Articles tagged with Biomedical Engineering
Researchers found that cumulative head impact exposure plays a role in the occurrence of concussive injuries in some college football athletes, with 72% experiencing more impacts before the concussion occurred. The study supports policies to limit head impact exposure during training and games.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a new method of single-particle tracking based on machine learning, achieving higher accuracy and automation than current techniques. The technique is widely used in physical and life sciences to track individual particles such as viruses, cells, and drug-loaded nanoparticles.
A team of UMBC researchers has developed a novel approach to making therapeutic proteins available at the point of care, enabling faster drug development and more personalized medicines. The portable system, about the size of a suitcase, allows for rapid production without relying on manufacturing facilities or transport.
Sharon Truesdell, a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Akron, has been awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to support her research on bone cells and diseases like osteoporosis. The three-year fellowship includes a $34,000 stipend and cost-of-education allowance.
Researchers at NUS have developed a tiny microfluidic chip that can detect minute amounts of biomolecules without complex equipment. The chip uses standard lab microscopes to spot nano-biomolecules, making it attractive for point-of-care diagnostics.
Researchers have found that brain implants can function with the help of glial cells, which are often overlooked as a potential target for treatment. The study suggests that glial cells play a critical role in maintaining optimal brain activity and suggest targeting them may improve current treatments for neurological diseases.
Researchers have invented a method to detect tiny tumors and track their spread using light-emitting nanoprobes, potentially leading to earlier cancer detection and more precise treatment. The technology has shown better results than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting small cancerous lesions.
A team of McMaster University graduates has developed a skin cancer detection device called The sKan, which creates a thermal map on the region of interest on the skin. The device is made up of 16 temperature-sensitive components and assists physicians in detecting melanoma by providing quantitative information about skin spots.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are working on two major cardiovascular diseases: heart failure after heart attacks and resistant high blood pressure. They hope to create new treatments using a combination of engineered heart patches and novel molecular pathways.
Biomedical engineers found that different beta subunits attach to the main protein in a unique way, affecting the channel's control over the heartbeat. This discovery could lead to precision medicine and therapies tailored to individual needs.
Scientists have developed a method to defrost surfaces 10 times faster than normal using a superhydrophobic coating. The 'dynamic defrosting' technique involves creating air pockets under frost, allowing it to slide off easily and leaving the surface dry.
A team of investigators created a device that removes audible alarm sounds while preserving speech, aiming to enhance ICU patient recovery. The device was tested in a simulated environment and showed clinical improvement in alarm filtering.
A new study from WashU Medicine shows that stroke patients can regain some control over their paralyzed hands using a brain-computer interface. After 12 weeks of therapy, participants' scores increased an average of 6.2 points on a scale measuring motor skills.
A new test is required to evaluate the quality and safety of sunglasses, which can deteriorate over time due to UV exposure. The current standard relies on a aging test that simulates 50 hours of sun exposure, but this may not accurately reflect real-world conditions.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that bone can recover its shape after breaking, unlike most man-made materials. This unique property allows cancellous bone to direct cracks to less detrimental locations, enabling it to bounce back after a fracture.
Dr. Leon Iasemidis, a renowned expert in nonlinear dynamics and biomedical engineering, has been named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow for his outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development. He is recognized for his research in seizure prediction and control of epilepsy, with ...
Researchers at USC Eye Institute and Viterbi School of Engineering developed a new method to create focused spots of light, improving vision quality for individuals with retinitis pigmentosa. Longer pulse durations allow patients to see sharper images, boosting their sense of independence and confidence.
Virginia Tech has released its five-star ratings of hockey helmets, with only one model earning a three-star rating. The study found that hockey helmets share the same basic design as football helmets but are smaller and more prone to injury.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a DNA-based drug delivery system that targets cancer cells using nano-cocoons made of DNA. The system uses self-assembling DNA techniques and specifically delivers anticancer drugs to cancer cells, releasing them quickly once inside.
A study by Aalto University researchers found that a scientist's good reputation among colleagues increases the likelihood of citing their publications. The quality, not quantity, of publications builds authors' reputations, leading to a 'reputation boost'. This reinforces a research strategy beneficial for science and scientists alike.
