November 30 2023
News – Curated by Amanda Scott, Alias Group Creative
Advancing Pancreatic Cancer Treatment with Nanoparticle-Based Chemotherapy
Pancreatic cancer, a particularly lethal form of cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the western world, often remains undiagnosed until its advanced stages due to a lack of early symptoms. [...]
The ‘jigglings and wigglings of atoms’ reveal key aspects of COVID-19 virulence evolution
Richard Feynman famously stated, "Everything that living things do can be understood in terms of the jigglings and wigglings of atoms." This week, Nature Nanotechnology features a study that sheds new light on the evolution of the coronavirus [...]
AI system self-organizes to develop features of brains of complex organisms
Cambridge scientists have shown that placing physical constraints on an artificially-intelligent system—in much the same way that the human brain has to develop and operate within physical and biological constraints—allows it to develop features [...]
How Blind People Recognize Faces via Sound
Summary: A new study reveals that people who are blind can recognize faces using auditory patterns processed by the fusiform face area, a brain region crucial for face processing in sighted individuals. The study employed [...]
Treating tumors with engineered dendritic cells
Cancer biologists at EPFL, UNIGE, and the German Cancer Research Center (Heidelberg) have developed a novel immunotherapy that does not require knowledge of a tumor's antigenic makeup. The new results may pave the way [...]
Networking nano-biosensors for wireless communication in the blood
Biological computing machines, such as micro and nano-implants that can collect important information inside the human body, are transforming medicine. Yet, networking them for communication has proven challenging. Now, a global team, including EPFL [...]
Popular Hospital Disinfectant Ineffective Against Common Superbug
Research conducted during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week examines the effects of employing suggested chlorine-based chemicals to combat Clostridioides difficile, the leading cause of antibiotic-related illness in healthcare environments worldwide. A recent study reveals that a [...]
Subjectivity and the Evolution of AI Philosophy
An Historical Overview of the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence by Anton Vokrug Many famous people in the philosophy of technology have tried to comprehend the essence of technology and link it to society and human [...]
How Lockdowns Shaped the Virus: AI Uncovers COVID-19’s Evolutionary Secrets
A new research study shows that human behavior, like lockdowns, influences the evolution of COVID-19, leading to strains that are more transmissible earlier in their lifecycle. Using artificial intelligence technology and mathematical modeling, a research [...]
Groundbreaking therapy approved: chances of cure for 7000 diseases:
Hereditary diseases are usually not curable. Now, however, an epochal turning point is taking place in medicine: For the first time ever, a therapy with the CRISPR/Cas9 gene scissors has received approval. According to [...]
Uncovering the Genetic Mystery: Why Some Never Show COVID-19 Symptoms
New study shows that common genetic variation among people is responsible for mediating SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic infection. Have you ever wondered why some people never became sick from COVID-19? A study published recently in the journal Nature shows that common [...]
AI maps tumor geography for tailored treatments
Researchers have integrated AI approaches from satellite mapping and community ecology to develop a tool to interpret data obtained from tumor tissue imaging, with the aim of implementing a more individualized approach to cancer care. [...]
Lung cancer cells’ ‘memories’ suggest new strategy for improving treatment
A new understanding of lung cancer cells' "memories" suggests a new strategy for improving treatment, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) researchers have found. Research from the lab of cancer biologist Tuomas Tammela, MD, Ph.D. [...]
Artificial sensor similar to a human fingerprint can recognize fine fabric textures
An artificial sensory system that is able to recognize fine textures—such as twill, corduroy and wool—with a high resolution, similar to a human finger, is reported in a Nature Communications paper. The findings may help improve the subtle [...]
How tiny hinges bend the infection-spreading spikes of a coronavirus
A coronavirus uses protein "spikes" to grab and infect cells. Despite their name, those spikes aren't stiff and pointy. They're shaped like chicken drumsticks with the meaty part facing out, and the meaty part [...]
A Scientist Says the Singularity Will Happen by 2031
“The singularity,” the moment where AI is no longer under human control, is less than a decade away—according to one AI expert. More resources than ever are being poured into the pursuit of artificial [...]
MIT Coronavirus Ion Channel Discovery Could Yield New COVID-19 Drugs
Chemists discover the structures of open and closed states of the channel, which could help the development of antiviral drugs to reduce inflammation. MIT researchers have discovered the open structure of the SARS-CoV-2 E channel, complementing their [...]
More than half of COVID-19 patients have post-disease syndrome, finds research
The School of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) found that 55% of the patients who sought medical treatment from the HKBU Chinese Medicine Telemedicine Center Against COVID-19 during the fifth wave [...]
The Digital Age Demise – We are entering the Cognitive Age
News flash: The Digital Age is over. As we transition from the era of digital domination, where technology led the march of progress, we are entering a fundamentally different epoch. This new era—the Cognitive [...]
Physicists trap electrons in a 3D crystal for the first time
Electrons move through a conducting material like commuters at the height of Manhattan rush hour. The charged particles may jostle and bump against each other, but for the most part, they're unconcerned with other [...]
About NanoApps Medical Inc – Frank Boehm (CEO NanoAppsMedical Inc.) interview

Dr. Bob Hieronimus hosted an in depth two-hour long interview with NanoApps Medical Founder 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.