Image by Affan Qasim, generated with Google’s Gemini
Heal, seal, and send data: Bandages for the Sci-Fi age
Photo credits: Reuters
Bandages are getting an upgrade, and they’re a lot smarter than a roll of gauze.
At Caltech, researchers have built iCares, a patch that doesn’t just cover wounds, it spies on them. By tracking oxygen, pH, and other biomarkers, it can warn doctors if healing stalls or an infection starts brewing. In early human trials, that meant problems were spotted days earlier than with standard care. (Caltech[1])
Meanwhile, scientists at BITS Pilani went full sci-fi: their bandage detects infections and kills bacteria on contact, no antibiotics needed. It uses reactive materials to zap microbes while keeping skin safe.
Other labs are layering in flexible sensors that track moisture, heat, and chemical shifts. All signs of how a wound is really doing. (PMC[2])
The big picture: chronic wounds affect millions worldwide, but smart bandages could cut hospital trips, speed up recovery, and slash antibiotic use. In other words: the next life-saving medical device might come out of your first-aid kit.
The teeth’s second coming
Glorious news for boxers, MMA enthusiasts, people with a short temper, and the elderly. Japanese researchers are formulating an experimental drug that will regrow teeth. Now you can eat sweets and only have to worry about blood sugar, fat, and diabetes.
Bones and teeth are made up of the same things: Calcium, minerals, and collagen (and enamel for teeth). But teeth, unlike bones, lack the ability to regrow if damaged or broken.
Human trials began in September of last year, so this is something that could actually be promising. I think I speak for quite a few of us when I say, “We will watch your career with great interest.”
Google just got hit with a $425M privacy smackdown
Turns out, flipping that “off” switch on Google’s tracking settings wasn’t as final as users thought. A US federal court just ordered the tech giant to cough up $425 million (£316.3m) for quietly harvesting data from millions of people even after they’d disabled its Web & App Activity feature.
The lawsuit, filed by fed-up users, accused Google of sneaking into mobile devices, scooping up personal data, and cashing in on it despite promises to respect privacy settings.
The group had originally been gunning for a staggering $31 billion in damages, but even this verdict sends a sharp message: Big Tech can’t just nod at your privacy, then ignore it behind the curtain.
Science just pulled a Rick Sanchez — 3D-printed skin that heals like the real thing
“Aw jeez, Rick, they’ve gone and printed skin now!”
No joke — Swedish researchers have 3D-printed artificial skin that can actually grow its own blood vessels. Think less lab coats, more Rick’s garage vibes.
Here’s how it works: they cooked up a “bio-ink” where skin cells kick back on gelatin beanbags, spitting out collagen like it’s space goo. Then they 3D-printed hydrogel strands that dissolve into tiny tunnels — basically blood-flow portals waiting to be activated.
