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! Seeing the wide smile on Dr. Basil Harris as he demonstrated his XPRIZE winning “DxtER” device last Friday at the Silicon Valley Comic Con in San Jose, California, it seemed almost natural that he and his team would win a five-year competition named after one of science fiction’s most iconic…

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! Recently, I received Max Virtual‘s new Cynaps Enhance hearing system in the mail. I was especially excited to test out this particular device for a couple reasons. First, I was born with a condition called a microtia in which my outer left ear was underdeveloped, leaving me with practically no hearing.…

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 the recently released science-fiction novel Ready Player Two, protagonist Wade Watts spends the majority of the book inside a virtual reality universe called the “OASIS”. Though the OASIS is merely a simulation consisting of computer-generated imagery, immersive sound, and gesture-based interaction, it has a profound impact on reality.…

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! Our nervous system plays a central role in how we sense things in our environment, and modulating the signals that pass through our nerves can manipulate our brain in various ways. Neuromodulation is commonly used for pain relief and is being researched to help restore movement, sight, hearing,…

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! The introduction of the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) has been a game-changer in the field of diabetes management. For patients, CGMs drastically reduce the number of annoying and painful finger sticks needed to monitor blood glucose. With readings as often as every five minutes (or on-demand), patients can…

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has introduced a detachable acoustic lens that enhances ultrasound imaging by allowing precise focus adjustments. Traditional ultrasound transducers have fixed focal lengths, requiring multiple devices for different imaging tasks. This new lens design enables users to modify the focal distance without replacing equipment, improving resolution and reducing costs. The detachable lens features an aspheric shape, which minimizes spherical aberration and enhances image clarity. Unlike conventional spherical lenses that cause blurring at the edges, the KRISS-developed lens provides sharper focus and higher resolution. The team also designed a foldable version, allowing flexible size adjustments to…

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a groundbreaking algorithm that significantly accelerates the design of vascular systems for 3D-printed hearts. The ability to fabricate personalized organs using a patient’s own cells has long been a goal in regenerative medicine, but ensuring proper blood flow within these artificial structures has remained a major challenge. The new algorithm generates vascular trees that closely mimic natural blood vessel architectures, making it possible to create complex networks that efficiently distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the organ. The algorithm, which runs 200 times faster than previous methods, enables researchers to model realistic vascular networks in just a…

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! Ten years ago, Sleep Number gave GizmoMD the opportunity to try out their advanced beds. As you’ve probably seen on numerous TV commercials and in retail outlets, Sleep Number beds are known for their adjustable firmness, accomplished by changing the air pressure inside their mattresses. We had enjoyed sleeping on…

Harvard University researchers have created cyborg tadpoles by implanting soft, flexible neural devices into embryos, allowing them to monitor brain activity as it develops. This breakthrough enables scientists to study neurological conditions such as autism and schizophrenia at their earliest stages. The implant integrates seamlessly into the neural plate, recording electrical signals with millisecond precision. Traditional brain monitoring methods often damage tissue or provide only limited snapshots of development. By embedding sensors into the neural plate before it folds into the brain, researchers can continuously track neural activity without disruption. This approach could lead to new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders…

Mass General Brigham researchers have developed a virtual reality (VR) training tool to improve infection control practices in healthcare settings. The immersive module educates clinicians on cleaning and disinfecting portable medical equipment, addressing a critical gap in preventing healthcare-associated infections. The training incorporates gamification and visualization techniques to enhance learning. Studies show that shared medical devices, such as blood pressure cuffs and imaging machines, are often inadequately disinfected, contributing to infection risks. The VR tool allows healthcare workers to “see” invisible contamination and practice proper cleaning techniques in a simulated environment. Initial trials at multiple facilities demonstrated increased staff competency…