Computers and Medicine
Biotechnology
Computer With Brain Connections Changing Quality Of Life Of Paralyzed
Fundamental theories regarding consciousness, emotion and quality of life in sufferers of paralysis from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as 'Lou Gerhig's disease') are being challenged based on new research on brain-computer interaction. ALS is a progressive disease that destroys neurons affecting movement. The study appears in the latest issue of Psychophysiology. The article reviews the usefulness of currently available brain-computer ... Continue Reading
Virtual Realities Against Pain
The feeling of pain produced during medical treatment can be reduced through sophisticated virtual reality helmets, a simple computer game and the determined predisposition of the patient. According to research psychologists at the UAB, this type of distraction even reduces the dosage of sedatives. Their research suggests putting greater emphasis on methodology and on psychological aspects of this technique in order to improve its property. ... Continue Reading
How gadgets will aid elderly at home
The elderly population is set to rocket in the coming years. But with fewer taxpayers, there will not be the funds to provide them with personal care. So how are houses going to be designed to allow people to live at home? The year is 2030. Mrs Smith, aged 98, turns to her electronic Companion to find out what medicine she should be taking. ... Continue Reading
Setting The Standard For Computer Models Of Life
In the December 6 issue of Nature Biotechnology, scientists from 14 different organizations around the world, including the EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, propose a new quality standard for biochemical models. MIRIAM (for Minimum information requested in the annotation of biochemical models) will help researchers to reuse, modify and combine computer models of biochemical processes to gain a fuller understanding of life at the molecular and cellular level. ... Continue Reading
Flight simulators 'treat vertigo'
Flight simulators used to train pilots and astronauts can provide relief from chronic dizziness, a study shows. Researchers from Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust and Imperial College London treated 40 patients with a history of balance problems. ... Continue Reading
Via Internet, Australian-based Researchers Perform Real-time Cell Surgery In California
In an effort to combine sophisticated laser and Internet technologies, scientists in Australia have successfully performed laser surgery and "optical trapping" in a Southern California laboratory via the Internet. The scientists used a new Internet-based laser scissor-and-tweezers technology called RoboLase, demonstrating the potential of using the technology for real-time research activities between laboratories and for physicians to perform medical procedures from distant locations. ... Continue Reading
What happens when machines learn to speak?
Throw away the computer mouse, keyboard, and TV remote. A new speaking machine, expected as early as 2010, is about to become your newest ... Continue Reading
Curious About Your Vital Signs? One Day Soon, Check Your Laptop
The cameras and MP3 players are fun, but the next wave of add-ons for cell phones and laptops may help users keep track of their health. A University of Florida engineer has built a working prototype for a small, portable system that can monitor a person's breathing and heart rate automatically via wireless signal, with no need for cords or plugs. ... Continue Reading
Digital Immortality - Download the Mind by 2050
The wealthy will be able to download their consciousness into computers by 2050 - the not so well off by "2075 or 2080", claims futurologist Dr. Ian Pearson, head of the Futurology unit at BT. While it sounds like science fiction, Pearson is serious about his claim. He believes that humans will achieve a kind of virtual immortality by saving their consciousnesses into computers within the next 45 years. ... Continue Reading
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