Biosciences researchers have established a powerful new method that couples advanced infrared imaging techniques with statistical machine learning models to quickly and non-invasively determine with high accuracy whether an animal was exposed to radiation—even at extremely low doses almost three months post exposure.
Towards a New Framework for Radiation Cancer Treatment
Though it may seem counterintuitive, delivering ultrafast, high-intensity doses of radiation to tumors can actually reduce the toxicity to surrounding healthy cells, while still directing a potent anti-cancer effect towards the target. Scientists have documented this perplexing phenomenon—dubbed the FLASH radiotherapy effect—in both cell lines and animal models, but they have yet to confirm how or why it works. A new experimental platform that uses X-rays to investigate the FLASH effect brings science a step closer to clarifying its underlying mechanisms, laying the foundation for major strides in the field of radiation oncology.
Toward a Genetic Understanding of Variability in Radiation Sensitivity
Injury to immune-system and blood-forming cells is a common side effect of radiation therapy, which more than half of all cancer patients receive as part of their treatment. Biosciences Area researchers and their collaborators used a genetically diverse mouse population to model individual differences in sensitivity to radiation exposure.
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