Researchers developed a self-powered, flexible neuromorphic sensing platform that mimics human tactile perception, demonstrating hierarchical memory processes and spike-rate-dependent plasticity. The device operates entirely without an external power source, converting mechanical stimuli into electrical signals.
Researchers create SWANS system that enables seamless communication between implantable sensors, actuators, and wearable devices, sensing and triggering therapeutic responses. Tiny implants, smaller than 3 millimeters, can be used, with low power requirements and no damage to tissue samples.
Researchers developed a soft, reusable smart contact lens that measures serotonin levels in tears, shedding light on stress-related physiological changes. The device, part of a broader tear bioelectronics platform, detects serotonin at low concentrations, enabling the tracking of small changes in stress levels.
A four-year project has produced a blueprint for transforming digital healthcare into a circular system, keeping products and materials longer in use. The Digital Health in the Circular Economy project recommends redesigning healthcare systems to deliver greater environmental benefits, with changes across clinical workflows, product de...
Even low levels of nighttime light exposure can lead to structural changes in the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from 11,017 participants and found that those exposed to higher levels of light saw a thickening of the heart's walls and reduced flexibility during a heartbeat.
A new parametric design framework transforms flat paper sheets into self-folding helical sensors that measure biosignals. The approach combines sustainable materials with a simple software-guided design process, enabling rapid production of customized wearable electronics.
Researchers developed a low-cost touch interface that recognizes finger movements and users, using a single-electrode design and triboelectric effects. The interface can be created by printing patterns onto a PVC sheet with a laser printer and can recognize complex inputs, including alphabet characters and user authentication.
A 14-day wearable ECG monitor improved the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in patients with unexplained syncope. Monitoring more than doubled the detection of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias and led to earlier diagnosis, resulting in a 50% reduction in all-cause mortality.
The new study, known as SENTINEL, aims to predict both risk factors and protective factors for depression and suicide using patterns in brain activity and behavior. It will track approximately 210 USC students for up to 36 months, using a combination of lab tests, wearable sensors, and smartphone data.
Digital tools are transforming clinical research, public health readiness, healthcare institutions, and consumer choices. Citizen science initiatives using mobile apps are also growing, with three types of citizen science identified: with-the-people, by-the-people, and for-the-people.
Wearable sweat sensors provide continuous real-time monitoring in ICUs, offering insights into hydration and homeostasis through electrolyte and metabolite tracking. The technology has vast application prospects, including sepsis warnings, renal management, and precision glycemic control.
Researchers explore materials that can store, convert and release heat while maintaining human comfort and mechanical requirements. The review highlights emerging strategies for combining photothermal conversion with wearable technologies for thermal management and intelligent healthcare.
Researchers developed a wearable patch that uses room light to treat skin wounds, promoting wound closure and tissue regeneration. The patch, made of a stretchable silicone elastomer, emits red light that activates a photosensitizer, inducing collagen crosslinking and alleviating inflammation.
Researchers developed a wearable solution to optimize prosthetic fit and comfort, using embroidered textiles with sensing capabilities. The system detects normal and shear forces at the limb-socket interface in real-time, providing close-loop feedback for pressure levels.
Researchers developed a novel vertically integrated dual-gate transistor design for reliable touch sensing and large-area integration. The device exhibited stable response and recovery times, and demonstrated active tactile sensing capabilities.
A team at Pusan National University created a stretchable organic electrochemical transistor that can be easily reprogrammed to perform different functions. The device combines logic, memory, and a visible color readout without complex circuitry.
A soft, wearable fingertip patch continuously monitors levodopa levels in patients' sweat, comparable to standard laboratory blood tests. This technology enables precise customization of daily medication schedules for patients at home, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
UC San Diego engineers created a smart ring that continuously monitors up to four different chemical biomarkers from finger sweat. The ring provides real-time health insights into individuals with diabetes management and nutrition tracking, closely matching commercial glucose and ketone readings.
The health tech industry is evolving with AI-powered wearables that enable real-time data interpretation, reducing centralized infrastructure demands. Pharmaceutical AI tools like NoHarm automate reviews, freeing up resources for medication errors. These innovations transform healthcare, improving care and patient outcomes.
Researchers created a wearable patch that can detect hazardous substances and alert wearers through vibrations. The device also extends its functionality to robotic devices, allowing them to avoid hazards in their environment.
