Scientist-led conferences at Harvard, Stanford and MIT
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fMRI + EEG used to detect consciousness in ICU patients
MGH’s Brian Edlow and colleagues have completed a small study showing the efficacy of using fMRI and EEG in ICU TBI patients to detect consciousness. Previous research has suggested that up to 40% of conscious patients are misclassified as unconscious. The goal is to create a more informed care plan, and earlier interventions that could improve…
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Apple patents multi-parameter, phone-based health tracking
Apple has been granted a patent for phone technology using a front-facing camera and light, proximity, and multiple sensors to measure body fat, heart rate, circulation, blood pressure, and breathing, as well as emotional state via galvanic skin response. The device computes health data of the user based upon sensor data regarding the received light. It has been reported…
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Single blood draw detects 1250 pathogens from cell-free DNA
Karius‘s next-generation sequencing detects fragments of 1250 microbes from a single blood draw. Identifying microbial cell-free DNA from bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa can facilitate the rapid diagnosis of infectious disease. Current diagnostics only detect a narrow range of pathogens, and may require invasive biopsies. This fast and comprehensive analysis could enable more effective, targeted…
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Wearable, high resolution, continuous opto-electronic monitoring
MRI, disrupted. Mary Lou Jepsen’s background in consumer electronics, computers, TV, VR, wearables, healthcare and software at Google x, Facebook, and Oculus has led to the creation of Openwater — a company that will enable us to see the inner workings of the body and brain. At high resolution, continuously. Using novel opto-electronics, the company…
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Headset-free mixed reality
Disney Research’s Magic Bench is a mixed-reality technology that lets multiple users interact with animated characters, with out headsets or handheld devices. When seated on the Magic Bench, one sees a mirrored image on a large display, creating a third-person point of view. The scene is reconstructed using a depth sensor, allowing participants to occupy…
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Fractal-shaped electrodes could improve retinal implants
William Watterson and Richard Taylor an the University of Oregon are in the early stages of developing fractal-shaped electrodes for use as retinal implants to restore sight. They believe that the square shape of previous generations of electrodes prevented their success. (86 per cent fail.) The fractal shape mimics the design of the neurons they interact…
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Alzheimer’s diagnosis disputed in up to 50% of PET study subjects
James Hendrix and Alzheimer’s Association colleagues are conducting a study to see how PET scans could change the nature of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment. 4,000 of 18,000 subjects have been tested to date, with a stunning result showing that a significant portion of people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia who are taking medication for Alzheimer’s may…
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Sensor glove translates sign language, mimics gestures
UCSD’s Timothy O’Connor and Darren Lipomi have developed The Language of Glove — glove that wirelessly translates American Sign Language into text, and controls a virtual hand to mimic sign language gestures. It was built for less than $100 using stretchable and printable electronics. Nine silicon-based polymer sensors, with a conductive carbon paint, were taped…
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AI used to study brain blood flow ties to Schizophrenia
Mina Gheiratmand, Serdar Dursun, and University of Alberta colleagues used IBM AI tools to try to identify schizophrenic traits based on a person’s brain blood flow. 95 participant fMRI images of schizophrenia-diagnosed and healthy patient brains were analyzed. The researchers claimed to accurately diagnose patients, based on blood flow, 74% of the time. They also…
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Sensor detects asthma, cancer, diabetes in breath
KAIST professor Il-doo Kim 김일두 has developed a sensor that can diagnose diseases by measuring the concentration change of the specific gases in the breath, with out blood or imaging tests. Animal protein is used as a catalyst. The researchers claim that detection can be done at the time of disease metabolism, enabling early diagnosis. Hydrogen, acetone, toluene,…
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Hypoallergenic, continuous, week-long health wearable
University of Tokyo professor Takao Someya has developed a hypoallergenic, adhesive, continuous health sensor. The device can be worn comfortably for a week because of its nanoscal mesh elastic electrodes. This allows the skin to breathe, preventing inflammation. The electrodes contains a biologically compatible, water-soluble polymer, polyvinyl alcohol, and a gold layer. The wearable is applied…
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Direct brain path for sight, sound via implanted microscope
Rice University’s Jacob Robinson, with Yale and Columbia colleagues, are developing FlatScope — a flat, brain implanted microscope that monitors and triggers neurons which are modified to be fluorescent when active. While capturing greater detail than current brain probes, the microscope also goes through deep levels that illustrate sensory input processing — which they hope to…
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