Cancer in Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon between 2015 and 2017.

Protracted conflicts in the Middle East have led to successive waves of refugees crossing borders. Chronic, non-communicable diseases are now recognised as diseases that need to be addressed in such crises. Cancer, in particular, with its costly, multidisciplinary care, poses considerable financial and ethical challenges for policy makers. In 2014 and with funding from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, we reported on cancer cases among Iraqi refugees in Jordan (2010-12) and Syria (2009-11). In this Policy Review, we provide data on 733 refugees referred to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon (2015-17) and Jordan (2016-17), analysed by cancer type, demographic risk factors, treatment coverage status, and cost. Results show the need for increased funding and evidence-based standard operating procedures across countries to ensure that patients have equitable access to care. We recommend a holistic response to humanitarian crises that includes education, screening, treatment, and palliative care for refugees and nationals and prioritises breast cancer and childhood cancers.

The Microbead: A Highly Miniaturized Wirelessly Powered Implantable Neural Stimulating System.

An implant that can electrically stimulate neurons across different depths and regions of the brain currently does not exist as it poses a number of obstacles that need to be solved. In order to address the challenges, this paper presents the concept of "microbead," a fully integrated wirelessly powered neural device that allows for spatially selective activation of neural tissue. The prototype chip is fabricated in 130-nm CMOS technology and currently measures 200 µm × 200 µm, which represents the smallest remotely powered stimulator to date. The system is validated experimentally in a rat by stimulating the sciatic nerve with 195-µs current pulses. To power the ultrasmall on-silicon coil, 36-dBm source power is provided to a highly optimized transmitter (Tx) coil at a coupling distance of 5 mm. In order to satisfy the strict power limit for safe use in human subjects, a pulsed powering scheme is implemented that enables a significant decrease in the average power emitted from the Tx.