In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Northwestern University have developed the world's smallest pacemaker, a device so tiny it can be injected into the body through the tip of a syringe. Despite its minuscule size—just 1.8 millimetres wide, 3.5 millimetres long, and one millimetre thick—the new pacemaker delivers the same level of heart stimulation as traditional, full-sized models.

Can Work With Hearts Of All Sizes

"We have developed what is, to our knowledge, the world’s smallest pacemaker," said John A. Rogers, a bioelectronics expert at Northwestern University who led the development. “There's a crucial need for temporary pacemakers in pediatric heart surgeries. That’s a use case where size miniaturisation is incredibly important. In terms of device load on the body—the smaller, the better."

Bioresorbable And Non-Invasive

The device does not rely on near-field communication or external wires. Instead, it is powered by a galvanic cell—a basic battery that uses chemical reactions to create an electrical current. Once the pacemaker comes into contact with the body's biofluids, it activates a chemical process that generates a current to stimulate the heart.

For monitoring and control, the pacemaker pairs with a soft, wearable patch placed on the patient's chest. This wearable system uses infrared light, which safely penetrates the body. “If the patient’s heart rate drops below a certain threshold, the wearable device detects the event and automatically activates a light-emitting diode (LED). The light then flashes on and off at a pace that mimics a normal heart rate,” the team explained.

The project was driven by the aim to support infants born with congenital heart defects, a condition affecting roughly one per cent of all newborns. “Our main focus was children,” said Northwestern cardiologist Igor Efimov. “Most of them only need temporary pacing after surgery. In about seven days, their hearts self-repair. This tiny pacemaker can support them during that critical period, without requiring another surgery for removal.”

The device and its innovative wireless technology were featured in a recent paper, "Millimetre-scale, bioresorbable optoelectronic systems for electrotherapy" in journal Nature. With this innovation, the future of cardiac care—especially for the most vulnerable patients—looks promisingly less invasive and far more gentle.

Over 10 million people in the world have Parkinson's disease and as we commemorate World Parkinson's Day on April 11, it is a significant occasion to not only raise awareness but also increase our knowledge of Parkinson's care. If you are a caregiver, family member, or simply interested, caring for someone with Parkinson's is more than meds—it's about knowing, lifestyle modifications, and early detection.

For decades, the fight against Parkinson's disease (PD) has been handicapped by one major obstacle—delayed diagnosis. Today, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are turning it around. In an innovative study in Nature Aging, scientists have developed a low-cost, non-invasive blood test to detect Parkinson's years ahead of symptoms—basing new hope on early treatment and significantly enhanced outcomes.

How the RNA Blood Test Works?

The new test, which measures levels of certain RNA fragments in the blood, depends on a striking but powerful biological phenomenon. It targets transfer RNA fragments (tRFs)—tiny molecules that are typically overlooked in Parkinson's research—that experience deep oscillations as neurodegeneration advances.

Two biomarkers arose in the study: higher levels of Parkinson's-specific tRFs with a conserved sequence (RGTTCRA-tRFs), and lower levels of mitochondrial tRFs (MT-tRFs), which decline when cellular energy mechanisms fail. The diagnostic test measures the ratio between these two markers, producing an accurate and early warning of risk for disease.

Of interest, this test utilizes a two qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) assay to measure RNA levels, making it scalable and compatible with standard laboratory equipment worldwide. It does not require invasive brain scans or spinal taps, lowering barriers to entry and having the potential to be a standard screening test for high-risk patients.

To prove it, the researchers tried their method on data from international cohorts, including the high-profile Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. The findings were dramatic: the blood test was 0.86 diagnostically accurate—improving on existing clinical scoring methods.

What this means is that the test not only predicts Parkinson's before motor symptoms, but with high accuracy as well, which will make it simpler for doctors and patients to move at the most important moment.

Adding to its clinical relevance, the study revealed that RGTTCRA-tRF levels reduced following deep brain stimulation (DBS)—a standard treatment for advanced Parkinson's. This further substantiates the link between such RNA markers and the biological processes of the disease.

The study was undertaken by Ph.D. candidate Nimrod Madrer under the supervision of Prof. Hermona Soreq, a distinguished neuroscientist at the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences and The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences. The project entailed experience from a number of institutions, including the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the University of Surrey, and Imperial College London.

“This discovery represents a major advancement in our understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” said Prof. Soreq. “By focusing on tRFs, we’ve opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease. Our goal is to enable interventions before the brain suffers irreversible damage.”

How Early Detection Can Help In Parkinson's Treatment?

Parkinson's disease affects over 10 million individuals globally, and numbers are growing due to aging populations. No cure, though, is presently available, and treatment is largely aimed at managing symptoms. Early diagnosis could be the breakthrough researchers, patients, and clinicians have been waiting for.

Distinguishing Parkinson's before extensive neurological damage is inflicted provides the potential for preventative treatments—whether by means of neuroprotective drugs, lifestyle modifications, or closer monitoring. Additionally, it provides researchers with the ability to design and test interventions earlier along the trajectory of the disease, accelerating drug development and potentially slowing disease onset.

The RNA blood test's success goes beyond Parkinson's. Because tRFs are involved in neurodegeneration in general, the test model might be used to identify other conditions like Alzheimer's and ALS.

The findings are now pending US Provisional Patent Applications, and researchers are seeking further validation with larger clinical trials. But early signs are promising.

“This test has the potential to alleviate the uncertainty faced by patients and clinicians,” said lead researcher Nimrod Madrer. “By offering a rapid, affordable, and highly accurate diagnostic method, we’re giving people the tools to fight Parkinson’s at a stage when it’s still possible to make a difference.”

