https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. A new design for eye and brain implants draws its inspiration from nature. https://phys.org/news/2022-04-bio-inspired-technology-day-bionic-eye.html Biotechnology Fri, 08 Apr 2022 09:03:16 EDT news568627392 When fake news, misreporting and alternative facts are everywhere, reading the news can be a challenge. Not only is there plenty of misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and other scientific topics floating around social media, you also need to read science stories, even well-known publications, with caution. https://phys.org/news/2020-03-bogus-science-stories-news-scientist.html Other Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:11:04 EDT news503827859 Brain implants, longer lives, genetically modified humans: for the prophets of transhumanism—the scientifically assisted evolution of humans beyond our current limitations—it is just a matter of time. https://phys.org/news/2018-12-augmented-humans-sceptics.html Hi Tech & Innovation Tue, 18 Dec 2018 11:18:11 EST news464354276 Hydrogels are physical and chemical polymer networks capable of retaining large quantities of liquid in aqueous conditions without losing their dimensional stability. They are used in a whole host of applications, and in combination with other components and they acquire specific properties such as electrical conductivity. The Materials + Technology research group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Environment of the UPV/EHU's Faculty of Engineering selected a biopolymer that had not previously been used for applications of this type: starch. "One of our lines of research focuses on starch, and we regard it as having biological, physical and chemical properties suitable for producing hydrogels," said Kizkitza Gonzalez-Munduate, a member of the group. https://phys.org/news/2018-11-hydrogel-based-electrodes-brain-implants.html Polymers Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:16:08 EST news462615356 Using both ears to hear increases speech recognition and improves sound localization. In essence, it helps you to identify a friend's voice so you can follow her amusing anecdote over the din of a cocktail party. Ruth Litovsky, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wants to bring this advantage to people who use cochlear implants. https://phys.org/news/2018-05-synchronizing-cochlear-brain-stereo.html Engineering Tue, 08 May 2018 09:43:30 EDT news444991401 Japanese researchers have described a new implantable device no bigger than the width of a coin that can be used to control brain patterns. The device, reported in AIP Advances, converts infrared light into blue light to control neural activity, and is the smallest and lightest wireless optical biodevice yet reported. https://phys.org/news/2018-04-world-smallest-optical-implantable-biodevice.html Optics & Photonics Thu, 26 Apr 2018 07:01:56 EDT news443944906 Complex neurotechnological devices are required to directly select and influence brain waves inside the skull's interior. Although it has become relatively easy to implement the devices, researchers are still faced with challenges when trying to keep them running properly in living organisms over time. But that could be changing now, thanks to a new method from Freiburg. https://phys.org/news/2017-04-sugar-coating-sweet.html Materials Science Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:55:14 EDT news410608505 We might be one step closer to the vision of Internet-connected wireless implanted devices. https://phys.org/news/2016-08-interscatter-enables-implanted-devices-contact.html Engineering Wed, 17 Aug 2016 16:36:23 EDT news390670565 Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a small smart chip that can be paired with neural implants for efficient wireless transmission of brain signals. https://phys.org/news/2016-02-smart-chip-low-powered-wireless-neural.html Electronics & Semiconductors Thu, 11 Feb 2016 09:20:01 EST news374401826 Medical implants, complex interfaces between brain and machine or remotely controlled insects: Recent developments combining machines and organisms have great potentials, but also give rise to major ethical concerns. In their review entitled "Chemie der Cyborgs – zur Verknüpfung technischer Systeme mit Lebewesen" (The Chemistry of Cyborgs – Interfacing Technical Devices with Organisms), German scientists discuss the state of the art of research, opportunities, and risks. The review is published now by the renowned journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition. https://phys.org/news/2014-01-cyborgs-era.html Other Fri, 10 Jan 2014 11:40:05 EST news308575664 (Phys.org) —This month, chipmaker Qualcomm opened up about its progress and goals in work on a brain-inspired chip architecture. The results are impressive. Computers that can mimic the human brain pose a challenge that attracts many computer scientists. While some people take comfort in the difference between computers and humans, such scientists