The scientists discovered that this method of mending makes the skin less likely to tear and is much more watertight than traditional needle and thread stitches. So far, experiments on real patients have found that the wounds heal faster and with less scaring.

They're hoping that their invention will be in operating rooms around the world in a few years. [Reuters]

The PainShield, which works by emitting ultrasonic waves through a disposable patch placed on the patient's skin, is one of the first pocket-sized versions of ultrasound emitters and its backers are hoping that patients will pick it up because it's portable and easy to use. Though ultrasound therapy sounds a little hippy-dippy, apparently it's been around for decades and can be highly effective for certain types of sprains and aches. No price yet, but it should be coming to doctors offices near you soon. [NanoVibronix]

Besides all the physiological monitoring tools, the MedEx 1000 also has a data storage and transmission system, a control-and-display unit, hot-swappable batteries, ethernet connectivity and the ability to connect to other devices. Initial deliveries are coming the first quarter of 2009. Prices weren't immediately available, but I'm assuming it'll be pretty cost prohibitive for anyone who wants one “just in case.” [LStat via Oh Gizmo]

The chip is much more precise than the finger pricking method for monitoring blood, and in diabetes sufferers, can minimize the risk of complications like blindness and kidney failure. The first glucose-monitoring and osteoporosis drug-releasing chips will begin human clinical trials next year. MicroCHIPS is looking into developing more advanced versions that can predict heart or kidney failure, biodegrade in the body, and release multiple vaccine or drug doses over time. [Popsci]

Idzenga's process uses a microphone attached to perineum, which is fancy pants doctorspeak for the patch of skin we layman and immature Gizmodo writers call "the taint." From there, he listens to changes in the sound of flowing urine—specifically for the tell-tale hissing of BPH. More scientifically, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) reports that the "frequency spectrum of the sound was found to correlate with the narrowing of the urethra. The degree of narrowing can therefore be determined from the recorded urinary sound." Idzenga has since filed a patent for the invention and hopes to have a commercial offering from IQ+ Medical BV out to urologists fairly soon.

So, in the future, if the doctor hears hissing, you have BPH, but you found out without having had a tube shoved into your urethra. Time to pop a few Flowmax for that long distance convertible car ride with your best mates.

The Noveon cooks onychomycosis (toenail fungus) using two near-infrared wavelengths, but leaves healthy tissue untouched, as seen in this diagram. [Medgadget]

The researchers will ideally find a means to reconstruct the environment immediately before an asthma attack. So far tested by six volunteers, it may be extended to trials in children. Hopefully, one of the triggers of an asthma attack doesn't prove to be "wearing a 1-lb. sensor array around your neck." [New Scientist]

The boffins are confident the robot will be able to aid in general laparoscopic surgery, but the researchers are intending its use to be specially designed for heart bypass operations. The benefits of such procedures against traditional surgery are numerous; patients have a reduced recovery time and incisions are rarely sizable. Given the miniscule scale in which the i-Snake needs to function, it will be quite a feat to have a working model that packs in all the desired features, but if anyone can do it, a team of leading researchers with $4.2 million are probably the best chaps for the challenge. [BBC News]

The Smart Bra relies upon the science of thermography, which in this context is the detection of minor temperature changes that occur to the breast tissue. As tumors begin to grow, they demand a higher blood flow to develop. This increased blood flow will result in an elevated temperature, signifying the initial stages of cancerous growth. The Smart Bra will be made from materials that are sensitive to passive microwaves, similar to those used in remote sensing technologies, to detect the thermal alterations. The cancer-preventing bra will be worn instead of a "normal" undergarment, and will incorporate a discrete alarm feature to alert the wearer to seek medical attention if necessary.

Currently, controversy surrounds the science of thermography in cancer detection, as blood flow rates could be increased for a number of reasons. However, Prof. Siores' team hopes to hone the sensitivity of the equipment, while researching the intricacies of cancerous blood flow subtleties, such that this concept may come to fruition. Godspeed, professor. [ABC News image via Flickr]

It works by employing a tiny accelerometer, whose data is wirelessly transmitted to a PC with software specially developed to analyze its data. By the time the device released in about a year to 18 months, the developers also hope to extend its range beyond its current 30 feet, and also enable it to monitor heart rate and other vital signs. [Technology Review]

Aimed at extreme sports enthusiasts such as snowboarders and skiers, the technology could offer a bit of comfort to those 450,000 wracked-up snow sports adventurers who are injured each year, many of whom sometimes have a long wait until they can get patched up in a proper hospital.

This idea might be great for ski patrol personnel to carry around, but what extreme sports participant would take along splints for broken bones? It could jinx the whole trip, dude. – Charlie White

Soft splint instantly heat-welds to hold broken limbs [NewScientistTech]