Tag: Public Health

Rapid PCR Chip for Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a tiny lab-on-a-chip that can perform PCR diagnostics in just a few minutes. Usually requiring bulky and expensive lab equipment, PCR is a gold standard diagnostic test for a variety of infectious pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. The new testing device is 1 cm in [& (Read more...)

Rapid Identification of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: Interview with Jong Lee, CEO at Day Zero Diagnostics

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, with some predictions suggesting that routine surgery could be unacceptably risky in a future where many antibiotics have become obsolete. Part of the problem lies in the time it takes clinicians to diagnose an antibiotic-resistant infection. Current techniques involve lab technicians culturing a bacteria (Read more...)

Elastomeric Respirator Mask Senses Fit and Filter Saturation

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a new respirator, conceived as an improvement on standard N95 masks. The transparent respirator contains sensors that allow users to know if the mask is fitting snugly and alerts them when the filters need to be replaced. The mask, called the t (Read more...)

Inhalable Nanobody Therapy Deactivates SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new antibody-type therapy for SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus for COVID-19. The treatment exploits “nanobodies” – tiny antibody fragments – that are harvested from llama blood. The new nanobody therapy can be used in an inhalable form that may deactivate the virus (Read more...)

Microneedle Bandage Detects Malaria in Minutes

Researchers at Rice University have developed a microneedle patch that can rapidly detect the presence of malaria in interstitial fluid. Users can apply the patch to their skin, as you would a bandage, and then obtain a result in as little as 20 minutes. The technology is low-cost and requires no expertise to utilize. Malaria […]

CRISPR-Based Assay for Rapid and Inexpensive Malaria Testing

Researchers at the Harvard Wyss Institute have developed a rapid, inexpensive, and very sensitive malaria test that harnesses the power of CRISPR. The new technique does not require complicated sample preparation or processing, and it could allow for rapid on-site testing in low resource regions, aiding the campaign to eliminate malaria. Determinin (Read more...)

EchoNous KOSMOS 3-in-1 Ultrasound, Electronic Stethoscope, and ECG Helps with COVID-19

EchoNous, a developer of novel ultrasounds, has found a way to leverage multiple critical clinical technologies within a single device. The result is KOSMOS, a handheld 3-in-1 device consisting of an ultrasound, electronic stethoscope, and an ECG, all linked via artificial technology. When COVID-19 was hitting NYC earlier this year, EchoNous was ab (Read more...)

Graphene Facemask to Deactivate Coronaviruses and Bacteria

Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have developed a face mask containing laser-induced graphene that can kill bacteria and has demonstrated potential in deactivating coronaviruses. The graphene layer has antibacterial properties and can generate heat when exposed to sunlight, which may underlie its ability to deactivate coronaviruses. (Read more...)

LG Air Purifier Mask Makes Breathing Easy

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, companies around the world have been working on solutions to improve how the world responds to the crisis. LG, the giant South Korean electronics manufacturer, has just announced that it has developed a face mask that is an air purifier that cleans the air and makes it easy to breathe […]

Pivoting to PPE – A Plastic Manufacturer’s Response to the Covid Pandemic: Interview with Jay Baker, President, Jonestown Plastics

Businesses across industries have felt and reacted to the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. While many have faced challenges to their traditional business models, some have taken those challenges in stride and turned their responses into opportunities for new growth or strategic pivots. Jamestown Plastics, a family-owned, New York-based d (Read more...)

UV Disinfection of Medical Equipment: Interview with Jeremy Starkweather, President of UV-Concepts

With the COVID-19 pandemic set to continue for the foreseeable future, efforts to deal with the virus in healthcare facilities are of the utmost importance. Reducing viral transmission will protect patients and clinicians alike. A key part of this is disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including those of portable medical equipment such as whe (Read more...)

PulseNmore At-Home Tele-Ultrasound for Pregnant Women

During these trying COVID days, patients have been limited in the care they receive because clinics have been limiting access and because patients themselves have been wary of visiting medical facilities. Pregnant women are a particularly vulnerable group and require frequent office visits, including receiving ultrasound exams. A new device has jus (Read more...)