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Urine-powered nanobots shrink bladder cancer tumors in mice by 90% (newatlas.com)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Researchers have developed a novel way to treat bladder cancer. Powered by urea, a waste substance found in urine, nanobots propel themselves to and penetrate the tumor to deliver their onboard radioactive treatment. After one dose, tumors in mouse models shrank by almost 90%, opening the door to a promising alternative treatment for this cancer, which tends to recur.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I wonder what happens to the nanobots afterwards. Do they end up in our water supply? Are they programmed to self destruct?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

@Whelks_chance not sure. The part that would be left over is the silicon delivery module, which will have penetrated the tumour. Which then shrinks. Not clear how the body then disposes of it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Finally, an excuse to piss on robots

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

This some Rule 34 type activity?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago

No, I just need something convincing to tell my boss