Computed tomography, malignancies . . . and other stories

Scans in childrenA multinational European study of a million young people who had undergone at least one computed tomography (CT) imaging scan before the age of 22 finds the subsequent risk of haematological malignancies increases in proportion to the dose of ionising radiation received. A typical scan, with an exposure of around 8 mGy, increases the risk by about 16%. In absolute terms, this means that for every 10 000 children who have a CT scan, one or two will develop a haematological malignancy as a consequence of the scan during the 12 years following the examination (Nat Med doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02671-3).Space farmingSo far, human space missions have been a bit like going on a picnic. Astronauts have taken their food with them. However, for extended survival on another planet, gardens and horticultural techniques will be needed, and these will have to include systems for fertilisation. Currently, a leading candidate is the…
Read Original Article: Computed tomography, malignancies . . . and other stories »