Daily Innovation News

May 27^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US researchers develop wireless tech that recharges drones mid-flight

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have secured DARPA funding to advance wireless technology that recharges drones in flight. Led by Dr. Ifana Mahbub, the team is developing far-field wireless power transfer using phased-array antennas to focus electromagnetic waves over long distances, allowing UAVs to recharge without landing. This breakthrough could revolutionize drone operations by eliminating the need for power stations. The technology also promises broader applications, including wireless charging for electric vehicles, mobile phones, and medical implants.

⚡️ Energy

🇺🇸 US researchers achieve 44% efficiency rate for heat-to-electricity conversion for renewable grids

Researchers at the University of Michigan have achieved a 44% efficiency rate in converting heat to electricity using thermophotovoltaic cells. This breakthrough can significantly enhance energy storage for renewable grids by utilizing heat batteries that store excess energy and convert it back into electricity. The new device, operating at 1435°C, surpasses previous designs and holds potential for broader applications due to its passive nature and non-reliance on lithium. The study was published in Joule.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US MRI-compatible surgical robot enters human clinical trials for deep brain stimulation

AiM Medical Robotics, in collaboration with Harvard's Surgical Navigation and Robotics Lab and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, has begun clinical trials for its MRI-compatible surgical robot. This innovative device, designed for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s patients, combines robotic precision with real-time imaging to address brain shift during surgery. The robot, developed from 15 years of NIH-funded research, aims to improve procedural accuracy, reduce surgery times, and enhance patient outcomes. The technology marks a significant advancement in neurosurgery, potentially transforming treatment for functional brain disorders and brain cancer.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US study finds that living underwater can reverse aging by a decade

Retired naval officer Joseph Dituri participated in a groundbreaking study, living underwater for over three months. Researchers found that this pressurized environment reversed aging indicators by ten years, evidenced by a 20% increase in telomere length, higher stem cell count, improved metabolism, and better overall health. Dituri's 93-day underwater stay also enhanced his sleep quality and significantly lowered his cholesterol and inflammatory markers. This study opens new avenues for hyperbaric medicine to rejuvenate and improve human health.

🇨🇳 Chinese scientists achieve world's first diabetes cure with cell therapy

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a team of Chinese scientists has reportedly cured a 59-year-old man of type 2 diabetes using cell therapy. The patient, who had severe complications from diabetes and was dependent on daily insulin injections, underwent a cell transplant in July 2021. Just 11 weeks post-transplant, he no longer required insulin, and within a year, his need for oral medication was eliminated. This breakthrough leverages the patient's own cells to regenerate pancreatic islet tissue, marking a significant advance in regenerative medicine and offering hope for diabetes treatment worldwide.

🇺🇸 US psychiatrists prescribe first pill for postpartum depression with promising results

Psychiatrists in the United States have begun prescribing Zuranolone, the first pill specifically designed to treat postpartum depression, which affects up to 1 in 5 women. Approved by the FDA in August, Zuranolone offers an effective alternative to previous treatments, which included intravenous injections with significant side effects. Patients on a 14-day course of the medication have shown improvements as early as the fourth day, with minimal side effects. This breakthrough treatment is expected to significantly improve the mental health and quality of life for new mothers suffering from postpartum depression.

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