STEM and the Human Body

People have been using prostheses for thousands of years. Wooden legs are some of the oldest examples. Today, prostheses can be made with carbon fiber, a material that is as strong as metal and as light as plastic. Discover more in Prosthetics, a title in the STEM and the Human Body series.

An exoskeleton is a robotic frame. It fits over the user's body. When the frame moves, the person also moves. Discover more in Exoskeleton, a title in the STEM and the Human Body series.

In 1982, Willem Kolff and Robert Jarvik invented the first artificial heart used for long periods of time in humans. The first patient to receive the heart lived 112 days. Today, patients can live for years with an artificial heart. Discover more in Artificial Organs, a title in the STEM and the Human Body series.

Gene editing allows doctors to add or remove genes to stop certain problems in the human body. As a new technology, gene is still in the early stages of research. It might one day help doctors treat or even cure many genetic diseases. Discover more in Gene Editing, a title in the STEM and the Human Body series.

Stem cells are a special type of cell in the body. When a stem cell divides, the new cells can become stem cells, or they can become other kinds of cells. This ability means that stem cells can help the body heal by replacing damaged cells. Discover more in Stem Cells, a title in the STEM and the Human Body series.

People of all ages can lose their hearing. The loss may be temporary or permanent. Engineers make hearing devices to help people with hearing loss. Discover more in Hearing Devices, a title in the STEM and the Human Body series.