Most drugs work by changing a conversation between proteins. A hormone binds a receptor, the receptor grabs a partner, and a signal travels through the cell. Yet the standard way to search for new medicines mostly asks a narrower question: does this molecule stick to a target? On November 5, 2026, the Wyss Institute at Harvard announced a platform that asks the better question directly: does this molecule change how two proteins interact?
The platform is called FIND, short for Functional Intera...
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protein interactions
Harvard Scientists Train Computer to Distinguish Scents
A team of Harvard scientists led by Venkatesh Murthy, professor of molecular and cellular biology, tackled a seemingly complex phenomenon in their investigation: how mice can distinguish scents from one another. Using a machine-learning algorithm, Murthy and his colleagues “trained” a computer to recognize the neural patterns linked to various scents, and to identify specific odors in a mixture of smells.
The study, published in the journal Neuron, focused on creating an algorithm for a compu...
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The Purple Pillow: Innovating the way we rest
Traditional pillows, no matter the type, can cause problems for users. They are lumpy, flat, hot, and most importantly, lack proper neck support. The Purple Pillow aims to change that.
Pillows currently used can be saggy and weak, have a harsh angle, and other issues.
Interestingly enough, there are a lot of aspects that one must take into consideration in designing a pillow. Shoulders need strain relief while the neck needs gentle, yet firm support. Breathability is also an important fac...
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HemaApp: The App that Measures Hemoglobin with a Smartphone
University of Washington computer scientists and electrical engineers have come together to develop HemaApp: an application that uses a smartphone camera to estimate hemoglobin concentrations.
Anemia, a blood condition exacerbated by malnutrition or parasitic disease, is a common health problem in the developing world that is often undiagnosed. Currently, in order to detect hemoglobin levels, most health care providers either use an invasive technique (i.e. a needle) or expensive machines tha...
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SuperMeat: A Potential Solution to An Age Old Problem
SuperMeat is looking to innovate the meat industry by producing meat without harming animals.
All around the world, animals are confined, fattened, genetically modified and are slaughtered for meat. Current practices of obtaining meat also contribute to global warming, damage the environment. Further still, the gap between human population and the resources that are needed to sustain the population, like food, is growing, prompting a need for finding alternative methods of obtaining sustenanc...
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Bagel: Innovating the Way to Measure Size
Ever wonder why we use so many different tools for measuring? The Bagel Labs team had similar thoughts, and decided to create the Bagel, a smart all-in-one tape measure, which can save measurements, record voice memos, and measure just about anything.
Bagel was designed with three separate modes to tackle the wide range of circumstances in which a user needs to measure something.
String Mode: This works the same as a traditional tape measure, but due to its flexibility, can be used to mea...
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Battery that self destructs in Water in 30 Minutes
A breakthrough invention in developing transient batteries has been developed: a self-destructing battery that completely dissolves in water without leaving behind any trace.
Researchers at Iowa State University have designed a one-millimeter-thick, five-millimeter-long and six millimeters wide battery that use typical lithium-ion technology. The transient battery is made up of eight layers, including an anode, a cathode and the electrolyte separator, all wrapped up in two layers of a polyvi...
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The Gaze Desk: The Smart Standing Desk
The Gaze Lab has introduced a smart standing desk that is responsive, aimed at improving posture and developing a healthy standing routine over time.
Standing desks at large serve as a healthier way of working. This desk is personalized to a user’s unique physique. A user puts in their height and weight into a mobile app and the GAZE DESK alters its position accordingly. It can recognize users as well. Although the desk is designed to find a perfect position for users based on their body prof...
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Altered: The Innovative Faucet Solution that Uses 98% Less Water
The Altered Company has created a nozzle that uses 2% of your normal water usage. It’s flexible, designed to fit over any tap, customizable, with two modes depending on the needed amount of water, and an environmentally conscious solution to the everyday problem of water waste.
Water stress is a global issue that affects one billion people at present, and will impact an estimated 3 billion people in 2020. Furthermore, when one uses a regular tap, much of the water simply bounces off the surfa...
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Walli: The Smart Wallet
Thousands of individuals lose or forget their wallet each day.
Walli, a new smart wallet, is designed to target just that. The wallet connects to your phone via Bluetooth and notifies you when you leave it behind. It also sends a notification if a card or even your phone is left behind.
The Walli app continuously monitors your wallet. As soon as you are too far away from your wallet, the app sends you a notification. If a user misses these notifications, Walli has the ability to track the ...
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The Product That Makes Water Taste Like Juice
Imagine if water tasted like juice—without the calories. The Right Cup, a new product featured on Indiegogo, promises to do just that.
The Right Cup takes the same FDA approved aromatic fruit flavors which beverage companies use in their drink and using proprietary Encapsulated Aroma Release technology, the makers insert them into the Right Cup to create a scented inner lining. During the process, the aroma and flavor become part of the cup itself but the plastic characteristics of the cup ar...
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BUILD: Versatile Furniture Units
BUILD is adaptable furniture: it can be your room divider, wall rack, storage box, or even something else!
Many furniture pieces that are produced are toxic and can eventually fall apart. BUILD is designed to be an easy-to-assemble furniture solution that is a versatile solution that is free of toxics. The product is a toxin-free, emission free, allergy friendly and 100% recyclable “build-your-own” furniture product.
A single modular element is the essence of this lightweight shelving and ...
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Eatware: Tableware Designed for Alzheimer’s Patients
Inspired by her late grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease, Sha Yao, an industrial designer, developed Eatwell: a user-centered tableware set designed to help increase food intake and maintain dignity for those with Alzheimer’s. Her product won first place at 2014 Stanford Design Challenge out of 52 teams from 15 countries.
Firm in her commitment to improve the quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s, Yao set out to understand more about their lives. Through volunteering, she discovered ...
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BOT: A Vision For Commuting in the Future
The idea is to combine taxi service, real-time ride sharing and self-driving vehicles. Friendly looking vehicles named BOT will be in constant connection with the network that accepts ride-requests. They can pick up users at any location, and unlike public transport, drive them directly to the destination. If someone needs to go in similar direction, the system allows him or her to join a ride, making it an efficient way to commute. One cab could replace 4 or even more privat...
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Wearable robot for autonomous motion assistance
'HAL' a company in Japan has developed wearable robot for autonomous motion assistance which is controlled by the person's brain wearing the suit.
When a person moves its body, the brain sends various signals to muscles via nerves. At that time, the signals leak out on the skin surface as BES. HAL for Living Support – Lower Limb Type Model reads a wearer’s BES and reinforce the lower limb’s muscle power accordingly. Consequently Robot Suit assists the wearer to walk, stand up and sit down by ...
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