Whether artificial hands with an especially gentle touch or an endoscope that crawls through the intestines like a worm, robots made of soft materials could soon carry out tasks that are difficult for metal-based systems. Dr. Philipp Rothemund, assistant professor at the University of Stuttgart, seeks to simplify how soft robots are controlled. The European Research Council (ERC) is funding the project with one of its prestigious Consolidator Grants worth up to €2 million.

Every year, millions of newborns — especially those born premature, underweight or sick — are at risk of neonatal hypoglycemia, a dangerous drop in blood sugar that can lead to seizures, brain injury and lifelong developmental challenges if not detected quickly. Early testing and treatment are essential, but many hospitals around the world lack access to reliable devices designed specifically for newborns. A new study led by researchers at Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, in collaboration with global clinical partners, offers a promising path forward. Published in BMC Pediatrics, the research systematically evaluated the accuracy and reliability of 11 commonly available point-of-care glucometers — small handheld devices widely used at home to monitor diabetes in adults — to determine which could safely be adapted for neonatal care in resource-constrained settings.