Human images from the first full-body scanner unveiled

EXPLORER, the world’s first whole-body PET/CT scanner has produced some amazing human images, opening doors to numerous diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the future. The first human images by the scanner were shown at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, Nov. 24- Nov. 30 in Chicago.

Simon Cherry and Ramsey Badawi

A brainchild of UC Davis scientists Simon Cherry and Ramsey Badawi, the EXPLORER combines positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) making it possible to image the whole body at the same time. The scanner has been developed in partnership with Shanghai-based United Imaging Healthcare (UIH), which built the system based on its latest technology platform and will eventually manufacture the devices for the broader health care market.

Researchers say that the machine captures radiation far more efficiently than any other scanner, producing images in as little as 1 second and, over time, produce videos that can track the journey of specially tagged drugs through our entire body.

EXPLORER is 40 times faster than current PET scanners and can produce images of whole-body in as little as 20 to 30 seconds. The radiation dose can be further reduced at the expense of a few extra seconds under the scanner or if needed a longer scan at the standard dose will produce optimal image quality.

“The tradeoff between image quality, acquisition time and injected radiation dose will vary for different applications, but in all cases, we can scan better, faster or with less radiation dose, or some combination of these,” Cherry said.

It is for the first time that a scanner can visualize simultaneously that what is happening at the organ as well as tissue level. It will also benefit patients and physician by documenting the spread of cancer, inflammation in body tissues, various infection, immunological and metabolic disorders and much more.

 “I don’t think it will be long before we see at a number of EXPLORER systems around the world,” said Cherry and is very optimistic about the future of the EXPLORER.

The UC Davis team is working closely with UIH to get the first system installed in Sacramento, USA, and the first system is expected to begin imaging patients as early as June 2019.

Here’s a scan of a whole body taken using the EXPLORER

UC Davis press release 
Ob/Gyn Updated Facebook page

Morning after pill now available through vending machines at UC Davis Campus. Seriously!

Vending machine 

Is UC Davis validating unsafe behavior by selling ‘morning after ‘pill through vending machine across campus? Would you be getting the pill just by pressing a button? Well Yes! 

UC Davis is one of the first college campuses in the country to have a vending machine that offers the Plan B emergency contraceptive, otherwise known as the "morning after pill."

This was made possible by 2 years’ efforts by Parteek Singh, a 21-year-old senior, was running for the student government senator position. "Here at Davis we only have one pharmacy that is open 24/7, and a couple of my friends shared incidents when the pharmacy has ran out of emergency contraceptives on a Friday night and they weren't getting a new shipment until Monday," Singh said.

The vending machine is called ‘Wellness to go’ and also dispenses pregnancy tests, tampons, Advil and condoms.

Federal law makes the levonorgestrel pill available without a prescription to anyone 17 or older and it is freely available at pharmacies across US.

The other pill containing ulipristal acetate is a prescription medicine.

Debate is rife on social medias, news agencies and health forums about the easy availability of the pill on college campuses. The critics are saying that it’s like taking personalized medicine too far! College students will be able to buy the pill, without any medical knowledge or discussing the side effects and risk factors with a health care provider.

Also, it may lead to less frequent use of condoms, that besides preventing pregnancy protects from Sexually Transmitted Infections(STI). Critics also are debating the issue because it is like encouraging more sex on college campus with easy access to contraceptives.

People who favor it say that it will help prevent unwanted pregnancies. Many students support it easy access while others are not comfortable to talk about it.

Meanwhile, A proposed California bill that would require the abortion pill to be provided on all University of California and California State University campuses passed its first committee.

It requires that campuses that have student health services to offer medical abortion pill and scientifically accurate information to be provided to the students.