The tech giant Google recently acquired the start-up Lift Labs, which has developed an "intelligent spoon" to help people suffering from tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. 

Lift Labs will be incorporated into Google[x] division, which is responsible for development of projects that impact lifestyles. Katellin Jabbari, a spokesperson for the California company said Google not only wants to help people with everyday tasks, but in the long run also increase understanding of the disease.

The "Liftware" technology in the intelligent spoon detects when the hand holding it is shaking and moves in the opposite direction, adjusting to maintain balance. It employs a similar mechanism to what is used in digital cameras stabilizers. According to observations during clinical trials, the spoon may reduce tremors in 76 percent of Parkinson's cases.

The technology doesn't come cheap, however. Liftware — only available in the United States at the moment — sells for $295, but the price may change now that Google is involved in further development. 

It is estimated that there are more than 10 million people worldwide living with Parkinson's, including the mother of Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

Parkinson's is the second most common neuro-degenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease, and is characterized by progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. The loss of dopamine neural paths results in the typical motor manifestations of the disease, such as muscle rigidity, tremor and slowness of movement.

Parkinson's Disease usually affects those older than 50, but it has been diagnosed in people under 30 as well. There is no known cure, though those who suffer from it, like actor Michael J. Fox, believe that "stem cell research has the potential to significantly impact the development of disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson's disease."