Hasta La Gadget!

Google Science Fair grand prize winner Brittany Wenger whom you see on the far right above has joined other winners on stage in their respective age categories, and her place on the podium is thoroughly deserved. After all, she has managed to develop an artificial computer brain which is capable of performing a diagnosis of breast cancer with a 99% sensitivity. Brittany Wenger, aged 17, successfully wrote a breast cancer-diagnosing app that is based on an artificial neural network, leading her to pick up the grand prize at the Google Science Fair a couple of days ago.

What inspired Wenger to make sure her computer brain worked? Well, this is due to the fact that the least invasive diagnostic test for breast cancer, known as “fine needle aspirate”, is by far and large the least certain one as well, with unclear results popping up often while requiring patients to go through a second biopsy with a bigger needle – and some other cases even require surgery. Kudos to her for helping make this world a better place!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Expert: Google Nexus 7 display is flawed, washed out, CyanogenMod 10 now on the Nexus 7,

Researchers at the University of Tennessee’s Center for Laser Applications have developed a femtosecond laser that can non-invasively diagnose, map, irradiate and burn cancerous tumors. Utilizing a beam that pulses at one-quadrillionth of a second, the technology is able to seek out growths and obliterate them with an increased burst of intensity. “Using ultra-short light pulses gives us the ability to focus in a well confined region and the ability for intense radiation,” says Associate Professor of Physics Christian Parigger. “This allows us to come in and leave a specific area quickly so we can diagnose and attack tumorous cells fast.” The swift, precise technique can avoiding heating up adjacent, healthy tissues and has potential for use in outpatient procedures, particularly for people afflicted with brain tumors. For now, however, the scientists are working with the non-profit University of Tennessee Research Foundation to bring their tech to market. Roll past the jump for the press release and a glimpse of the laser in action.

Continue reading Researchers develop femtosecond laser that can diagnose, blast cancerous tumors

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Researchers develop femtosecond laser that can diagnose, blast cancerous tumors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 05:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you missed the memo, there’s quite a bit more to iRobot than adorable autonomous vacuums — these days the firm works on military projects, consumer electronics and tablet-controlled telepresence robots. Earlier this year, iRobot even retooled itself to build an emerging technologies group, announcing a partnership with InTouch Health to put its AVA telepresence technology to better use. Today the two companies are announcing the fruits of their labor — the Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant, or RP-VITA. The project aims to combine the best of iRobot’s AVA telepresence units with InTouch health’s own bots, creating an easy to use system that allows physicians to care for patients remotely without stumbling over complicated technology.

The RP-VITA features state-of-the-art mapping and obstacle detection and avoidance technology, a simple iPad user interface for control and interaction and the ability to interface with diagnostic devices and access electronic medical records. The remote rig will eventually be able to navigate to specified target destinations autonomously, though this feature is still being reviewed by the FDA for clearance. iRobot and InTouch are optimistic about the unit, but claim that the RP-VITA is only the beginning. “While this represents our first foray into the healthcare market, the RP-VITA represents a robust platform,” said Colin Angle, Chairman and CEO of iRobot, “we see many future opportunities in adjacent markets.” The new telemedicine assistant is slated to make its first appearance at InTouch Health’s 7th Annual Clinic Innovations Forum later this week. Check out the press release after the break for the full details.

Continue reading iRobot, InTouch Health unveil RP-VITA telepresence robot, let doctors phone in bedside manner

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iRobot, InTouch Health unveil RP-VITA telepresence robot, let doctors phone in bedside manner originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I would have thought that the realm of reverse engineering was limited to just hardware, but here we are with word that rat cells were actually used in the reverse-engineering process to create an artificial life form (a jellyfish) which will then be used to test drugs. Achieved thanks to the brilliance of a group of bioengineers, this artificial jellyfish relied on silicone and muscle cells from a rat’s heart. Called a medusoid, this synthetic creature resembles a flower with eight petals. Whenever it is placed in an electric field, it will pulse and swim just like its living counterpart – albeit sans any nasty sting, I suppose.

Kit Parker, a biophysicist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said, “Morphologically, we’ve built a jellyfish. Functionally, we’ve built a jellyfish. Genetically, this thing is a rat.” You don’t say? It would be cool to see how future developments will unfold – in fact, Parker and his team already has plans to construct a medusoid that relies on human heart cells. Hopefully it will help usher in a new age of medical research.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Bathing Unit has 300-micron Particle Mist Shower , Mobile Music Touch wireless musical glove helps improve sensation and motor skills,

Remember the Chameleon Bandage that changes color to match your skin tone once you stuck it on? It was definitely an interesting concept, although a difficult one to execute.

Another novel bandage design that actually has the potential to become an actual product is the AmoeBAND, designed by Tay Pek-Khai, Hsu Hao-Ming, Tsai Cheng-Yu, Chen Kuei-Yuan, Chen Yi-Ting, Lai Jen-Hao, Ho Chia-Ying, Chen Ying-shan, Weng Yu-Ching, and Chung Kuo-Ting.

The design of the AmoeBAND increases the bandages effectiveness and ups the comfort level for the users because of strategically placed cut-outs on the plasters. If you’ve ever used a bandage on your finger (I’m sure you have), then you might’ve noticed that it’s particularly hard to stick the bandaid on just right so that your digit’s movements won’t be limited. The same bandage can be used for flat areas, joints or fingertips.

Aside from increased flexibility, the AmoeBAND’s come in four shades to match your skintone. It’s like finding a shade of concealer just right for your skin (girls can relate to this), only better, because you don’t really expect this kind of choice to come with bandaids.

The AmoeBAND comes in matchbox-type boxes that dispense the bandages with a quick push. And it seems like the designers through of everything, because the boxes are even labeled in Braille. It’s also a finalist for the 2012 IDEA Award.

[via Yanko Design]