A multidisciplinary team led by Seoul National University has developed a wireless, implantable device that delivers chemotherapy drugs directly into solid tumors—dramatically improving treatment effectiveness while avoiding harmful side effects. Traditional chemotherapy often struggles to penetrate dense tumor tissue, requiring high systemic doses that can damage healthy organs and cause severe complications. The new device, called the Dual-Phoretic Wireless Drug Delivery System (DPw-DDS), solves this problem by combining two drug transport methods: electrophoresis, which controls drug release using an ion-selective diode, and iontophoresis, which pushes the drugs deep into tumor tissue using electric fields. The system is powered wirelessly via…

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a soft, skin-like wearable device that can continuously monitor blood pressure without the need for bulky cuffs or hospital visits. The patch, which adheres to the wrist like a bandage, uses a combination of electrical and mechanical signals—specifically, the timing difference between heartbeats and pulse waves—to measure systolic and diastolic pressure in real time. To achieve this, the team designed a sensor that detects subtle skin movements caused by blood flow and heart activity. They used a novel material called liquid metal, which is flexible, stretchable, and highly conductive. By applying a laser…

Researchers at Northwest University in China have developed a novel hydrogel treatment that shows significant promise for managing diabetic wounds while also helping regulate blood sugar levels. Chronic wounds are a common and dangerous complication of diabetes, often exacerbated by persistent inflammation, infection, oxidative stress, and poor glycemic control. Traditional treatments typically address these issues separately, but the new hydrogel—referred to as DPFI—offers a multifunctional approach that targets all of them simultaneously. DPFI is built on a thermosensitive matrix using Pluronic F127, a material that responds to temperature changes to enable controlled release of therapeutic agents. Embedded within this matrix…

MIT researchers have developed a pioneering imaging system that enables unprecedented views into living brain tissue, reaching depths previously unattainable while maintaining single-cell resolution. Remarkably, this technique works without the need for chemical labels or genetic modifications. The system relies on detecting NAD(P)H, a molecule closely tied to cellular metabolism and neuronal activity. Instead of traditional near-UV light, the microscope uses ultra-short pulses of light at three times the standard absorption wavelength—a method known as three-photon excitation. This longer wavelength penetrates deeper into tissue with minimal scattering, much like fog lamps illuminating through mist. To capture the resulting signal, the…

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU) have developed a highly personalized hand exoskeleton designed to help people regain mobility after injuries, strokes, or neurological conditions. Unlike generic rehabilitation devices, this exoskeleton is custom-built to match the exact shape and movement needs of each individual hand—making it more effective, comfortable, and accessible for patients of all ages and genders. Hand mobility is often impaired after tendon damage or neurological trauma, and recovery can be slow and frustrating. Exoskeletons are increasingly used in therapy to support wrist and finger movement, but many are bulky, poorly fitted,…

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a promising new model for surgical education that uses artificial intelligence and extended-reality technology to train medical residents—without the need for a live instructor. The system, called ESIST (Educational System for Instructionless Surgical Training), combines deep learning algorithms with a custom-designed headset that streams surgical instructions and visual content directly into the trainee’s field of view. This allows students to learn and practice complex procedures with their hands free, while receiving real-time feedback from the system itself. The study focused on teaching a critical step in a kidney…

Scientists from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich, and the Medical University of Vienna have created a new endoscopy capsule that could dramatically improve early detection of esophageal cancer. This type of cancer is often deadly when diagnosed late, but survival rates soar when caught early. The new technology, called O2E, combines two advanced imaging techniques to reveal even the smallest changes in tissue and blood vessels. The capsule uses optical coherence tomography to map tissue structure and optoacoustic imaging to visualize blood flow by detecting sound waves generated by light pulses. Together, these methods produce detailed 3D images…

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich and the University Hospital of Zurich has developed a new kind of heart patch that doesn’t just seal damaged areas—it helps them heal. After a heart attack, parts of the heart muscle can die due to lack of oxygen, and in severe cases, the heart wall can rupture. Current patches used to repair this damage are made from animal tissue and don’t integrate with the heart, often remaining as foreign objects that can cause complications. The new patch, called RCPatch, is made from three components: a fine mesh to seal the damage, a…

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful joint inflammation and damage. While current treatments can slow its progression, they often fall short in preventing flare-ups or stopping the disease from developing in people at risk. Now, researchers have developed a promising new approach using specially designed nanoparticles that may help prevent RA from starting and reduce the severity of flare-ups. The nanoparticles, called Agg-CLNP, are made from biodegradable polymers and loaded with calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D3. They’re also coated with a protein fragment from aggrecan—a molecule found in joint cartilage that the immune…

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have found that delivering small, painless electric pulses to the outer ear can significantly enhance the effects of self-compassion meditation. The technique stimulates the vagus nerve—a key part of the nervous system that helps regulate stress and emotional responses—by targeting the tragus, a small flap of cartilage near the ear canal. When paired with compassion-focused meditation, this stimulation led to a stronger and more immediate increase in participants’ self-kindness and mindfulness compared to meditation alone. The study involved 120 healthy volunteers who were divided into four groups. Some received vagus nerve stimulation while practicing…