University of Connecticut

Bioengineers successfully regrew cartilage in a rabbit's knee and they've discovered that electrical signals are key to normal growth. They designed a tissue scaffold made out of nanofibers of poly-L lactic acid that has a neat property called piezo-electricity. When it is squeezed, it produces a little burst of electrical current. The regular movement of a joint, such as a person walking, can cause the PLLA scaffold to generate a weak but steady electrical field that encourages cells to colonize it and grow into cartilage.

Wearable fitness technologies, like smart watches and fitness trackers, are becoming increasingly common. These devices can allow people to track fitness metrics like physical activity, heart rate, calories burned, and even sleep quality. However, given how new these inventions are and how rapidly they are changing, it has been difficult to establish global standards for evaluating their reliability and accuracy.