New Atlas

3D Printing Audio available

Icy inspection may catch faulty 3D-printed parts

Ben Coxworth May 1, 2019

We're increasingly seeing 3D-printed metal components being used in fields such as aviation, where failures could be catastrophic. It's therefore very important to check those items for structural flaws before they're installed, and the best way of doing so may involve freezing them in ice.

A round 3D-printed metal part, surrounded by ultra-clear ice within a plastic cylinder

Science Audio available

Scientists change monkey minds using low-intensity ultrasound

Rich Haridy April 15, 2019

An incredible new study suggests that low-intensity ultrasound can be used to target very specific brain regions and alter an animal's decision-making processes. The technique, demonstrated in macaques monkeys, prompts actual behavioral changes using non-invasive ultrasound waves.

In an new study, low-intensity ultrasound has been used to disrupt a cognitive process known as ...

Medical

Melanin injections found to highlight and hinder tumors

Michael Irving April 8, 2019

The pigment melanin is a natural defense against skin cancer – and now it could help fight other cancers too. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München have found that melanin-loaded nanoparticles can help diagnose tumors and slow their growth.

An infrared image of a tumor injected with melanin-loaded nanoparticles (right), compared to one that had ...

Medical Audio available

Positive trial results show ultrasound energy can treat high blood pressure

Rich Haridy March 18, 2019

A promising new study is documenting the long-term effects of a novel surgical procedure using ultrasound to reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The one-off procedure, called renal denervation, is hoped to offer patients an alternative option to taking hypertension drugs.

A procedure called renal denervation resulted in medication-free blood pressure control in over a third of ...

Science Audio available

New "ultra" ultrasound is sensitive enough to hear individual bacteria

Michael Irving January 17, 2019

Ultrasound technology might be about to get a whole lot more powerful. Researchers have developed an “ultra” ultrasound sensor that is so sensitive it can hear air molecules moving around or the vibrations of individual cells.

The new "Ultra" ultrasound uses a silica microdisk, similar to the one in this scanning electron ...

Medical Audio available

Breakthrough ultrasound treatment to reverse dementia moves to human trials

Rich Haridy December 18, 2018

A new technique using ultrasound to clear the toxic protein clumps thought to cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is moving to the first phase of human trials next year. The treatment has proven successful across animal tests and presents an exciting, drug-free way to potentially battle dementia.

The first phase of human trials for a promising ultrasound treatment for dementia is set to ...

Environment Audio available

System uses ultrasound to keep bats away from wind turbines

Ben Coxworth December 14, 2018

Although wind turbines may be a valuable source of eco-friendly energy, they do have at least one drawback – bats are frequently killed by their spinning blades. A promising new system is designed to help keep that from happening, however, by producing an ultrasonic acoustic field.

The Bat Deterrent System, pictured here, will be available in 2019

Medical Audio available

Non-invasive neck scan shows promise for detecting cognitive decline years in advance

Rich Haridy November 13, 2018

New research from University College London suggests a quick ultrasound scan examining blood vessels in the neck may be able to effectively predict a person's risk of developing cognitive decline more than 10 years before symptoms appear.

A non-invasive ultrasound scan could predict a person's risk of developing cognitive decline years in advance

Electronics

SoundBender levitates objects by curving sound waves around obstacles

Michael Irving October 15, 2018

Researchers at the University of Sussex have developed SoundBender, a technology that bends sound waves around obstacles to acoustically levitate objects above them.

SoundBender is an acoustic levitation device that can bend sound waves around obstacles

Medical

Handheld device images eyes to save brains

Ben Coxworth October 2, 2018

When someone has a head injury, it's vitally important to know if they're experiencing elevated intracranial pressure – it can cause damage to the brain and spinal cord if left unchecked. A newly-developed device could make the diagnosis process faster and easier than ever before.

The new device measures intracranial pressure via the eye