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Researchers Develop App That Accurately Determines Sperm Quality (scientificamerican.com)
New submitter omaha393 writes: A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed a point-of-care microfluidic detector capable of determining sperm quality using the simple device and a standard smartphone. Typical male fertility screens require a team of trained laboratory professionals and a screening process taking days to weeks and incurring high costs. The alternative home sperm measuring kits rely on chemical probes and only give measurements of quantity, not quality.The new method offers an easier, cheaper approach, with processing time taking about 5 seconds with no sample processing or wash steps required. The team found their device meets WHO guidelines with 98% accuracy of sperm quality measurements and is comparable to clinical results. The new device uses 35 microliters of sample to accurately measure both concentration and motility at a manufacturing cost of less than $5 per device. The device must still undergo FDA evaluations before being available to consumers, and the technology has yet to be named. The results of the study were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Further reading: NPR, Ars Technica, Scientific American
Let's just fix this title. Researchers Develop [Smartphone Peripheral] That Accurately Determines Sperm Quality. There we go. Clearly, the companion app for this product is just some basic analysis and display. The real exciting part is an inexpensive peripheral that can do the job at a much lower barrier of entry.
I expect this to be added to a designer dating site immediately! Date the man of your dreams and know his sperm is good.
Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
I've been using my phone to check my sperm for years ever since they added internet browsing. It will be nice to finally get the results back now though.
Please? This drip and dribble of single techs to extend the smartphone is maddening. Just unify the blessed things and give everyone a medical tricorder already!
Uh, what's that in units that people on here can understand?
I'm confused. The article states:
"The alternative home sperm measuring kits rely on chemical probes and only give measurements of quantity, not quality."
and then it contradicts itself:
"The team found their device meets WHO guidelines with 98% accuracy of sperm quality measurements..."
Which is it? Quantity or quality?
Sheesh.
Given the USA's severely screwed up pricing system for medical equipment, we can expect the list price for the $5 device to be around $500.
This posting is provided 'AS IS' without warranty of any kind, implied or otherwise.
"The new device uses 35 microliters of sample to accurately measure both concentration and motility at a manufacturing cost of less than $5 per device. "
The smartphone is required for the high-bandwidth link to youporn.com. An incognito browser is also recommended.
-Styopa
5 seconds is pretty good. The old way took 1 to 9 months just to gauge the base effectiveness and final quality results could take decades of analysis.
the technology has yet to be named
In the light of recent app naming schemes, I propose:
- Jizzr
- MyLoad
- Cumcountify
Time to invest in screen protector manufacturers
Your sig here!
Can we now have the online competition to name it: a) Spermulator b) Seed Spotter c) Jizz Detector d) Spunk Sensor e) Mayo Measure f) Love Butter Examiner
Changing whose face is displayed costs $0.99.
Maybe that eventually, a long time from now, makes such technology available, but it doesn't solve the real problem: excessive bureaucratic regulation that strangles the freedom of American individuals and companies.
I'd much rather see President Trump pare down such regulation so that it works for Americans, rather than against them.
Although many leftists take a very hyperbolic or even hysterical approach toward President Trump and his policies, based on what we've seen so far they're actually quite reasonable. As long as other Republicans don't interfere too much, President Trump has shown he can provide us with solid, achievable plans of action. He's the first president in a very long time who has actually shown some willingness to significantly reform or eliminate broken bureaucratic institutions.
Of course some regulation is necessary in this field. But there's no reason why purely diagnostic technology shouldn't be on the shelves as soon as it can be manufactured and shipped. If a reading happens to be wrong or inaccurate, little harm is done. The patient can always undergo a more thorough test if they're doubtful of the results of the initial test.
Save the regulation for where it's really, really needed. But it should be completely eliminated where it's unnecessary.
If a reading happens to be wrong or inaccurate, little harm is done.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
"I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
I surely have to wash the smartphone camera afterwards. Otherwise... eeek.
"Shoot 'n' Scoot" would work. The logo, of course, would have to be a white swallow.
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
kind of a good thing....that your phone is also useful for...uh...getting the sample too
Can I introduce you to Theranos. They are a major reason that in 2012, the regulations were changed and diagnostic devices were required to get FDA approval. That is, one giant scam caused a regulation to come down and need to be imposed over everyone. I don't know how you missed it as it got a lot of coverage on Slashdot.
Your ad here. Ask me how!
Are you sure this isn't just some asshole trying to trick people into ejaculating on their phones?
Men everywhere must now go through a new pre-marriage test
> ...and the technology has yet to be named.
Damn, ace trolling. They knew we couldn't resist.
WhackFact ...brought to you by the Sperm Firm.
SemenDemon
The Jizz Whiz
(I feel like I'm 14 again)
The modern litigious culture is the culture of "no". Even if both the technology and economics say "yes", if it is not blessed for its ability to not cannibalize current litigation and blessed to increase growth of litigation down the road, it is dead out the gate.
America isn't the land of the free. It isn't the home of the brave. It is the nation of "no". Thank the 1980's for that.
ONLY apps can app apps, NOT LUDDITE peripherals!
Apps!
Every now and then a vasectomy has been known to spontaneously reverse itself in a process called recanalization. I wonder if this device could detect that.
the technology has yet to be named.
They should open it up to an internet vote.
Wrong. Wherever there is a promise, there must be regulation to protect us from scammers selling snake oil.
It's not even about being educated or not. It's about whether we tolerate criminals in the market.
There are ways someone can get hurt even from a diagnostic device - not hired for the job you are qualified for, or convicted of a crime based on "evidence", because of incorrect results , for example.
One way is to check all claims before allowing sales, another way is to put sone teeth into consumer reports so that after some threshold of complaints an investigation is automatically triggered.
Lawsuits don't work because only the person suing gets (maybe) a fix and the vendor can keep on screwing everyone else. Even in class action lawsuits people are missed, and the payouts are usually ridiculously small.
Is your penis cranking slow lately. Sperm lacking those revs it used to have? Well look no further! We that new energy drink to wake that sleeping monster in your pants! You'll have kids pouring out the windows of your house in no time!!*** *** (Not responsible for the bills you will incur after having so many kids)
I mean, you start it up, pick the right video, jerk off, and she tells how good it is.
... with processing time taking about 5 seconds with no sample processing or wash steps required. ... The new device uses 35 microliters of sample to accurately measure both concentration and motility at a manufacturing cost of less than $5 per device. ...
Does it process sample or not? measuring is not processing??