Taiwanese scientists have invented a nanocomposite membrane-based sensor that can test for lead poisoning with a drop of blood in less than 10 minutes, achieving a major medical technology breakthrough.
The program to develop a faster, cheaper and easier-to-operate sensing device for lead poisoning is a collaboration between Chang Gung University, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and the National Taipei University of Science and Technology, the research team said in a statement yesterday.
Conventional tests for lead poisoning are highly accurate, but conducted only at specialist laboratories far removed from hospitals, with a delay that could prove dangerous to the patient, the statement said.
Photo courtesy of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
When nanorods collide with ionized lead, surface tension causes the membrane to deform and change the electric resistance in the semiconductor, enabling the device to detect lead, hospital nephrologist Yen Tzung-hai (顏宗海) said.
The sensor’s detection limit is 0.12 parts per billion of lead, or seven times that of nanorods alone, he said.
The research team’s novel single-use test kits offer a highly sensitive, portable and low-cost capability that could be deployed at the point of care, while cutting down risks of contamination to the sample in transport, he said.
Taiwan banned the use of leaded gasoline in 2000, but clinical cases of lead poisoning persists due to exposure to the element in industrial settings, lead pipes, paints, ceramics, toys or consumption of medicinal herbs, he said.
Lead poisoning is difficult to diagnose because the metal can inflict harm on every organ and cause symptoms that include anemia, abdominal pain, cardiovascular disease, renal damage and infertility, Yen said.
The international standard for lead poisoning in adults is a blood lead concentration higher than 10 parts per billion and 3.5 parts per billion in minors, he said, adding that atomic absorption or plasma mass spectroscopy have been the only practical methods for detecting poisoning.
The team’s invention would increase health outcomes for patients and greatly improve medical efficiency, he said.
Eight Chinese naval vessels and 24 military aircraft were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait between 6am yesterday and 6am today, the Ministry of National Defense said this morning. The aircraft entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones, the ministry said. The armed forces responded with mission aircraft, naval vessels and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor the situation, it added. Eight naval vessels, one official ship and 36 aircraft sorties were spotted in total, the ministry said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) today said that if South Korea does not reply appropriately to its request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, it would take corresponding measures to alter how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. The ministry said that it changed the nationality for South Koreans on Taiwan’s Alien Resident Certificates from “Korea” to “South Korea” on March 1, in a gesture of goodwill and based on the
Taiwanese officials were shown the first of 66 F-16V fighter jets purchased by Taiwan from the United States, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday, adding the aircraft has completed an initial flight test and is expected to be delivered later this year. A delegation led by Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) visited Lockheed Martin’s F-16 C/D Block 70 (also known as F-16V) assembly line in South Carolina on March 16 to view the aircraft. The jet will undergo a final acceptance flight in the US before being delivered to Taiwan, the
The New Taipei Metro's Sanyin Line and the eastern extension of the Taipei Metro's Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line) are scheduled to begin operations in June, the National Development Council said today. The Red Line, which terminates at Xiangshan Station, would be connected by the 1.4km extension to a new eastern terminal, Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station, while the Sanyin Line would link New Taipei City's Tucheng and Yingge stations via Sanxia District (三峽). The council gave the updates at a council meeting reviewing progress on public construction projects for this year. Taiwan's annual public infrastructure budget would remain at NT$800 billion (US$25.08 billion), with NT$97.3
RSS