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Researchers create virtual reality cognitive assessment

Virtual reality isn’t just for gaming. Researchers can use virtual reality, or VR, to assess participants’ attention, memory and problem-solving abilities in real world settings. By using VR technology to examine how folks complete daily tasks, like making a grocery list, researchers can better help clinical populations that struggle with executive functioning to manage their everyday lives.

The SARS-CoV-2 Virus Mutates Fast: The Science You Need to Understand About Coronavirus Variants and COVID-19 Vaccines

The SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates fast. That’s a concern because these more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2 are now present in the U.S., U.K. and South Africa and other countries, and many people are wondering whether the current vaccines will protect the recipients from the virus. Furthermore, many question whether we will we be able to keep ahead of future variants of SARS-CoV-2, which will certainly arise.

In my laboratory I study the molecular structure of RNA viruses – like the one that causes COVID-19 – and how they replicate and multiply in the host. As the virus infects more people and the pandemic spreads, SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. This process of evolution is constant and it allows the virus to sample its environment and select changes that make it grow more efficiently. Thus, it is important to monitor viruses for such new mutations that could make them more deadly, more transmissible or both.

Biomedical engineers from the United States and the University of Sydney have collaborated to develop a surgical glue

This can turn out to be a very important and useful invention for medical science. The elastic and adhesive glue quickly seals wounds after application, without the need of stitches or staples. The glue, called ‘Metro’, quickly seals wounds in just 60 seconds. The gel-like material of the wound glue is activated by Ultraviolet (UV) light and it dissolves shortly after. Metro glue’s elasticity makes it ideal for sealing wounds in body tissues that continually expand and relax like the heart or lungs. The glue has been successfully tested on rodents and pigs. It will soon be used in human trials. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who is the chairperson of Biocon — Asia’s leading Biopharmaceuticals enterprise, shared a video about the wound glue. The video by In The Know, shows how the Metro glue works.


Glue for wounds!
https://twitter.com/kiranshaw/status/1357879020440854528

Dr. Rachel Ramoni, Chief R&D Officer, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) — Facilitating Innovation

Facilitating Novel Health-Tech and Bio-Medical Innovations For Over 9 Million Veterans — Dr. Rachel Ramoni, Chief of R&D, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.


Dr. Rachel Ramoni, is the Chief Research and Development Officer of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where she oversees their nationwide research enterprise, encompassing some 2000 active projects, at more than 100 sites, with a total budget of $2 billion in both direct VA support, and research funding from outside entities such as the National Institutes of Health, other federal agencies, and nonprofit and private organizations.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal Cabinet-level agency that provides comprehensive healthcare services to military veterans at over 1000 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the US – It also provides several non-healthcare benefits including disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance; and provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members.

The VA serves over 9 million enrolled Veterans each year, employs over 377000 people with an annual budget of $200 billion.

Dr. Ramoni earned a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, as well as a Master of Science and Doctor of Science in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.

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