University of California, Los Angeles

Sensor Could Help Patients Stay on Top of Their Meds

Lithium can alleviate the symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression — if taken in just the right amount. Too little won't work, while too much can bring on dangerous side effects. To precisely monitor the amount of this medication in the body, patients must undergo invasive blood tests. But now, scientists report the invention of a tiny sensor that detects lithium levels from sweat on the surface of a fingertip in as little as 30 seconds, without a trip to the clinic.

Human-Machine Interfaces Work Underwater, Generate Their Own Power

Wearable human-machine interface devices can be used to control machines, computers, music players, and other systems. A challenge for conventional human-machine interfaces is the presence of sweat on human skin. Scientists now describe their development of a type of human-machine interface that is stretchable, inexpensive, and waterproof. The device is based on a soft magnetoelastic sensor array that converts mechanical pressure from the press of a finger into an electrical signal.

CarbonBuilt

CarbonBuilt is a US-based company developing a modular solution to permanently embed carbon dioxide from flue gas into precast concrete blocks.

Smartwatch Measures Key Stress Hormone

The human body responds to stress, from the everyday to the extreme, by producing a hormone called cortisol. To date, it has been impractical to measure cortisol as a way to potentially identify conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress, in which levels of the hormone are elevated. Cortisol levels traditionally have been evaluated through blood samples by professional labs, and while those measurements can be useful for diagnosing certain diseases, they fail to capture changes in cortisol levels over time.

Big Batteries on Wheels Can Deliver Zero-Emissions Rail, Secure Grid

Trains have been on the sidelines of electrification efforts for a long time in theUS because they account for only 2% of transportation sector emissions, but diesel freight trains emit 35 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually and produce air pollution that leads to $6.5 billion in health costs, resulting in an estimated 1,000 premature deaths each year.

Pollen Developed Into 3D Printing Ink for Biomedical Applications

Scientists have found a way to use sunflower pollen to develop a 3D printing ink material that could be used to fabricate parts useful for tissue engineering, toxicity testing and drug delivery.

Tiny Robot Earns World Record

The creator hopes his robots can someday be used to solve tricky engineering problems by emulating talented creatures like squid or mice that can seamlessly squeeze themselves like liquid into tight places. Biology, particularly insects, still surpass their robotic counterparts in almost every aspect, but he hopes to develop robots in the next decade that are significantly better at mimicking natural systems.

Multidisciplinary Team Developing an Immersive Avatar System

A multidisciplinary team developing an immersive avatar system that enables remote human connection has advanced to the semifinals for the $10 million ANA Avatar XPRIZE competition.

Scientists Create Model of an Early Human Embryo from Skin Cells

In a discovery that will revolutionize research into the causes of early miscarriage, infertility and the study of early human development - an international team of scientists has generated a model of a human embryo from skin cells.