News Archive - Liezel Labios

Researchers Develop Clinically Validated, Wearable Ultrasound Patch for Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring

A re-engineered wearable ultrasound patch for continuous and noninvasive blood pressure monitoring has undergone comprehensive clinical validation on over 100 patients, marking a major milestone in wearable technology research. The soft, stretchy patch provides precise, real-time readings of blood pressure deep within the body. It could offer a simpler and more reliable alternative to current clinical methods.

Wearable Ultrasound Tech for Muscle Monitoring Opens New Possibilities in Healthcare and Human-machine Interfaces

Researchers have developed a compact, wearable ultrasound device that monitors muscle activity. Attachable to the skin with an adhesive and powered by a small battery, the device wirelessly captures high-resolution images of muscle movements, enabling continuous, long-term monitoring. When worn on the rib cage, it effectively monitored diaphragm function for respiratory health assessments. When worn on the forearm, it accurately captured hand gestures, allowing users to control a robotic arm and even navigate virtual games. This new technology has potential applications in healthcare for conditions affecting muscle function, as well as in human-machine interfaces for more natural robotic control.

UC San Diego Engineers and Physicists Key Players in Two New Energy Storage Hubs Funded by DOE

Researchers at the UC San Diego Sustainable Power and Energy Center are part of two cutting-edge Energy Innovation Hub teams that have collectively been awarded $125 million in funding over the next five years by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The aim: to accelerate the development of the next generation of batteries that can handle society’s increasing demand for low- and zero-carbon energy.

Nanopillars Create Tiny Openings in the Nucleus Without Damaging Cells

UC San Diego researchers have created an array of nanopillars that can breach the nucleus of a cell—the compartment that houses our DNA—without damaging the cell’s outer membrane. This new "gateway into the nucleus" could open new possibilities in gene therapy, where genetic material needs to be delivered directly into the nucleus, as well as drug delivery and other forms of precision medicine.

Finger Wrap Uses Sweat To Provide Health Monitoring at Your Fingertips—Literally

A sweat-powered wearable has the potential to make continuous, personalized health monitoring as effortless as wearing a Band-Aid. UC San Diego engineers have developed an electronic finger wrap that monitors vital chemical levels—such as glucose, vitamins, and even drugs—present in the same fingertip sweat from which it derives its energy.

Closing the RNA Loop Holds Promise for More Stable, Effective RNA Therapies

New methods to shape RNA molecules into circles could lead to more effective and long-lasting therapies, shows a study by UC San Diego researchers. The advance holds promise for a range of diseases, offering a more enduring alternative to existing RNA therapies, which often suffer from short-lived effectiveness in the body.

New Center Receives $18M from NSF to Develop Tools to Investigate the Pre-emergence Phase of Pandemics

Preventing the next pandemic begins before diseases emerge. This “pre-emergence” phase is the focus of a new Center—funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)—that is dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies for disease investigations and pandemic research.

Sustainable and Reversible 3D Printing Method Uses Minimal Ingredients and Steps

A new 3D printing method developed by UC San Diego engineers is so simple that it uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures. The work has the potential to make materials manufacturing more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Learning Dance Moves Could Help Humanoid Robots Work Better With Humans

Engineers have trained a humanoid robot to perform a variety of expressive movements, from simple dance routines to gestures like waving, high-fiving and hugging, all while maintaining a steady gait on diverse terrains. This work marks a step towards building robots that perform more complex and human-like motions.