavirus vaccines. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna shots use part of the virus's genetic code [...]
Long-acting injectable medicine as potential route to COVID-19 therapy
Researchers from the University of Liverpool have shown the potential of repurposing an existing and cheap drug into a long-acting injectable therapy that could be used to treat Covid-19. In a paper published in the journal Nanoscale, [...]
Superbug killer: New nanotech destroys bacteria and fungal cells
Researchers have developed a new superbug-destroying coating that could be used on wound dressings and implants to prevent and treat potentially deadly bacterial and fungal infections. The material is one of the thinnest antimicrobial [...]
US recommends ‘pause’ for J&J vaccine over clot reports
The U.S. is recommending a "pause" in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control [...]
S. African COVID variant better at bypassing Pfizer/BioNTech jab: Israeli study
The South African coronavirus variant is better at "breaking through" the defences of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine than other forms of the virus, Israeli experts said Sunday. However, one of the authors told AFP that [...]
Artificial intelligence to explore the biomolecular world
EPFL scientists have developed AI-powered nanosensors that let researchers track various kinds of biological molecules without disturbing them. The tiny world of biomolecules is rich in fascinating interactions between a plethora of different agents [...]
Why SARS-CoV-2 replicates better in the upper respiratory tract
A team of researchers from the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern and the Federal Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) have assessed virus growth and activation of the cellular [...]
Brown University creates first wireless, implanted brain-computer interface
Researchers at Brown University have succeeded in creating the first wireless, implantable, rechargeable, long-term brain-computer interface. The wireless BCIs have been implanted in pigs and monkeys for over 13 months without issue, and human [...]
A New Generation of Vaccines Is Coming, Some With No Needles
The coronavirus outbreak made household names of companies like Moderna Inc. and BioNTech SE, whose shots offered hope for ending the pandemic. Now a new wave of vaccines is on the horizon that may get the [...]
Scientists use nanotechnology to detect bone-healing stem cells
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new way of using nanomaterials to identify and enrich skeletal stem cells—a discovery which could eventually lead to new treatments for major bone fractures and [...]
Biotech start-up working overtime to develop a mutation-resistant Covid-19 vaccine
In March 2020, Hannu Rajaniemi pivoted his biotech company Helix Nanotechnologies' focus from cancer therapies to Covid-19 vaccines. The role biotech start-ups can play in a pandemic Rajaniemi originally co-founded Helix Nanotechnologies in Cambridge, Massachusetts in [...]
Nanotech-powered testing strategy can accelerate global recovery from pandemic
The rapid mass testing strategy costing just £1 a day per child can get children back to school and economies up and running, according to experts. That is the small price of the [...]
Nasal Spray Vaccine Could Be Key to Stopping the Spread of Covid-19
Covid-19 vaccines are incredibly good at preventing severe symptoms and hospitalization, but they’re probably less effective at stopping transmission. To do that, we might need a different kind of vaccine altogether. Because SARS-CoV-2 is [...]
Did coronavirus leak from a lab? These scientists say we shouldn’t rule it out
For many scientists, challenging the idea that SARS-CoV-2 has natural origins is seen as career suicide. But a vocal few say it shouldn't be disregarded or lumped in with conspiracy theories. Nikolai Petrovsky was scrolling [...]
Could ULTRASOUND be used to treat Covid-19?
Ultrasound scans like those used to track the growth of a foetus can destroy coronavirus cells by forcing their surface to split apart and implode, new research suggests. MIT researchers conducted a mathematical analysis [...]
Non-invasive skin swab samples are enough to quickly detect COVID-19
The most widely used approach to testing for COVID-19 requires a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which involves taking a swab of the back of the throat and far inside the nose. In a [...]
About NanoApps Medical Inc – Frank Boehm (CEO NanoAppsMedical Inc.) interview

Dr. Bob Hieronimus hosted an in depth two-hour long interview with NanoApps Medical CEO Frank Boehm, who discussed his first book, and his three new books in progress. Among the topics of discussion were his startup NanoApps Medical, the challenges of securing funding for nanomedical research, and how the EU is standing out due to its exciting and aggressive program of investing heavily in innovation and the future.
Frank then articulated his vision of how synergies between nanotechnology, nanomedicine, and AI may culminate (in ~10-20 years time) in what he refers to as Global Health Care Equivalency (GHCE), which will be driven by Molecular Manufacturing (MM). Further topics included nanomedicine in space applications, and how a brain/cloud interface might some day emerge through nanomedical robotics.
Nanomedical Device and Systems Design: Challenges, Possibilities, Visions by Frank Boehm

Nanomedical Device and Systems Design: Challenges, Possibilities, Visions by Frank Boehm of NanoApps Medical Inc. serves as a preliminary guide toward the inspiration of specific investigative pathways that may lead to meaningful discourse and significant advances in nanomedicine/nanotechnology.
This volume considers the potential of future innovations that will involve nanomedical devices and systems. It endeavors to explore remarkable possibilities spanning medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and other advancements that may be enabled within this discipline.
In particular, this book investigates just how nanomedical diagnostic and therapeutic devices and systems might ultimately be designed and engineered to accurately diagnose and eradicate pathogens, toxins, and myriad disease states.
Frank Boehm contributes to ‘The Physics of the Mind and Brain Disorders’ – Now available from Springer Press

