New breakthroughs in technology mean not only a more interconnected universe, but greater advances in science and medicine. From new research in Alzheimer’s prevention to innovative new procedures to treat paralysis and new technology to assist in diagnosing autism, there have been great advances in medicine as the result of new technology.

Autism Research and Treatment

With an uptick in the reports of new autism cases, researchers are scrambling to pinpoint a cause for this neurological disorder which is characterized by delayed development, decreased social awareness and decreased language skills. Autism has long been a mystery, affecting more boys than girls. Researchers are developing new technology to not only diagnose the condition but to improve the quality of life for those who live with autism. Engineers have developed tools that allow medical professionals to study the verbal and non verbal cues that give insight into the mind of a person with autism. These tools are a springboard for research and doctors and researchers are optimistic about developing real solutions for people who have been diagnosed with autism.

Neurological Research and Treatment

Neurological disorders like paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease often cripple the body and mind, leaving the person unable to carry out typical day-to-day functioning. Millions of people are diagnosed with spinal cord and neurological injuries each year, making it a challenge for doctors to develop new ways to prevent these conditions. The Lois Pope Life Center, headquartered at the University of Miami Medical Center, is the top neurological research facility in the world, serving people from around the globe. Lois Pope, President of Leaders In Furthering Education and the center’s namesake, recently announced a $10 million private donation to aid in research.

New Biomedical Technologies

A team of Japan-based scientists have developed an artificial lymph node, the organ responsible for the body’s immune defense. They are working to use these artificial organs as direct replicas for their real-life counterparts, paving the way to fight diseases such as lupus, certain cancers and HIV. These technologies would represent a huge breakthrough and a major shift in the way doctors treat autoimmune diseases.

Spinal cord injuries are nearly impossible to repair and the nerves surrounding the spine do not regenerate themselves. When the spine is injured, scar tissue makes it impossible for new tissue to replace the damaged tissues. A team of neuroscientists, engineers and researchers are developing nanogels that encourage new tissue growth. Doctors inject this nanogel into the affected area where they form a sort of scaffold around damaged tissue. This allows new tissue to grow unaffected, eventually replacing what was damaged. This technology is a major step in the fight to cure conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy and paralysis.

Prosthetic Limbs

While it may sound like something from a science fiction movie, there is emerging technology that allows for 3D printing for everything from small objects to prosthetic limbs. A designer in Seattle created a pair of fully-functioning prosthetic arms, complete with electronically controlled working fingers from his 3D printer. He used these limbs to outfit a man in South Africa who had lost both arms in a woodworking accident. This technology can mean wonders for the millions of people who have lost limbs and are waiting for prosthetics.

New technology in the world of medicine is paving the way for breakthroughs in research and treatment, opening a world of possibilities to the millions who suffer from debilitating diseases.