Surgeons perform double-lung transplant using organs from donor who previously had COVID-19

Surgeons at Chicago hospital perform one of the world’s first double-lung transplants on a COVID patient using organs from a donor who previously tested positive for the virus The patient, an Illinois healthcare worker in his 60s, tested positive for COVID-19 in May 2020 He became so ill that he was put on life support … Read more

Snapchat launches AR lens that lets you see your organs 

Snapchat has launched a body-tracking augmented reality (AR) lens that marks out where your organs are.  Users of the popular video-sharing app just have to scan a Snapcode to activate the AR lens, which then uses your smartphone’s camera to identify a body.  It then locates key organs within the body, such as the heart, … Read more

Kukri snakes swallow organs of toads and frogs while keeping them alive

Kukri snakes slice open toads and frogs before inserting their heads into their bodies and and eating their organs one by one while the prey is still alive, scientists report. Biologists have published three studies, each detailing the horrifying feeding behaviour in one of three different species of kukri snakes in Asia.  The three closely … Read more

‘World first’ as NHS doctors transplant hearts in children using organs brought back to life

NHS doctors have reportedly become the first in the world to successfully transplant a heart that has previously stopped into a child patient. Surgeons have historically used hearts from brain-dead patients – someone whose heart is still beating but is unable to survive without artificial life support – in transplants. But, in a move which … Read more

Organs from elderly donors can be ‘rejuvenated’ by getting rid of cells that increase inflammation

Despite the lack of organs available for patients on transplant waitlists, organs from older, deceased donors are frequently thrown away. But a new study suggests organs from elderly donors can be ‘rejuvenated’ by making them ‘younger.’ Researchers say anti-aging drugs can ‘turn back the clock’ on hearts, livers, kidneys and lungs by getting rid of … Read more

Cyborg: Human organs could soon merge with computers to monitor health

A new ‘cyborg-like’ technology has been developed to safely merge electronic devices with human tissue to better monitor health and track tumours. Scientists from the University of Delaware found a way to attach devices inside a human body by connecting it to tissue using a coating that is more energy efficient.  Connecting electronics to tissue … Read more

Microplastic pollution found in human organs could increase the risk of infertility and cancer 

Microplastic pollution has been found in human organs — with scientists fearing the tiny particles could increase the risk of infertility and cancer — a study has reported.  Experts from the Arizona State University are the first to show that the tiny plastic particles — which form when larger plastics break down — can enter … Read more

Coronavirus: Why infection attacks some organs and not others

Why does coronavirus attack some organs and not others? Study suggests COVID-19 infection in the lungs makes the heart and brain more vulnerable – but the stomach is not affected Researchers looked at proteins in the lungs and how they interact with proteins the virus uses to infect cells They found 59 lung proteins, which … Read more

Meet the two year old toddler whose organs are OUTSIDE of her body

Meet the ‘inside-out’ little girl who was born with her stomach, liver and bowel on the oustide of her body. Laurel Phizacklea, two, from Cambridge, wasn’t expected to survive birth and her parents, Kelly, 30, and Sean, 34, were offered a termination at their 12-week scan when doctors diagnosed their unborn child with a major … Read more

Florida widow donates kidney to man given late husband’s organs

A Florida widow has donated a kidney to the man who received her late husband’s organs 16 years ago. In 2004, roofer Bryan Herrington, 35, lost his life after he tragically fell from a house he was working on. His organs went to four people, including Jeffery ‘Jeff’ Granger who received Bryan’s kidney and his … Read more