Testing

It's hoped a new saliva test that offers early detection of malaria will reach the market within the next year or two

Medical

Malaria spit-test promises detection up to a week before symptoms appear

A team of researchers have revealed an innovative new salvia test that promises to quickly and cheaply screen for the presence of malaria parasites up to a week before any symptoms appear.

A virtual reality image shows what the Luna testing facility might look like

Space

Lunar landscape testing ground to be built in Germany

To help prepare astronauts for a longer return trip to the Moon, the European Space Agency (ESA) has outlined a new facility that will recreate the lunar surface as accurately as possible.

After a rocky road, 23andme has achieved authorization from the FDA to deliver genetic test reports directly to consumers regarding the BRCA gene, known to increase breast cancer risk

Health & Wellbeing

FDA approves, with reservations, the first home DNA test for genetic breast cancer risk

The FDA has authorized, for the first time, a direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test to report on three genetic variants found on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genetic variants are known to increase a person’s risk for developing primarily breast cancer, but also also ovarian or prostate cancers.

The FDA has approved marketing for the first blood test that can effectively evaluate the severity of concussion

Medical

First diagnostic blood test for concussion passed by the FDA

The first diagnostic blood test to evaluate the severity of a concussion has been approved for marketing by the FDA. The blood test can accurately identify patients with brain tissue damage, or intracranial lesions, following a head injury without the need for an expensive & time-consuming CT scan.

A new DNA screening test can identify if your child is at risk for 193 different genetic disorders

Health & Wellbeing

New Sema4 DNA test screens your child for 193 genetic diseases

A DNA test has just been launched allowing parents to screen their newborn babies and children for a variety of childhood-onset diseases. Offered by genomic testing company Sema4, the test involves gathering a DNA sample via a simple cheek swab that is then mailed back to the company for sequencing.

The X3 thruster being tested at the NASA Glenn Research Center, firing at 50 kilowatts

Space

NASA's X3 ion thruster smashes records in test firings

On the road to getting humans to Mars, engineers from NASA and the University of Michigan have successfully tested the X3, a thruster designed to get us to Mars. And it’s broken several records in the process.

Researchers have combined a miniature models of hearts, lungs and livers into one system, connected with a nutrient-rich fluid to mimic blood, creating a "body-on-a-chip"

Medical

"Body-on-a-chip" pieced together from lab-grown micro-organs

Mini lab-grown organs are helpful test subjects for new drugs, but they don’t replicate how drugs affect other parts of the body. Now, researchers at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have combined several of these organ models into one system, to create a detailed “body-on-a-chip."

Human trials for a universal flu vaccine will begin in the UK this winter

Medical

Universal flu vaccine to begin human trials this winter

The flu virus is a crafty foe, constantly adapting to our best weapons. But now a universal flu vaccine has been cleared for widespread human trials in the UK, which should be much more effective at destroying different forms of the virus.

A team of researchers has developed a way to accurately measure the vapor pressure of THC molecules

Health & Wellbeing

Measuring vapor pressure of THC paves the way for reliable marijuana breathalyzer

As marijuana legalization sweeps through the United States there is a pressing need for an accurate roadside test for intoxication. A recent study reveals a a major breakthrough in developing a new technique that can detect the presence of marijuana in vapor.

The Airlander 10 takes to the skies once again

Aircraft

Airlander 10: World's largest aircraft gets back in the air

For the first time since it crashed last year, the world's largest aircraft has taken to the air again. Hybrid Air Vehicles put its Airlander 10 through its paces on a flight that lasted almost three hours and saw the huge airship make it back to base without a hitch.

A breath test has shown promise for detecting stomach and esophageal cancers

Medical

Breath test for stomach and esophageal cancers shows promise

For several years Professor George Hanna, from Imperial College London, has been directing work toward the development of a test that can detect cancers of the esophagus and stomach by measuring the levels of five chemicals in a patient's breath.

Chrsyler's modified Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be added to Waymo’s self-driving test fleet early next year

Automotive

Waymo takes delivery of modified Chryslers for self-driving tests

Chrysler has completed the production of 100 Pacifica Hybrid minivans built specifically for self-driving use by Waymo. The news is the first of note to come out of Waymo since it was spun-out from being Google's autonomous car project, with the vehicles to be used for self-driving testing.