Note to readers: These posts are some of my favorite pieces from my time with Medgadget—stories that still resonate, even if they’re a bit dated. For now, consider this a placeholder, a glimpse into the past, until it’s replaced with fresh, exclusive GizmoMD content. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! In 2007, Anne Wojcicki’s 23andMe transformed personalized health with the unveiling of a direct to consumer genetic testing service in which subscribers would receive information about their ancestry, physical traits, and disease carriers by simply providing a saliva sample via mail to the company’s labs. Since then, 23andMe has garnered significant media…

Imagine having the power of a medical lab right in the palm of your hand. That’s the idea behind NAPTUNE, a new handheld diagnostic device created by researchers at the National University of Singapore. This tool can quickly find telltale signs of disease—like bits of DNA or proteins—in less than 45 minutes, without any complex lab equipment. It opens the door to faster, cheaper health checks in clinics, rural areas, or even the comfort of home. NAPTUNE works by using a smart chemical reaction. First, it scans for specific disease clues using a natural human enzyme. Then, it launches a…

Researchers from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) have developed a groundbreaking device called BiophysicaL Immune Profiling for Infants (BLIPI). This first-of-its-kind system provides real-time insights into newborns’ immune function using just a single drop of blood. By enabling early detection of severe inflammatory conditions, BLIPI offers a minimally invasive and rapid diagnostic tool that could significantly improve neonatal care, particularly for premature infants. Premature babies are highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which can escalate quickly and require immediate medical intervention. Traditional diagnostic methods…

Scientists at Mass General Brigham have developed a new kind of hearing implant that may help people who are deaf due to certain medical conditions. This device, called an auditory brainstem implant (ABI), is different from cochlear implants, which work by sending sound signals to the inner ear. Instead, ABIs send signals directly to the brainstem—the part of the brain that processes sound—bypassing damaged parts of the ear. The researchers designed this new ABI with soft, flexible electrodes, making it more comfortable and better at delivering sound signals than older versions. To test the implant, scientists conducted experiments with two…

A groundbreaking AI tool developed at Emory University is transforming throat cancer diagnosis by analyzing patients’ voices. Assistant professor Anthony Law has trained a deep neural network to detect laryngeal cancer with remarkable accuracy, using voice recordings as diagnostic markers. The AI model identifies subtle vocal changes that indicate the presence of tumors, enabling primary care physicians to diagnose cancer earlier and more effectively. Traditionally, laryngeal cancer diagnosis requires specialized expertise, as voice changes can stem from various conditions. Law’s AI system bridges this gap, providing clinicians with a powerful tool to distinguish between benign voice alterations and cancer-related dysphonia.…

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center have unveiled the TACIT algorithm, a revolutionary AI-driven tool designed to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. By analyzing complex patient data, TACIT identifies subtle patterns that traditional methods often miss, enabling oncologists to make faster and more precise decisions. This advancement is particularly promising for aggressive cancers, where early intervention can significantly improve outcomes. The algorithm leverages deep learning to refine treatment strategies, offering personalized recommendations based on a patient’s unique genetic and clinical profile. Unlike conventional diagnostic approaches, TACIT continuously adapts to new data, ensuring its predictions remain accurate and…

Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing pediatric burn care, offering young patients a powerful tool to manage pain during treatment. Researchers at Griffith University have explored how immersive VR experiences can serve as a distraction, reducing the need for traditional pain medications. By transporting children into engaging virtual environments, the technology helps shift their focus away from painful procedures, making treatments more tolerable and less distressing. Using VR tech from Smileyscope, The study highlights the psychological and physiological benefits of VR, showing that children who engage with virtual worlds experience lower pain perception and anxiety. The interactive nature of VR allows…

Medical devices like pulse oximeters have long faced scrutiny for their inconsistent accuracy across different skin tones. A new study from Brown University and Morgan State University proposes an innovative solution: using smartphone cameras to objectively measure skin tone. Researchers developed a method that captures skin color data and applies an algorithm to calculate a standardized skin-tone value, known as the individual typology angle (ITA). This approach aims to mitigate racial bias in medical diagnostics by providing a more precise measurement of skin pigmentation, which directly affects the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings. The study found that smartphone-based skin-tone measurements…

Malaria remains a persistent global health challenge, particularly in regions where asymptomatic carriers contribute to ongoing transmission. Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a groundbreaking paper-based diagnostic device that significantly improves malaria detection in individuals without symptoms. Unlike conventional methods, which often require laboratory infrastructure, this portable device enables on-site testing using mass spectrometry to identify malaria-specific antigens. The innovation promises to enhance surveillance efforts, particularly in remote areas where access to healthcare is limited. During field tests in Ghana, the paper-based device outperformed existing diagnostic techniques, demonstrating 90% accuracy, comparable to PCR testing. The device works by…

Note to readers: These posts are some of my favorite pieces from my time with Medgadget—stories that still resonate, even if they’re a bit dated. For now, consider this a placeholder, a glimpse into the past, until it’s replaced with fresh, exclusive GizmoMD content. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! Fresh off a project in Cameroon, the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital paid a special visit to the San Francisco Bay Area for fundraising activities and a resupply before spending the holidays in Arizona for maintenance and its next project in Peru. GizmoMD was given a private tour and got a…