Using fish scales to grow artificial bones could cut the production time in half, from up to six months to only three. The bones created from fish collagen will be stronger than current artificial bones and will be able to integrate into bone tissue after implantation more quickly than the current collagen from pig skin. The use of fish scales will also lessen the potential for infection of humans by viruses from pigs. One of the primary goals is to use the fish collagen to...

Doctor visits may soon get a bit less scary with a new needle-free injector able to deliver precise doses of medicine with different levels of force. The injector will use a Lorentz-force actuator to deliver a high-pressure jet of medicine through the skin without the need for a needle. The actuator will work through a powerful magnet surrounded by a coil of wire attached to a piston inside the drug ampoule. An applied current will interact with the magnetic field to push the...

The new bandages will do more than cover a wound; they will also make it easier to potentially save a life by becoming a bone marrow donor. The packets of bandages will include a registry kit, sterile swabs, and a postage paid envelope. Before bandaging, users will swab some blood from their wound and mail it to the DKMS bone marrow donation center to register for bone marrow donation.

Researchers have discovered a new protein that regulates the development of brown fat, which could lead to new methods of controlling obesity. The protein, called BMP8B, controls brown fat by regulating its heat producing activity, which could make it ideal for creating new weight control therapies. In research, brown fat cells treated with BMP8B responded strongly to nervous system activation, and mice treated with BMP8B lost more weight than non-treated mice. This is due to the...

A new wristband will be able to diagnose and even predict potentially dangerous seizures. The wristbands will measure conductance, or how easily electrical current will pass through the skin. The skin conductance rises dramatically before and during a seizure, and the higher the conductance, the longer it takes for the brain to return to normal. The wristbands will be used to monitor people with seizure conditions, noting their intensity and possibly calling for help if the...

A new nanocomposite material will be used to fill cavities as well as eliminate any bacteria remaining in the tooth. The material will be made up of silver nanoparticles and calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The silver will kill off any remaining bacteria while the calcium phosphate will help to rebuild the tooth's structure. The dangers of silver nanoparticles are still unknown, and integrating the silver in the material will help to reduce the possible risks of ingestion.

The idea is to develop a method of spinning starch in fibers, which will lead to inexpensive paper products and biodegradable bandages. Starch is the cheapest and most abundant of the polymers, but becomes a thick paste when it contacts water. To counteract this effect, it is possible to add a solvent to the starch to enable it to be dissolved in a fluid without losing its molecular structure. An electrospinning device will overcome surface tension and allow the starch to be...

The new device will turn any smartphone into a scanner for oral cancer, and will be designed for low cost to aid in public health initiatives. The device will be about the size of a pack of gum and will contain two rows of fluorescent LED's that will illuminate the mouth to highlight dark spots and lesions. The incorporation of the phone will also make it easy to transmit images for off-site diagnosis. The oral scanner is expected to enable earlier diagnosis of oral cancers,...

The personal amplifier will be the first over-the-counter hearing aid device that will isolate and amplify voices. The amplifier hearing aid will use a signal-processing algorithm to add a subtle high-frequency boost to voices, helping them to stand out without the need to increase volume. The user will also be able retune the device by cupping a hand to the ear, which will cause the mic to sense the echo off the hand and signal the processor to adjust its levels.

The idea is to develop a wireless power transmission device that will be able to power implanted medical devices. The system will consist of a transmitter that will create a modulating magnetic field and a receiver with a metal band that will move with changes in the field. The movement will be translated into electricity able to power implants within range of the magnetic field, up to about 50 cm. The magnetic field will pose no threats to humans, and the power will be sent...