Asiatic black bears are kept for bile farming in Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia, and their bile, which is collected via repeated needle puncture of the gallbladder, is then used in traditional Asian medicines.

BBC: Pioneering surgery for moon bear by Edinburgh vet

Stephen Duffy, of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund said although many breast cancers were confirmed by taking slices of tissue via a needle, so that few patient with benign lumps had to undergo surgery, the Duke's technique could be even better.

BBC: Prodding 'sounds out' breast lumps