Although there are systems that allow physically challenged users to communicate by twitching facial muscles, for some people even those muscle movements are impossible. A new setup offers a possible alternative, however, by going into the ear. Known as “Earswitch,” the technology is being developed at Britain’s University of Bath, by a team led by Dr. Nick Gompertz. It’s designed […]

Nobody likes needles, but they’re often a necessary evil. Microneedle patches are emerging as a painless alternative, and now researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a new version of the tech that’s made of ice, for easier manufacture and use. Microneedle patches are designed to be applied to the skin like a Band-Aid, with the skin-facing side […]

In the most detailed genomic study ever conducted of individuals over the age of 100 years, researchers have homed in on several particular genetic characteristics that seem to confer protection from age-related diseases. Gene variants improving DNA repair processes were particularly prominent in this cohort of supercentenarians. If you eat well, exercise frequently and avoid those detrimental vices, you can […]

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new technique for 3D printing cartilage in custom shapes. This can be used to reconstruct the noses of skin cancer patients, saving them the trouble of having cartilage samples taken from other parts of the body. The nose is one of the most common places for skin cancer to form – […]

Integrating regular bouts of exercise into our busy schedules can sometimes be a tall order, but luckily science is starting demonstrate how short and sharp bursts can produce a surprising range of health benefits, too. A new study has added to this understanding of how high-intensity interval training can improve and help maintain good health, even in sessions lasting only […]

Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine are one step closer to an objective clinical blood test for mood disorders. A robust new study is describing the development of a panel of blood-based biomarkers that can distinguish between depression and bipolar disorder, as well as measuring a person’s future risk of developing these conditions. For well over a decade […]

Even though at-home use of an inhaler or insulin pen can be extremely important, doctors have to pretty much just hope that patients are doing it right. A new system, however, could objectively assess patients’ technique within their homes, and let them know if they’ve got it wrong. Created by a team at MIT, the artificial intelligence-based technology was adapted […]

Hiding behind the current COVID-19 pandemic, another serious public health threat is looming – the rise of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” New antibiotics are needed to help turn the tide, but developing them takes time. Now, IBM Research has put AI to work on the task, producing two promising new drug candidates very quickly. The discovery of penicillin was one of the […]

As it stands, diagnosing Parkinson’s can be a complicated process that relies on symptoms, careful examinations and case-by-case assessments of physicians, but lately we’re seeing how more clear cut signs of disease could arise in the gut, our tears and even our skin. Scientists at the University of Manchester (UM) focusing on this lattermost possibility have made a significant discovery, […]

A team of researchers led by professor of pharmaceutical sciences John Chaputa at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is developing methods for storing vast amounts of data on strands of synthetic DNA that are much tougher than natural DNA. The technique has already been used to encode the US Declaration of Independence on a single molecule. One of the […]