Daily Innovation News

August 30^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US researchers develop wearable ultrasound device that rapidly treats pain and depression

US researchers have created a wearable ultrasound device, Diadem, that significantly reduces chronic pain and depression symptoms after just one 40-minute session. By targeting precise brain regions associated with pain and emotional processing, the non-invasive device showed immediate and substantial improvements in patients, with 60% experiencing reduced pain and 71% of depressed participants achieving remission. This innovative approach, published in Pain, could offer a groundbreaking treatment option for those unresponsive to current therapies.

⚡️ Energy

🇨🇭 Swiss researchers develop rust-based hydrogen storage, offering a 10x cheaper and safer storage solution

Swiss researchers at ETH Zurich have developed an innovative method to store hydrogen by converting it into rust, using a process that’s 10 times cheaper and safer than current methods. This system, which stores energy as rust in iron reactors, allows hydrogen to be retained for months and then converted back into electricity during high-demand periods. The scalable technology, detailed in Sustainable Energy and Fuels, could significantly enhance seasonal energy storage, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US debuts world's first automated window-cleaning robots on New York skyscraper

The first-ever deployment of automated window-cleaning robots has launched on a 45-story skyscraper in New York City. Skyline Robotics' Ozmo system, which uses robotic arms equipped with brushes and water, cleans windows three times faster than human crews while ensuring safety and precision with AI and LiDAR technology. Currently controlled by a human operator, full autonomy is planned for the future, addressing labor shortages and enhancing safety in window cleaning. The system is set to expand globally, with London next in line.

🌎 Environment

🇨🇦 Canadian engineers develop light-powered method to capture and destroy toxic PFAS chemicals in water

Canadian engineers have created an all-in-one solution that both traps and destroys PFAS, the harmful "forever chemicals," using a hybrid photocatalyst that works even in low light. This method is faster, more economical, and more sustainable than existing technologies, eliminating up to 90% of PFAS in water within three hours. The innovation, detailed in Communications Engineering, could revolutionize water purification in municipal and industrial systems, addressing a significant environmental threat.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US study finds drug effective at stopping migraines before headache begins

A US study has shown that ubrogepant, a CGRP inhibitor, can effectively prevent migraines when taken at the first signs of an attack, such as sensitivity to light or neck pain, allowing individuals to continue daily activities with minimal symptoms. The study, published in Neurology, found that 65% of participants reported little or no activity limitations 24 hours after taking the drug, compared to 48% with a placebo. This approach could significantly improve the quality of life for migraine sufferers.

🇦🇺 Australian engineers develop a finger-prick test for early Alzheimer’s detection, aiding swift diagnosis

Australian engineers have created a portable finger-prick blood test capable of detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease through advanced sensor technology. This credit card-sized device identifies specific protein biomarkers linked to Alzheimer’s, providing quick results within minutes without the need for a lab. With dementia cases in Australia set to double by 2054, this affordable and accessible test could revolutionize early diagnosis, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. The innovation is poised for clinical trials pending further funding.

🇺🇸 US researchers create smart mask that monitors breath for real-time health diagnostics

US researchers have developed a smart mask prototype that monitors respiratory and metabolic conditions by analyzing exhaled breath in real time. This low-cost mask, called EBCare, can detect biomarkers for ailments like asthma, COPD, and kidney disease, offering a non-invasive and immediate assessment of a patient’s health. The technology, detailed in Science, could revolutionize personal health monitoring, making it more accessible and integrated into daily life.

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