Japanese researchers have developed a technology that could drastically change how blood glucose levels are monitored in those with diabetes. The team injected mice with microbeads containing diboronic acid and hydrocarbons. According to a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the beads glow when they detect glucose in the blood. Importantly, the glow was more intense based on the level of glucose is in the blood.
Traditionally methods of blood glucose monitoring require diabetics to prick their finger up to several times a day. Microbeads, however, could replace that invasive procedure. "Because the fluorescent microbeads do not require external links or power sources to provide a readout, they could be used to fabricate minimally invasive glucose sensors for people who need to continuously monitor their blood glucose levels," the researchers observed, as reported by Reuters. The WHO report that 220 million people worldwide suffer from the disease--a number that's expected to double in the next 20 years.
- check out the Reuters article