Scientist-led conferences at Harvard, Stanford and MIT
-
Brain network map may improve non-invasive stimulation
Brain stimulation treatments can alter neural circuits electrically instead of chemically. However, understanding what brain regions should be targeted, by condition, remains a challenge, particularly in non-invasive rTMS. A Beth Israel Deaconess study suggests that brain networks – the interconnected pathways that link brain circuits to one another– can help guide site selection for brain…
-
Implanted sensor continously monitors CHF
CardioMEMS is a sensor placed in the pulmonary artery of heart failure patients. It monitors pressure in the lungs and detects deterioration in the heart, long before changes in blood pressure and weight. Medication can be changed immediately to correct the problem and prevent hospital readmission. Data is sent to the physician daily.
-
EEG could lead to earlier autism diagnosis
Albert Einstein College of Medicine professor Sophie Molholm has published a paper describing the way that autistic children process sensory information, as determined by EEG. She believes that this could lead to earlier diagnosis (before symptoms of social and developmental delays emerge), hence earlier treatment, which might reduce the condition’s symptoms. EEG readings were taken from 40…
-
Smartphone sensors power mental health app
Dartmouth professor Andrew Campbell has developed a mental health monitoring app based on automatic smartphone sensing. StudentLife compares students’ happiness, stress, depression and loneliness to their academic performance In a recent study, passive sensors continuously collected data on location, conversations, mobility, and sleep patterns of 48 participants over 10 weeks. The students were also prompted with questions about their…
-
NIH “Bionic Man” with 14 sensor and brain controlled functions
The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering recently launched the “NIBIB Bionic Man,” an interactive Web tool detailing 14 sensor based technologies they are supporting. They include: 1. A robotic leg prosthesis that senses a person’s next move and provides powered assistance to achieve a more natural gate. 2. A light sensitive biogel and…
-
Prick-free continuous glucose monitor
Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System eliminates finger pricking for diabetics. The insertion of a tube under the skin is required, therefore the procedure, while continuous and comfortable, is still invasive. A user wears a sensor on the back of the upper arm, and through a small tube inserted just under the skin, it measures…
-
MIT’s running, jumping cheetah robot, now wireless
MIT‘s Biomimetic Robotics Lab has unveiled a robotic cheetah that jumps hurdles and sprints at 10 mph, mimicking the natural bounding motions of a cheetah. The robot can leap across uneven terrain while still maintaining a steady speed, and cleared a 33 centimeter foam hurdle. The research team believes that the robotic cheetah could eventually reach speeds of…
-
Noninvasive brain-to-brain communication demonstrated
Giulio Ruffini and colleagues at Starlab transmitted the words “hola” and “ciao” in binary code from the brain of a person in India to the brains of three people in France. EEG was used to record the information from the sender’s brain, and robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to deliver the message to the brains…
-
AI matches patients with clinical trials — in seconds
The Mayo Clinic will use IBM’s Watson to match colorectal, lung, and breast cancer patients with clinical trials, expediting a slow and inefficient process. 170,000 patient studies are being conducted worldwide at any given time–8,000 at the Mayo Clinic. Processing clinical trials is done manually, which involves sorting through patient records to ensure that proper…
-
Nanoparticle sensor detects breast cancer
In a paper published last week, University of Nebraska professor Ravi Saraf and fellow Chieu Van Nguyen describe a thin-film sensor that can detect breast tumors too small and deep to be felt with the fingers. Using the standard silicone breast model used to train doctors in manual breast exams, the film detected tumors as small as…
-
iPhone 6, Apple Watch, Note 4, Gear S — for your health
Apple and Samsung are competing for dominance in health and fitness–and the consumer wins: The iPhone 6’s motion sensor tracks distance, steps and, for the first time, elevation. It will sync with HealthKit, designed by Mayo Clinic doctors. HealthKit stores nutrition, fitness and other vitals for doctors or others to access, and works with existing fitness…
-
Brain-Computer Interface generated music
At Music Tech Fest in London, multidisciplinary artist Ma Tan won the wearables prize by generating music from his thoughts and heart. He used a 2 electrode EEG headband developed by Tel Aviv and Brown University professor Nathan Intrator to sense his emotions, and a heart monitor to sense his cardiac activity.
Got any book recommendations?