innovation – Page 13 – TechieTonics

Spider Silk for Fixing Broken Bones: No More Additional Surgeries

March 6, 2014March 6, 2014 Neha Shukla

Silk produced by the spiders or silkworm are known to have great tensile strength, elasticity and essentially bio-compatible. Medical researchers would very soon are going to use silk produced from these insects for fixing broken bones. Until now, metal screws, plates or biodegradable ones were being used for mending the bones. But now with this breakthrough invention we can have devices made up of silk for mending bones.

Learning Changes Brain Cell Connectivity

March 1, 2014May 31, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

A new discovery has been achieved in the world of neurology. Scientists have made progress in better understanding what happens inside our brains when we learn or remember information. According to the University of British Columbia research team, molecular changes are observed in the brain when one learns or remembers. Such changes occur in the brain’s chemistry as fatty acids attach to delta-catenin (a protein important for normal cognitive development- Wikipedia) upon learning new things, which ultimately alters brain cell connectivity coupled with learning and memory. The study was conducted…

Predictive User Interface for Cars: The Next Revolution

February 28, 2014May 16, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

In the last 150 years, there has been tremendous escalation in terms of economic and innovative growth in the paraphernalia of automobiles. There are auto-manufacturing companies that are taking giant steps towards the next revolution, and lately Mitsubishi has hit the news with such a breakthrough effort. In an attempt to revolutionize the driving experience in car, Mitsubishi Electric is trying to come up with a predictive user interface. The technology would be able to predict the route of the driver as per the past driving history. In case there…

Neurofeedback And Brain Power

February 10, 2014May 31, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

The advanced brain imaging technology magnetoencephalography (MEG) could be the next big thing in the world of neurology and rehabilitation. “MEG is a new technology that measures the very faint magnetic fields that emanate from the head as a result of brain activity”- PBS.org . MEG measures and captures magnetic fields generated by nerve cell circuits in the brain at a matchless time resolution. This gives us the ability to observe brain activity as it happens, according to Dr. Sylvain Baillet, acting Director of the Brain Imaging Centre at The…

High Haze Paper Might Replace The Plastic Substrates Of Solar Cells

January 24, 2014 Pooja Kashyap

Paper coming from wood fibers would now be replacing plastic substrates that are employed in the manufacturing solar cells. Researchers from University of Maryland, the South China University of Technology, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have proposed this evolutionary step towards future technology. As per the researchers, solar cells gives maximum output when the materials involve have high optical transparency and high optical haze. Diffusion of light is of high quality when the optical transparency is high. And high optical haze helps in increasing the scattering of light which further…

New Device for Transdermal Detection Of Malaria

January 12, 2014January 12, 2014 Wa'd Abuzurayk

In a new breakthrough in the world of medical examination, researchers from Rice University have successfully developed a new way to test Malaria through using a laser pulse, instead of blood testing. Although the new test has only been tried on mice so far, it was found to be safe in humans. Trials on mice have resulted on successful detection of malaria when only one in a million red blood cell was infected. The test inventor, Dmitri O. Lapotko, stated that the invented device could test one person every 20…

Vigo, The Technology’s Answer To Energy Drinks

January 1, 2014January 1, 2014 Neha Shukla

Across the globe, every single day there are road accidents occurring due to drowsy driving. Sleepiness is the major contributor causing fatal road accidents and is generally overlooked by the drivers. Similar to alcohol, drowsiness reduces reflex time, alertness and hampers our decision- making ability. To combat this problem a kickstarter program has come up with a device known as Vigo. The sole aim of the device is to wake you up whenever you are low on energy and show sign of drowsiness and low alertness. In short, Vigo gauges…

First Artificial Leg That Reads Brain Signal To Walk

December 28, 2013December 27, 2013 Pooja Kashyap

Groundbreaking research conducted at RIC has found a way of controlling an artificial leg via brain. Researchers have come up with first of its own kind bionic, mind controlled leg, taking bionics to the next level. This advancement in medical field is still in its testing phase. Although, mind controlled bionic arm has already been available to amputees so far. As per Zac Vawter, 32, who in a bike accident lost his leg 4 years back says, there’s nothing special that he had to learn like giving some tugs or…

Inkjet Technology To Print Eye Cell

December 20, 2013 Neha Shukla

For the first time a team of scientists from UK has pioneered in printing the eye cell taken from the adult eye using the new inkjet printing technology. Earlier scientists were able to print embryonic stem cells but could not create the delicate adult cells. Using the technology scientists now hope to fabricate tissue grafts made up of different cells taken from the retina of adult human eye to cure blindness or to create any replacement for damaged part or organ.

Trephination: Cranial Surgery Started With Hand Drilling In Neolithic times

December 20, 2013December 20, 2013 Pooja Kashyap

Twenty first century is an epitome of progress and technological advancement. With the coming of stem cells, humanity has totally revolutionized medicine, an effort that was started in 1998. Stem cells are the all purpose cells, these cells have an entity of immature cells but have a huge potential of developing into many different kinds of cells. But amongst all these progression, cranial surgery is still a risky business. If we talk about the external factors employed today, surgeons are always endowed with aseptic environment, specialized surgical instruments and other…

BioPen: A New Bone Printing Pen

December 17, 2013December 17, 2013 Neha Shukla

Researchers at University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia has developed a new device using the 3 D printing technology known as BioPen. The latest technology will give the surgeons the power to design tailored implants directly at the injury spot and during surgery. Earlier surgeons had tough time finding matching tissues or body parts during surgeries and transplants. Using this hand held BioPen, creating even new bones identical to individual patient will now be possible.

3D Virtual Birth Simulator Might Avoid Complications During Births

December 10, 2013 Pooja Kashyap

Taking an innovative approach towards predicting the birth event during laboring, researchers at the University of East Anglia have come up with a patient-specific 3D virtual birth simulator. With an aim of assisting doctors and midwives, the simulator prepares them in case of complications at the time of births. The program takes into account the mother’s body shape and position of the baby to reach to proximity of what might take place during the birth event.

I am Not Weird, I am a Synesthete

November 30, 2013 Wa'd Abuzurayk

I still remember the first time I realized that numbers, week days, years and months had a certain order in my brain. I must have been around 7 or 8 then. And now, around 2 decades later, I realize that not everyone has this type of imagination, and that this is in fact a neurological phenomenon called Synesthesia. According to News-medical.net, Synesthesia is a neurologically based phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People with…

Tongue Piercing Now Control Wheelchair For Paralyzed Person

November 28, 2013 Neha Shukla

We have all seen tongue piercing as a fashion statement, but very soon, we will see its use in navigating a wheelchair. A latest invention will allow the paralyzed person to drive a wheelchair employing their tongue. The wheelchair has been tested with tetraplegia patients (paralysis of all the four limbs) enabling them to drive through obstacles successfully using just their tongue for steering.

Few Secrets of Discourse Comprehension Uncovered

November 24, 2013 Wa'd Abuzurayk

Discourse comprehension is the term used to describe the human brain’s ability to make sense of language, whether presented in spoken or written forms. In an effort to better understand the brain’s mechanism that underlie discourse comprehension, a research team lead by professor Aron Barbey gathered to conduct a study on the subject. The study was conducted on 145 American male Vietnam War veterans who obtained war-related head injuries. Such injuries were studied due to their nature as focal ones, unlike those obtained after strokes for example. Focal injuries give…