Articles tagged with Biomedical Engineering
A recent study used AI trained on cell-to-cell communication networks to predict drug responsiveness in immunotherapy for cancer. The model demonstrated high accuracy in analyzing samples from 700 patients with four types of cancer, identifying key communication pathways related to responsiveness and resistance.
Researchers create a simple method to instantly bond layers made of the same or different types of hydrogels using a thin film of chitosan. The new approach has potential to broadly advance new biomaterials solutions for multiple unmet clinical needs, including regenerative medicine and surgical care.
A new study finds that Type 2 diabetes causes intervertebral discs to become stiffer and change shape earlier than normal. This leads to a compromised ability to withstand pressure, highlighting the need for preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Aston University have discovered that aging skin exhibits distinct optical properties under polarised laser light. This finding could lead to the development of non-invasive light-based techniques for early detection and monitoring of skin conditions, including cancer.
A temperature-sensitive prosthetic limb has been developed to improve amputee interactions and feelings of human connection. Researchers have created a device called MiniTouch that provides realistic and real-time thermal feedback, enabling amputees to discriminate between objects of different temperatures and materials.
The Vilcek Foundation has awarded $250,000 to four immigrant scientists for their pioneering work in biomedical science. Luciano Marraffini, Gerta Hoxhaj, Tomasz Nowakowski, and Takanori Takebe are recognized for their contributions to cancer research, pluripotent stem cells, and CRISPR-Cas systems.
University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind, handheld electrochemical sensor that can accurately detect fentanyl in urine within seconds. The device detects even trace amounts of fentanyl with 98% accuracy and could be used to test for the drug in saliva, helping first responders make treatment decisions.
A team of researchers from Harvard and Texas developed a soft implantable device with dozens of sensors to record single-neuron activity stably for months. The device uses fluorinated elastomers and is 10,000 times softer than conventional flexible probes.
Princeton researchers create a system to control the growth of microtubule branches, enabling precise chemical transport and potential applications in soft robotics, new medicines, and biomolecular transport. The technique harnesses cellular scaffolding to build novel materials and technologies.
A team of researchers has devised a method to deliver mRNA into the brain using lipid nanoparticles, offering new hope for treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease and seizures. The approach uses a special keycard-like system to bypass the blood-brain barrier, allowing therapeutic agents to enter the brain and target specific cells.
New biomarkers have been discovered to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of lupus nephritis, a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The study identified six novel urine biomarkers that can detect even low concentrations of proteins in the urine.
A team of researchers created a 3D bioprinted brain blood vessel model to investigate the impact of blood vessel curvature on metastatic cancer development. The model revealed that increased blood vessel curvature correlates with heightened cancer cell adherence and extravasation.
Researchers at Duke University developed an adaptive deep brain stimulation therapy for Parkinson's disease, targeting two key brain structures and using a novel self-adjusting device. The study found that this approach improved motor symptoms and reduced medication doses in six patients.
Researchers have enhanced microvascular sensitivity using ultrafast ultrasound, capturing the three-dimensional vascular network of renal arteries and veins without contrast agents. This technique reveals sharp decreases in renal blood flow during acute renal failure and chronic vascular degeneration in diabetic nephropathy.
A team of researchers has created artificial small-diameter vessels (SDVs) featuring pores that enable the formation of an endothelium without additional processing steps. The 3D-printed vessels were successfully infused with human cells, demonstrating spontaneous cellular assembly and paving the way for potential transplantation and f...
Scientists have developed a new biocompatible material that can conduct electricity efficiently in wet environments and interact with biological media. The modified PEDOT:PSS enables the creation of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with high performance and excellent characteristics.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo developed a bio-tagging method using dissolvable microneedle arrays for permanent animal identification. The approach, called 'MAPs,' uses customizable molds to tattoo unique identifiers into the skin, offering a safer and more humane alternative to traditional ear tags or RFID chips.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have received an NIH grant to create predictive models for Alzheimer's disease using brain MRIs and clinical data. The goal is to enable earlier detection of the condition, ideally two years before onset of symptoms.
Researchers develop injectable hydrogel electrodes for treating ventricular arrhythmia, providing a potential solution to painful defibrillation and improving quality of life. The novel pacing modality addresses the pathophysiology of re-entrant arrhythmia and offers a promising alternative to existing therapies.
