Is That Star Trek or Real Medicine?

Star Trek, the popular Sci-fi franchise, offers a glimpse into the possibilities of the future. Although most of the technology used in the many Star Trek series is far beyond the human race’s current capabilities, the medical field is making huge strides in bridging the gap between what is technologically real and still fictional. One such example is the use of fiber-optic laser probes to “cook” tumors.

How Fiber-Optic Probes Work

After surgery and chemotherapy are ruled out as possible treatments for tumors, some doctors are turning to the fiber-optic probe as an experimental treatment to get their patients the help they need.Didn’t catch that? How the fiber-optic probe works is that a surgeon must cut a half-inch opening into the patient’s skull. Once the opening is made, the laser probe is inserted, allowing the medical team to navigate to parts of the brain otherwise unreachable by conventional surgery.

Once the probe is in the correct position, the team activates the laser, which shoots heat directly at the tumor. The fiber-optic probe stays active for up to a few minutes, raising the temperature in the tumor up to 160 degrees. This increase in temperature kills the cancer cells in the tumor and hopefully cures the patient of cancer completely.

On the Cutting Edge of Technology

We are on the cutting edge of technology, and it can be seen in the ways we shop to the way we read news. It is a changing world, and we may not just occupy Earth in the near future; we may be able to move to Mars. It has been a month since the first landing of Curiosity on Mars, and what it is discovering is shedding more light on the possibility of humans living on Mars.

NASA wants to send humans to Mars in the next 20 years, and this will be possible only with the help of protective shelters on the Moon and on Mars. To do this, material froMarsrs and the Moon will probably have to be used, due to the cost increase of sending construction materials in space.

It will be too expensive to send construction materials into space, and for this reason, the European Space Agency is helping with testing whether material from Mars and the Moon can be used to build a place in space. There are only a few test labs that are able to reproduce cosmic rays in an original way, and the data from GSI will tell scientists the possibility of using materials on the Moon and Mars for construction.

FAQs

1. Is the fiber-optic laser probe treatment widely available?

No, it is still considered an experimental treatment and is only available in certain advanced medical facilities. More clinical trials are needed before it becomes a standard option.

2. Can this technology completely replace surgery or chemotherapy?

No, it cannot fully replace traditional treatments yet. It is generally used when surgery and chemotherapy are not viable options or as a complementary procedure.

3. How soon could humans actually live on Mars?

Experts estimate it could take around 20 years or more before humans can sustainably live on Mars. Extensive research, infrastructure, and safety measures are still required.

Conclusion

What once seemed like science fiction is quickly becoming part of real-world innovation. From laser probes treating tumors to ambitious missions aimed at colonizing Mars, the gap between imagination and reality is shrinking. These breakthroughs not only push the boundaries of science and medicine but also inspire hope for a future where technology enhances and extends human life.

Just as Star Trek imagined, the future of medicine and space exploration is no longer light-years away—it’s already unfolding before our eyes.