Daily Innovation News

July 31^st 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US engineers develop an AI-powered pillow that adjusts your head position to combat snoring

US researchers have designed an innovative AI pillow, Hooti, that detects and addresses snoring by adjusting your head position. Using bone conduction technology and AI, the pillow senses snoring vibrations and sends instructions to inflate an internal airbag, gently shifting the sleeper's position to clear airways without waking them. This smart pillow promises to enhance sleep quality and reduce snoring, benefiting users and their partners. Currently available on Kickstarter, it features additional functionalities such as real-time data tracking and a pre-sleep neck massage.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US-developed autonomous robot dentist performs its first human dental procedure, enhancing speed and precision

A US-developed autonomous robot has successfully performed the first human dental procedure, completing the task eight times faster than a human dentist. This breakthrough system uses a 3D volumetric scanner and AI to create detailed mouth models and autonomously plan and execute dental operations. The robot can prepare a tooth for a crown in just 15 minutes, significantly reducing procedure time and enhancing patient comfort. Although not yet FDA-approved, this innovation promises to improve dental care efficiency and accessibility.

🇺🇸 US engineers create shape-shifting ‘Transformer’ robots with 1,000+ forms including buildings and bridges 

US researchers have developed innovative 'Transformer' robots that can morph into over 1,000 different shapes using just three motors and origami-inspired design. Created at North Carolina State University, these robots can transform into various structures, including buildings and bridges, and move without feet by altering their shape. This breakthrough, published in Nature, could lead to adaptable robotic structures for space missions and other applications. The robots' modular design allows them to be transported flat and assembled as needed.

💉 Biotechnology

🇺🇸 US researchers develop engineered bacteria as long-lasting mosquito repellent

US scientists have engineered human skin bacteria to repel mosquitos by eliminating the production of a mosquito-attracting form of lactic acid. The modified bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Corynebacterium amycolatum, significantly reduced mosquito attraction by up to 64.4% and maintained effectiveness for 11 days, outperforming DEET's short-term effects. This innovation, published in PNAS Nexus, could lead to a non-toxic, longer-lasting alternative for mosquito repellent, reducing the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

🇨🇭 Swiss researchers create UV-modified bacteria to enhance cellulose production

Swiss scientists have developed a method to boost cellulose production in bacteria by using UV light to induce beneficial mutations. By generating and selecting thousands of bacterial variants, they identified strains that produce up to 70% more cellulose than the original. This sustainable approach, published in PNAS, promises significant advancements in biomedical applications and packaging materials. The technique, which focuses on non-protein material production, could revolutionize industrial biotechnology.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US researchers develop bacteria-powered bandages for faster, infection-free healing

Researchers in the US have created innovative bandages that combine bacteria-powered biobatteries and biodegradable papertronics to enhance wound healing and infection prevention. These bandages use beneficial bacteria and nanoparticles to produce antibacterial agents and generate small electrical currents, promoting faster healing. Tested on simulated human and pig skin, the bandages show promise but require further research before human use. This development, published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, could revolutionize wound care by providing a more effective and safe method to heal chronic wounds.

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