Stress can silently wreak havoc on the body. From heart disease to anxiety, its effects are far-reaching.
Yet tracking stress often requires expensive tests or complicated questionnaires.
That’s why a team of researchers at Tufts University looked for a simpler solution — one that wouldn’t add even more stress.
An every day item
At first glance, the device looks just like an ordinary floss pick. But hidden inside is a set of microscopic sensors designed to detect cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.
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As you floss, saliva is drawn into the device through capillary action.
It flows through a small channel into a tab where the real magic happens: electrodes scan for cortisol levels.
The technology behind it is known as eMIP — electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers.
These act like molds that remember the shape of specific molecules, making them perfect for detecting tiny chemical signals in your body.
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A new frontier in health monitoring
The innovation doesn’t stop at stress detection. The same method can be adapted to detect glucose for diabetes, hormones for fertility tracking, or even cancer markers.
That means this humble floss pick could one day serve as a mini health lab — no blood tests, no appointments, just daily insight right from your bathroom.
Although still in development, the researchers are working on bringing the device to market through a startup.
While it won’t replace medical diagnostics, it opens up powerful new possibilities for everyday health tracking.
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This article is based on information from Newswise.com.