The University of Rochester is establishing a new NIH-funded center focused on developing FDA-qualified drug development tools related to barrier functions in disease. Researchers will create microphysiological systems with ultrathin membranes of human cells, aiming to reduce animal trials and improve drug efficacy.
Researchers found that specific microbes in the gut reduce graft versus host disease after stem cell transplantation. Patients with low microbial metabolite risk index had better survival rates, fewer graft vs. host reactions, and reduced relapses.
Researchers developed a novel test that detects single ⍺-synuclein fibrils in patient samples to identify patients with Parkinson's disease earlier. This breakthrough has the potential to create early applicable molecular diagnostics, improve clinical trials, and facilitate drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers developed mathematical models based on real events data from the Swedish Trauma Registry, showing that AI models outperformed clinical outcomes. The study highlights the potential of AI-powered decision support to improve ambulance staff's ability to assess injury severity and potentially save more lives.
A Texas A&M University-led collaboration has developed new polymers capable of killing bacteria without inducing antibiotic resistance by disrupting their membrane. The researchers tested their polymers against two main types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with promising results.
A research group reconstituted autophagosome formation in vitro, showing that Atg8 protein and enzymes play a central role in shaping the membrane structure. High-speed atomic force microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed flexible complexes on membranes, which work together to form autophagosomes.
Researchers at KIT have developed a method that uses radiation more efficiently to produce images of micrometer resolution, allowing for longer observation times of small living organisms. The method combines X-ray phase contrast with a Bragg magnifier and photon-counting detector.
Researchers have developed a spinal cord stimulation technology that restores sensation, improves function, and reduces phantom limb pain after trans-tibial amputation. The study showed significant improvements in balance control and gait stability, with an average 70% reduction in phantom limb pain.
Researchers developed a non-invasive MRI technology to measure interstitial fluid flow, crucial for tumour treatment. The new method combines phase-contrast MRI with an improved stimulation echo sequence, reducing signal loss and improving detection accuracy.
Researchers from SFU and UBC introduce MCS-DETECT, an AI-driven algorithm that detects membrane contact sites in large microscopy volumes without segmentation. This innovation enhances super-resolution microscopy capabilities, contributing to a better understanding of cellular interactions and complex diseases.
The new robotic replica, called RRV, can mimic healthy and diseased states, allowing scientists to test cardiac devices and therapies. The model can also be used to study the effects of mechanical ventilation on the right ventricle and develop strategies to prevent right heart failure.
A new study on wearable health monitors reveals that a failure to understand race leads to flawed technology, exacerbating existing racial health inequities. The researchers found significant challenges with 'race correction' in health technologies, which assumes biology over system racism.
A team of engineers has developed a novel printing method called deep-penetrating acoustic volumetric printing (DVAP) that uses soundwaves to solidify biologically compatible structures in deep tissues. The technique involves a specialized ink that reacts to ultrasound waves, enabling the creation of intricate structures for biomedical...
Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a low-power wide area network (LPWAN) system that enables wearables to transmit health data long distances without cell coverage. The system, called biosymbiotic, has the potential to improve remote monitoring in underserved communities and make digital medicine more accessible
Scientists at University of Toronto and Sinai Health created transplants with genetic modification, persisting long-term in mice without immune suppression. This breakthrough may transform cell therapies for incurable diseases, making transplantation safer and more widely available.
Researchers developed a lightweight wearable balance exercise device to improve reactive postural control in older adults, reducing the risk of falls. The device uses pneumatic artificial muscles to generate unexpected perturbations, resulting in improved peak displacement and velocity.
A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.
Researchers have developed additively manufactured Ti-Ta-Cu alloys that exhibit improved biocompatibility and bacterial resistance, making them a promising alternative to traditional Ti6Al4V implants. The alloys were found to display remarkable synergistic effects in improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance.
Researchers developed a new bispecific antibody therapy to target myeloma cells with drug resistance. The therapy, called B-BiTE, successfully activated human T cells and NK cells against various myeloma cells.
The POLINA project will develop new materials and technologies for medical applications, aiming to revolutionize bioprinting for safer, smarter and affordable medical devices. The project will create micropatterned cell surface models to help study lung diseases and design new tracheal implants.
