What Matters November: MedTech News You Need To Know

What the Industry Is Buzzing About

Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About

Those who have lost their voices due to vocal cord trauma might have something to say about a new wearable artificial throat developed by researchers in China.

A New Wearable on the Block

The wearable artificial graphene throat (WAGT)—worn on the neck like a temporary tattoo—transforms movements into sounds. Using both motion and vibration, the WAGT aims to integrate sound and motion detection and sound emission in a single device. So far, the device, which is still in the research phase, has been successful with simple words.

The 411

While the WAGT can’t yet translate more complex speech, that’s the ultimate goal. #word

Testing, Testing

Improved testing has recently been funded for easier and earlier diagnosis of both Lyme disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Because a late diagnosis is not OK.

The Future Is Biomarkers

RetiSpec is a quick and cost-effective test on its way that uses retinal imaging to identify Alzheimer's biomarkers years before clinical symptoms show up, while researchers at Columbia University have developed a microfluidic device that can accurately identify antibody biomarkers present in early-stage Lyme disease in as little as 15 minutes. Waiting until you’re super sick to get a proper diagnosis? Ain’t nobody got time for that.

The 411

The early bird may get the worm, but an early diagnosis can save a life (or drastically improve the quality of it). Yet more proof that not all heroes wear capes—or gloves.

You Are What You Eat, but Your Fetus Is What You Breathe

A new study found black carbon—commonly known as soot—present in the placentas of 20 out of 20 women who participated, with a positive correlation between the amount of black carbon present in the mother’s residential area and the amount found in her placenta. Any realtors reading this may want to consider touting the “Extremely Low Levels of Black Carbon!” in your next listing. #locationlocationlocation

That’s Crossing the Line

Particle transfer across the placenta has long been suggested but to date, no direct evidence in real-life, human context has been demonstrated. These findings suggest that ambient particulates could indeed be transported towards the fetus and represents a potential mechanism explaining the detrimental health effects of pollution from early life onwards.

The 411

Polluted air is bad for everyone, even fetuses who aren’t breathing air yet. Here's something else to make Greta Thunberg mad.