「Researchers Develop Color-changing Tampons That Can Detect UTIs」の版間の差分

Researchers in  are developing a tampon that changes color if it detects a yeast infection.<br>They soaked fibers in a substance that breaks down in the presence of Candida albicans, a common yeast infection, and placed them inside pads and tampons.<br>In simulations, the fibers turned bright pink, indicating the presence of an infection.<br>The feminine hygiene products still need to be tested on humans, but the researchers say they could be sold for as little as 30 cents each.<br>Candida can cause a vaginal yeast infection or a UTI. <br>More than half of all women experience UTIs, often more than once. <br>Scroll down for video<br>        Researchers in India are developing tampons and pads that change color when they detect a urinary tract infection<br>A team at Manipal Institute of Technology described soaking cotton fibers in an amino acid that breaks down when confronted with Candida albicans, the most common form of fungal infection.<br>The study, published in the journal , highlights that the team wove the fibers into tampons and sanitary pads, then treated both products with a 'simulated vaginal discharge samples' infected with C. albicans.<br>  RELATED ARTICLES              <br><br><br><br>Share this article<br>Share<br><br><br>In both cases, an enzyme secreted by the yeast made the sanitary product turn pink.<br>'The developed method boasts a long shelf life and high stability,' the researchers wrote, 'making it a discreet detection device for testing, which provides new vistas for self-testing multiple diseases that are considered taboo in certain societies.'<br>        Cotton fibers were soaked in special amino acids and woven into pads and tampons treated with a 'simulated vaginal discharge samples' infected with C. albicans <br>Depending on where in the tract they occur, symptoms of UTIs can include painful or frequent urination, abdominal pain or [https://www.cruisewhat.com/is-nutritional-yeast-kosher-for-passover/ www.cruisewhat.com] fever.<br>UTIs are exceedingly common: between 50 and 60 percent of adult women will have at least one in their life, according to the report. <br>They are caused by bacteria and other microbes infecting the urinary tract and can ultimately impact the kidneys, bladder and other regions,  reported.<br>UTIs account for roughly 7 million visits to a doctor every year in the US alone, according to one study, and more than 100,000 hospitalizations.<br>Developing countries may have less access to labs and healthcare facilities needed to diagnose UTIs, the researchers said, making the color-changing tampon a boon in lower-income communities.<br>The team in Manipal still have to perfect their invention: right now the pinkish color would be too difficult to see if obscured by menstrual discharge.<br>They hope to find an alternative acid that reacts with the C. albicans fungal infection but produces a more vivid color,  reports.<br>In 2016, a pair of Harvard graduates announced they'd been working on a 'smart tampon' that could scan blood, allowing women to catch diseases such as HPV early.  <br>        Right now the threads turn various shades of pink. The team is working to find an acid produces a different color that wouldn't be obscured by menstrual blood<br>Women's groups have worked in recent years to destigmatize tampons: In January, the UK stopped levying VAT on feminine hygiene products after years of criticism that they should be classified as basic necessities like groceries and prescriptions.<br>At least 13 US states exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax.<br>Last year, Tampax was slammed for launching new tampons with 'silent wrappers', which promise 'full discretion' when opening them.<br>Critics claimed that the brand was feeding into period shame.<br>A spokesperson told DailyMail.com the company 'believe[s] in normalizing the conversation around periods', while still giving people 'a choice to manage their period in a way that's right for them'.<br>'At Tampax, we believe in normalizing the conversation around periods through awareness, information and education,' the rep said.<br>'We continuously talk to those that use our products to better understand their needs and then find ways to meet them.<br>'We want to give people a choice to manage their period in a way that's right for them.<br>'For some, that includes the way that our wrappers are designed. They maintain the integrity of the product especially when kept in bags and are silent to open - a feature that some users value.'<br><br>adverts.addToArray({"pos":"inread_player"})Advertisement<br><br><br>data-track-module="am-external-links^external-links"><br>Read more:<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>DM.later('bundle', function()<br>DM.has('external-source-links', 'externalLinkTracker');<br>);