Organic hydrogels can be a promising candidate for building long-term functioning glucose biosensors
In a new study, published online in the journal American Chemical Society (ACS)
Applied Polymer Materials, scientists at Texas A&M University reported they have designed a hydrogel membrane that may be used to house optical glucose sensing materials, toward building a biosensor for monitoring sugar levels in diabetics.
By incorporating dangling, comb-type molecular chains within a type of hydrogel called poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or poly NIPAAm for short, they showed that the membrane could prevent leakage of small-sized molecules, like the ones for glucose-sensing, while still allowing glucose to freely diffuse in and out.
Monitoring labor in pregnancy aim of grant to develop imaging technology
Researchers receive funding from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help develop low-cost, bedside equipment for people in underserved regions
December 8, 2020 SHARE Researchers at Washington University s School of Medicine and McKelvey School of Engineering plan to develop a portable, inexpensive and noninvasive 3D imaging system designed to monitor pregnant women s labor progression. The technology aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in underserved regions. (Photo: Getty Images)
Monitoring uterine contractions during labor is critical for safeguarding maternal health and preventing preterm births, the world’s leading cause of death in children under age 5. Toward that end, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis plan to develop a portable, inexpensive and noninvasive 3D imaging system designed to monitor labor progression.
UVA researchers identify genes that influence risk for common form of heart disease
Dec 10 2020
Researchers at the University of Virginia have shed light on how our genes affect our risk for coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease. In addition to identifying gene variants that influence risk, they found that one gene in particular appears to have a protective effect.
Doctors may be able to use the findings to identify people at high risk and to develop better treatments and preventative interventions.
Current drugs for coronary artery disease treat the risk factors, such as cholesterol or hypertension. Our studies used a genetic approach to identify the mechanisms in the wall of the blood vessels where the disease actually develops.”