A novel robotic system developed by USC researchers can help clinicians accurately assess a patient's rehabilitation progress. The method generates an 'arm nonuse' metric using machine learning and a socially assistive robot to track how much a patient is using their weaker arm spontaneously.
A new technology enables the printing of complex robots with soft, elastic, and rigid materials in one go. This allows for the creation of delicate structures and parts with cavities as desired.
A team led by WPI researcher Ulkuhan Guler has received NIH funding to develop a wearable sensor for premature infants that can mitigate skin-color bias in oxygen level measurements. The four-year project aims to create a convenient and affordable sensor that will enable infants at risk of lung disease to leave hospitals sooner.
Researchers developed a handheld, wireless biosensor to detect Alzheimer's and Parkinson's biomarkers from saliva and urine samples. The device has shown high accuracy comparable to existing state-of-the-art methods.
A new URI lab is developing an adaptive robotic platform to help post-stroke patients regain motor skills and perform daily tasks. The device incorporates user feedback and monitoring of muscle and brain activity to tailor its approach.
A team of researchers developed synthetic enzymes that can control the behavior of the signaling protein Vg1, which plays a key role in vertebrate embryonic development. The study uses zebrafish to investigate how Vg1 is formed and found that it must undergo additional processing before it can be activated.
A study tracked skin temperature in 600 participants for six months, finding that individual differences were more significant than sex-based variations. The team used wearable devices to monitor skin temperature and found patterns consistent with menstrual cycles in women.
The Southwest-Midwest Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium has supported over 200 pediatric device innovators and companies, developing several devices in the past five years. The consortium's portfolio includes real-world evidence research projects using digital tools for collecting and analyzing patient data.
Researchers from Incheon National University create gelatin patches that generate molecular oxygen to accelerate wound healing. The new hydrogels demonstrate improved coagulation, blood closure, and neovascularization in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
A recent study analyzing global and national trends of atherosclerosis found an increasing trend in incidence from 1990 to 2019, driven by adults aged 20–54. The burden of the disease is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries, where it is rising significantly due to lifestyle factors and aging populations.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new simulation method using AI to predict powder mixing with high accuracy and low computational costs. This breakthrough enables large-scale and long-duration powder mixing processes, set to enhance product quality and streamline production.
Scientists from Central South University develop a novel approach to address bacterial infection in bone transplantation by enriching H2O2 and amplifying the Fenton reaction. The technique enhances biocompatibility and safety, promising reduced transplant failures and post-operative complications.
The Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies (CAPCaT) has received a five-year, $8.9 million award from the NIH to develop innovative point-of-care health technologies. The program aims to address heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders in underserved populations.
Researchers used dynamic total-body PET scans to visualize immune T cell distribution in recovering patients. The study found increased concentrations of CD8+ T cells in the bone marrow of recovering COVID patients compared to healthy controls.
Jinglei Ping, a UMass Amherst engineering professor, has received a $1.9 million grant to investigate a new method of regulating exosome traffic using electronic signals. This approach aims to control cell communication in cancer and heart disease research.
Researchers developed robotic prosthetic ankles controlled by nerve impulses, allowing amputees to move more naturally and improving stability. The study found that users were significantly more stable when using the robotic prototype, changing their postural control strategy and mimicking the body's behavior.
Researchers developed a human in vitro model of radiation-induced lung injury, closely mimicking the complexities of the disease. The Human Lung Alveolus Chip recapitulates hallmarks of RILI, including DNA damage, inflammation, and injury to lung cells and blood vessels.
Researchers have discovered new insights into microglia-astrocyte communication and its impact on intracerebral hemorrhage, as well as the testicular toxicity of triptolide. Additionally, a study on epicardial cells has identified key gene markers associated with cardiac regenerative therapy strategies.
A new simulation paradigm for cortical prosthetic vision has been developed, enabling more realistic brain surface mapping and improving 'bionic eye' outcomes. Researchers used MRI-derived phosphene maps and clustering algorithms to determine optimal electrode implantation sites.
The STARTUP Central project empowers public university researchers to commercialize their biomedical innovations. A smart online educational curriculum, InspireU2 iTi, will train academics on product development, business structuring, and more. The program aims to bridge the gap between groundbreaking discoveries and real-world solutions.
A new method was developed to predict organ motion in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, utilizing cross-sectional images from three orientations. The results showed improved accuracy when analyzing all three directions, with errors reduced to as low as 2.13mm.