A South Korean biomedical start-up called Ybrain has developed a headband that they claim will offer relief from the symptoms of【小题1】(depress). The device, called Mindd, works【小题2】(use) a technique called transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS). Here, a low-voltage electrical current【小题3】(apply) to specific areas in the brain via electrodes (电极) placed on the skull.

tDCS is not new-the basic【小题4】(principle) have been understood since the early 19th century. But the past decade or so has seen increased interest in its use in treating neurological and psychiatric conditions, and a 2016 meta-analysis of hundreds of studies concluded that it’s “possibly or probably effective”【小题5】a treatment for depression.

tDCS equipment can stimulate particular brain regions either ‘anodally’ (increasing neuronal activity)【小题6】‘cathodally’ (decreasing neuronal activity). The Mindd headset applies anodal stimulation via electrodes in the headband to the frontal lobe, an area【小题7】decreased activity is associated with depressive disorders. Mindd is not intended as a DIY solution: patients would use it in【小题8】own homes, and all data regarding treatment would be sent automatically to their doctor.

The headband is【小题9】(current) undergoing clinical trials at Harvard Medical School, and at 12 hospitals in South Korea. Early results are said to be【小题10】(promise), and if all goes well, Ybrain hopes to market the device to health providers by 2019.

New inventions are being dreamed up and designed every day. Today's inventors follow 【小题1】 same path that inventors did in the past. They identify a problem and create something 【小题2】 (settle) it.

Riya Karumanchi knew a woman who was visually weakened and used a white cane(手杖) to get around. Riya was surprised that even with the cane, the woman 【小题3】 (struggle). She often knocked against objects, 【小题4】 stood higher than her knee level.

Riya assumed the device(设备) came loaded with cutting—edge technology, but she 【小题5】 (short) learned that wasn't true. “It's just a stick,” she said. “My initial thought was like, 'What? How is nobody working on this? '” Riya made up her mind to work on it 【小题6】 (her). At age 14, she engineered a device now 【小题7】 (call) SmartCane. The cane uses sensors to spot barriers and wet surfaces. It shakes rapidly to warn the user of a 【小题8】 (danger) situation. GPS navigation( 导航) gives directions using special voices. And an emergency button acts   【小题9】 a lifeline, connecting the user to first responders or loved ones.

Riya is now 16 and a high school student in Canada. She's also the 【小题10】 (found) and CEO of the SmartCane company. She hopes the device will reach the people in need soon.

In 2016, I unpacked my luggage at a newly constructed New York hotel only to realize that I 【小题1】 (forget) my toothpaste. I called room service, and an 【小题2】   (energy) voice responded, “Someone will bring it right up.” Two minutes later, I opened my door only to discover an object resembling a trash can on wheels, equipped with a lid, a large button and a small digital screen. I cautiously pushed the button and the lid opened, revealing a toothpaste tube. The digital display flashed “Thank you”. The robotic 【小题3】   (visit) then turned around and rolled away. Before it disappeared, I snapped a photo, sending it to a friend, 【小题4】   later responded, “Wow, so cool!”