Lab notes: A new early test for blood cancer, the false security of the pollution mask and more

DNA probe for leukemia could improve early detection

A team of biomedical and cancer researchers has developed a DNA sensor that could be the basis for a quick and reliable test for leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia is blood cancer caused by a genetic disorder in which genetic material between two chromosomes are swapped leading to the formation of a fusion gene called BCR-ABL1. Since it is difficult to detect this fusion gene, this type of leukemia goes undetected for long and treatment is delayed.

Researchers from Delhi and Haryana have based their work on detecting different electrical resistances of specific nucleic acid sequences in DNA. In a study published in the journal Analytica Chimica Acta, the team has described building a sensitive electrode by depositing an extremely thin layer of amino-functionalised assemblies on a complex system on a glass glass substrate coated with electro-sensitive materials. They tested the probe with clinical samples of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and found that it registered specific electron transfer resistances when in the presence of the fusion BCR-ABL gene, which was different from that in healthy DNA – a biomarker for early detection of the cancer.

Smart wheelchair that can detect obstacles and divert course

Scientists in Guntur have developed a wheelchair for blind and disabled persons that a use can manoeuver with just hand or head gestures. The wheelchair is also equipped with a voice-guided positioning system. The wheelchair is has a device that updates its status on an internet server. It can also be connected to a cell phone and social media to transmit updates in case of a mishap.

The researchers plan to add a feature to even monitor the vital parameters of the wheelchair user, that can also be uploaded to a web-based server. "Whenever the vital parameters cross a certain threshold, it will be updated on Twitter automatically using React API of Thing speak web server," according to the paper published in the Indian Journal of Science and Technology.

Cloth masks afford little protection against air pollution

In a series of experiments University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers have shown that plain cloth masks, like the ones worn across Asia and in polluted Indian cities like Delhi, are poor barriers against particulate pollution smaller than 2.5 micrometers – the kind found in diesel exhausts.

The researchers tested four different kinds of masks. Cloth masks with exhaust valves removed 80-90% of synthetic particles but only about 57% of diesel exhaust.

The study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology showed that the inexpensive masks were unfortunately the least effective. Researchers felt that in addition to the low efficacy of the mask it could be double dangerous by providing the wearer a false sense of security and therefore allowing him to venture into more polluted areas while wearing it.

Low consumption of fruits and vegetables in low-income countries like India

A global collaboration of scientists conducting the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study have analysed data from18 countries, including India, and found that people in countries with low gross national income consume fewer fruits and vegetables because the prices of both fruits and vegetables were substantially higher in low-income countries than in other economic regions.

In low-income countries, households spend 29% and 11% of their income to purchase one serving of fruits and vegetables, respectively the study found. The dietary recommendation of two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day was unaffordable for a 57% of individuals. The findings were published in The Lancet Global Health.