With Early Diagnosis, What Comes Next?

With the health industry increasingly shifting towards precision medicine, cost-effective, scalable, and predictive tools must be developed. The RNA blood test firmly fits within this agenda. Due to its affordability, non-invasiveness, and compatibility with standard equipment, it can be integrated into regular health checkups, especially in those with genetic risk or family history of Parkinson's.

Known for being a pioneer in the anti-aging technology, millionaire Bryan Johnson calls out the poor air quality in India and how it is a threat to health and longevity of people in the country. He posted about this previously as well on other social media platforms like X, recalling his first time in India.

His post on X speaks about the declining AQI of the country as the numbers keep climbing higher and higher as years go by. “I was shocked by how normalized Indians are to poor air quality. Breathing the air is like smoking multiple cigarettes a day. Yet no one wears a mask or has air filters in their indoor environments.”

People In India Are Used To Terrible Living Conditions

Bryan, who is famous for trying to reverse aging with special diets and treatments, said that clean air is the most important thing for being healthy. He wondered how people are supposed to focus on being well when the air they breathe is dangerous. Johnson said that the bad air quality was one of their biggest worries about coming to India. He thinks India might have the worst air in the world right now and is surprised that people aren't wearing masks. He said the air feels "awful," like being in the middle of a fire.

Why Does India Need To Prioritize Improving Air Quality?

The poor air quality in India even directly impacted Bryan Johnson's activities during his visit. While he was in Mumbai in February, the air in the room where he was recording a podcast with Nikhil Kamath, a co-founder of a company called Zerodha, was so bad that he had to leave. He later explained that the room was circulating the polluted outdoor air, which made his personal air purifier useless. He also noted that his body reacted negatively, developing a rash and a sore throat after just three days of being in the city, further illustrating the immediate health effects of the pollution.

Delhi's Air is Terribly Polluted Compared to Safe Levels

According to a report from Clean Air Fund, the capital city of India, New Delhi, has the unfortunate title of being the most polluted capital city across the entire globe. The levels of very small and harmful particles in the air, known as PM2.5, are nearly ten times higher than the safety limits recommended by the World Health Organization.

Has The Air Quality Here Gotten Worse?

The AQI is measured on a scale of 0 to 500 with air quality from 0 to 50 considered "good," 51 to 100 - "okay," 101 to 200 - "not good for sensitive people," 201 to 300 - "poor," 301 to 400 - "very poor," and 301 to 500 - "severe". An AQI in the highest range means it's a health emergency for everyone.

Recently, the air quality in Delhi got worse again. After being at a "moderate" level last week, it went back to being "poor" again.

How Does Prolonged Exposure To Pollution Affect Our Health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breathing polluted air increases our risk of dying from all sorts of causes and also leads to specific illnesses. The diseases that scientists have most strongly linked to air pollution include strokes, heart problems, long-term lung diseases, lung cancer, pneumonia, and even cataracts but this is mostly from pollution inside homes.

There's also some evidence suggesting that air pollution might increase the risk of problems during pregnancy like babies being born too small or too early, other types of cancer, diabetes, problems with thinking, and diseases of the brain and nerves. It is important to take necessary precaution like wearing masks outside, having air purifiers and reducing any plans to travel on days when AQI is severe.

Air pollution has become a rampant issue, and the health issues that come along with it have also increased. While we know poor air quality can lead to issues like respiratory illnesses, a new study has shown that this pollution may also affect a person's cognitive health as well.

The World Health Organization explains that the presence of dust, fumes, gas, mist, smoke or vapor can be dangerous for a human being’s health. They can cause issues like inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells. These can affect one's heart, lungs or brain, eventually leading to failure.

A new study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, indicates that breathing polluted air might be bad for the brains of older adults. The study suggests that being exposed to pollution could make seniors more likely to develop problems with their thinking and memory, possibly even increasing their chances of getting dementia. This research adds important information to our understanding of how the environment can affect the health of our brains as we get older.

What Components Of Pollution Is Linked To Cognitive Decline?

The researchers found a clear connection between older people being exposed to two types of air pollution – nitrogen dioxide and very small particles in the air – and them doing worse on tests that measured important brain functions. These functions included how well they could remember things, how clearly they could think through problems, and particularly how well they could use and understand language. This suggests these pollutants may specifically target and harm these cognitive abilities.

How The Study Was Conducted And Results

To understand this link, the researchers followed a large group of over 1,100 older individuals who were all 65 years of age or older. These seniors were part of a long-running study in Britain that looked at health as people age. The scientists looked at how much air pollution these individuals were exposed to over a period of eight to ten years.

The results of the study showed a clear difference in brain test performance based on where the seniors lived. The older adults who lived in areas that had the highest levels of nitrogen oxide and particle pollution in the air tended to score worse on the tests that measured their brain functions compared to seniors who lived in areas where the air pollution levels were more average. This suggests that living in a more polluted environment can have a noticeable negative effect on cognitive abilities.

Where Do These Pollutants Come From?

The researchers also explained where these harmful pollutants in the air come from. They noted that nitrogen oxide is mainly released into the air when we burn fossil fuels, such as in cars and power plants. On the other hand, fine particle pollution is mostly created by any kind of burning process that releases small bits of ash or soot into the air, like burning wood or from industrial processes. Understanding where these pollutants come from is important for finding ways to reduce them.

The older individuals who lived in the areas with the most polluted air scored in the lowest third on the brain tests that specifically assessed their language abilities. This suggests that the parts of the brain responsible for understanding and using language might be particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of air pollution compared to other cognitive functions.

This study shows the lasting negative effects of breathing in pollutants on cognitive health in older adults, underscoring the importance of addressing air quality for brain health.