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BOB HIRSHON (host):
Phone-based lab tests. I’m Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.
Pregnant women may soon be able to test for some of the most frequently seen pregnancy complications with their mobile phones, thanks to a device developed by University of South Florida biomedical engineer Anna Pyayt. Her company is called Hemolix and the mobile phone device is for women who may have symptoms and worry about preeclampsia and other serious conditions.
ANNA PYAYT (University of South Florida):
If it’s a simple answer that, you know, you’re fine, they want to be able to stay home. And if they’re in danger, they want to go to doctor immediately. So I think we want to give women opportunity to judge about their condition, their health.
HIRSHON:
The small devices cost less than thirty dollars, and each test is less than a dollar. Pyayt says her goal is to reduce anxiety among pregnant women and lower medical costs. I’m Bob Hirshon, for AAAS, the science society.
Story by Bob Hirshon