Key medical advances and breakthroughs in 2016

The year 2016 saw numerous medical advancements and breakthroughs taking place which enhanced the field of health taking it to a different level.

From a new method detected which can get rid off cancer cells in just couple of hours to the world's first dengue vaccine being created, health experts delivered their best to make it easy for all the sufferers.

Here is a list of some of the outstanding breakthroughs made in the field of medical science in the year 2016.

New drug blocks Zika virus' journey from mom to fetus!

Scientists have developed a new insight into how the Zika virus infects the fetus, and a potential means of preventing infection.

Researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley also identify a drug that may be able to block the Zika virus, that can infect numerous cell types in the human placenta and amniotic sac.

Read more here: A new drug that can block Zika virus' journey from mom to fetus!

Tapeworm drug could cure deadly Zika virus, claims scientists

For the hunt for drugs that can fight the deadly Zika virus, scientists revealed that some existing drug compounds -- including one already used as a treatment for tapeworm infection in humans - could keep the virus from replicating.

They said the drug compounds can both stop Zika from replicating in the body and from damaging the crucial fetal brain cells that lead to birth defects in newborns.

A US Food and Drug Administration have approved drug already used to combat parasitic infections by tapeworms, showed no danger to pregnant women in animal studies.

Read more here: Zika breakthrough? Scientists claim tapeworm drug could cure deadly virus infection

Urine tests could detect stomach cancer

A new study by a Chinese hospital reveals that stomach cancer can be found through urine by avoiding painful tests.

This has significance in treating stomach cancer as the disease may now be detected at an early stage.

A study team from Shanghai's Rui Jin Hospital has found that the tumour marker for stomach cancer can be tested through urine.

Read more here: Urine tests could detect stomach cancer

This new method can kill cancer cells in 2 hours!

Researchers have developed an experimental method that can kill cancer cells in two hours and may tremendously help people with inoperable or hard-to-reach tumours.

The method involves injecting a chemical compound, nitrobenzaldehyde, into the tumour and allowing it to diffuse into the tissue.

Read more here: This new method can kill cancer cells in 2 hours!

This new Zika vaccines give '100% protection' to mice in tests!

In a significant step towards developing a vaccine for the deadly disease, Zika, scientists have found that two experimental vaccines were able to protect mice against the deadly virus.

According to study, a single shot of either of the two types of experimental Zika vaccines, a DNA vaccine and an inactivated virus vaccine, can completely protect mice against two strains of the mosquito-borne disease.

The study was published in the journal Nature.

Read more here: This new Zika vaccines give '100% protection' to mice in tests!

World's first dengue vaccine 'Dengvaxia' approved in 11 countries

Dengvaxia, world's first vaccine for the deadly disease dengue has been approved in 11 more countries.

Sanofi-Pasteur, a unit of French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, that manufactures the only approved dengue vaccine on Tuesday said that the vaccines has received approval in 14 countries.

The health authorities of Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore have granted the approvals for Dengvaxia. Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Guatemala, Peru, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore have already approved the vaccine.

Read more here: World's first dengue vaccine 'Dengvaxia' now approved in 11 countries

India's Sun Pharma joins hands with ICGEB to develop vaccine for dengue

Indian drug major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries on Wednesday announced a new exclusive collaboration with the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) to develop a novel dengue vaccine.

It is said that the vaccine will be targeted against all the four serotypes of dengue virus that cause fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, rash in humans.

Read more here: India's Sun Pharma joins hands with ICGEB to develop dengue vaccine

Austrian researchers find potential remedy for AIDS

In a significant step towards developing effective AIDS treatments, researchers from Austrian have developed a potential remedy that could spell a breakthrough in treating the deadly immune disease.

The researchers Thomas Szekeres, a human geneticist who also serves as President of the Vienna Medical Association, and Walter Jaeger, a pharmacist, said the arduous research project spanned 15 years.

The research is based on a substance known as resveratrol, that occurs naturally in grapes as a means of defence against fungi and bacteria.

Read more here: Breakthrough in AIDS treatment? Austrian researchers find potential remedy for terrible immune disease!

Researchers may have found possible cure for AIDS

A new research may have found out a possible cure for HIV infection.

UK scientists and clinicians working on a groundbreaking trial to test a possible cure for HIV infection said that they have made remarkable progress after a test patient showed no sign of the virus following treatment.

Read more here: Breakthrough in HIV? Researchers may have found a possible cure for deadly infection

Test for malaria, cancer at home via cheap paper strips!

Soon, testing for diseases like malaria or cancer may get a lot easier and simple as testing your blood sugar or taking a home pregnancy test.

The Ohio State University chemists are developing paper strips that detect diseases including cancer and malaria.

The new system will make it affordable for anyone to get medically tested, at costs as low as 50 cents per strip.

Read more here: http://zeenews.india.com/health/soon-testing-for-malaria-cancer-at-home-via-cheap-paper-strips-1901804