Health Daily - 16/01/2026

• AI delivers the most value when integrated into country-led digital health infrastructures with reliable data flows and shared standards, rather than as isolated tools.
• Sustainable digital health needs robust electricity, connectivity, interoperable records and supportive institutions so AI systems are secure, adaptive and resilient to future challenges.
• Collaboration across government, private sector and technical partners is essential to scale AI-enabled diagnostics, surveillance and supply-chain improvements into national systems.
• Short-term experiments won’t drive lasting impact; scalable, integrated digital systems backed by sustained investment are needed to make better, faster decisions that save lives.

• Mila’s AI Safety Studio has made mental‑health safeguards for AI chatbots a top research priority, developing independent metrics and guardrails to prevent chatbot outputs that fuel delusions and suicides. 
• Researchers warn that up to 10 % of the global population (≈800 million weekly users) interact with ChatGPT, often for companionship, leading to “AI psychosis” where prolonged chats can validate delusions and cause self‑harm. 
• Mila and grassroots groups like The Human Line Project are collecting real‑world conversation data and building open‑source risk‑assessment tools, while calling for regulatory reforms and safety‑by‑design obligations for AI firms. 
• Canada currently lacks specific AI legislation, but officials plan new laws on deepfakes, data privacy, and AI safety after previous bills (AIDA, Online Harms Act) stalled.

• Researchers unveiled a skin‑interfaced, paper‑based microfluidic patch that uses iontophoretic carbachol to induce sweat and gold‑nanoflower colorimetric assays for cortisol detection. 
• The device supports time‑sequenced sampling through either a programmed electronic timer or passive valve‑based electrochromic indicators, allowing multiple 20‑minute interval measurements on a single wear. 
• Human studies demonstrated the patch tracked diurnal cortisol cycles, acute spikes from cold‑pressor stress tests, and jet‑lag‑related disruptions, with results matching saliva and serum assays. 
• By turning eccrine sweat into a reliable, non‑invasive hormone readout, the technology enables personalized monitoring of stress, sleep, and circadian misalignment without blood draws. 

• Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted certification for Aevice Health’s wearable stethoscope, allowing it to be marketed locally as a regulated medical device.
• The device is a wearable respiratory monitoring tool designed to continuously track lung and breath sounds, supporting management of respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD.
• Aevice Health’s wearable stethoscope (part of the AeviceMD system) has previously received FDA clearance in the US and approval in Singapore, part of its broader push into international markets.
• The wearable tech enables remote monitoring, helping clinicians detect early signs of respiratory issues and potentially reduce emergency visits by enabling timely interventions.

• On Jan 13 2026, South Korean deep‑tech firm Tyrenn unveiled its patented Nanobot Smart Dial, an ultra‑compact shape‑control device that can adjust up to six strings simultaneously for apparel and medical braces. 
• The aerospace‑inspired “never‑loosing” lock provides micro‑adjustments that improve fit, comfort and safety, especially for helmets, footwear and orthopedic braces. 
• Tyrenn has secured more than 60 patents and was chosen for South Korea’s 2025 “Strong Small Business” Global Program, granting funding to accelerate its entry into North American and European markets. 
• CEO Seok‑hwan Kim says the technology aims to create a “One fits All” ecosystem, scaling B2B partnerships with global brands to deliver smart, health‑focused wearable solutions.