Israeli scientists have developed a new technique to treat breast cancer and it is being used in trials already. The method employs a supercooled needle tip to repeatedly freeze then defrost tumors. This damages and ultimately kills the harmful tissue.

The needle is cooled to -274F (-170C) by pumping liquid nitrogen through a network of tiny tubes. The technique does not require general anesthetic and can be completed in about 15 minutes. Scientists behind the procedure, called cryoablation, say it is possible to treat tumors up to the size of a golf ball and that it could provide an alternative to surgery.