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Monday, August 25, 2014

TechnoGrannyShow, Five Technologies Formerly Science Fiction


Five Technologies Formerly Science Fiction
21st Century technology blurs the lines between fact and fantasy.  Techno Granny knows we are living on the cusp of technological breakthroughs which have the potential to changes lives and the world as we know it.  Techno Granny delves into the research of what was once science fiction and shares with us 5 ways some of the world’s most innovative minds are developing and marketing cutting edge high-tech devices for everyday use.
Time: 09/09/2013 10:00 AM EDT
Do you ever hear about a new technology and say to yourself, ‘I saw Bones do that on the old Star Trek series’? Or do you watch a medical procedure on a documentary and quickly realizing it looks like something from Star Trek?  These five technologies will prove to you that yesterday’s science fiction is today's technology. Techno Granny reports on: smart phones that do kidney tests.....sprayable energy.....surgery with Google Glasss......new eco-friendly building material and digital autopsies....
Paying attention to science fiction because the future of science is today and it’s rooted in the science fiction of yesterday”.

In the world of health care, technology is vital.  Researchers from around the world receive millions of dollars to explore various ways technology can be advanced to save lives, heal and improve the health of individuals.  In the August 30, 2013 issue of gizmag.com reporter Antonio Pasolini uncovers the latest smart phone adaptations that allow diabetics and other individuals plagued with kidney disease to self-monitor levels of the blood protein albumin in their urine. 

UCLA' portable testing kit for kidney problems

The article “, Portable device works with smartphone to perform kidney tests,” outlines the advantages of using this new technology developed by researchers at the University of California. The benefits are promising on a number of levels; the tool weighs just 5.3 ounces, is compatible with Android and Apple phones, proclaims accuracy to within less than 10 micrograms per milliliter, testing can be completed within 5 minutes and this is expected to be a cost efficient and time saving tool for patients and physicians. 

Read the complete article here.

Feeling sluggish halfway through your day?  Do you often make midafternoon visits to Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts for a quick and often pricey, coffee pick-me-up?  Look no further for a solution to the daily doldrums, gizmag.com author Dave Parrack describes the advantages of a caffeine body spray in his article ‘Sprayable Energy provides caffeine hit through the skin.’ 

Its makers claim that Sprayable Energy will provide a gradual hit of caffeine through the skin
The makers of Sprayable Energy advertise the product as “, the world’s first caffeine based topical energy spray,” and claim it delivers a colorless and odorless jolt anytime you want, without the hassle of having to make a pot of coffee or leave your desk to buy a cup at the café across the street from the office. 
  

The idea behind Sprayable Energy is to reduce caloric intake, maintain fresh breath and still get your caffeine fix- by spraying a few squirts onto your skin up to 4 times a day. 


Technology in the classroom is advancing at a rate quicker than many can keep up with.  Furthermore, the use of various devices to promote and advance health care is evolving at an even faster pace.  Mingle the 2 and you will receive a first rate educational experience, second only to being there in person.  Dario Borghino’s article for gizmag.comUS surgeon streams operation via Google Glass,” is both fascinating and enlightening.  

Performing surgery while wearing Google Glass could offer advantages for doctors and patients(Photo: Ohio State University)
This experience of blending education, health care and technology occurred in 2013 when Dr. Ismail got his hands on a set of Google Glass.

He teamed up with colleague Dr. Kaeding, who performed a routine knee ligament surgery wearing the Glasses.  The surgery was streamed live to a group of medical students at Ohio State and at the same time, to colleagues who were able to consult with him in real time.


Wearable computing devices have been a hot topic of conversation within the medical community for years.  The value of physicians and surgeons accessing vital patient information is being realized by more than the health care professionals themselves. Accessing high- tech instruments allows for more than just a heightened educational opportunity for medical students.  Utilizing tools, such as Google Glass would permit medical personnel to extend time sensitive information any place in the world, grant surgeons near instant access to patient records in real time and connect specialists and colleagues any time via the internet.
Although many in the medical field are already thinking outside the box, imagining the possibilities Google Glass could provide, more testing is required before this instrument is used on a regular basis.


Upcycling is trendy and obviously for good reasons.  The saying waste not, want not comes to mind, especially when considering the cost of a new car, clothes and furniture. If you believe in the ideology of recycling but are tired of the shabby chic look an alternative may be on the market in the near future; Zeoform. 

Zeoform promises a recyclable, low carbon-footprint building material that's as strong as ebony
Antonio Pasolini’s article “,Zeoform: The eco-friendly building material of the future”? Published in the August 29, 2013 edition of gizmag.com, Pasolini explains how the Australian company Zeo has created a glue-free process that creates building material from nothing but cellulose and water.  Not only does the patented material possess strength comparable to hardwood but it can be molded into any shape.
  
What are the benefits to Zeoform?  Cellulose is a raw material, a natural compound, that has been found in certain algae, the secretions of bacteria and extracted from paper, fabrics and plants.  The formula Zeo has invented works by mimmicing a natural glue-free process called hydroxyl bonding; when cellulose fibers cling to each other in water generating a product that is envirnomentally friendly, non-toxic, water effectient  and recyclable.  The products produced by Zeoform would be water and fire resistent and, ‘as strong as ebony’.

Plans are underway to provide a digital alternative to traditional autopsy 

The final article for review is “Digital autopsy: Replacing scalpels with scanners,” by Colin Dunjohn.  Here is another fascinating example of how the mediacl community is embracing technology and offering to expand their findings for educational purposes, thus creating a technology chain that many different groups can reap benefits from. In his article for gizmag.com, Dunjohn explores the innovation of Mathavan (Matt) Chandran.  Chandran is able to take raw data from Multi Slice Computerized Tomography (MSCT) the standard technology used today, and  process it through a high-tech computer system, which allows the human body to be viwed in HD (high definition). 
   
As CEO of iGene, Chandran credits the drive toward developing this software from the desire to alleviate famly trauma and honor various religious doctrine. In addition, there are plenty of other purposes for advancemening digital technology in medecine, such as security of patient records, easy accessibilty to data by law enforcement, doctors and other hospital staff, in addition to the educational component that accompanies virtual diagnostics.
This newly developing digital autopsy is not a replacement for the current system used, but an enhancement to traditional autopsies. Pramod Bagali, chief operationas officer at InfoValley, the parent company to iGene, expalins the new scanner could potentially manage 70% of routine autopsies and complement other established means of examinations at a fraction of the cost.  

Between investments and funding iGene has received nearly 100 million dollars to pursue the use of digital autopsies and with interest stemming from all across the globe the growth potential for the industry appears promising.

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Techno Granny Show Hosted By:
Joanne Quinn-Smith is the Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and an expert on Web 2.0 Branding, 2009 National SBA Small Business Journalist of the Year, Author "Folly of Marketing Plan in Your Head, 101 Compelling Reasons to Write One." Available at:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHKVJOG


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