Frank Boehm (NanoApps Medical CEO) and Angelika Domschke contributed the chapter : “Application of a Conceptual Nanomedical Platform to Facilitate the Mapping of the Human Brain: Survey of Cognitive Functions and Implications”.
The book covers recent advances in the understanding of brain structure, function and disorders based on the fundamental principles of physics. It covers a broad range of physical phenomena occurring in the brain circuits for perception, cognition, emotion and action, representing the building blocks of the mind.
It provides novel insights into the devastating brain disorders of the mind such as schizophrenia, dementia, autism, aging or addictions, as well as into the new devices for brain repair.
Potential Nanomedical Countermeasures to Mitigate the Effects of Space on Humans

Incremental progress has been made on several fronts that may employ nanomedical strategies, to potentially counteract the deleterious effects of galactic cosmic rays and microgravity on human physiology. The implementation of these strategies and the enhancement of their preventative, diagnostic, or therapeutic effects for future orbital, planetary, and deep space missions might be enabled via diverse and potent synergies between unique nanomedical applications of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies.
NanoApps Medical, Inc. Aiming to Develop Nanobiosensor for Malaria, Ebola, and Zika

NanoApps Medical, Inc. (Vancouver, Canada) is working to develop a point of care diagnostic nanobiosensor platform for the detection of Malaria via saliva samples, which may be reconfigured to detect Ebola, and Zika. The use of this nanobiosensor will be far less invasive and safer than through the extraction of blood samples, while conveying more rapid results.
The current gold standard for the detection of Malaria is blood smear microscopy, the results of which may take from many hours to several days to determine. This test also has the requirements of technical expertise in blood sample preparation, and a trained microscopist. Hence, the proposed nanobiosensor would be a significant improvement in terms of expediting and simplifying the diagnosis of Malaria, Ebola, and Zika in that it would be easy to administer, and provide rapid and clearly understandable results.
Frank Boehm represents Alias Group Creative in North America

From Alias Group Creative:
To better serve our new Aerospace, Nanotechnology, and Nanomedicine clients we are pleased to engage Frank Boehm of Vancouver Canada to represent Alias in North America.
A true entrepreneur and author of the respected reference book: Nanomedical Device and Systems Design: Challenges, Possibilities, Visions, Frank is the CEO of NanoApps Medical Inc.
Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, and AI: Toward the Dream of Global Health Care Equivalency

Synergies between nanotechnology, nanomedicine, and AI may enable this vision on a global scale. Progress toward this goal will be incremental, with each successive wave of nanomedical technologies being more advanced than the previous wave. The tipping point will arrive with the emergence of Molecular Manufacturing (MM), which will make possible the economical fabrication of the types of advanced autonomous nanomedical devices that are described in Frank’s initial book: Nanomedical Device and Systems Design: Challenges, Possibilities, Visions
NanoApps Medical keenly recognizes that such a massive undertaking on a global scale will require intense and high spirited collaboration with like minded individuals, research labs, institutions, organizations, and government agencies worldwide for its realization. It will also require significant resources and time.
NanoApps Medical Inc. Near-Term Projects

NanoApps Medical is aiming to investigate the possibility that superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) and other classes of nanoparticles (e.g., gold coated nanoshells) might have the capacity to target cancerous tumors, metastasizing cancer cells, pathogens, etc. to deactivate/eliminate them via hypothermia.
NanoMedicine and Human Spaceflight

Future nanomedical devices and systems will have strong potential to enable a broad range of aerospace and space applications. With further dimensional reductions in conjunction with the increased capabilities of nanoelectronics and artificial intelligence (AI), nanomedicine may facilitate the development of a wide array of advanced nanomedical diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities dedicated to the health and well being of future astronauts and space pioneers, the inhabitants of future Lunar and Mars colonies, and deep space explorers.
Ocular and Cellular Anomalies

Microgravity induced ophthalmic anomalies were observed by Mader et al in seven astronauts who were involved in long-duration (six month) space missions to the ISS. An additional 300 astronauts were asked to complete a questionnaire in regard to in-flight vision changes. For the seven astronauts under study, the ophthalmic results indicated disk edema (in five), globe flattening (in five), choroidal folds (in five), cotton wool spots (in three), nerve fiber layer thickening (in six), decreased near-vision (in six). Further, optic nerve sheath distension and tortuous optic nerves were observed.
Of the 300 questionnaire respondents, 60% of the astronauts who were engaged in long duration missions reported experiencing degradation in both their near and distance vision; these conditions persisted for years postflight for some individuals.
Cardiac Function and Muscle Atrophy

In 2004, NASA released its Bioastronautics Critical Path Roadmap (BCPR), with an aim to “establish tolerance limits to the space environment and develop countermeasures to overcome these problems.” The BCPR listed close to 50 space-related medical risk factors, which included those associated with the potential for serious cardiac dysrhythmias (from unknown causes) that may lead to hypotension (low blood pressure) and syncope (fainting). Further, significant cardiac rhythm issues (e.g., ventricular tachycardia – rapid heartbeat), linked with altered cardiac electrical activity and stability were reported for a number of cases during a MIR mission.
Degraded cardiac and vascular functionality, as well as decreased cardiac mass can result from both short and long duration spaceflight.