Noncommunicable Diseases

Almost three-quarters of diabetics live in the developing world. Foot ulceration (infection) has been identified as a precursor in 84% of lower extremity amputations in diabetics. It is often only after a wound develops on the feet that patients recognize that they are suffering from diabetic complications and they are at risk of foot amputation. Self care is an essential element of diabetes management. However, visual inspection and palpation usually do not detect changes in skin integrity on time.

Many diabetics in India cannot afford diagnostic strips to monitor glucose levels. Low-cost fabric glucose sensors developed by Achira Labs can be manufactured locally by weaving communities, which are widespread in India and other parts of the developing world. Working with a non-governmental organization that represents women weavers, the distributed manufacturing model for glucose sensors will be rolled out in at least five locations.

The study will investigate the chemical composition of the different Kenyan opuntia plant varieties and demonstrate that the plants possess anti-diabetic properties. The study also seeks to demonstrate that the chemical compounds are absorbed by the camel following an opuntia diet supplement and excreted through camel milk.

As per WHO, 346 million people have diabetes; 80% deaths occur in low-middle income countries. Currently, physicians cannot easily detect Insulin Resistance (IR), which precedes clinical signs of diabetes undetected for decades. TechnoDevelop will research towards low-cost IR diagnostics targeting advance monitoring and prevention programs along with education and training.

Over 70% of global deaths due to diabetes come from developing countries with majority of them from Africa. In Kenya, diabetes is diagnosed by the random blood testing, and patients lack a proper management. It is also noted some cases of blood-borne infection in the blood test. This project proposes to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool for diabetes.

This project will finance the use of energy-efficient cookstoves in India through the sale of carbon credits in the international carbon market.  For more information visit www.theunion.org"

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. In Vietnam, where half of the men are smoking, SHS is a big issue, especially in the hospitality industry. Vietnamese law allows partial smoking bans or designated smoking areas in many public places, in particular, the hospitality industry (bars and restaurants). However, research has shown that this offers no real protection for patrons and hospitality staff.

Being pioneered at McMaster University with international collaborators, a simple sputum test will detect infectious and allergic bronchitis in adults and children, reducing mis-diagnosis in developing countries and saving resources: time, steroids, antibiotics. A simple point of care paper-based diagnostic test in sputum will detect infective and allergic bronchitis in adults and children. This will help guide judicious use of currently available medications (steroids and antibiotics) to treat these disease"

Respiratory diseases are a major problem. Diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases, especially in lower income countries, is difficult. Often doctors just give trials of therapy hoping something will work. We have been developing a test to diagnose respiratory diseases using urine samples.

Fighting the stroke epidemic in developing countries by enabling risk detection and empowering knowledge for action to decrease stroke death and disability. Using the power of biomedical and mobile technologies, we propose to develop a simple, palm sized device that will empower anyone to check his /her blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol and record an ECG without blood tests anywhere in the world.