Tattoo-like Sensor Can Detect Glucose Levels
Scientists have developed the first ultra-thin, flexible device that sticks to skin like a rub-on tattoo and can detect a person’s glucose levels.
The sensor, reported in a proof-of-concept study in the ACS journal “Analytical Chemistry”, has the potential to eliminate finger-pricking for many people with diabetes.
The researchers made a wearable, non-irritating platform that can detect glucose in the fluid just under the skin based on integrating glucose extraction and electrochemical biosensing.
Preliminary testing on seven healthy volunteers showed it was able to accurately determine glucose levels. The researchers conclude that the device could potentially be used for diabetes management and for other conditions such as kidney disease.(Jurnalul National)
People In Rural Areas Not Informed Of The Use Of Health Cards
The implementation of the national health cards has stirred new controversy and this time, the people in rural areas are the most affected because they were not informed about the way the cards can be used.
Romania’s Consumer Protection Association (APC) publicly condemned the lack of vision of the Health Ministry and the National Health Insurance House, arguing they were not able to coordinate the aspects regarding the implementation of the national health cards.
The two institutions are accused of disregarding the economic and social status of patients in rural areas, namely, their low income, high age, poor health and education, the lack of experience regarding the use of PIN cards, the absence of transport infrastructure and the long distance to the regional offices of the National Health House. (Puterea)
Careless And Aggressive Drivers To Get The Harshest Fines
Careless and aggressive drivers in Romania will receive the harshest fines in the future.
However, tariffs for the mandatory car insurance policies (RCA) for youths will get back to normal. Misu Negritoiu, head of Romania’s financial watchdog ASF, said firms will introduce new norms whereby they will select those who will pay the highest RCA tariffs. Other measures, however, may lead to higher prices for cheap RCA policies.
ASF recently said it is analyzing the method for the calculation of RCA tariffs for youths and plans to identify a reasonable solution by the end of February. Finance Minister Darius Valcov previposuly asked ASF to reassess the RCA system for people under 25, as most of them cannot afford to pay tariffs exceeding RON2,000 (EUR445). (Evenimentul Zilei)
Russia’s Lukoil Chief Sees Oil As Low As $25/Barrel
Vagit Alekperov, the Chief Executive Officer of LUKoil, Russia’s biggest private oil company, has recently said that the price of crude could dive to $25 per barrel — half its current value and less than a quarter of the price last summer, according to The Moscow Times.
His prediction came amid a chorus of similar warnings. The International Energy Agency on Friday said oil would continue to fall, and a day earlier Bank of America Merrill Lynch predicted that the price of global benchmark Brent would slide to $31 per barrel before April.
Speaking at an economic forum in Moscow, Alekperov said that although crude oil prices could hit $25, they would not stay so low for long, news agency TASS reported. Brent could recover to $70-80 by the end of the 2015, he said, predicting a period of volatile prices. (Adevarul)
PM Ponta Comes Up With Solution For Expat Vote
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said a solution for the future voting process of Romanians living abroad would be to transfer the organization of the expatriate vote from the Government to the Standing Electoral Authority (AEP).
Thousands of expats were unable to cast their votes in Romania’s first and second-round of presidential elections held on November 2 and 16, 2014, respectively.
Under the Criminal Code, preventing people from exercising the right to vote, by any means, is generally punishable by up to three years in prison. (Puterea)