Five new adult football helmets have earned the top rating from Virginia Tech's helmet ratings system, reducing concussion risk by as much as 54%. The update brings nine helmets to the highest rating, marking significant progress in helmet safety.
Angelique Louie, a UC Davis professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation to develop novel technology for detecting gene expression in deep tissues using bioluminescent gene reporters and MRI. The project aims to facilitate noninvasive imaging for various biomedical applications.
Researchers have developed a new flexible microneedle patch that can deliver drugs directly through the skin, quickening delivery time and minimizing side effects. The breakthrough technology uses particle replication to create patches with precise control over shape and composition, reducing waste and increasing production efficiency.
A Johns Hopkins-led research team aims to replace electric shocks with gentle light to heal ailing hearts and treat arrhythmia. The team has successfully tested this technique on a computer model of the heart, using biological data and an intricate computer model.
Researchers found that limiting contact in practice reduced the number and force of head hits in young football players. The study, which measured head impacts over an entire season, showed that teams with restricted practices had significantly fewer head hits, on average, than teams without such restrictions.
Researchers at UC Irvine are working on two groundbreaking projects to treat Type 1 diabetes: islet cell transplantation using ultrapure algae membranes and the development of an accurate insulin sensor for real-time blood sugar monitoring. These innovations aim to improve treatment options and potentially cure the disease.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new super-resolution optical microscopy technique that can image synthetic nanostructures and molecules without the need for fluorescent dyes. The technique, called saturated transient absorption microscopy (STAM), uses a trio of laser beams to selectively illuminate molecules, allowing...
The Virginia Tech research center is expanding its testing of football helmets to also include hockey, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. The new five-year plan will rate helmets in these sports based on their ability to lessen concussion risk.
Researchers from Italy have developed a wearable system that uses strain sensors to monitor human trunk movements and estimate flexibility. The device will enable remote monitoring of physiotherapy exercises at home or during everyday tasks, providing an advancement in portable rehabilitation tracking.
Johns Hopkins undergraduates create HemoGlobe device to noninvasively detect and report anemia, using existing cell phones to estimate hemoglobin levels; the device aims to reduce anemia-related deaths in developing countries.
The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings program has released its 2012 ratings for adult football helmets, with three models earning a 5-star mark. The top-rated helmets are the Riddell Revolution Speed, Rawlings Quantum Plus and Riddell 360, which demonstrate improved safety features.
Researchers developed a superthin nanoglue based on polydimethylsiloxane, enhancing its adhesive properties through oxygen treatment. The breakthrough enables precise bonding of silicon wafers for new multilayered chip designs.
The Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences has published the first-ever data on head impacts from youth football players. The new study, called Kinematics of Impact Data Set (KIDS), aims to map the head impact exposure of youth football players across all age groups from 6 to 18 years.
Researchers developed a novel method to measure both blood pressure and arterial stiffness simultaneously using oscillometric measurements. The new index, API, accurately quantifies arterial stiffness and correlates with established methods, providing an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.
University of Michigan researchers use a liquid laser to detect genetic mutations that might predispose someone to a particular type of cancer. This new technique amplifies the difference in signals, making it hundreds of times brighter than current methods.
The Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences has received two new research projects from Toyota's Collaborative Safety Research Center. The projects aim to improve the understanding of traumatic brain injuries and abdominal injuries, with a focus on reducing risk in automobile impacts and foo...
Researchers from Virginia Tech have conducted the first study to investigate head impact characteristics in youth football. The study has collected data on over 400 head impacts experienced by a local youth team, revealing that most impacts are less severe and less frequent than in adult football.
Researchers developed a noninvasive technique called Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) to map the source and pattern of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in just one heartbeat. The technology, which combines CT scans with electrocardiograms, can generate movies of VT excitation waves and reveal even more about the nature of the arrhythmia.
A new in vitro study reveals that dilating the tricuspid valve opening or displacing its papillary muscles can cause leakage, with combination of both increasing severity. The study's findings suggest improved diagnosis and treatment for tricuspid regurgitation, a condition affecting millions of Americans.
The Virginia Tech study provides a comprehensive rating system for adult football helmets, with the Riddell Revolution Speed earning the highest '5-star' rating. Five helmets received the '4-star' rating, including Schutt ION 4D and Xenith X1, which showed significant reductions in concussion risk.
