Smaller Rings, Steadier Hands, Faster Genomes

A ring that's thinner than before, a wearable that reduces tremors, and a sequencer that reportedly reads a whole genome in less than 4 hours.

Amrit Bance

6 min read

A ring that's thinner than before, a wearable that reduces tremors, and a sequencer that reportedly reads a whole genome in less than 4 hours.

THE OURA RING 5

Oura's fifth generation ring reduces total volume by 40% when compared with the previous model. This model is around 6mm in width and comes in an all-titanium shell with a scratch-resistant coating across six finishes. The company says the new ring delivers a 12% jump in overnight HRV accuracy, plus a 24% improvement in workout heart rate signal, translating to 19% better accuracy across walking, running and cycling. Battery life still holds at 6 to 9 days on an 80 minute charge. The sizing matrix has changed, worth a new sizing kit before you upgrade.

A WEARABLE THAT REDUCES TREMORS

Cala's kIQ Plus is FDA cleared for on-demand temporary reduction of hand tremors in adults with Essential Tremor or Parkinson's disease, sending mild electrical pulses to the median and radial nerves through a wristband. Onboard sensors read the patient's tremor pattern in real time and adjust the stimulation waveform to provide individualised therapy. You wear it for around 40 minutes, and can use it multiple times a day, before eating, writing, and any other activities that are affected by tremors.

GENOME SEQUENCING IN LESS THAN 4 HOURS

Roche's new AXELIOS 1 platform reads a person's full genetic code by first making an artificially stretched copy of each strand of DNA, about 50 times its natural length. Roche says the result is a complete human genome sequenced in under four hours, with sensor modules designed to be reused up to 20 times. Clinicians already rely on genome sequencing for rare disease diagnosis, cancer treatment selection and inherited condition screening, and turnaround in most health systems today often runs to several weeks, not hours. A four hour result, if it holds up outside Roche's own testing, would be transformative. For now, AXELIOS 1 is licensed for research use only. It cannot diagnose, so treat this as a preview of what might reach the clinic, not a tool you can order today.

SMALLER AND SMARTER

Oura says their new ring is now smaller and more accurate. The Cala wristband can reduce tremors on-demand. The sequencer requires a fraction of the footprint older machines demanded.