Instead of putting up with a mild pin-prick whenever your blood sugar levels need testing, Japanese scientists have invented a little implant that glows when the levels change. No pain, and a free glowstick for raves — high five, science!
The Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo found that a fluorescent fibre sensor with a diameter of just 1mm can be inserted under the skin of a patient via injection, and then removed with tweezers. As you can see from the image, it’s a tiny thing, with the glowing quality of the implant highly visible through the skin when glucose levels rise. I foresee just one issue — I think I’d want my levels to fluctuate to get full value, if anything. [University of Tokyo MeGadget via Engadget]