News • Data donation
Securely using citizen's data in health research: How it can be done
In a new article, digital health experts discuss how medical data from citizens could be used for research in the future while respecting personal rights.
Article • Affordable and widely accessible
Robotics applied in support of patient wellbeing
Keeping technology simple and affordable is key in helping patients to fully benefit from robotic systems, according to a leading expert in the field. While expensive and complex systems have been developed, Professor Heike Vallery believes the full potential of robotics in patient care will only be realised when they become more affordable and widely accessible. She also underlines the…
News • Sexual health pilot project
Vending machines offer convenient STI testing
Vending machines dispensing self-test kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have proven to be an effective and widely accepted means of reaching individuals who rarely or never get tested.
News • Infection control
Covid-19 contact tracing: Was it worth it?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Switzerland relied on contact tracing to identify people likely to have been contaminated by an acquaintance. A research team assessed the effectiveness of this method.
News • Appeal for better approval conditions
AI in personalised cancer medicine: “A fundamental change is needed”
AI technology holds promise for personalised cancer therapies. However, rigid and slow approval requirements impede its introduction, say experts – and point out how this might be changed.
News • Mobile health technologies
Contraception counseling: Doctors shy away from digital methods
Pregnancy prevention apps, fertility-tracking wearables and more: Digital tools have expanded the range of contraceptive methods – but are rarely discussed at the GP's office, a new study shows.
News • From conception to childbirth
Study shows what women want (in pregnancy health apps)
A team comprising obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, and biomedical engineers has found the key determinants for digital health solutions that support women from pre- to post-pregnancy.
News • Decision support system
Reducing high-risk drug combinations in the ICU
Fewer, but more relevant alerts in the ICU: Dutch researchers show how a computerized decision support system significantly reduces high-risk drug combinations in intensive care patients.
News • Concerns over new law
How would a WhatsApp ban for doctors affect patient care?
UK law changes threaten the security of messaging apps – and their use in the NHS. Doctors warn that patient care will suffer if they can no longer use apps such as WhatsApp to share information.
News • Ocular sensor
Researchers develop contact lenses to diagnose glaucoma
A team from the UK and Turkey have developed a contact lens with embedded micro-sensors which can detect changes in eye pressure - a possible indicator of glaucoma.
News • Digital disguise
Noisy data to improve patient privacy
Researchers have developed software able to disguise sensitive data in health care applications. This protects privacy while making datasets available for development of better treatments.
News • Training course and sound therapy
Can an app train the brain to overcome tinnitus?
Tinnitus is common, affecting up to one in four people. Now a study shows that the debilitating effects on mental health can often be reduced via training and sound therapy in a smartphone app.
News • Prevention through geometry
AI-designed catheter could help prevent bacterial infections
With the help of AI, a team at Caltech has designed a new type of catheter tube that impedes the upstream mobility of bacteria, without the need for antibiotics or chemical antimicrobial methods.
News • Emergency decision assistance
Research: In-ambulance AI support could save more lives
If healthcare professionals could get support making fast-paced, life-critical decisions from an AI tool, more lives could be saved, according to new research results from Sweden.
News • Algorithm detects emotional state
AI face detection as support for psychotherapy
A feasibility study by Swiss researchers shows that AI systems are able to reliably predict therapeutic success in patients with borderline personality pathology by detecting emotions on their face.
News • Automa+ Congress
Towards tomorrow: Insights from Zurich on pharma's progressive trajectory
The Automa+ 2023 congress has brought fascinating insights into the pharmaceutical landscape. This article distills highlights from the congress, illuminating the paradigm-shifting strides that are set to propel the pharmaceutical industry into a future characterized by interconnected, empathetic, and forward-thinking practices.
News • Telemedicine study
Most patients in favor of online GP consultations
The largest-ever study of patient views on online GP consultations saw a strong backing for the new option. Important benefits named were greater convenience and flexibility, but also efficiency.
News • Fullness simulator
This vibrating, ingestible capsule might help treat obesity
When your stomach is full after a large meal, certain receptors are activated to tell the brain. A newly developed capsule could provoke this fullness signal early, potentially helping with treating obesity.
News • Technology assessment
AI in medical research: Promise and challenges
A powerful tool, but the need for human judgment remains: In an editorial published in PNAS Nexus, Monica M. Bertagnolli assesses the promise of AI and machine learning to study and improve health.
News • Miniature marvels
Wireless mini robots successfully navigate arteries
Dutch researchers successfully inserted magnet-controlled miniature robots into an aorta model with kidneys. In the future, this technology could be used to remove blood clots.
News • Battle of the AI large language models
Elicit: A better ChatGPT for medical research?
Researchers explored the potential of two generative AI models for answering clinical questions and literature selection for medical research – one fared signifcantly better than the other.
Sponsored • Rein Medical at Medica 2023
The entire OR workflow at your fingertips
The Medica in Düsseldorf once again solidified its status as one of the largest medical trade fairs worldwide this year - and Rein Medical seized the opportunity to present a selection of its product portfolio.
Video • Digital design-to-manufacturing process
3D printing personalised prosthetics anywhere in the world
A fully digital design-to-manufacturing process developed at Loughborough University has the potential to revolutionise lower limb socket production by allowing printing outside of hospital settings.
News • Point-of-care neurodiagnosis
Eye-safe laser technology to diagnose traumatic brain injury
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have designed and developed a novel diagnostic device to detect traumatic brain injury (TBI) by shining a safe laser into the eye.
News • Electronic nerve and muscle stimulation
A smart glove to improve stroke rehabilitation
An electronic glove that enables movement in the paralysed hand of stroke survivors – supporting their rehabilitation – has been invented by a team from the University of Southampton.
