Enzymatic biofuel cells can act as self-powered wearable biosensors by converting chemicals in body fluids into electricity; however, manufacturing challenges have prevented their widespread adoption. Now, researchers from Japan have developed water-based ‘enzyme inks’ that enable single-step screen printing of complete biofuel cells onto paper substrates. The printed electrodes demonstrated superior performance and stability compared to those made using conventional methods, paving the way for mass-produced, battery-free wearable health monitors.

Tiny RNA molecules carried by extracellular vesicles in the bloodstream can accurately predict kidney function decline and cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD), as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. By analyzing blood samples from a large cohort, the team identified multiple microRNAs linked to disease progression and built a model to distinguish high-risk patients with CKD. Clinically applying this risk score model can contribute to improved patient outcomes.

Scientists with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC found that feeding mice with high blood sugar a high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet rapidly lowered their glucose levels and improved how their muscles responded to aerobic exercise. The diet enhanced the animals’ ability to use oxygen and promoted muscle changes associated with greater endurance. The findings suggest that managing blood sugar through diet may help restore some of the health benefits of exercise.