Ray of light Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect in its early stages. But American researchers believe they have found a possible way - by shining light on a neighbouring organ. The findings may help in diagnosing this particularly deadly form of cancer early enough to treat it.

Ray of light
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect in its early stages. But American researchers believe they have found a possible way - by shining light on a neighbouring organ. The findings may help in diagnosing this particularly deadly form of cancer early enough to treat it.

Vadim Backman of Northwestern University and his colleagues analysed light patterns they reflected off the lining of the duodenum, a part of the digestive tract next to the pancreas. They were able to distinguish nearly all of the 19 early and late-stage cancer patients from 32 healthy volunteers based on slight molecular changes revealed by the light patterns, they wrote in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. Those 51 tissue samples looked the same under an ordinary microscope, they said.

Pancreatic cancer is usually symptom-free in its early stages. The five-year survival rate for the disease is only five per cent, and most die within a year of diagnosis, partly because it is so difficult to detect.

Breaks burn more fat
Breaking up an exercise session, by adding a rest period in between, may boost a workout's fat-burning efficiency, a team of Japanese and Danish researchers has found.

When men exercised for two 30-minute stretches, taking a 20-minute rest break in between, they burned more fat than when they exercised for a single 60-minute session, and then rested afterward, the team from the University of Tokyo discovered.

While the proportion of total calories burned did not differ between the two workouts, fat represented nearly 77% of the calories burned in the recovery period after the two-part exercise session, compared with about 56% of calories burned in the recovery period after the single long exercise session. The report was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Growing gains Staff at a care home are harnessing the power of nature to transform the lives of their residents.

The managers of Burnfoot Care Home in Patna, Ayrshire, have unveiled plans for a sensory garden in which all the plants will be chosen for their strong colour, aroma or texture. The aim is to make the garden as stimulating as possible for the residents, particularly those with visual problems.

Jim Miller, manager at the home, and his staff have already raised around £3000 but need to double this to pay for the garden.

The aim is to create a situation "where the senses are improved by the garden," said Mr Miller. Anyone wishing to make a donation should call 01292 531658.