To your health – August 15, 2019
Medical science ending nightmares
Today’s Itinerary: Some pretty darn amazing stuff in healthcare tech;
August 15, 2019
Fast Future HEALTHCARE INNOVATION
Minneapolis startup may help end PTSD 
Image courtesy of Maialisa and Needpix.com
NightWare, a Minneapolis startup, is re-imagining how to provide mental health support. In January, The Observer ranked NightWare #3 in its list of the 20 Hottest Health Start-Ups in "Fast Future Tech" at the 37th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.
(Machine) learning about you
NightWare is an application that lives on an Apple Watch and using sensors and machine learning, helps people suffering from traumatic nightmares get more restful sleep.
The watch monitors heart rate during sleep. A gyroscope and accelerometer, similar to fitness watches, monitor movement. Then, according to their website, "the watch will vibrate enough to interrupt the nightmare, without waking the wearer."
The primary focus of the application is for people with PTSD. CEO Grady Hannah said that nightmare disorders, which are common with people who have anxiety and depression associated with PTSD, can increase suicide chances five times.
Purdue research team creates implantable device for Alzheimers
Neurological diseases—like stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s—affect millions of people in the US, and the numbers are on the rise. One treatment option, the implantable neurostimulation device, has provided relief to many of those suffering.
Yet even though neurostimulation technology has been making great strides, the devices have run into a problem: The platinum microelectrodes used in the neural interfaces are subject to “irreversible electrochemical dissolution.” That’s a fancy way of saying they become corroded.
The solution?
Researchers at Purdue University found that applying a monolayer of graphene to the electrodes delivered a significant reduction in corrosion without compromising their charge transfer capabilities. Well, we coulda told them that!
The team hopes to patent the technology, and they’re seeking partners who are interested in licensing it.
Take a left after the kidney 
Model of Proteus submarine from The Fantastic Voyage Courtesy of janitor (cc 2.0 license)
Researchers have developed new ways to get inside your body. OK, calm down.
A research team from Carnegie Mellon University and Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason has developed a game-changing technique of “stepping inside” biological data. It’s sort of like The Fantastic Voyage meets iMAX. The research was funded through an initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation.
The players
Yongxin (Leon) Zhao, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Carnegie Mellon's College of Science, developed a technique increasing biopsy samples to more than 100 in volume.
A technique developed by Tom Skillman at BRI lets researchers manipulate 2D expansion microscopy images in 3D, offering a 360-degree view of tissue and molecule interactions.
"This is the future of how scientists will handle complex data," Zhao said. "It's an immersive experience, just like you are sitting inside your data. You have the freedom to explore your data from every angle and every spot."
FINAL APPROACHES
An abandoned Kroger store gets new life in Cincinnati
In the remains of an abandoned Cincinnati Kroger store, an entrepreneurial revolution is taking place. CoMADE has turned the empty grocery store into a hub for DIYers, startups, entrepreneurs, and other independent business people.
Still to come
CoMADE has dreams of creating space for 100 new manufacturing companies, generating 1,000 new manufacturing jobs, and providing training for 1,500 new manufacturing professionals.
CoMADE also has programs to provide resources and support for various types of businesses and startups with its product accelerator programs, business incubators, prototyping factory, and more.
MI Department of Education: Reading, ’riting … and robotics
Cheryl Ng [CC BY-SA 4.0)
Thankfully, tech has marched on.
Here’s one example. The Greater Lansing Business Monthly reported in February that the Michigan Department of Education was investing $3M in programs to help Michigan students become robot-savvy. The idea is to give kids a solid career footing while shrinking the tech talent gap. Good for the students; good for the economy; good for innovation and progress.
With this investment, state-funded grants awarded to both public and non-public schools are aiming to develop 2,300+ robotics programs throughout Michigan.
PUDDLE JUMPERS
Let's play "Name that City"!
Trifling trivia that may get you excommunicated from parties
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