Singapore, Oct. 28 -- An international research collaboration led by Australia-based RMIT University has developed tiny metallic particles that selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue largely unharmed, marking a promising advance in the design of future cancer therapies.

The innovation centres on nanodots made from molybdenum oxide, a metal compound commonly used in electronics and alloys. By fine-tuning the chemical composition, researchers enabled the nanodots to release reactive oxygen molecules, unstable forms of oxygen that can damage cell components and trigger cell death.

In laboratory tests, the particles destroyed three times more cervical cancer cells than healthy cells within 24 hours, all without the need ...