Communication through Gestures
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Gestures are hand movements we use automatically (or even consciously) to supplement or replace verbal communications. According to some experts, gestures (i) call attention to important parts of speech, (ii) provide information not available in speech, (iii) replace words that are not immediately accessible and (iv) offer a shared means for silent group communication.
Children learn to gesture quite early, probably by observing adults, and use gestures to communicate information they cannot yet do verbally. It can be seen as revealing unspoken thoughts and skills that children are on the verge of learning. Gesturing can also influence children’s learning.
Gesturing is so ingrained that we often supplement our speech with gestures even when the other party to the conversation cannot see it, as during a telephone conversation. Politicians might use gesturing consciously to give an impression that they are honest and trustworthy (and even intelligent).
Despite the universality and importance of gestures, its purpose, development and mechanisms do not appear to have been studied with the kind of seriousness that other topics have received. One theory has it that gesturing is intended to conjure up spoken words, and also complements the words to increase comprehension by the listener.
Read an article on how gesturing promotes skill acquisition through childhood at World.Intellectualprops.com.
Tags: cognitive science, communication, gestures, non-verbal
Posted in cognitive science, learning | No Comments »
Nanotechnology Risks: A Canadian Government Discussion
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Nanoparticles are particles of matter that are at atomic and molecular levels. Working at these levels, you can modify the characteristics of materials and even develop materials tailored to specific needs. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology whose risks are not completely known. Cases have been reported about nanoparticles used in cosmetics entering the users’ bloodstreams.
The Standing Committee on Health of the Canadian House of Commons produced a document titled Evidence that reported the discussion of a session on understanding nanotechnology, meant for the members of the committee. The discussions focused on the risks posed by the new technology.
The Director, Research and Expertise Support Department, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), Mr.Ostiguy, explained that over 1000 products containing nanoparticles are presently available in the market.
He continued that the production processes posed the greatest risks to the workers carrying these out. This group included researchers who develop new products, employees in companies that synthesize the nanoparticles and employees of companies that introduce nanoparticles into their production lines for value addition purposes.
IRSST has researched current scientific knowledge about the risks posed by nanoparticles.
Read the discussion on the risks at Evidence.
Tags: health risks of nanoparticles, nanotechnology, nanotechnology issues
Posted in health risks, nanomaterials, nanotechnology | 2 Comments »
Patenting Genes and Other Biotech Development Issues
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Genes are “products of nature” which are not legally allowed to be patented. Additionally, giving monopoly to a company on a human gene is immoral. Thus go the arguments of those like American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others who have filed suits against gene patenting.
A U.S. District Court ruled in favor of ACLU, and the company concerned, Myriad Pharmaceuticals, have gone in appeal.
The basic argument of gene patenting advocates is that developing biotech drugs is a highly expensive process, and that companies will have an incentive to do this and develop lifesaving diagnostics and therapies only if their discoveries are protected as intellectual property. The Patent Office has been granting patents on genes on the ground that once these are isolated from their natural environment in the body, they cease to be products of nature.
Other cases in courts include patentability of business methods, such as methods of analysis, data interpretation, and performing certain tasks including the administering of diagnostic tests and therapeutics.
Personalized medicine is a new development related to genes. A person’s genetic makeup can determine which treatments will be most effective for that person, as identified through genetic diagnostic tests. Companies have been developing such tests in the laboratory and these laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) are now being increasingly overseen by the Food and Drug Administration to assess the risks involved.
Read the article at TechJournal South.
Tags: biotechnology, gene patenting, genetic diagnostic test, personalized medicine
Posted in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, business, genetic modification, intellectual property | No Comments »
Proliferation of Endpoint Devices Pose serious IT Security Issues
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Increasingly, employees are using mobile devices such as laptops, PDAs and smart phones to work with corporate data while at work and from home. With increasing sophistication, these devices provide greater access from these devices to company data. And the number of endpoints in use will reach one billion by 2011.
The standard practice has been to protect these devices through anti-virus, anti-spyware, desktop firewall, intrusion prevention and device control technology. This approach is proving insufficient with increasing number of employees on the move and corporate boundaries becoming fluid.
Smart phones can be attacked using Bluetooth and can also be affected by e-mails, downloads and Wi-Fi. Snoopware can send text messages from these devices without the knowledge of the owner. The writers of such malicious software have even more incentive now as an increasing number of users are using mobile devices for banking transactions.
Security software writers are trying to keep up with the trends and have released products for mobile devices. Companies have to make sure to the extent possible that the devices their employees use have up-to-date versions of such software. Password protection of the devices and adopting a total approach to securing corporate data on the assumption that the endpoints are unsafe are advised in the emerging scenario.
Read the news at The Hindu.
Tags: data security, information technology, mobile devices
Posted in information technology | No Comments »
iPhone Application Illustrates Customer Focus
Saturday, June 26th, 2010
World Champion pole dancer Felix Cane has launched a pole dancing application for the iPhone. It is reportedly the most comprehensive and advanced pole dancing application for iPhone, with a video catalogue of pole dancing moves and an official terminology released by the Pole Fitness Association. Both pole dancing and iPhone appeals mainly to young people and the targeting is great.
Pole dancing is excellent as a fitness exercise and it is also getting increasing recognition as a mainstream sport, with the news being that it might be included as an official item in Olympic sports. The celebrated release of the application will help more people to get to know this sport that requires strength and skill to master.
