Working, studying and carrying out all the daily tasks can become tiring and stressful over time, not to mention the situations that can arise unexpectedly or even the problems that affect the emotional state. Now, a group of researchers from the United Kingdom and China have developed a test capable of using nanoparticles to detect the levels of stress .
According to a study published in Talanta scientific journal the new stress meter is a simple and economical device that can be easily used at home.
THE cortisol It is a biomarker of stress present in the blood; therefore, the meter is used to detect cortisol levels.
Unlike options currently available on the market, the detector offers a longer service life due to nanoparticles of iridium oxide. The result is equipment with greater stability, sensitivity and reproducibility in the detection of cortisol.
“A cost-effective, easily reproducible and easy-to-use point-of-care testing device that accurately measures cortisol levels has long been sought. This could make a huge difference to the rapid and appropriate diagnosis of high cortisol levels, dramatically improving people’s lives,” said Tong Ji, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU).
Scientists explain that stress can contribute to the development of serious diseases, such as Alzheimer depression, gastric disorders, as well as influencing the formation of cancers and other conditions.
Nanoparticles in stress testing
Currently, cortisol detectors use electrodes with a silver layer, which is easily oxidized under certain conditions, resulting in a short service life.
The version developed in the study is more durable, as the researchers used nanoparticles to cover the silver layer, providing a higher quality and more durable product.
According to Qiuchen Dong, assistant professor at XJTLU and one of the authors of the study, this is the first time that iridium oxide nanoparticles have been used in a device to detect stress levels. He highlights that the main advantages of the new device are its low cost and high quality in detecting cortisol.
“One problem with current solutions is that there is a lot of similarity between cortisol and other hormones, such as progesterone, testosterone and corticosterone. This means it is difficult for detectors to differentiate between them. Our iridium oxide-modified electrode is selective enough to distinguish between the different hormones and helps solve this problem,” said Graham Dawson, associate professor at XJTLU and co-author.
The scientific study, however, still has no plans for launching a fully commercial version.
This content was originally published in Nanoparticles could make stress testing at home possible on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
