Gaze-tracking smartphone app designed to screen toddlers for autism

Although it’s certainly best to start addressing autism as early as possible, the disorder is often difficult to detect in young children. A new iOS app has been designed to help, by tracking a child’s eyes as they watch videos.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Gaze-tracking smartphone app designed to screen toddlers for autism

World-first printable transistor is fully recyclable with water and sound

A huge portion of electronic devices that are discarded at the end of their lives are never recycled, and a big part of the problem is the difficulty in separating out and recovering the valuable materials that make them up. With a view to solving this… Continue reading World-first printable transistor is fully recyclable with water and sound

Robotic dragonfly skims across water to detect oil spills and acidity

From slow-moving machines inspired by sloths to others that burst from the water and soar through the air like flying fish, robots that mimic the behavior of real-world creatures have exciting potential when it comes to environmental monitoring. A new … Continue reading Robotic dragonfly skims across water to detect oil spills and acidity

Bladder vaccines treat UTIs and keep them from coming back

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common and painful infection that can be surprisingly persistent. Now, researchers at Duke University have developed a vaccine that can be delivered via catheter to clear out the bacteria and prevent infections fro… Continue reading Bladder vaccines treat UTIs and keep them from coming back

Exercise drives muscles to fight chronic inflammation on their own

Inflammation in the human body is a complex physiological response to a complex range of triggers, and scientists have just uncovered some useful new details about how it works by experimenting with muscles grown in the lab. By simulating the effects o… Continue reading Exercise drives muscles to fight chronic inflammation on their own

Painkiller-dispensing patch could be an alternative to opioids

In order to keep patients from developing opioid addictions, it’s best if doctors can avoid prescribing the things in the first place. A new surgical patch could help, by gradually releasing painkillers right where they’re needed.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Painkiller-dispensing patch could be an alternative to opioids

Wound-healing hydrogel reduces scars by triggering immune response

Scar tissue is an effective short-term solution to quickly patch up wounded skin, but it’s not so great long-term. Now, researchers at Duke University and UCLA have created a new hydrogel that can trigger a regenerative immune response, helping skin he… Continue reading Wound-healing hydrogel reduces scars by triggering immune response

Mask safety: Study finds some materials may cause more harm than good

Scientists from Duke University have demonstrated a simple technique designed to test the efficacy of different face mask fabrics and designs in reducing the spread of respiratory droplets during normal speech. The research strikingly suggests some alt… Continue reading Mask safety: Study finds some materials may cause more harm than good

Ultra-black fish that absorb 99.5% of light found in the deep ocean

Scientists have discovered ultra-black fish that absorb almost all light that hits them, allowing them to effectively hide in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. It appears to be a more efficient method than those used by other animals, and the fi… Continue reading Ultra-black fish that absorb 99.5% of light found in the deep ocean