Nature Podcast

World’s tiniest pacemaker could revolutionize heart surgery

Apr 2, 2025

Pascal Geldsetzer, a researcher at Stanford University known for his work on the shingles vaccine and dementia risk, shares insights on groundbreaking medical innovations. He discusses a millimeter-sized dissolvable pacemaker that can be injected, minimizing the need for invasive procedures. This innovative device is controlled by light and shows promise in various medical applications. Geldsetzer also highlights a study linking the shingles vaccine to a significant reduction in dementia risk, suggesting exciting implications for public health.

37:41

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Pascal Geldsetzer

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Quick takeaways

The development of a millimetre-sized, self-dissolving pacemaker offers a less invasive alternative for post-surgical cardiac care.

Research shows that receiving a shingles vaccine may reduce dementia risk by one-fifth, indicating promising health implications for aging populations.

Deep dives

Innovative Tiny Pacemaker

A new type of pacemaker has been developed that is smaller than a grain of rice, offering a less invasive option for patients recovering from cardiac surgery. Traditional pacemakers require external power sources and invasive removal, which can be cumbersome and risky. The new device is self-powered, using the body's biofluids to create energy, and it is designed to dissolve naturally after its purpose is fulfilled. This innovative technology allows for flexible pacing control and can potentially lead to improved cardiac care.

Intro

2min

Innovative Design of the World's Smallest Pacemaker

2min

Revolutionizing Cardiac Care with Mini Pacemakers

7min

Shingles Vaccine: A Potential Shield Against Dementia

10min

Racial Disparities in Traffic Enforcement

8min

The Economics of Peer Review

7min

Reflecting on a Decade of Contributions and Changing Publishing Practices

3min

00:46 Millimetre-sized pacemaker fits inside syringe

Researchers have developed a tiny, temporary pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed, helping to overcome some of the challenges associated with current devices. Temporary pacemakers are often required after heart surgery but implanting them can require invasive procedures. This new device is injectable, requires no external power and is controlled using light shone through the skin. The tiny pacemaker has shown promise in animal and heart models, and the team think it could also be used in other situations where electrical stimulation is needed, like the brain.

Research Article: Zhang et al.

08:19 Research Highlights

Measurements show that global warming is causing lakes to lose their oxygen, and a massive, 30-year analysis showing that a diet of plant-rich foods is associated with healthy ageing

Research Highlight: Life-giving oxygen is wafting out of lakes worldwide

Research Highlight: The best foods for healthy ageing ― and the worst

10:21 Shingles vaccine linked to reduced dementia risk

A large-scale population study suggests that getting a shingles vaccine reduces the probability of someone getting dementia by around one-fifth. By taking advantage of the way a shingles vaccine was rolled out in Wales, a team were able to compare dementia outcomes in vaccine-eligible people to those born just a few weeks earlier who were ineligible. Although more tests will be needed to confirm this finding and to understand the mechanisms behind it, the team hope that vaccination against this viral infection could represent a cost-effective way to for preventing or delaying dementia.

Research article: Eyting et al.

20:20 Briefing Chat

Data suggests that racial profiling plays a role in whether someone receives a traffic citation or fine, and studies suggest that paying researchers who review manuscripts could speed up the peer-review process, without affecting the quality of reviews.

Ars Technica: Study of Lyft rideshare data confirms minorities get more tickets

Nature: Publishers trial paying peer reviewers — what did they find?

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