Scientists Design A Virtual Pregnant Woman To Study Radiation's Effects

Destroying a tumor in a body with radiation poses a number of challenges and risks, especially for a pregnant woman and her fetus. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are working to reduce those risks by advancing computer techniques that use virtual models of the human body. Their latest research looks at ways to protect a developing fetus. Their goal is to help hospitals and radiologists more accurately calculate required dosages to destroy a tumor, while minimizing or eliminating the risk of damage to nearby cells and organs. The work at RPI adds to similar research worldwide. About 30 other virtual models have already been created for a variety of body types. Some of the earliest models consisted of simp...