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Top 65 Science Ideas in May

From Seizure-Sensing Earpieces to Diagnostic Ear Devices

— May 14, 2016 — Tech
The May 2016 science ideas reveal major breakthroughs when it comes to healthcare. Not only are researchers developing tools that make it easier for doctors to diagnose and treat patients, but they are also designing tools that empower consumers to take their health and wellbeing into their own hands.

When it comes to scientific breakthroughs aiding the medical community, many of these tools are designed to help improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses. For instance, a team of researchers at the Free University of Brussels developed a smart scalpel that can detect brain tumors. Similarly, researchers in Sweden and South Africa teamed up to design a handheld tool for diagnosing ear infections.

Beyond devices used by medical professionals, the May 2016 science trends also reveal that a growing number of tools are being developed to help consumers address common health issues at home. Some examples of these products include wearable sensors that can detect signs of oncoming seizures, wallet-sized EpiPens that are easy to carry and smart bands that can detect the onset of allergic reactions. All of these devices are designed to empower consumers to take their health into their own hands.
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
64
Haze-Reducing Photo Systems
Haze-Reducing Photo Systems
The Spectral Edge Imaging System Sharpens Images Using Infrared
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63
Brain-Inspired Supercomputers
Brain-Inspired Supercomputers
This Supercomputing Platform Was Developed By IBM
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62
Reconstructive Body Funerals
Reconstructive Body Funerals
The Longhua Funeral Parlor Uses 3D-Printing to Rebuild Lost Limbs
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61
Astronaut Telescope Auctions
Astronaut Telescope Auctions
This Memorabilia Auction Features a High-Tech Telephoto Lens
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60
Infrared Range-Finding Systems
Infrared Range-Finding Systems
This System Can Convert Personal Vehicles Into Autonomous Ones
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59
Gravity-Detecting Gadgets
Gravity-Detecting Gadgets
This Prototype 'Gravimeter' Can Detect Impending Earthquakes
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58
Tumor-Detecting Scalpels
Tumor-Detecting Scalpels
This Smart Scalpel Can Distinguish Between Tumors & Regular Brain Tissue
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57
Flexible Sheet Cameras
Flexible Sheet Cameras
This Sheet Lens Could Be Used For Wraparound Camera Applications
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56
Versatile Development Boards
Versatile Development Boards
These Internet of Things Development Board Encourages Creativity
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55
Bacteria-Boosted Batteries
Bacteria-Boosted Batteries
This Experimental Battery Uses Bacteria to Recharge Itself
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54
Wireless Car Charger Systems
Wireless Car Charger Systems
This Car Charging System Offers Optimum Efficiency and Power
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53
Pollution-Preventing Printing Plastics
Pollution-Preventing Printing Plastics
This 3D Printer Plastic Breaks Down Pollutants
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52
Student-Designed Spacecraft
Student-Designed Spacecraft
This Mini Satellite Would Cost Less Than a $1000 to Deploy To Space
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51
Trial Patient-Finding Portals
Trial Patient-Finding Portals
HDP Health Helps the Ill Find a Clinical Trial for Their Condition
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50
Sensor-Packed Vulture Eggs
Sensor-Packed Vulture Eggs
These Electronic Eggs Will Help Study Vulture's Habitats
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49
Double-Sided Pills
Double-Sided Pills
This Unique Pill is Perfect For Long-Term Drug Delivery
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48
Grant Application Concierge Services
Grant Application Concierge Services
Instrumentl Helps Research Scientists Apply for Grants
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47
Electric Cargo-Lifting Devices
Electric Cargo-Lifting Devices
The RazerLift Electric Lift Lets You Easily Lift and Unload Cargo
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46
Camera-Integrated Laser Cutters
Camera-Integrated Laser Cutters
The Mr. Beam II Laser Cutter is Precise and Easy To Use
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45
Smartphone Node Initiatives
Smartphone Node Initiatives
The Phonvert Project Uses Old Phones For Internet of Things Projects
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44
Brain-Controlled Drone Races
Brain-Controlled Drone Races
The University of Florida Creates the First Race of Its Kind
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43
Crowdsourced Fever Research Apps
Crowdsourced Fever Research Apps
The Feverprints App Helps Doctors Collect Fever Data
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42
Pulverized Coal Processing Systems
Pulverized Coal Processing Systems
This Hybrid Energy System Enables Cleaner Coal Processing
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41
Boiler Tube Cleaning Robots
Boiler Tube Cleaning Robots
These Robots Can Clean Out the Walls Of Power Station Boiler Tubes
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40
Space Junk-Detecting Systems
Space Junk-Detecting Systems
The Space Fence System Enables Object Detection In Low-Earth Orbit
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39
Miniscule Television Antennae
Miniscule Television Antennae
This Tiny Television Antenna Doesn't Compromise On Signal Quality
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38
Sterile Solar-Powered Shelters
Sterile Solar-Powered Shelters
The Sterile Box Could Mitigate the Spread of Infections
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37
Diagnostic Ear Devices
