Platelets, minuscule white blood cells that are crucial for normal blood clotting, may be useful as an early screening test for lung cancer — thus possibly avoiding the necessity of extensive surgery and long-term treatments. An innovative use of so-called Tumor-Educated Platelets seems potentially valuable for the early detection of lung cancer, and maybe for other cancers as well.
platelets
The FDA and CDC are expressing concerns about the potential for rising rates of transfusion-associated infections, with both agencies calling for more testing and precautions. Cash-strapped blood banks are not nearly so concerned.
In a small study presented at the AHA meetings, Dutch researchers tested the comparative effect on platelet stickiness of bedtime aspirin vs. morning aspirin. The bedtime dose had a more potent effect, with implications for reducing the toll of morning heart attacks, perhaps.