Good News About America

USA Today is reporting that Louisville Metro Emergency Medical Services has started a new program to screen out low-priority calls and turn them over to a nurse, who can immediately help the patient over the phone.  As a result, patients who may not actually need to visit a hospital are able to get care more quickly, while the emergency room conserves resources.

Researchers at MIT are working on a new type of blood glucose monitor, in the form of a tattoo.  Nanoparticles are injected beneath the skin and react to the presence of glucose; near-infrared light (generated by a wristwatch) causes the tattoo to florescence, indicating the patient’s glucose level.  The tattoos,which would need to be refreshed every six months or so, would eliminate the need to draw blood for testing.  While human trials are still years away, animal trials are expected to begin soon.