Scientists create insulin-producing patch made with beta cells to replace insulin injection

In the last few years, researchers have gotten very good at mass-producing pancreatic beta cells that produce sufficient insulin to offer improvement for diabetic patients.  However now, they are focused on inventing and testing the means to use these beta cells in a way that effectively introduces insulin into the system–while simultaneously protecting the cells from a patient’s immune system.

NIH-funded researcher making progress on nature-inspired ‘smart’ contact lens

By taking his inspiration from nature, including the Elephant Nose Fish, insects and arthropods, the University of Wisconsin’s Hongrui Jiang is making progress on a “smart” contact lens that can automatically refocus, to the benefit of those with presbyopia, or the stiffening of the eye, which causes difficulties focusing on nearby objects.

Researchers develop electronic stethoscope, analytics to aid lung diagnoses

Japanese researchers have developed a highly sensitive electronic stethoscope to record and then analyze patient breathing sounds for diagnosis into 5 common categories.  A team of three physicians from Hiroshima University and Fukushima Medical University developed the system in collaboration with corporate partner Pioneer.

Report: Women have fewer procedures after heart attack than men

Amid a growing body of research on heart health devices and blood pressure monitoring, a new report from Blue Cross Blue Shield shows that women undergo fewer diagnostic procedures and treatments following a heart attack than men.

Vaginal ring shields some women from HIV in NIH-backed study

A large study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that a drug-delivering vaginal ring could protect some women against HIV.  The results come on the heels of more promising data, which show that the ring device can reduce women’s risk of developing the infection.