Today’s Solutions: January 16, 2025

Medicine

From advancements in the fight against malaria to new cancer treatments, to novel medical technologies, find all positive news about incredible medical breakthroughs and life-saving technology from all corners of the globe.

Ke Wu, a PhD student in BU’s department of mechanical engineering, demonstrates a new magnetic metamaterial device intended to be used in conjunction with MRI machines to boost the quality of brain scans.

Eccentric helmet may be the future of brain scans

We love reporting the latest cutting-edge medical inventions here at The Optimist Daily. In the past few months, we’ve written about an antibiotic-resistant sensor that drastically reduces diagnosis time and a magnetic device for better prosthetic limb control. This time we want to tell you about Read More...

Shot of curly woman cares about teeth, holds dental floss, surrounded by toothpaste and toothbrushes.

3 lifestyle hacks to keep inflammation at bay

Inflammation is nothing to fear. It’s a natural and needed process in the body, helping to direct blood flow, immune cells, and nutrients to areas in need of healing. But when inflammation gets out of hand or occurs in the wrong place, it can result in tissue damage, hormonal imbalances, and even Read More...

Gut bacteria have nutrient-sha

Gut bacteria have nutrient-sharing ‘sex’

Keeping with the theme of love and intimacy this Valentine’s Day, we’re delighted to share this recent sexy tidbit about something typically quite unsexy -- gut bacteria! Some bacteria reproduce asexually. Others do it the old-fashioned way with a partner, but apparently, reproduction Read More...

Michel Roccati, patient who recieved spinal implant and who is able to walk with frame.

Man with severed spine walks again thanks to new implant

In 2020, scientists created a device that gives paralyzed people the ability to speak via brain signals. This time, they’ve one-upped themselves, creating technology that has allowed a man with a completely severed spinal cord to walk and swim again! This breakthrough study, published in Read More...

The 'everlasting bubble' that endured more than a year without popping.

This 'everlasting bubble' could inspire future medicines

Bubbles spark human fascination, with children and adults everywhere becoming enamored when they see one of these fleeting structures. This interest also spreads into environmental studies, with bubbles being recruited to help clear the world’s rivers and canals, and also in the physics realm. Read More...

Human brain with dna. 3d illustration.

Genetically atlasing the human brain helps understand its shape

The human brain is a wonderfully complex supercomputer. Therefore, science still has a long way to go to fully understand its mysterious ways. Though, a genetic study, published in Science, has brought us one step closer to figuring out what is going on in regards to how the brain is Read More...

Black woman's face wearing mask against yellow backdrop

New Covid test gives results comparable to PCR test in just 5 minutes

Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have conducted a study investigating a new prototype breathalyzer test that detects a Covid infection through changes in your chemical “breath print”. To use the breathalyzer, the user breathes into a single-use tube for Read More...

Two people canoeing in Banff National Park in Canada

Canadian doctors are now prescribing patients "time in nature"

Here at The Optimist Daily, we’ve shared countless stories on the benefits of spending time in nature on many levels—emotionally, physically, and mentally. Well, health care providers in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario) are taking these findings Read More...

This insulin patch sticks on t

This insulin patch sticks on the inside of your cheek

According to the CDC, around six million people use insulin to help control their blood sugar in the fight against diabetes. This tedious task of injecting yourself multiple times a day is less than pleasant. Therefore, many research groups globally are looking at better ways to manage this Read More...

Acne skin because the disorders of sebaceous glands productions.

Genetic study opens new hope for acne treatment

With the rise of maskne, many more of us have had to deal with the skin disease that is acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 50 million people have acne in the US. Caused by a disorder of the sebaceous glands, the condition causes breakouts, irritation, and scarring as well Read More...