Researchers have, for the first time, visualized the full network of blood vessels across the cortex of awake mice, finding that blood vessels rhythmically expand and contract leading to “waves” washing across the surface of the brain. These findings, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), improve the understanding of how the brain receives blood, though the function of the waves remains a mystery. Source: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 

Compared with receiving a kidney from a deceased donor who did not undergo dialysis, receiving a kidney from a deceased donor who underwent dialysis prior to kidney donation was associated with a significantly higher incidence of delayed graft function, but no significant difference in graft failure or death at follow-up.  Source: Eureka News Alert 

Columbia University biomedical engineers have created BeatProfiler, a new comprehensive tool that uses AI to analyze heart cell function. It's the first system to integrate the analysis of different heart function indicators, such as contractility, calcium handling, and force output into one tool, speeding up the process significantly and reducing the chance for errors.  Source: Columbia University Engineering.

Inspired by past medical uses of natural, inorganic materials, Texas A&M University researchers, with support from NIBIB, have discovered a new technique for tissue regeneration using mineral-based nanomaterials. Source: Texas A&M

Researchers from Mass General Brigham and their collaborators present Tripath: new, deep learning models that can use 3D pathology datasets to make clinical outcome predictions. In collaboration with the University of Washington, the research team imaged curated prostate cancer specimens, using two 3D high-resolution imaging techniques. Tripath performed better than pathologists and outperformed deep learning models that rely on 2D morphology and thin tissue slices. Source: Mass General Brigham

Penn State researchers have discovered two proteins that differentiate stem cells into the components of blood vessels. The finding has implications for drug testing and other clinical applications. Source: Penn State

A new study involved high-resolution scans that enabled the researchers to visualize brain connections at submillimeter spatial resolution. Together, these pathways form a 'default ascending arousal network' that sustains wakefulness in the resting, conscious human brain.  Source: Massachusetts General Hospital

If there were an unofficial theme of SIR 2024, it might be artificial intelligence—what it is, when to use it and where it might go next. From dedicated sessions to keynote lectures, the possibility of AI and robotics in interventional radiology was a frequent discussion. According to Bruce J. Tromberg, AI is changing the way physicians practice medicine. Source: SIRToday

Researchers developed a wireless implantable device that can monitor bladder filling and emptying in real time and send data to a smartphone. With further development, this type of device could help monitor recovery after bladder surgery and aid patients who have compromised bladder function. Source: NIH Research Matters