The new application was built by Pocket Pole Studio (UK), Pole Fitness Association (Salt Lake City, Utah), Felix Cane Inc. (Orange County, CA) and others. It is designed as a complete reference guide for the sport. It shows movements for the beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners, rather than scandalous ones. There are also video and picture galleries. It is a professional application and the developers advise that the movements be attempted only under the guidance of a certified trainer.
Read the news release at PRWeb.
Tags: business, fitness, information technology, sport
Posted in business, information technology, skills training, smartphone applications | No Comments »
Functional Films Research Centre at Singapore
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Singapore Economic Development Board and Bayer Material Science executives officially opened on June 22nd the new Functional Films Research Centre in Singapore. There is an ever growing demand for the films from the electronics industry in the Asia Pacific region. Customers also expect the films to meet evolving requirements.
The new facility will focus on high-tech films and nanotechnology to meet the growing and evolving demand in the region. Bayer Material Science is one of world’s largest polymer companies and its activities focus on manufacture of high-tech polymer materials. Using material technologies already developed by the company, the new facility will take up joint projects in collaboration with other partners to create technological breakthroughs in electronics.
Examples of possible developments include flexible screens and three-dimensional displays, and nanomaterials like conductive inks used in printed electronics or energy-efficient lighting technologies. The facility was set up with an investment of approximately SGD 12 million (€ 7 million). Additional investments are planned to expand the facilities in the coming years. The facility presently has a staff of 30 researchers and other personnel.
The facility evidences “Singapore’s attractiveness as a strategic base for research & development to meet the fast evolving market needs in Asia and globally,” remarked Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of Singapore Economic Development Board.
Read the news release at NanoWerk.
Tags: electronics industry, high-tech films, nanotechnology
Posted in nanomaterials, nanotechnology | No Comments »
Nanotechnology in Paper Manufacturing
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Nanotechnology is affecting all industries and paper manufacturing is no exception.
In Brazil, the company Suzano that manages 3000 acres of timberland worked with Israel based CBD Technologies to speed up the growth of Eucalyptus trees. Genetically engineered trees reached a height of 20 meters, at which they are cut for paper making, in three years instead of the standard seven years.
Work is also on to understand the characteristics of fiber and mineral content of paper at micro and nano levels. A clear understanding can improve paper quality, reduce production cost and even improve environmental protection by replacing fiber with minerals in paper.
Nanoparticle driven paper machines are reportedly in use, and have led to improvements in the paper-making process. Better retention and drainage in these machines lead to fewer breaks and higher productivity, according to reports.
Nanotechnology has also helped with the wear resistance, impact toughness and surface finish of roll covers leading to lower maintenance costs and better paper quality.
Other benefits provided by use of nanotechnology include better fillers and pigments, and anti-microbial packaging paper for the food industry.
Read more at the Nanotech-Now article.
Tags: genetically engineered trees, nano coatings, nanotechnology, paper making
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Top Business Opportunity Provided by Obesity
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Obesity is something that people know is not good for them. Despite the proliferation of “fat-reducing remedies” available in plenty, they also know that these don’t work. Many of these remedies want them to exercise self-restraint, which would have avoided the original problem if they had it.
As things stand now, obesity affects the health and well-being of billions of people and lead to the earlier death of uncounted numbers. Obesity leads to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and other medical problems. The public in developed nations is aware of the seriousness of the problem. Government is also aware of the wastage of human resources that the problem leads to.
Despite the above situation, no medical technology or drug has appeared that can provide a solution to this problem as in the case of many other diseases.
This has created a great business opportunity, particularly in the emerging field of biotech medicine. If the genes responsible for the problem can be controlled effectively, for example, one can develop a treatment that does not require the subjects to exercise their “will power”.
A new report from BioWorld focuses on this business opportunity. According to the publishers, the book looks in some depth at the different dimensions of the problem, the market potential for a solution if one appears and even forecasts market revenues.
Tags: biotech medicine, business opportunity, health problems, obesity
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Nanotechnology in Cancer Treatment
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
There have been a lot of talk about the potential of nanotechnology in treatment of diseases. How exactly does nanotechnology differ from existing treatment options for, say cancer? The great slide show provided at docstoc provides a rare insight into the specifics, using great pictures.
The page includes links to other related topics, including a PDF on cancer cells. The information provided is great.
Docstoc has a stock of innumerable public documents.
Tags: cancer treatment, nanomedicine
Posted in nanomedicine, nanotechnology | No Comments »
Personalized Medicine Enhances the Effectiveness of Medical Treatment
Monday, June 21st, 2010
The same medicine can work differently in different individuals depending on their genes. What this means is that you cannot always expect to get the same result that others have obtained from a medicine. Naturally, this reduces the effectiveness of medical treatment in general.
With the information gained from the Human Genome project, it has theoretically become possible to tailor medication to the individual’s genetic characteristics. This is known as personalized medicine and it has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of medical treatment.
However, putting the theory into practice faces many problems. New technologies are taking intensive efforts to achieve a breakthrough to make the potential a reality.
Gene diagnosis and personalized medicine will be the main focus area for the 9th INT’L BIO FORUM & BIO EXPO JAPAN to be held from June 30 – July 2, 2010. It is Asia’s largest bio-event and is being organized by Reed Exhibitions Japan.
According to their news release, the event will have 250 sessions covering “the hottest topics in biotechnology business development, research, marketing trends, best practice and more, with globally-recognized speakers…650 exhibitors from worldwide participate at the show venue for net-working and business meetings.”
The Expo will be “the best place for enhancing knowledge on life science.”
Read the news release at The Clinical Device Newsletter.
Tags: gene diagnosis, human genome, personalized medicine
Posted in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology | No Comments »