The NUS research team developed a self-healing magnetoelectric sensory system (SMES) that combines sensing with autonomous self-repair. The technology overcomes the challenges of conventional sensors, enabling devices to function reliably in both air and water.
Kyushu University researchers have developed prototype thin-film electronic modules that can automatically connect and disconnect with each other. The modules use a kinetic electronics approach, integrating actuators and circuits on the same thin-film to create an electromechanical docking mechanism.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed thread-based integrated circuits that can bend, coil, stretch and conform to the body's contours. These devices could track biomarkers or environmental conditions, providing insights for fitness, healthcare and recovery from injury or disease.
Researchers have developed ultrathin, invisible on-skin electrodes that can measure biological signals without altering appearance or social interactions. These new sensors achieve this by closely matching the appearance and texture of natural skin, reducing reflections and eliminating visibility.
Researchers at KAUST developed a wearable microneedle patch that continuously tracks drug levels beneath the skin and wirelessly transmits data to a smartphone. The platform provides continuous information about therapies inside the body, offering a more complete picture of how medicines move through the body over time.
A new study found that simple weekly electronic symptom check-ins with care teams significantly improves the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The benefits were notable among patient groups that historically faced barriers to care, including Black patients and those with less formal education.
Researchers at Penn State have developed paint-on tattoos that can power sensors and track health data like heart rate and brain waves. The innovative conductive ink can be customized with various colors and designs, providing a comfortable and accurate wearable solution.
SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2026
A new brain-like electronic device consumes very little energy and detects novelties almost instantly, with over 98% accuracy. The device requires roughly 10,000 times fewer computer operations than conventional AI approaches, paving the way for more energy-efficient AI systems.
A study of 87,577 adults found that average daytime light exposure above 1,000 lux reduced dementia risk by 16%. Longer exposure to bright light was associated with an even greater reduction in risk. Daytime light exposure was stronger predictor of dementia than established risk factors.
A new wearable monitoring system called OMEGA aims to replace outdated fetal heart rate monitoring technology with a unified real-time assessment of fetal oxygen delivery and adaptive capacity. The system could potentially reduce C-section rates and improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, saving millions in healthcare costs.
The review systematically maps out the research landscape of wearable AI doctors, combining power-harvesting approaches with self-powered intelligence. Flexible electronics enable devices to withstand dynamic environments, while on-device AI inference processes data locally for real-time analysis.
A new study analyzes the accuracy of consumer wearables that estimate biological age, highlighting both benefits and drawbacks. While these devices can motivate positive behavior change, they lack provider insight and risk oversimplifying complex biological data, leading to user anxiety or misinterpretation.
In this serial survey study, wearable device use increased among U.S. adults, but daily use and clinician-directed data sharing remained limited. The findings suggest a need for approaches to help realize the potential of wearable devices as health care tools.
A new vertical design separates expensive electronic components from disposable plastic patches, allowing sweat to travel upward and make electrical contact with sensors. This separation prevents waste and makes continuous monitoring economically possible.
The Seoul National University research team created an ultra-low-voltage electrochemical organic light-emitting transistor that performs signal processing, memory, and light emission within a single semiconductor device. The device achieved wide, stable light emission at low voltages without high voltages or unstable n-type doping.
Scientists at Linköping University have developed artificial heart muscle cells using organic electronics, opening up new possibilities for prosthetics, heart implants, and sensors. The technology aims to harness the principles of effective electrical signaling in biological cardiac muscle cells.
A University of Utah team developed a smartwatch prototype that tracks blood pressure and flow using electrical properties of blood flow for continuous, cuff-free readings. The technology harnesses physics and machine learning to provide accurate and interpretable results.
Researchers developed a soft, wearable ultrasound patch that continuously monitors a fetus for hours, enabling early detection of complications in high-risk pregnancies. The technology has the potential to expand access to prenatal care in low-resource settings and improve pregnancy outcomes.
A novel biogel solves hair-related issues with EEG systems, maintaining stable performance across different hair types for multiple days. The biogel enables objective measurements of brain responses to touch, potentially revolutionizing virtual reality and human-computer interfaces.
A machine-learning guided lifestyle coaching program based on data collected via personal devices reduced depressive symptoms by six weeks. Participants who implemented the program experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms and the treatment effect persisted during three months after the intervention ended.
