(Press-News.org) Contact information: Jason Socrates Bardi
jbardi@aip.org
240-535-4954
American Institute of Physics
Clot-busters, caught on tape
High-speed photography provides first direct evidence of how microbubbles dissolve killer blood clots
WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec. 13, 2013 -- Ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles have been showing promise in recent years as a non-invasive way to break up dangerous blood clots. But though many researchers have studied the effectiveness of this technique, not much was understood about why it works. Now a team of researchers in Toronto has collected the first direct evidence showing how these wiggling microbubbles cause a blood clot's demise. The team's findings are featured in the AIP Publishing journal Applied Physics Letters.
Previous work on this technique, which is called sonothrombolysis, has focused on indirect indications of its effectiveness, including how much a blood clot shrinks or how well blood flow is restored following the procedure. The Toronto team, which included researchers from the University of Toronto and the Sunnybrook Research Institute, tried to catch the clot-killing process in action. Using high-speed photography and a 3-D microscopy technique, researchers discovered that stimulating the microbubbles with ultrasonic pulses pushes the bubbles toward the clots. The bubbles deform the clots' boundaries then begin to burrow into them, creating fluid-filled tunnels that break the clots up from the inside out.
These improvements in the understanding of how sonothrombolysis works will help researchers develop more sophisticated methods of breaking up blood clots, said lead author Christopher Acconcia.
Efforts so far "may only be scratching the surface with respect to effectiveness," said Acconcia. "Our findings provide a tool that can be used to develop more sophisticated sonothrombolysis techniques, which may lead to new tools to safely and efficiently dissolve clots in a clinical setting."
INFORMATION:
The article, "Interactions between ultrasound stimulated microbubbles and fibrin clots" by Christopher Acconcia, Ben Y. C. Leung, Kullervo Hynynen and David E. Goertz appears in the journal Applied Physics Letters. See: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4816750
ABOUT THE JOURNAL
Applied Physics Letters features concise, rapid reports on significant new findings in applied physics. The journal covers new experimental and theoretical research on applications of physics phenomena related to all branches of science, engineering, and modern technology. See: http://apl.aip.org
Clot-busters, caught on tape
High-speed photography provides first direct evidence of how microbubbles dissolve killer blood clots
2013-12-13
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Jailhouse wine is not as delicious as it sounds, could be deadly
2013-12-13
Jailhouse wine is not as delicious as it sounds, could be deadly
WASHINGTON — In a case series seemingly tailor-made for cinematic tragedy or farce, emergency physicians report severe botulism poisoning from a batch of potato-based "wine" (also known ...
Duke engineers make strides toward artificial cartilage
2013-12-13
Duke engineers make strides toward artificial cartilage
Composite material closest yet to properties of the real thing
DURHAM, N.C. -- A Duke research team has developed a better recipe for synthetic replacement cartilage in joints.
Combining two innovative technologies ...
Marine biologists unmask species diversity in coral reefs
2013-12-13
Marine biologists unmask species diversity in coral reefs
Rising water temperatures due to climate change are putting coral reefs in jeopardy, but a surprising discovery by a team of marine biologists suggests that very similar looking coral species differ in how they survive ...
From friend to foe: How benign bacteria evolve to virulent pathogens
2013-12-13
From friend to foe: How benign bacteria evolve to virulent pathogens
Bacteria can evolve rapidly to adapt to environmental change. When the "environment" is the immune response of an infected host, this evolution can turn harmless bacteria into life-threatening ...
Physical activity may slow kidney function decline in patients with kidney disease
2013-12-13
Physical activity may slow kidney function decline in patients with kidney disease
60 million people globally have chronic kidney disease.
Washington, DC (December 12, 2013) — Increased physical activity may slow kidney function decline in patients with kidney disease, ...
Diet and physical activity may affect one's risk of developing kidney stones
2013-12-13
Diet and physical activity may affect one's risk of developing kidney stones
Even small amounts of exercise provide benefits
Washington, DC (December 12, 2013) — Even small amounts of physical activity may decrease the risk of developing kidney stones, according ...
Astronomers discover first noble gas molecules in space
2013-12-13
Astronomers discover first noble gas molecules in space
Noble gas molecules have been detected in space for the first time in the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant, by astronomers at UCL.
Led by Professor Mike Barlow (UCL Department of Physics & Astronomy) ...
Using air transportation data to predict pandemics
2013-12-13
Using air transportation data to predict pandemics
Computational model demonstrates how disease spreads in a highly connected world
Computational work conducted at Northwestern University has led to a new mathematical theory for understanding the global spread ...
Many older Americans rely on people, devices, other strategies to get by
2013-12-13
Many older Americans rely on people, devices, other strategies to get by
ANN ARBOR— Only about a third of Americans ages 65 and older are fully
able to take care of themselves and go about their daily lives completely
independently, according to a new study ...
James Bond's preference for shaken martinis may be due to alcohol-induced tremor, say experts
2013-12-13
James Bond's preference for shaken martinis may be due to alcohol-induced tremor, say experts
Famous spy drinks over 4 times the recommended weekly alcohol limit
James Bond's alcohol consumption may explain why he prefers his martinis "shaken, not ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Unveiling the mysteries of cell division in embryos with timelapse photography
Survey finds loneliness epidemic runs deep among parents
Researchers develop high-energy-density aqueous battery based on halogen multi-electron transfer
Towards sustainable food systems: global initiatives and innovations
Coral identified as oldest bioluminescent organism, suggesting a new model of ancient ecology
SRI chosen by DARPA to develop next-generation computational design of metallic parts and intelligent testing of alloys
NJIT engineers muffle invading pathogens with a 'molecular mask'
Perinatal transmission of HIV can lead to cognitive deficits
The consumption of certain food additive emulsifiers could be associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
New cancer research made possible as Surrey scientists study lipids cell by cell
Bioluminescence first evolved in animals at least 540 million years ago
Squids’ birthday influences mating
Star bars show Universe’s early galaxies evolved much faster than previously thought
Critical minerals recovery from electronic waste
The move by Apple Memories to block potentially upsetting content illustrates Big Tech’s reach and limits, writes Chrys Vilvang
Chemical tool illuminates pathways used by dopamine, opioids and other neuronal signals
Asian monsoon lofts ozone-depleting substances to stratosphere
PET scans reveal ‘smoldering’ inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis
Genetics predict type 2 diabetes risk and disparities in childhood cancer survivors
Health information on TikTok: The good, the bad and the ugly
New study points to racial and social barriers that block treatment for multiple myeloma
Rensselaer researcher finds that frog species evolved rapidly in response to road salts
A new chapter in quantum vortices: Customizing electron vortex beams
Don’t be a stranger – study finds rekindling old friendships as scary as making new ones
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to addressing men’s health issues globally
Comparison of the “late catch-up” phenomenon between BuMA Supreme and XIENCE stents through serial optical coherence tomography at 1–2 month and 2 year follow-ups: A multicenter study
Marine plankton communities changed long before extinctions
Research reveals tools to make STEM degrees more affordable
Q&A: UW research shows neural connection between learning a second language and learning to code
Keane wins 2024 Gopal K. Shenoy Excellence in Beamline Science Award
[Press-News.org] Clot-busters, caught on tapeHigh-speed photography provides first direct evidence of how microbubbles dissolve killer blood clots