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AirPods — Apple’s truly wireless stereo (TWS) earphones — could double as a health monitoring tool in the future, according to a patent application recently published by the US Patent Office (USPTO). The Cupertino company appears to have invented an AirPods sensor mechanism that would allow the earphones to monitor electrical impulses from the wearer’s brain. The patent describes a system that can monitor brain activity that is typically monitored with the use of electrodes on a patient’s head but the use of AirPods could provide a more discreet way to monitor brain activity.

A patent recently published on the USPTO website describes a wearable electronic device like Apple’s AirPods that is equipped with electrodes, similar to traditional devices used to monitor biosignals such as brain activity, including electroencephalography, electrooculography, galvanic skin response, blood volume pulse, and electromyography. This could allow an AirPods wearer to monitor their brain activity even when they are travelling, without the need for a machine.

Unlike the traditional EEG monitors that are attached to a user’s scalp, the AirPods are likely to move once they are inserted in a user’s ear. In order to account for the fact that ear shape and size can vary, the patent describes a system that integrates active and reference electrodes on the external body of the AirPods’ body, along with several additional electrodes located at different positions on the eartip.

Apple’s patent abstract states the “wearable electronic device includes a sensor circuit and a switching circuit. The switching circuit is operable to electrically connect a number of different subsets of one or more electrodes in the set of electrodes to the sensor circuit.” While the description might sound a little convoluted, the company has included a diagram (figure 2) of the purported device that shows the position of the electrodes on the wireless earphones.

airpods biosensors patent uspto screenshot airpods biosensors

Diagrams from Apple’s patent application show how the technology would work
Photo Credit: Apple (via USPTO)

These AirPods’ eartips will be replaceable, according to Apple’s patent application, which also described a mechanism (figure 5) that allows a user to tap a section of the earphone’s body to start measurement of biosignals.

Meanwhile, another diagram (figure 10) shows the location of both the electrodes on the eartip and the touch sensitive area from a different angle, while suggesting that the functionality could also be supported on wired earphones such as EarPods or a pair of glasses — the reference and active electrodes would be placed on the first and second stem of the glasses, according to the document. 

It is currently unclear whether Apple plans to bring the ability to measure biosignals to its popular AirPods and other wearable devices, while a recent report suggests that the company is exploring ways to add new health features such as temperature monitoring to its earphones. Apple is also working on ways to enhance its existing health monitoring products and is reportedly working on adding non-invasive blood sugar monitoring to the Apple Watch, which is expected to make its way to a future version of the wearable device.

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series at its first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea. We discuss the company’s new devices and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue, Study Shows Rising Levels

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February 7, 2025

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Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue, Study Shows Rising Levels

Tiny plastic particles have been found in human brain tissue, raising concerns over their impact on health. Scientists have detected a significant increase in microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the brain over the past decades. The particles, commonly present in air, water, and food, have now been identified within human tissue, challenging previous assumptions about the brain’s protective barriers. Researchers are working to understand the long-term consequences of this plastic infiltration.

Rising Plastic Levels in Brain Tissue

According to the study published in Nature Medicine, 91 brain samples collected from individuals who died between 1997 and 2024 were analysed. Reports indicate a 50 percent increase in MNP concentrations from 2016 to 2024, with median levels rising from 3,345 micrograms per gram to 4,917 micrograms per gram. Andrew West, a neuroscientist at Duke University, told Science News that the sheer quantity of plastic detected was unexpected, stating that he didn’t believe it until he saw all the data.

Unexpected Particle Shapes and Sources

Findings suggest that the plastic particles are not uniform. Many were thin, sharp fragments rather than the engineered beads often studied in labs. Richard Thompson, a microplastic pollution expert at the University of Plymouth, told Science News that these plastics originate from everyday products such as grocery bags and bottles. Polystyrene, frequently used in medical and food industries, was found in lower amounts compared to polyethylene.

Higher MNP levels were found in the brains of 12 individuals diagnosed with dementia, but researchers have not confirmed a direct causal link. Some scientists speculate that neurological changes associated with dementia may increase plastic accumulation. Phoebe Stapleton, a toxicologist at Rutgers University, told Nature Medicine that further research is required to understand the biological impact, stating, that the next steps will be to understand what they are doing in the brain and how the body responds to them.

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New Algorithm Uses Fiber Optic Cables to Improve Earthquake Detection Globally

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February 7, 2025

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New Algorithm Uses Fiber Optic Cables to Improve Earthquake Detection Globally

A new method for detecting earthquakes is being developed, leveraging fiber optic cables used in global communication networks. Researchers have introduced an algorithm capable of converting these cables into seismic sensors, potentially improving early warning systems. The breakthrough could allow existing infrastructure to play a crucial role in monitoring seismic activity, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and icequakes. This advancement is being explored as a means to enhance traditional seismometer networks, addressing challenges associated with fiber optic detection methods.