A new skin-like computing patch can analyze health data using artificial intelligence in mere milliseconds, directly on the body. It overcomes limitations of wearable devices by running AI computations within the body, improving response time for critical medical applications.
A small, wireless polygraph system can track multiple physiological signals to capture a real-time view of stress in the body. The device can help clinicians detect stress and potential discomfort in patients, including infants or the elderly who may be unable to communicate.
Researchers have developed a wearable, wireless, battery-free sweat sensor that can track four clinically relevant biomarkers in real-time. The device's ability to regenerate its sensing surface and operate continuously over long timespans addresses key obstacles in long-term wearable biosensing.
Researchers developed an AI-driven wearable skin sensor patch to track reproductive hormones and detect hidden endocrine dysfunction, which can improve conception. The study found that men with normal testosterone levels may still have disrupted hormone rhythms associated with reproductive dysfunction.
A new study found that patients who take more than 1,000 steps per day after surgery have a 18% lower odds of complications, 16% lower odds of readmission, and 6% shorter hospital stays. This suggests that step count is not just a marker of wellness but a key component of recovery.
Researchers at Saarland University are developing smart implants that can continuously monitor and visualize the healing process of fractures. These customized implants can dynamically adapt to the healing process by becoming stiffer or more compliant as required, promoting bone regeneration through micromechanical stimulation.
Researchers at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation develop a smart contact lens that monitors intraocular pressure in real time and delivers treatment. The technology has shown promising results in preclinical models and aims to improve quality of life for patients with ocular diseases.
Researchers developed a method to estimate vascular age from consumer wearables' PPG signals, predicting accurate results with a mean error of six to seven years. The technique uses a deep learning model and may lead to earlier detection of cardiovascular risk and more effective preventive care.
Dr Amy Shirong Lu joins JMIR Serious Games as Editor-in-Chief with extensive research on digital health technologies and their impact on physical activity and cognitive health.
Researchers developed a wearable scent display that can blend up to eight fragrances in real time, enhancing immersive virtual experiences. The device uses advanced components to precisely control odor intensity and delivery.
A large randomized trial shows that continuous wearable monitoring reduces time with dangerously low oxygen levels after surgery, leading to improved composite outcomes and safety. The study found a 30-minute reduction in hypoxemia and a significant risk reduction for desaturation events.
A large randomized trial shows measurable improvements in postoperative patients who received continuous wearable monitoring, reducing time with dangerously low oxygen levels and composite outcomes. The study found a statistically significant 14% risk reduction for dangerous desaturation events and overall safety improvement.
A biomimetic smart insole system integrates high-resolution sensing, autonomous energy supply, and AI-assisted gait diagnosis to monitor lower limb function and disease progression. The system achieves ultra-low detection limits and maintains mechanical stability, addressing existing bottlenecks in wearable gait monitoring.
Researchers have developed an 'ECI patch' that reads brain signals and controls cars with 93.5% accuracy. The patch, powered by ultra-thin sheets called MXene, detects fatigue and mental states without causing skin irritation.
Recent advances in photonic nanomaterials and healthcare devices have led to the development of wearable and implantable medical devices. These devices utilize light for precise manipulation of cells and tissues, offering new possibilities for early disease detection, light-based therapies, and personalized precision medicine.
The research team created a fiber memristor-based physical reservoir computing system that enables seamless, continuous, and unobtrusive sleep monitoring. The system achieved 94.8% accuracy in snore event detection, 95.4% in sleep stage classification, and 93.5% in multi-modal fusion tasks.
Researchers have developed a printable enzyme ink that simplifies the mass production of enzymatic biofuel cells, paving the way for self-powered wearable sensors. The ink enables the creation of high-performance electrodes with minimal decay, suitable for real-world monitoring applications.
The Global Exposome Forum is a global initiative that aims to understand the complex interplay between biological, chemical, and environmental exposures and human health. The project has partnered with national governments, scientific institutions, and large membership-led organizations to advance exposomics science.
A new analysis found that wearing an Apple Watch with hypertension notifications can increase the probability of having hypertension in younger adults, while decreasing it in older adults. The study also revealed racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for targeted screening and treatment.
Scientists at the University of Surrey have created ultra-sensitive nanofiber-based sensors that can harness power from gentle movements, enabling continuous and maintenance-free sensing. These breakthrough sensors have potential applications in sleep disorder monitoring and dementia care.