New Atlas

Good Thinking Audio available

Easily-obtained "chronoprints" could detect bogus medicine

Ben Coxworth March 21, 2019

In the developing world, about 10 percent of medications are actually inferior counterfeits of the real thing. Unfortunately, these same regions often lack the equipment needed for detecting those fakes. An inexpensive new system, however, could remedy that problem.

The system can be used to test both liquid medication, and solid medication dissolved in water

Good Thinking

Product tags take a spotty approach to thwarting counterfeiters

Ben Coxworth February 7, 2019

It seems that the more technology progresses, the easier it becomes to produce convincing counterfeit goods. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen are fighting back, however, with product tags that they claim cannot be replicated – even by an item's legitimate manufacturer.

The tags consist of laser-printed QR codes, with random patterns of microparticles sprayed over top

Good Thinking Audio available

Fidget spinners could be used for cheap, off-the-grid blood testing

Ben Coxworth January 25, 2019

When it comes to frivolous gadgets, fidget spinners would seem to be one of the most … well, frivolous. Recently, however, scientists from National Taiwan University discovered that the devices could be used for blood sample analysis in impoverished regions.

Fidget spinners typically only cost a few dollars

Science

Scientists safely reproduce the taste of toxic pufferfish – fugu tofu, anyone?

Ben Coxworth January 24, 2019

Some seafood aficionados swear that you just HAVE to try pufferfish sushi – unfortunately, though, if it isn't prepared correctly, it'll kill you. Scientists from China and the UK have developed a safer alternative, by replicating the flavor of the fish without any of the poison.

A Takifugu obscurus pufferfish ... prepare it with care

Science Audio available

Modified ivy uses synthetic rabbit gene to clean the air

Ben Coxworth December 19, 2018

While plants do help clean the air within a home, it is estimated that over 20 per room would be required to make a difference. That likely wouldn't be the case with a new genetically-modified ivy, however, which has proven to be highly effective at removing chloroform and benzene from the air.

The research team, from left to right: Ryan Routsong, Long Zhang and Stuart Strand

Science

Chinese scientists create temperature-sensitive rewritable paper

Ben Coxworth December 5, 2018

Despite predictions that writing paper may soon "go extinct," people are still using an awful lot of the stuff. That's why a number of groups have developed rewritable paper, with an interesting example of the technology recently being created by scientists in China.

A piece of the paper was used to create a rewritable smartphone case

Science

Nanoparticles may be a silver bullet against brain-eating amoeba

Ben Coxworth October 25, 2018

Found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs, Naegleria fowleri enters a person's body through their nose, then proceeds to kill them by eating their brain. Infections are rare, fortunately, and they may also soon be more treatable thanks to the use of silver nanoparticles.

The flagellate form of Naegleria fowleri

Materials

Wood-based sponge hates water but loves oil

Ben Coxworth October 24, 2018

Removing oil spills from water is a difficult business, with various approaches having met with mixed results. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Forestry believe they may be onto something, however, in the form of a reusable "wooden" sponge that absorbs oil while leaving water behind.

A sample of the sponge material draws red-dyed oil from a beaker of water

Medical

Chemotherapy hydrogel could fight skin cancer from the outside

Michael Irving September 26, 2018

Skin cancer treatment often still requires chemotherapy, which is delivered intravenously and can cause a whole range of unpleasant side effects. Now, researchers have made the first steps towards a kind of chemo that can be “painted” onto the skin.

Researchers have made the first steps towards a chemotherapy gel that can be rubbed into the ...

Medical Audio available

Injectable hydrogel could keep root canals from killing teeth

Ben Coxworth August 22, 2018

When a root canal is performed, the infected dental pulp inside a tooth is replaced with tiny rubber rods – unfortunately this leaves the tooth dead, and thus likely to become infected again. A new procedure, however, may be able to keep such teeth alive and strong.

Traditional root canals, such as this one, leave teeth without any living soft tissue inside