Houston (TX) - Medical researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University have discovered that carbon nanotubes can be used to cure cancer!  So far the process has only been tested on animals, but the tumors were completely destroyed with only minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

The treatment involved four rabbits that were given liver tumors.  The researchers injected a solution of single-walled carbon nanotubes directly into the tumor area.  They then used a property of carbon nanotubes to combat the tumors.  When carbon nanotubes are exposed to radio frequency waves (RF waves), they generate heat.  The rabbits, after being injected, were exposed to a 13.56 MHz RF transmission for two minutes.  This heated up the carbon nanotubes, destroying the cancer cells.

The researchers found that the heat killed the cancer cells without any significant side effects.  While no cancer cells remained alive, the researchers did note that nearby healthy liver tissue was also damaged due to leakage and the subsequent generated heat.  This occurred within 2-5 mm of the tumor.  However, it does not appear to have been damaging enough to cause any significant health concerns.

Our scientists continue to find more and more uses for carbon nanotubes.  Soon, they'll probably be adding them to our water.  Read more ... nanotechweb.org.

OMG

Nov 18, 2007 04:06     

This inanimate carbon rod saved the day, cured cancer, blocked bullets, reversed Global Warming, fixed the world economy, and gave several nerds a hard on all in a day. Go Carbon Rod Parade Go!
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oww

Nov 18, 2007 06:09     

Burning from the inside out. I bet that hurt like crazy. Still... better than hair falling out I guess. At least this way it's just quick pain and it's all over.
Allan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

makes you think of a new BIO WEAPON.....

Nov 18, 2007 06:09     

since the nanotube heats up destroying tissue with an RF signal... what if they released it in the air / some sort of nanotube filled gas.. we breath it in, they beam the RF signal and voila a weapon of mass destruction..
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Let's raise our glasses

Nov 18, 2007 06:22     

A toast to medical research, and the dedicated oncologists working hard to keep us going strong!
spanko report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

WTFCan they do everything?

Nov 18, 2007 10:06     

Carbon nanotubes seem to be useful for ANYTHING we come up with these days. Thats just insane. However, I heard that they could be harmful if we inhaled them (kinda like Asbestos). I suppose if you get cancer from inhaling them, you can cure it with them as well so it evens out in the end.
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Woo!

Nov 18, 2007 11:48     

I can't wait for more uses. This is already a really good use. 2-5mm isn't that much compared to a human's size. Plus they havn't fully tested it... They could probably lower that to .5-1mm if they worked on it.
Stephen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

sad.

Nov 18, 2007 18:43     

this is sad. political justification to start putting toxic nanoparticles in our water, that the normal method of boiling wont sanitise. check out hydrogen peroxide cure for cancer... eh? where did that go? maybe the med companies should buy out this nanotube BS too? you got cancer... drink H2O2. It oxidises the body making it impossible for anaerobic cells (like cancer) to live. BAMMO!
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re: oww

Nov 18, 2007 21:37     

I doubt it would be very painful. What pain receptors our internal organs have aren't nearly as sensitive as the ones on our externals. Of course, a little morphine just in case wouldn't hurt. But I totally agree with you on the hair bit. Thankfully, I was able to avoid that step for myself, but if the carbon nanotube option were available I'd probably jump for it.
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re: OMG

Nov 19, 2007 00:58     

Nice Simpsons reference... thats all.
e1000 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

its strange how people work

Nov 19, 2007 02:15     

most people think of scientific achievements in order to benefit man kind. other sadistic souls decide they can figure a new form of torture or bioweapon... go figure
skythra report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Great... but one question

Nov 19, 2007 08:15     

I am just trying to figure out the damage carbon nanotubes due to tissue if they remain in the body. They tend to be an cancerous. It sounds great but I am looking for a little more biological impact. Kepp up the good work!
PhD in Biology and CS report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

John Kanzius is the one responsible for this

Nov 19, 2007 14:49     

That this works to kill cancer cells isn't news. John Kanzius (the guy who made saltwater burn with radiowaves) developed the machine and figured out which frequency to use. These guys are just picking up on his theory. Check out more on John Kanzius, it's exciting. He's kind of a modern Edison
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