The top medical advances of the year 2013 are an impressive bunch, as the past 12 months have brought numerous advances to health care systems worldwide. From easier and cheaper diagnostic tools to breakthroughs in the research of HIV, the medical world has made immense progress during this past year.
It’s time to take a look back and see what 2013 has brought to the medical world. Let’s take a look at the countdown of the top medical advances of the year 2013.
No. 6: A cheaper and faster way to detect pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease, which often leads to death, mainly because it is not detected early enough. This could all change in the near future, as a new diagnostic test has been developed and tested throughout 2013.
The test, originally created in 2012, by a 15-year old boy, Jack Andraka, uses a paper sensor strip that can detect a protein which is commonly found in the blood of patients with pancreatic cancer. This test, which has a reported accuracy of 90%, costs a whopping 3 cents and lands in the sixth spot on our list of the the top medical advances of the year 2013,
No. 5: Stool Transplants
Yes, you heard correctly: stool transplants are the No. 5 entry on our list of the the top medical advances of the year 2013, How could this disgusting sounding idea revolutionize the current practice of medicine? Well, apparently the bacteria living in feces seem to be able to fight off difficult and life-threatening infections.
In addition, it is likely that the method, officially called fecal microbiota transplantation, could help with a series of other ailments, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.
No. 4: Needleless Vaccinations
While we all require undergoing vaccinations throughout our lifetime, having someone poke our skin with a needle is not the most pleasant of experiences.
For all of those who tend to get a little faint-hearted whenever they see a needle, the No. 4 entry on our list of the top medical advances of the year 2013 is welcome news. Researchers at King’s College in the UK have developed a system that delivers a vaccine into the body, without the use of a needle.
No. 3: Coughing and Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can also be detected much faster, thanks to a new test currently being developed. The test, which is basically a 3D imaging system, identifies cancer cell characteristics by analyzing the saliva of the patients. While x-rays and biopsies were previously required in order to diagnose lung cancer, it is possible that doctors will be able to do it just by asking the patient to cough.
No. 2: HIV as a Treatment
As unbelievable as it may sound, HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, can sometimes be put to good use. Italian researchers have successfully used the virus, after inactivating its harmful effects, to treat a series of potentially lethal genetic disorders in children.
Thus far, 6 children have been cured by this remarkable treatment, which lands at No. 2 on our list of the the top medical advances of the year 2013.
No. 1: Bee Venom and HIV
For decades on end, the medical world has been left disarmed in front of the lethal HIV. But there is hope for the future, as researchers have uncovered a substance in the venom of bees, which attacks the virus, but leaves healthy cells intact. While the theory is still being developed, researchers are hopeful that bee venom will at least help prevent the spread of HIV, if not treat it altogether.
Did you enjoy our breakdown of the top medical advances of the year 2013? If so, you’ll enjoy our “Top 12 Jobs in Health Care for 2014. “