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‘medicine’ Stories

Obama’s Brain Activity Map project expected to receive billions in budget

, Feb 18th 2013 Discuss [0]

A ten year project, the Brain Activity Map, that attempts to fathom the deepest workings of the human brain at a cost of billions of dollars is expected to feature in President Obama's budget proposal next month, scientists have revealed. The collaborative research effort, hoping to do for our understanding of neurology and brain activity what the Human Genome Project did for genetic discovery, will see federal agencies along with private institutions receive a huge boost in funding, sources told the NYTimes, with potential applications in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment, in the development of artificial intelligence, and other avenues. Read The Full Story

FDA approves ‘ingestible sensor’ for use as a medical device

, Aug 1st 2012 Discuss [0]

Here's one that the conspiracy theorists among us will love: the FDA has approved an "ingestible sensor" made by Proteus Digital Health for marketing as a medical device. Though such a device sounds like it can't be anything other than devious, the idea behind it is quite simple, as it will be used to make sure that patients are taking their pills when they're supposed to. Apparently Proteus has been working with the FDA since 2008 to get this thing approved, so this could prove to be a pretty big breakthrough for the company. Read The Full Story

Roomba makers iRobot trialling RP-VITA medical robot

, Jul 24th 2012 Discuss [0]

iRobot, the creators of the popular Roomba cleaning robot, have created a medical assistant dubbed RP-VITA (Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant) aimed at being used in hospitals. RP-VITA is the result of a $6 million investment in InTouch, with the robot able to navigate hospitals using a myriad of sensors, such as sonar, a laser range finder, and two cameras. The robot is also able to intelligently create a map of the designated hospital, although it’s primarily navigated using a joystick by a remote doctor. Read The Full Story

Stem Cells vs Open Source: The 2012 Millennium Tech Award

, Apr 19th 2012 Discuss [0]

It's no secret that this year's candidates for the Millennium Technology Prize are set to be controversial outside scientific circles. On the other hand, the prize committee at the Technology Academy Finland are quite sure of themselves: Linus Torvalds and Dr Shinya Yamanaka are this year's laureates. The prize this year for this prestigious award will exceed a a lovely 1 million Euros - certainly a pot to be sought after. Read The Full Story

Harvard researchers highlight robots made from DNA

, Feb 16th 2012 Discuss [4]

Scientists have managed to create a robot created entirely out of DNA, an advancement that could make it possible to effectively kill cancer cells or other diseases that don't have a simple cure. The microscopic robots use incredibly sophisticated directives that seek out specific cells. Then, based on the robot's programming the cells are either destroyed or reprogrammed. Read The Full Story

European researchers use 3D-printed jaw in successful human surgery

, Feb 8th 2012 Discuss [0]

Instead of traditional reconstructive surgery, an 83-year-old patient was outfitted with a new jaw that came not from another human body but from a 3D printer. Doctors had decided it was too risky to perform the more common form of surgery because of the patient's age and fraile condition. And believe it or not, it appears to have been a resounding success. Read The Full Story

Urology journal finds robotic prostate surgery not meeting expectations

, Jan 27th 2012 Discuss [2]

It was perhaps one of the biggest hopes in the advancement of robot-assisted medical surgery, but expectations have been too high, according to a new report from the research journal Urology. We're talking about surgery for prostate removal, for those afflicted with prostate cancer. The study shows outcomes of the robotic procedure are not that different than those done by human hands. Read The Full Story

Research suggest web addicts brains really are wired differently

, Jan 13th 2012 Discuss [2]

Researchers in China have been conducting research on a group of men and women ranging in age from 14-21. All 17 of the people in the study are classified as internet addicts. The researchers scanned their brains and looked for differences in the brain of the alleged addicts and those of normal people that aren't considered web addicts. Read The Full Story

Fit pill could treat obesity and related disorders

, Jan 12th 2012 Discuss [5]

If you watch the health reports on the news or read any health related material online or in print and you will generally run across some articles that are talking about the obesity epidemic in America and other countries. There are a number of health issues that come from being overweight and many of them can be lethal if not treated. One of the best treatments for the obese and the disorders that go with being overweight is exercise. Read The Full Story