New Device to Check Glucose Levels Without Drawing Blood on the Anvil

A new study published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials reveals that development of a new device that can check glucose levels in the body by analyzing urine, tears and saliva samples without the need of drawing out blood.

The device uses a biosensor that has been developed using nanotechnology and can detect even minute concentration of glucose in the samples. The device is made up of three major parts, layers of nanosheets that resemble tiny rose petals; platinum nanoparticles; and the enzyme glucose oxidase.

Lead researcher Jonathan Claussen, who developed the device along with Purdue University's Anurag Kumar, said that the device can detect glucose concentrations that are as low as 0.3 micromolar and added that it can easily be programmed to detect other conditions.

"Because we used the enzyme glucose oxidase in this work, it's geared for diabetes. But we could just swap out that enzyme with, for example, glutemate oxidase, to measure the neurotransmitter glutamate to test for Parkinson's and Alzheimers, or ethanol oxidase to monitor alcohol levels for a breathalyzer. It's very versatile, fast and portable", he said.

Source: Medindia

Diabetic Diet

The diabetic diet most often recommended is high in dietary fiber (especially soluble fiber) and nutrients, but low in fat (especially saturated fat) and moderate in calories.

Gestational diabetes

The condition is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by the action of hormones produced during pregnancy that blocks the action of insulin.

Diabetes Screening

Diabetes screening is done using blood tests like fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels. Diabetes affects 8.3% Americans and about 10% Indians.

Type 2 Diabetes

Globalization and changing lifestyles has made diabetes very common in developing countries so much so that India is known as the Diabetes Capital of the World.

Blood in Stools - Symptom Evaluation

Blood in stools results from bleeding that arises from any part of the digestive tract. Causes of blood in stools are hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer.

Bombay Blood Group

Bombay blood group is a rare blood type in which the people have an H antigen deficiency. They can receive or donate blood only with other individuals with the same blood group.

Diabetes - Foot Care

Valuable information on diabetic foot care, treatment and prevention.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a dangerous complication of uncontrolled diabetes which manifests with ketones in urine along with acidosis, requires early diagnosis.

Glycosuria

Glycosuria is an indication of elevated blood glucose levels and a condition in which excess glucose is excreted in the urine.

Sugar: Time to Look beyond Its Sweetness

Sugar is known to be the dietary cause for increased risk of several chronic ailments such as diabetes and cancer. Is it coincidence or is it for real?