St. Jude & critical pediatric cancer research | AI to stop smoking | Measuring antibody levels

"Don't think about the ocean. Think of that drop of water that can make a difference.”  — James Ingold, CPA and St. Jude supporter 

Today’s itinerary:

• St. Jude and pediatric cancer research
• Tumor profiling
• AI to stop smoking
• Stem cells and spinal cord injuries
• A diabetes app
• COVID and antibody levels
  
• A new way to transport vaccines
• Feeding students during the shutdown

August 11, 2021

PUDDLE HOPS: HEALTH TECH

Image courtesy Olena Yakobchuk for Shutterstock

• MEMPHIS, TN—Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital claim that comprehensive whole genome, whole exome and RNA sequencing will be a critical addition to pediatric cancer care. The sequencing can help identify unique tumor vulnerabilities and lead to better treatment.

• ANN ARBOR, MI—Strata Oncology is also looking deeply at tumor profiling. Researcher Dan Rhodes noticed that the best chance for a cancer cure is not only through targeted therapies but also through tumor profiling, which looks at biomarkers in a sample of the tumor tissue. Strata Oncology has just announced a $90 million Series C funding round that it will use to build out a commercial team and fuel clinical trials for new RNA-based treatment selection tests.

• RALEIGH, NC—Health care startup Nicotrax uses predictive, behavioral analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to help people stop smoking. They developed a smart cigarette case that attaches to a cell phone and is combined with an app. The program monitors smoking behaviors, and the information is combined into a dashboard to provide methods to decrease — and eventually eliminate — smoking habits.

• ROCHESTER, MN—Mayo Clinic’s research on how stem cell therapy can treat spinal cord injuries has gone from discovery science to early clinical trials. In a recent article, researchers talked about how rats with spinal cord injuries had improved movement after applying stem cells.

• MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Pops Diabetes Care, which developed Mina, an AI virtual health assistant for smartphones, will now have its product distributed by Best Buy. The platform offers a glucose meter, as well as personalized support.

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FEATURED TECH EVENT

With TALK Louisville and TechFest

Create enthusiasm for future technology leaders

at TechFest Louisville, Aug. 26-27

Teaching cybersecurity

TALK will host high school teachers interested in implementing cybersecurity curricula with a session on Teach Cyber. This FREE event at Spalding University, “Why Cybersecurity Matters,” runs both Thursday, Aug. 26 & Friday, Aug. 27 (4PM-7PM).  A dinner is included onsite for qualified high school teachers attending. Click here to register and find additional details.

STEM development

TechGirlz, in partnership with TALK, is offering STEAM professional development for middle school teachers and tech professionals interested in teaching tech coursework to middle school girls. Join Alicia Park, National Outreach Manager at TechGirlz, as she reviews the nonprofit and their TechShopz in a Box program (Thursday, Aug. 26 between 4PM & 5PM). Click here to register and find additional details.

Rad Science Skateboard Build

TALK will also host a Rad Science Skateboard Build in conjunction with Marwood Veneer at the University of Louisville Engineering Garage. This course that takes place over 2 half-days, Aug. 27-28. All participants will build a working skateboard. The 2021 Techfest Louisville Skateboard Build Instructor is Topher Paterno who is a designer, maker, teacher, skater, and presently teaches Tech Ed and Robotics at Gunston Middle School in Arlington,VA. Click here to register and find additional details. 

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PANDEMIC INNOVATION

COVID and antibody levels

PITTSBURGH, PA—Do antibody levels actually reflect how well a body can neutralize a virus? A project at the University of Pittsburgh is aiming to find out how long antibodies last in immunocompromised individuals, as well as how they change over time. Ghady Haidar, MD, assistant professor of medicine and director of research, bone marrow transplant and hematological malignancy infectious diseases at Pitt, shared his findings so far in this report.

A new way to transport vaccines

ANDERSON, IN—Rolls-Royce Corp. is partnering with Anderson-based startup ChefsFridge Co. to develop a novel way to store and transport COVID-19 vaccines. The ArcticRx system is an ultra-low temperature pod that, the partners say, is the first of its kind to support the delivery of a two-dose vaccine regimen, specifically to rural, remote and international areas.

Feeding students during the shutdown

DETROIT, MI—Approximately 85% of the 50,000 students served by Detroit Public Schools district are eligible for a free breakfast and lunch on school days. When the pandemic shutdown happened, the district had to figure out a way to feed students with the highest need. Using transportation software, the district filtered on the identified students with the use of our internal information fields, copied the students to a new student file, and set them all up for door-to-door delivery each day. The district has been recognized by The Tyler Excellence Awards for innovative use of transportation technologies.

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