Canadian researchers created a new stretchable, wearable sensor from what material?

Body sensors allow any wearer to easily track heart rate, steps and sleep cycles around the clock, and soon, they could become even more versatile — thanks to Canadian scientists who have created a sensing device made of chewing gum and carbon nanotubes.

To make this flexible, bendable sensor, a team member chewed a piece of gum for 30 minutes, washed it with ethanol and let it sit overnight.

"The researchers then added a solution of carbon nanotubes, the sensing material. Simple pulling and folding coaxed the tubes to align properly. Human finger-bending and head-turning tests showed the material could keep working with high sensitivity even when strained 530 percent," according to a press release. "The sensor also could detect humidity changes, a feature that could be used to track breathing, which releases water vapor with every exhale."