Taking advantage of the new microneedle patch technology, I suggest developing a dissolving patch that will allow patients to self-administer vaccines - painlessly. The patch will consist of microneedles only seven-tenths of a millimeter long and use dry virus-like particles instead of the usual liquid containing the dead or attenuated virus. An added stabilizing agent means the patches will not have to be refrigerated, and the precise delivery method of the small needles will...

A breath test for the swine flu could help to not only identify infected people more quickly, but also prevent unnecessary vaccinations. The test will be able to identify the levels of exhaled nitric oxide and isoprene, which are both associated with the flu and viral infections. The new H1N1 test will be one more step along to the way to preventing pandemics and saving resources.