Algorithm Integrates Fiber Optic Data with Traditional Sensors

According to a study published in Geophysical Journal International, the algorithm adapts a physics-based approach to detect earthquakes using data from fiber optic cables alongside conventional seismometers. Dr. Thomas Hudson, Senior Research Scientist at ETH Zurich, told Royal Astronomical Society that fiber optic cables can serve as thousands of seismic sensors. He noted that while integrating fiber optic technology with earthquake detection has been difficult, the new approach aims to simplify the process by combining multiple data sources.

Challenges in Using Fiber Optic Cables for Seismic Detection

While fiber optic cables can detect vibrations, several factors complicate their use for earthquake monitoring. Their locations are often dictated by communication infrastructure rather than optimal seismic detection points. Additionally, these cables primarily detect strain along their length, whereas traditional seismometers measure movement in three dimensions. This limitation makes detecting fast-traveling P-waves more difficult, affecting the accuracy of earthquake alerts. The study suggests that integrating data from both sources can overcome these issues and improve early warning capabilities.

Potential Applications Beyond Earthquake Detection

Beyond earthquakes, the algorithm has shown potential in identifying seismic activity in geothermal boreholes, glacier movements, and volcanic eruptions. The technique works by analysing energy patterns across sensors and pinpointing earthquake locations based on coherent signals. Dr. Hudson mentioned that the method performs well even in urban environments where background noise can interfere with conventional detection.

Open-Source Algorithm for Broader Seismology Applications

To facilitate adoption, researchers have made the algorithm openly available, allowing the seismology community to integrate it into existing monitoring networks. Although challenges remain, particularly in handling large volumes of data generated by fiber optic sensors, the study highlights practical approaches to manage this issue. With further development, fiber optic networks may significantly enhance global earthquake monitoring systems.

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NASA’s Juno Detects Io’s Most Powerful Volcanic Eruption Yet

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February 7, 2025

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NASA's Juno Detects Io's Most Powerful Volcanic Eruption Yet

A volcanic eruption of unprecedented scale has been observed on Jupiter’s moon Io, with a massive hotspot detected in the southern hemisphere. The discovery was made by NASA’s Juno spacecraft during a flyby on 27 December 2024. The heat energy released from this eruption has been estimated at around 80 trillion watts, surpassing the total energy output of all power plants on Earth by six times. Io, the most volcanically active body in the solar system, experiences extreme geological activity due to the gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter. This tidal flexing causes internal heating, leading to continuous volcanic eruptions across its surface.

New Hotspot Revealed by NASA’s Juno Spacecraft

According to NASA, data from the Juno spacecraft’s Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instrument has confirmed the presence of a massive new volcanic hotspot on Io. The eruption site appears to be fueled by a single, extensive magma chamber, covering an estimated 105,000 square kilometres. This newly detected feature is believed to be the largest volcanic structure on Io, exceeding the well-documented Loki Patera lava lake, which spans around 21,000 square kilometres.

In a statement in an official press release by NASA, Scott Bolton, principal investigator of the Juno mission and space physicist at the Southwest Research Institute, noted that the intensity of this volcanic event was unexpected. Bolton stated, that the data from this latest flyby blew their minds as this is the most powerful volcanic event ever recorded on the most volcanic world in our solar system.

Io’s Surface Shows Signs of Change

New images captured by Juno have revealed a large, dark region on Io’s surface. This area is thought to be covered in solidified lava from the eruption, though further observations will be needed to confirm its exact nature. Due to the spacecraft’s distance from Io during the recent flyby, high-resolution images of the region were not obtained.

Io’s extreme volcanic activity has long been attributed to tidal forces exerted by Jupiter’s gravity. Unlike Earth, where volcanic eruptions result from internal heat generated by a molten metal core, Io’s eruptions are primarily driven by external gravitational stresses. These forces cause constant deformation of the moon’s surface, heating its interior and producing vast magma reservoirs beneath its crust.

Earlier theories suggested that Io’s subsurface was entirely composed of molten magma, but recent studies have disproved this assumption. Instead, researchers now believe that magma is concentrated in specific areas beneath the moon’s active volcanoes, such as the newly identified hotspot.

Further Observations Expected in March

A closer flyby of Io is scheduled for 3 March, with Juno expected to capture more detailed data on the newly discovered magma chamber. Scientists anticipate that these observations will provide further insights into Io’s volcanic processes and contribute to a broader understanding of similar activity on other celestial bodies.

Bolton added in his statement that this discovery could significantly enhance knowledge about volcanic activity beyond Earth. He said that while it was always great to witness events that rewrite the record books, this new hot spot can potentially do much more.

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