Researchers have developed an advanced imaging technology to rapidly screen single-wall carbon nanotubes, which could be used in creating a new class of computers and electronics. The technique, called transient absorption, measures the metallicity of the tubes and may be combined with another laser to zap unwanted metallic nanotubes.
CWRU researcher Erin Lavik is developing synthetic platelets using nanotechnology to treat traumatic injuries. Her lab aims to fine-tune the artificial platelets and integrate them with drug delivery systems.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Vanderbilt University used an infrared laser to pace an avian embryonic heart, showing no harm to the tissue. This non-invasive device may help understand environmental factors affecting heart rate in embryos and develop new pacemakers.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University create method for pinpoint delivery of molecules to individual cells, enabling targeted cancer treatment. The technique uses gold nanowires coated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which triggers specific cellular responses without affecting surrounding cells.
Researchers discovered that adding proline and phenylalanine amino acids improves binding rates of synthetic fibrin knobs to holes, leading to a novel peptide mimic with 10-fold higher affinity. The study also identified structural properties contributing to functional knob-hole interactions.
Researchers at NJIT have developed a safe and sustainable alternative to BPA in consumer products. The new epoxy resin is derived from corn starch and offers a renewable resource with estrogenic properties similar to BPA.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device that selectively isolates targeted cells, including cancer cells, based on their electrical properties. This breakthrough enables the screening of entire blood samples for cancer detection.
Case Western Reserve University scientist Dave Wilson has developed a cryo-imaging system that enables the identification of single molecules, counting of cells in organs, and comparison of normal and abnormal tissues. The system produces incredibly detailed images showing the effectiveness of different drug therapies.
Undergraduate researchers at UAB have developed a computer program that teaches CPR using hand-held remote controls from the Nintendo Wii video game console. The American Heart Association has pledged $50,000 to fund the project and make it available as an open source code download.
Researchers in India developed an X-ray image analysis technique that detects the early stages of tooth decay by analyzing X-ray wavelengths. This method could help save affected teeth and prevent tooth loss.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a needle-size device that can track tumors and provide real-time information on the radiation dose received. The device uses radio frequency identification technology and has the potential to improve treatment accuracy without exposing patients to damaging X-rays.
A recent study led by Howard Bassen found no electromagnetic interference from iPods on pacemaker users. Researchers tested four different iPod models and measured magnetic fields and voltages within pacemakers, with all results showing no effects.
The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has received a $1 million grant from Intel to develop and test new technologies for monitoring cognitive function and mobility in older adults. The project aims to create innovative devices that can help prevent the loss of independence among seniors.
Two Yale Biomedical Engineers, Erin Lavik and Tarek Fahmy, have received Early Career Translational Research Awards for their innovative projects on glaucoma treatment and autoimmune disease diagnosis. The awards support their research collaborations with clinical investigators and provide two years of funding.
A team of students from Johns Hopkins University has developed a prototype that improves chest closure after heart surgery, replacing traditional metal wires with polymer cable ties. The device, which resembles a stapler, is designed to be safer and less invasive, reducing potential injuries to patients and surgeons.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a standardized method for synthesizing bulk nanowires, allowing for the exploration of next steps in semiconductor miniaturization. The new technology produces ten-times more nanowires than previous methods and sets parameters for standardization.
The Whitaker Foundation offers international fellowships and scholarships to US biomedical engineering students, aiming to provide an international outlook. The program will fund 15 years of fellowships and scholarships, with a focus on increasing interaction between US-educated engineers and overseas colleagues.
As people age, their lenses become four times stiffer, increasing the risk of eye injury. The study recommends using safety systems like seat belts while driving and wearing impact-resistant glasses or protective lenses in sports or work environments.
Biomedical engineers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new, minimally invasive sensor that can accurately monitor glucose levels and other bodily fluids. The sensor, smaller than a pencil tip, uses color changes to detect glucose levels, providing diabetics with continuous monitoring capabilities.
Researchers have developed a new system to improve heart defibrillation by targeting rogue electrical waves in arrhythmia. The device produces milder shocks, reducing the amount of energy required, which could lead to smaller, longer-lasting devices that spare patients from frequent replacements.