Diagnostic Ear Devices
This Handheld Tool Easily and Accurately Diagnoses Ear Infections
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36
Deep-Diving Robots
Deep-Diving Robots
This Research Robot Will Study Microbes Living Beneath Lake Yellowstone
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35
Solar-Powered Bus Shelters
Solar-Powered Bus Shelters
London's New Solar Bus Shelters Use Photovoltaic Technology
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34
3D-Printed Jet Engines
3D-Printed Jet Engines
The GE Aviation 'GE9X' Engine was Created Using 3D Printers
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33
3D-Printed Artificial Limbs
3D-Printed Artificial Limbs
The Youbionic Bionic Hand is Controlled by Muscle Contractions
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32
Portable Drug Production Systems
Portable Drug Production Systems
This MIT System Allows Rapid Production Of Numerous Drugs
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31
Mind-Tricking Motion Simulators
Mind-Tricking Motion Simulators
vMocion Creates the Illusion of Motion for VR Headset Users
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30
Live-Stream VR Surgeries
Live-Stream VR Surgeries
'Medical Realities' Broadcasted the First Public VR Surgery
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29
Pee-Powered Batteries
Pee-Powered Batteries
This Microbial Fuel Cell is Powered By Bacteria From Human Urine
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28
Seizure-Sensing Earpieces
Seizure-Sensing Earpieces
This Wearable Sensor Can Detect and Measure Signs of Impending Seizures
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27
Eco-Friendly Plane Wing Designs
Eco-Friendly Plane Wing Designs
A Collaboration Between NASA and Boeing Could Cut Plane Emissions
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26
Smartphone-Controlled Greenhouses
Smartphone-Controlled Greenhouses
The EcoQube Air Desktop Greenhouse Can Be Monitored Via Phone
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25
Hoverboard Fire-Smothering Bags
Hoverboard Fire-Smothering Bags
The iFixit Smother Bag Puts Out Hoverboard Fires Quickly
<
24
Drone Traffic Control Systems
Drone Traffic Control Systems
NASA's Innovative System Will Monitor and Regulate Drone Traffic
<
23
Mine-Blasting Submersibles
Mine-Blasting Submersibles
This Remotely Operated Vehicle Can Locate and Destroy Sea Mines
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22
Smartphone Spectroscopy Kits
Smartphone Spectroscopy Kits
This Blood Testing Kit Can Be Easily Used At Home
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21
Natural Air Cleaning Systems
Natural Air Cleaning Systems
'Airlabs' is Harnessing Natural Processes to Clean the Atmosphere
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20
Genetics-Revealing Apps
Genetics-Revealing Apps
myGenome Makes Your Full Genome Sequencing Available via Your Smartphone
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19
Sonic Boom-Preventing Jets
Sonic Boom-Preventing Jets
The Quiet Supersonic Flight Could Help Reduce Noise Pollution
<
18
Rainproof Solar Panels
Rainproof Solar Panels
New Solar Cell Technology Could Absorb Energy in Overcast Conditions
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17
Serpentine Industrial Robots
Serpentine Industrial Robots
This Snake Robot Can Inspect and Repair Underwater Equipment
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16
Solar Energy-Storing Batteries
Solar Energy-Storing Batteries
New Zinc-Manganese Power Units Hold Energy from Renewable Sources
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15
Tumor-Neutralizing Patches
Tumor-Neutralizing Patches
This Microneedle Patch Can Deliver Immunotherapy Drugs to Tumor Sites
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14
Martian Housing Projects
Martian Housing Projects
RedWorks Aims to Use Martian Soil to Create Buildings on the Red Planet
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13
Wallet-Sized EpiPens
Wallet-Sized EpiPens
The AdrenaCard Makes It More Convenient to Carry an EpiPen
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12
Floating Solar Panels
Floating Solar Panels
The Heliofloat System Allows Solar Panels to Withstand Heavy Seas
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11
Allergic Reaction Trackers
Allergic Reaction Trackers
'Aibi' is a Wearable Device That Helps Children Monitor Their Allergies
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10
Battery-Free Computers
Battery-Free Computers
Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform Sucks Power Out of Thin Air
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9
Wearable Electronic Sensors
Wearable Electronic Sensors
The E-Skin Sensors Can Be Fixed to the Skin Like Temporary Tattoos
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8
Camera-Controlled Contacts
Camera-Controlled Contacts
Samsung is Aiming to Offer Smart Contact Lenses with VR Capabilities
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7
3D-Printed Generators
3D-Printed Generators
This DIY Hand Crank Generator Can Generate 30 Watts of Power
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6
Solar Cell-Embedded Roads
Solar Cell-Embedded Roads
'Solmove' is Designing a Flexible Glass Carpet Filled with Solar Cells
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5
Reclaimed Tire Mosquito Traps
Reclaimed Tire Mosquito Traps
The Ovillanta Traps Are Made Out Of Discarded Automobile Tires
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4
Sun-Filtering Tents
Sun-Filtering Tents
This Dermatological Sun Shade Blocks Out Harmful Rays
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3
DIY Security Cameras
DIY Security Cameras
This Microsoft Project Lets You Build Your Own Security Camera
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2
Solar-Powered Water Devices
Solar-Powered Water Devices
WaterDrop is Capable of Producing Water in the Desert
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1
Bacteria-Powered Lighting
Bacteria-Powered Lighting
Glowee Uses Bioluminescent Bacteria as a Sustainable Source of Light
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