Self-sensing materials will find a range of applications from tissue engineering to building lightweight aircraft. Advances in materials science and engineering have led to an intriguing class of structural materials called self-sensing…
Antibacterial surface coating makes medical devices safer
A new antibacterial surface treatment could help improve the safety of medical devices by minimizing the risk of infection during their use. According to a 2007 US national survey, roughly 1.7 million…
Broad-spectrum antivirals made from polymers
The current pandemic will likely not be the last we see in our lifetimes. With zoonotic transmission potentially on the rise, scientists warn of a heightened risk of future pandemics of the…
Copper nanoparticles an effective spermicide
Copper’s ability to hinder the motility of sperm makes it an ideal contraceptive, and researchers have now formulated it into a spermicide. With the advent of the birth control in the 1960s,…
Endometriosis treated by heating magnetic nanoparticles
A non-surgical option for women who suffer from endometriosis, this nanoparticle therapy shows promising preliminary results. Endometriosis is a devastating disease that affects roughly 176 million women worldwide. In individuals with the…
Rebuilding the brain after a stroke
A virus-based treatment for stroke rebuilds neural connections and vascular networks in the brain. A stroke is a life changing event. Caused as a result of a blocked artery or leaking blood…
Why does Oreo cream stick to one side of the cookie?
Mechanical engineers put Oreo cream filling through a battery of tests to understand what happens when two wafers are twisted apart. One could argue there are many ways to eat an Oreo…
Decoy particles trick SARS-CoV-2 – Advanced Science News
When it comes to developing treatments for infectious diseases, viruses are tricky. They evolve quickly, vary widely, and depend on their host for survival, which makes creating an effective blanket treatment —…
People prefer voice companions to human-like robots
Study participants were more comfortable with voice-based AI companions compared to robots that act and look like humans. Artificial intelligence (AI) companions are becoming increasingly popular. From Replika, “the AI companion who…
COVID-19 breathalyzer gets FDA approval
Using a chemical signature in the breath, a newly approved COVID-19 breathalyzer could provide an easy and rapid means of testing. Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the…