breastcancer
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MIT's AI can identify breast cancer risk as reliably as a radiologist
Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the US. There are multiple factors involved in developing the disease, but one issue is dense breast tissue. Some 40 percent of US women have dense breast tissue, which alone increases the risk of breast cancer, and can make mammogram screening more difficult. Now, researchers from MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed an automated model that assesses dense breast tissue in mammograms as reliably as expert radiologists.
Google AI can spot advanced breast cancer more effectively than humans
Google has delivered further evidence that AI could become a valuable ally in detecting cancer. The company's researchers have developed a deep learning tool that can spot metastatic (advanced) breast cancer with a greater accuracy than pathologists when looking at slides. The team trained its algorithm (Lymph Node Assistant, aka LYNA) to recognize the characteristics of tumors using two sets of pathological slides, giving it the ability to spot metastasis in a wide variety of conditions. The result was an AI system that could tell the difference between cancer and non-cancer slides 99 percent of the time, even when looking for extremely small metastases that humans might miss.
'Overwatch' skin raised more than $10 million for breast cancer research
Back in May, Overwatch added its first paid skin for the much-loved (and sometimes loathed) healer Mercy. At $15, it was nothing to sniff at, but all proceeds went to a good cause, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
FDA greenlights 23andMe's direct-to-consumer cancer risk test
Cancer screening isn't all that accessible -- you typically need an obvious genetic background that suggests you're at risk, which doesn't help if you slip between those cracks. You shouldn't have to run that gauntlet for much longer. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a 23andMe direct-to-consumer test that details the risks of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer based on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations. Once the report is available, you wouldn't have to worry about qualifying for a screening -- you could send in a saliva sample and find out on your own terms.
Color's breast and ovarian cancer DNA test is $99 through October
During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September) and Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), genetic testing company Color is reducing the price of its new BRCA Test. The test -- which looks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that are linked to breast and ovarian cancer -- has a regular price of $149, but for this month and the next, customers can get it for $99.
Control your own mammograms with new GE tech
GE introduced a new mammography system that gives patients a remote to control the compression part of the screening themselves. Giving them autonomy over the unpleasant, painful portion of the process ideally makes the whole thing more comfortable, which will hopefully bring in more folks who avoid mammograms -- and catch more instances of breast cancer.
Microscope advances could prevent multiple breast cancer surgeries
A new type of microscope could drastically reduce the number of women having multiple breast cancer surgeries, researchers at the University of Washington claim. Until now, there's been no reliable way to determine whether surgeons have completely removed all cancerous tissue during surgery, meaning between 20 and 40 percent of women have to undergo second, third or even fourth procedures.
Facebook censored a cartoon breast cancer awareness campaign
Facebook still has a thing or two to learn about what's considered acceptable in your timeline. The social network is catching flak after it briefly took down an ad for Cancerfonden's breast cancer awareness campaign that included cartoon representations of breasts -- and very abstract ones at that (they were just pink circles). The company has since restored the post and apologized, but only after Cancerfonden unsuccessfully tried using a 'safe' blurry image and posted an open letter that blasted Facebook's stance. You'd need square breasts to make Facebook happy, the organization argued.
Microsoft kicks out a pink mouse for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
If you've been following your NFL broadcasts, you'll have noticed an entirely unusual hue infiltrating your typically macho sport -- in most clashes this weekend players on both teams could be seen sporting pink paraphernalia alongside their usual uniform colors. This courageous act of pinkification was in aid of the US National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which Microsoft is also supporting in its own small way. That small way is called the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, which will retail from now until the end of September of next year for $40 and contribute a $4 donation per sale to the Komen for the Cure charitable fund. Hey, it's got BlueTrack if you need to feel manly while buying one! [Thanks, Andrew]
Breast cancer vaccine proves successful in tests on mice, moves on to human subjects
Here's a cause for optimism, albeit the cautious kind. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute have managed to isolate a human protein that plays part in the development of breast cancer, and have produced a vaccine against its creation that has delivered an impressive success rate in testing on mice. In a test group of genetically cancer-prone rodents, none of those injected with á-lactalbumin developed the potentially deadly disease. The progress of this drug trial to testing on humans has been met with reservation by cancer research groups, who remind us that we're years away from knowing if it will actually work on our species. Still, this is quite the little breakthrough and we hope all goes according to plan.
