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Researchers explore problematic smartphone use during COVID-19 pandemic

A new survey study has identified links between problematic smartphone use and low sense of control, repetitive thinking, and fear of missing out (FOMO) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2021, suggesting possible avenues for reducing the severity of such use.

22 Dec 2021

Researchers find a digital silver lining in failed COVID-19 drug trial

A clinical trial in which two test drugs failed to help patients with mild COVID-19 nevertheless had a silver lining: It proved the viability of a study model in which a medication's potential arrhythmic side effects are safely, effectively monitored without the participants ever setting foot in a hospital or clinic.

20 Dec 2021

Ergonomic interventions may reduce the likelihood of pain from smartphone use

The use of smartphones, tablets and laptops has become commonplace throughout the world and has been especially prevalent among college students.

18 Dec 2021

Smartphone apps could help reduce alcohol consumption among college-age drinkers

Smartphone apps to track blood alcohol abound, but until now had little evidence to show they help manage drinking in young adults.

16 Dec 2021

New prototype enables people with severely impaired motor skills to communicate with others

A research team from the University of Malaga has developed a prototype that combines scalp sensors and a graphical interface to enable people with severely impaired motor skills to communicate with others.

13 Dec 2021

Digital interventions may help meet the growing demand for psychological treatment

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on mental health across the globe. Depression is predicted to be the leading cause of lost life years due to illness by 2030.

13 Dec 2021

Researchers develop a battery-free, wearable device for real-time nicotine monitoring

Some studies have shown that nicotine, an addictive substance in electronic cigarettes, increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. But to get a full understanding of its potential health effects, a real-time nicotine monitoring device is needed.

9 Dec 2021

Higher acute stress associated with stronger alcohol craving for Black individuals

Acute stress elicits stronger alcohol craving among Black individuals compared to white individuals, reported scientists from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in a paper published today in Addiction.

5 Dec 2021

Patient-led surveillance effective at detecting melanomas earlier

Melanoma patients using their smart phone to submit images of lesions to their specialists appears to be a safe and convenient form of follow-up after treatment.

24 Nov 2021

Healthcare workers at increased SARS-CoV-2 infection risk during second wave

A new study evaluates the SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among healthcare workers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

24 Nov 2021

Effectiveness of Australian COVID-19 contract tracing app

Researchers published a report wherein they evaluated the effectiveness and usefulness of ‘COVIDSafe'.

23 Nov 2021

Paper-based innovations for COVID-19 diagnosis

A review discusses paper-based devices and platforms targeting SARS-CoV-2 for low-cost PoC diagnosis and serological antibody testing.

22 Nov 2021

UW researchers develop a wearable device to detect and reverse opioid overdose

A research team at the University of Washington has developed a wearable device to detect and reverse an opioid overdose.

22 Nov 2021

‘Surgery selfies’ can help with early identification of infections

Smartphone pictures of post-surgical wounds taken by patients and then assessed by clinicians can help with the early identification of infections, a study has found.

20 Nov 2021

Smartphone memory apps can help older adults with mild dementia to complete daily tasks

Results from a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society show that older adults with mild dementia can learn to use smartphone memory aids to help them remember to complete everyday tasks that are important to their quality of life.

17 Nov 2021

Tracking potential triggers of atrial fibrillation could lead to fewer episodes

People with atrial fibrillation who underwent individualized testing to discover triggers for their irregular heartbeats reported less frequent irregular episodes, according to late-breaking research presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

15 Nov 2021

Reflex app works like a pupillometer to identify concussion biomarkers

Evaluating concussion patients for recovery and measuring compounding injuries can be done as simply as recording a video with a smartphone.

12 Nov 2021

Exercises using virtual reality to relieve COVID breathlessness

A recent study evaluates an immersive virtual reality-based digital intervention to alleviate refractory breathlessness in patients recovering from COVID-19.

31 Oct 2021

MyHealthyPregnancy app could provide a more nuanced understanding of aspirin use for preeclampsia

Low-dose aspirin during pregnancy can help prevent preeclampsia, a serious, yet common, hypertension disorder - but it is underused among high-risk pregnant patients, potentially due to a communication gap with providers, according to a new study published today in JAMA Network Open.

29 Oct 2021

‘Smart bandage’ could help doctors to monitor chronic wounds more easily

How can doctors make sure a dressed wound is healing without taking off the bandage? This is a conundrum, because removing a bandage can disrupt the healing process.

25 Oct 2021