The yo-yo drops in and out of fashion as a child play-thing – and now medical scientists are hoping a trendy variant will capture young imaginations.
The researchers, at Nottingham University, have developed what they call a "Glo-Yo". The aim is to teach children about infection control.
The yo-yo includes a built in screen which shows a child how to wash their hands.
It also dispenses a lotion which glows under ultra-violet light onto the hands
Children are encouraged to wash their hands – and then press a button to shine UV light on the hands.
The light shows whether the hand-washing has been successful.
Developer Dr Kim Hardie worked with design student James Metcalfe on the project.
She said: "The Glo-Yo will help children wash their hands better, they will get fewer infections as a result and will understand more about how germs spread. No doubt, they will pester the adults around them to do the same, with the same benefits.
"This will save employers money through reduced sick-leave and prevent a lot of suffering from very uncomfortable illnesses, some of which can be fatal. In the end we will all be spreading the message, and not the germs!"
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