see the difference as a challenge and ask if the gap can be narrowed. Qualcomm, for one, is working away at a computer architecture modeled after the brain, imitating brain processes. In a recent blog posting, Samir Kumar, Qualcomm director business development, presented his overview of the company's Zeroth processors, which are brain–inspired. https://phys.org/news/2013-10-qualcomm-brain-inspired-chip-good-robot.html Hi Tech & Innovation Sun, 13 Oct 2013 05:50:34 EDT news300862221 Scientists at the Danish Stem Cell Center, DanStem, at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that they can make embryonic stem cells regress to a stage of development where they are able to make placenta cells as well as the other fetal cells. This significant discovery, published in the journal Cell Reports today, has the potential to shed new light on placenta related disorders that can lead to problematic pregnancies and miscarriages. https://phys.org/news/2013-06-rewinding-stem-cell.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:57:41 EDT news289753054 (Phys.org) —A team of scientists and engineers at the University of Minnesota is giving new meaning to the old adage: "Mind over matter." https://phys.org/news/2013-04-mind-controlled-devices-reveal-future-possibilities.html Hi Tech & Innovation Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:03:24 EDT news284810571 MIT engineers have developed a fuel cell that runs on the same sugar that powers human cells: glucose. This glucose fuel cell could be used to drive highly efficient brain implants of the future, which could help paralyzed patients move their arms and legs again. https://phys.org/news/2012-06-energy-source-future-medical-implants.html Energy & Green Tech Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:43:36 EDT news258788592 (AP) -- Swiss scientists have demonstrated how a partially paralyzed person can control a robot by thought alone, a step they hope will one day allow immobile people to interact with their surroundings through so-called avatars. https://phys.org/news/2012-04-swiss-scientists-mind-robot.html Hi Tech & Innovation Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:46:37 EDT news254472388 (PhysOrg.com) -- A brain implant developed at the University of Michigan uses the body's skin like a conductor to wirelessly transmit the brain's neural signals to control a computer, and may eventually be used to reactivate paralyzed limbs. https://phys.org/news/2011-06-noninvasive-brain-implant-thoughts-movement.html Engineering Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:06:42 EDT news227462780 (PhysOrg.com) -- Diamonds adorning tiaras to anklets are treasures but these gemstones inside the body may prove priceless. https://phys.org/news/2010-10-gem-idea-flexible-diamond-studded-electrode.html Materials Science Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:18:00 EDT news205496210 A nanometer-scale probe designed to slip into a cell wall and fuse with it could offer researchers a portal for extended eavesdropping on the inner electrical activity of individual cells. https://phys.org/news/2010-04-nanoscale-stealth-probe-cell-walls.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:44:51 EDT news189348261 (PhysOrg.com) -- A single cell in the human body is approximately 10,000 times more energy-efficient than any nanoscale digital transistor, the fundamental building block of electronic chips. In one second, a cell performs about 10 million energy-consuming chemical reactions, which altogether require about one picowatt (one millionth millionth of a watt) of power. https://phys.org/news/2010-02-cell-inspired-electronics.html Engineering Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:50:02 EST news186333064 (PhysOrg.com) -- Computer chip maker Intel wants to implant a brain-sensing chip directly into the brains of its customers to allow them to operate computers and other devices without moving a muscle. https://phys.org/news/2009-11-intel-chip-implant-brain.html Hi Tech & Innovation Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:21:45 EST news178186859 ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Brain implants that can more clearly record signals from surrounding neurons in rats have been created at the University of Michigan. The findings could eventually lead to more effective treatment of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and paralysis. https://phys.org/news/2009-09-brain-implants-polymer-nanotubes.html Nanomaterials Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:44:47 EDT news173465029 (PhysOrg.com) -- Biomedical and materials engineers at the University of Michigan have developed a nanotech coating for brain implants that helps the devices operate longer and could improve treatment for deafness, paralysis, blindness, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. https://phys.org/news/2009-03-nanotech-coating-brain-implants-diseases.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:55:23 EDT news155933697