[From The Sunday Times; more information, including a video segment, is available in a post at GameSpot – an excerpt follows below]

From The Sunday Times October 18, 2009

EyePet brings augmented reality into the home

Read more on EyePet brings augmented reality into the home…

[From Network World (“the premier provider of information, intelligence and insight for Network and IT Executives”)]

Cisco telepresence cuts near $1M in travel costs for law firm

Conferencing gear pays for itself within five years, frees up attorneys’ time.

Read more on Cisco telepresence cuts near $1M in travel costs for law firm…

[From Business Wire via Reuters]

European Hospitals Test Anesthetists’ Skills On Computers, Not People, Using SensAble`s Haptic Devices

Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:00am EDT

Pan-European Clinical Trials Led by Cork University Hospital Assesses Whether Lumbar Puncture Skills Can Be Accurately Assessed on Computers, At Zero Risk to Patients

WOBURN, Mass.–(Business Wire)– SensAble Technologies, Inc., announced that its customer, the Cork University Hospital, is leading clinical trials in two European hospitals using a haptically-enabled computer simulation system for testing physician competency in administering spinal anesthesia. SensAble is the leading manufacturer of haptic devices and toolkits, and its PHANTOM® force- feedback haptic devices and programming technologies were used to develop this simulator. The clinical trials underway at Cork University Hospital in Ireland and the University of Pecs in Hungary explore whether virtual reality simulations can accurately assess high-risk clinical skills without the need for physicians to practice on patients. Read more on European Hospitals Test Anesthetists’ Skills On Computers, Not People…

[From BBC News; more information is available in a story in Wired, and a 1 minute video of a mouse performing in the study can be found here]

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Virtual maze ‘maps’ mouse memory

By Victoria Gill Science reporter, BBC News

With the help of mice scampering through a virtual maze, scientists have taken recordings from inside individual brain cells, or neurons.

The researchers report in the journal Nature how they recorded from cells in the brain’s memory centre.

These neurons fired in a rhythmic pattern that could be related to the animal’s location.

They hope their technique will help discover how neuronal activity forms new memories and affects behaviour. Read more on Scientists Scan the Brains of Mice Playing Quake…

[A press release from Queen’s University Belfast]

Increased success a `virtual´ certainty for rugby players

October 14, 2009

Rugby players worldwide could benefit from a new virtual reality training programme created at Queen´s Belfast.

Read more on VR for training rugby players…

[From CNN]

Disney debuts do-it-yourself thrill ride

Wed October 14, 2009
By John D. Sutter
CNN

(CNN) — Any kid can dream up a roller coaster. But those who visit a new exhibit at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park can actually take a ride on their fantasy creations.

Read more on Disney debuts do-it-yourself thrill ride…