nanotechnology
Martes, Mayo 8, 2012| 3:20 AM |
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When K. Eric Drexler (right) popularized the word 'nanotechnology' in the 1980's, he was talking about building machines on the scale of molecules, a few nanometers wide—motors, robot arms, and even whole computers, far smaller than a cell. Drexler spent the next ten years describing and analyzing these incredible devices, and responding to accusations of science fiction. Meanwhile, mundane technology was developing the ability to build simple structures on a molecular scale. As nanotechnology became an accepted concept, the meaning of the word shifted to encompass the simpler kinds of nanometer-scale technology. The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative was created to fund this kind of nanotech: their definition includes anything smaller than 100 nanometers with novel properties.
There's an unprecedented multidisciplinary convergence of scientists dedicated to the study of a world so small, we can't see it -- even with a light microscope. That world is the field of nanotechnology, the realm ofatoms and nanostructures.Nanotechnology is so new, no one is really sure what will come of it. Even so, predictions range from the ability to reproduce things like diamonds and food to the world being devoured by self-replicating nanorobots
top technologies
There is a whole flood of technology start-ups that are crafting the socialization of everything. We have been playing games socially forever, but now with Spotify and others, we are really sharing our music. Now, we will view television shows and movies virtually, but together. On-line shopping will be a shared experience. As technology allows us to be on one hand more isolated, it also is pushing us to do more together. This concept of alone together will have social scientists engaged for decades to come.
Top technologies
The iPad and Kindle will continue to dominate. But expect other players to be competitive with next generation tablets, and new players (Microsoft) to finally enter. The other big news in the tablet space will be integrating them into our work life as enterprise IT deals with employees using tablets for work and a flood of B2B applications that will make tablets more than a media tool.
Trends in health affecting IT in future
Abstract
Many accomplishments of public health can be cited, yet public health professionals face unprecedented challenges and opportunities in the coming decades. To assist public health practitioners, researchers, and educators in preparing for current and future changes affecting the population's health, the authors describe several important "macrolevel" trends. These trends include: the aging of the population, changing patterns in the U.S. racial/ethnic composition, changes in health care delivery systems, the explosion of information technologies, changing needs in the public health work force, the growth in health-related partnerships, and anti-government sentiment and polarization. A series of implications for each of the major trends is provided. It may be important for public health leaders and policy makers to take these trends and implications into account as they plan and prioritize future approaches to disease prevention and health promotion.
new trends in IT
INTEL LAUNCHES NEXT-GEN IVY BRIDGE PROCESSORS WITH 3D TRANSISTOR
Intel has officially launched the first wave of its Ivy Bridge processors with a new tri-gate transistor technology, touting the new chips as the “world’s first 22 nanometer product.”
Intel’s new Ivy Bridge processors use a new tri-gate transistor technology to boost processing power while reducing the amount of energy needed.
The initial release includes 13 quad-core processors, most of which will be targeted at desktop computers.
Further dual core processors, suitable for ultrabooks – thin laptops – will be announced “later this spring”.
Intel and PC manufacturers expect the release to drive a wave of new sales
articles 3 :) nursing informatics in canasa
Biyernes, Mayo 4, 2012| 3:20 AM |
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INSIGHTS: In our society today, computers are ubiquitous. They have been used to simplify our lives and make our work easier and more accurate. In order to be a part of this fast spreading technology the medical industry is on its way to do away with the pen and paper system and embrace computers to keep and track patient medical records, hence electronic health record.
When an individual goes to his or her doctor with a complaint the doctor will obtain information from the patient in an attempt to build a complete story of the origin and probable causes of the complaint. Information obtained from the patient will include the patients past and present medical history, laboratory results, previous medical conditions and medications prescribed, radiological images etc., all make up the patients medical records. This information when put in a digital format is known as the individual's electronic health record.
The present administration has made it a priority to move ahead with centralizing and putting patients' medical record in digital format. A huge chunk of the economic recovery stimulus package has been earmarked for this project. It is hoped that when all is said and done, electronic medical records, a better way to keep records than pen and paper will be the order of the day.
Just like any new approach to doing things, EHR (Electronic Health Records) has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of Electronic medical record keeping includes:-
Better documentation
Doctors are legendary for illegible hand writings leading to inaccurate data entry by a second or third party. With EHR this problem will mostly become a thing of the past.
Lower Cost
It is hoped that the use of EHR will reduce healthcare cost in the long run and promote evidence based care. As information is readily available, and easily and quickly referred to before proceeding with the best treatment option, resources will be saved as the patient's sick period is reduced.
Better storage
Huge amounts of information can be stored in digital format taking up a minuscule amount of space thereby eliminating file storage problems that presently exists with the pen and paper system.
Easy retrieval of information
With information in a digital format it is fast and easy to retrieve information saving time and manpower. With patients medical records just a mouse click away, Individuals previously involved in locating and retrieving files will be redeployed to other positions.
article 2 :) nursing informatics in japan
Title: Comparing support to breast cancer patients from online communities and face-to-face support groups
Japan; Breast cancer; Online community; Support resource; Face-to-face support group
Abstract:
To compare support for three groups by considering usage patterns with regard to two peer support resources, online communities, and face-to-face support groups, among patients with breast cancer in Japan. Abstract
Objective
To compare support for three groups by considering usage patterns with regard to two peer support resources, online communities, and face-to-face support groups, among patients with breast cancer in Japan.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1039 breast cancer patients.
Results
Factor analysis indicated that all groups show the five aspects of support: “Emotional support/Helper therapy,” “Emotional expression,” “Conflict,” “Advice,” and “Insight/Universality.” Within the group using two support resources, the support scores of “Emotional expression” and “Advice” were higher for the online community, and those of
“Emotional support/Helper therapy,” and “Insight/Universality” were higher for the face-to-face support group. Among the three groups, the members who received the most peer support were those who used both an online community and a face-to-face support group.
INSIGHTs:
Patients who received the most social support from peers were in the group using both online communities and face-to-face support groups.Breast cancer survivors facing the disease a second time are more likely to live longer if they get psychological counseling.
The new study builds on previous research into the physical benefits for cancer patients who get counseling as well as medical care.
Ohio State University researcher Barbara Andersen began with a group of more than 200 women who'd been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Patients were randomly assigned to get counseling or not. In research published two years ago, Anderson reported that the patients who got counseling were less likely to have a recurrence of the cancer years later.
Now, a follow-up study in the journal Clinical Cancer Research indicates that the women who got counseling also had a lower risk of death if the breast cancer came back.
Andersen says the counseling, "had a large component for stress reduction, teaching patients how to relax. But it also had elements to help them cope with their cancer treatments, change their health behaviors such as their diet, or exercise more frequently. And many strategies to help them just cope more effectively and have an enhanced quality of life."
Andersen says the counseling produced more than psychological benefits for the women.
"They also had reduced symptoms from chemotherapy, improved sleep, and eventually improved disease outcomes."
Counseling is labor intensive, so it may not be cheap. But compared to the cost of surgery, chemotherapy, and other medical treatments for cancer, it can be a good value.
Anderson is looking at that cost effectiveness in some of her current research. Meanwhile, American cancer patients are not routinely getting the sort of psychological counseling given the breast cancer patients in this study.
"No, and I think that's what's unfortunate," says Anderson. "Certainly with the escalating health care costs, other additional services for patients are being squeezed, if you will."
Psychologist Barbara Andersen of Ohio State University says the results of this study can not be automatically extended to patients with different cancers or other serious diseases.
But she says it does suggest the importance of psychological services in patient care, not just for mental health but perhaps for the physical health of the patient as well.
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