Dell Promise Pink laptops fight breast cancer
It slipped under the radar this past week, but Dell and Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced a partnership that'll see Dell donate $5 to the foundation for every new Promise Pink laptop it sells. Most of Dell's line is available in the new hue, including the various Inspiron Studios and Minis, the XPS m1330 and m1530 -- hell, even the Latitude E4200 for all you trendster suits out there. Dell's committed to raising at least $250,000 through the program, so it apparently thinks these are going to be quite popular -- we'll know for sure if this dude trades up to Promise from Flamingo.[Via Coolest-gadgets]
Toshiba reveals "pink" Portege M800 to help with breast cancer, probably won't sell any
Look, we hate to be crude -- after all, you won't find any bigger proponents for bulking up the breast cancer research fund than the team here at Engadget -- but Toshiba might have a tough time selling its latest Portégé M800. We mean, just look at it. We're not exactly sure how it gets off calling this thing "pink," but the 13.3-inch machine will be sold (or just stocked) exclusively at Best Buy Canada for $799.99. As for specs, you're looking at a 4.6-pound chassis, 2GHz T3200 CPU, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB hard drive, Intel's GMA4500M integrated graphics, a dual-layer DVD writer, Bluetooth / WiFi and a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam. $40 of each sale will be contributed to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, though we'd probably recommend picking up something a touch less ugly and just mailing in a donation yourself.[Via ChipChick]
Sony intros VAIO CR / SR bundles in support of breast cancer research
It's crazy to think, but October is merely days away. That also means that Breast Cancer Awareness month is just around the bend, and Sony's being ultra proactive by announcing two new pink laptop bundles to support breast cancer research. First up is the Cosmopolitan Pink VAIO CR pack, which features a 14.1-inch LCD, 1.3-megapixel camera, Core 2 Duo CPU, Bluetooth, a built-in DVD burner and a matching case / mouse. If that's a tad large and / or underpowered for your tastes, you can check the Glossy Pink VAIO SR, a 4-pound rig with a 13.3-inch LED backlit display, up to 320GB of HDD space and a "Switch" mode that gives users the ability to toggle between high performance and power saving modes on the fly. The two bundles start at $870 and $1,399, respectively, though you can CTO them both 'til your wallet cries uncle. %Gallery-32744%
3D mammograms increase breast cancer detection by 23 percent
Scientists have developed stereo mammograms -- breast X-rays taken with special cameras and at multiple angles -- that they say can help them increase detection of breast cancer by 23-percent while decreasing false alarms by 46-percent. By overlaying images taken at different angles or using 3D glasses, Researchers at the Mayo clining say they can now see behind dense tissue that would normally block potential problem areas. Since early detection is a key factor in beating breast cancer, this is an exciting new development.[Via Slashgear]
Western Digital's Passport drive goes pink for breast cancer research
Just weeks after Western Digital colorized its Passport line of external hard drives, the firm is at it once more with a metallic pink iteration. This particular unit, however, promotes something a bit more important than your obsession with nightly backups, as WD has pledged to donate an undisclosed amount of cash to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for each one purchased from now until February 29, 2008. The drive comes stocked with 250GB of space, gets its juice directly from your USB port and is available now for $199.99 for those interested.
Ford sells pink 30GB first-gen Zune, donates 100% to breast cancer research
It's October, which inevitably means that we'll be seeing a healthy dose of gadgets in pink as manufacturers look to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This particular device, however, means a touch more to the cause than most, as both Ford and Microsoft are teaming up to donate "100-percent of the purchase price" to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Granted, this 30GB Zune is one of those first-generation models, and while we're not told exactly how many were produced, it is being marketed as a limited edition piece. So for those more concerned with the cause, infatuated with pink and absolutely cool with not receiving a second-gen Zune (any takers?), you can grab one now for $249.99.[Thanks, Slice]
Sony paints gadgets pink, donates to breast cancer research
As companies continue to give their products pink makeovers in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sony is joining the fray by introducing a trio of items that all give back. Up first is the 14.1-inch VGN-CR290EAP laptop (starting at $1,369.99), which features a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 200GB of hard drive space, DVD writer, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, integrated X3100 graphics, 2GB of DDR2 RAM and a slew of ports to boot. The 4GB NWZ-A816PNK Walkman ($149.95) boasts a 320 x 240 display, up to 33-hours of battery life (8-hours when playing back videos) and support for MP3, WMA, AAC, MPEG4 and M4V formats. Finally, the 8-inch DVP-FX810/P portable DVD player ($189.99) offers up a swiveling flip-screen and promises around 5.5-hours of life on a full charge. And just so you know, Sony will be donating $75, $10 and $10 (respectively) from the sale of each aforementioned gadget to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.[Via ChipChick]
GE rolls out pink and black H855 digital cameras
GE hasn't exactly impressed us (or others) with its digital cameras in the past, but it looks those taking a chance on the company's new H855 model will at least be supporting a good cause in the process, as a portion of the proceeds from each camera will be donated to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. From the looks of it, the cameras also look to be somewhat of an improvement over previous models, with them boasting a full 8 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD screen, and a 28-mm equivalent wide-angle lens. Unlike some other similarly charitable-minded products, you apparently won't have to buy the pink version to see your money put to good use, with a black model also available for those that prefer to keep things a little more discreet. You will, however, have to buy them from the Home Shopping Network, which has these exclusive starting October 20th. No word on a price just yet though.
Target offers up pink iPod shuffle Special Edition
With little fanfare a new iPod package has made its way onto Target shelves in the name of cancer. The pink shuffle -- which may or may not be different than the hot pink model from the last-gen shuffles -- comes packaged with a $15 iTunes Gift Card, courtesy of Target, who is donating a portion of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, totalling $25,000. Happily, the player maintains its $79 price tag, so barring an aversion to pink or cancer cures, you've really got no reason not to seek one of these out. They're only in retail stores, and there's no telling when supplies will run out.[Thanks, Kiwi616]
T-Mobile rolls deep with designer Sidekicks for charity
T-Mobile teamed up a while back with a bunch of fashionistas to design elaborately redone Sidekick 3s to benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, an organization raising money to benefit breast cancer causes worldwide to the tune of some $40 million since its inception in 1994. The results are in -- and while we can't comment on the usability or aesthetic goodness of what we're seeing, we've got to stay focused on the fact that it's all going to a very worthy group. Some of the names on the list of participating designers are big enough to drive prices way up on the auctions, we'd imagine, which all end today. So go place that massively generous bid of yours, and if anyone can figure out what the heck is going on with the Duckie Brown one, do let us know![Thanks, Jade C.]
