First autonomously controlled ‘capsule robot’ explores colon

Researchers cite future role in improving acceptance, accuracy of colonoscopy. New research shows that an 18-mm magnetized capsule colonoscope, which can be paired with standard medical instruments, successfully performed intricate maneuvers inside the colon while guided by an external magnet attached to a robotic arm. Researchers believe this technology will reduce the potential discomfort of colonoscopies and lead to more people undergoing the life-saving screening test. Researchers hope the capsule robot, which is inserted rectally, could be used safely and effectively in the future on humans to identify and remove pre-cancerous lesions and tumors detected during colonoscopy.

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Ranallo, S. et al. “Antibody powered nucleic acid release using a DNA-based nanomachine.” Nature Communications, April 2017. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15150 (2017)

An international team from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Montreal has reported, in a paper published this week in Nature Communications, the design and synthesis of a nanoscale molecular slingshot made of DNA that is 20,000 times smaller than a human hair. This molecular slingshot could “shoot” and deliver drugs at precise locations in the human body once triggered by specific disease markers.

The molecular slingshot is only a few nanometres long and is composed of a synthetic DNA strand that can load a drug and then effectively act as the rubber band of the slingshot...

The Cito prototype rotates, hinges, translates, rises and orbits to add convenience for smartwatch users. Credit: Jun Gong

To make digital smartwatches more convenient for their users, researchers at Dartmouth College and University of Waterloo have produced a prototype watch face that moves in 5 different directions. With the ability to rotate, hinge, translate, rise and orbit, the model dramatically improves functionality and addresses limitations of today’s fixed-face watches. The concept, named Cito, will be presented on May 10 at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Denver, Colorado.

Most smartwatch research primarily addresses how users can more easily input information...

The new device must only be exposed to light in order to purify air and generate power. Credit: UAntwerpen and KU Leuven

University of Antwerp and KU Leuven researchers have succeeded in developing a process that purifies air and, at the same time, generates power. The device must only be exposed to light in order to function. “We use a small device with two rooms separated by a membrane,” explains professor Sammy Verbruggen (UAntwerp/KU Leuven). “Air is purified on one side, while on the other side hydrogen gas is produced from a part of the degradation products. This hydrogen gas can be stored and used later as fuel, as is already being done in some hydrogen buses, for example. ”

In this way, the researchers respond to two major social needs: clean air and alternative energy production...