[This story from Military Times describes the origins of the company Neurova Labs and its use of presence-evoking virtual reality to treat “service members dealing with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, addiction and suicidal ideation.” The author writes that “instead of relying on traditional talk therapy or exposure-based models, Neurova Labs uses immersive virtual reality gameplay to influence how the brain regulates blood flow under stress.” Although research results aren’t provided, the story includes anecdotal descriptions of the treatment’s effectiveness. See the original story for a video (also available on Instagram); the same author also describes his own experience with…

[Two EU-funded initiatives, HEAT (Hybrid Extended reality) and SPIRIT (Scalable Platform for Innovations on Real-time Immersive Telepresence), are helping researchers improve presence-evoking technologies for a variety of applications. Details are provided in this story from Horizon (“The EU Research and Innovation Magazine”); much more information is available via the links at the end. –Matthew] [Image: Telepresence research is bringing far-off interactions closer than ever. Credit: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock] Tech moves to holograms, fine dining and teleporting classes for more immersive experience Researchers are pushing telepresence technology beyond video calls, from Star Wars-style holograms to virtual fine dining and classrooms that leap…

[With a major winter storm in the forecast, it’s a good time to learn about how some of the professionals who work to restore electrical power after storms are using presence-evoking virtual reality to stay safe in hazardous conditions. This story is from South Carolina’s Post and Courier, where the original version includes five more images and a 1:14 minute video. For a related story, see the May 2025 ISPR News post “Digital twins and virtual reality transform electric utility workforce training at Virginia Tech.” –Matthew] [Image: Travis Renwick, a lineman-turned-trainer, demonstrates a simulation using a virtual reality headset, Wednesday,…

[Here are two stories about how the U.S. military is increasingly turning to presence-evoking technologies to replace in-person training. The first story is from Task & Purpose and the second is from Forbes; see the original versions of each story for an additional image. –Matthew] [Image: Army Spc. Elijah Sims uses a virtual reality headset at Rose Barracks, Army Garrison Bavaria, Vilseck, Germany. Credit: Army photo by Pfc. Jolene Cintron.] The Army wants soldiers to travel less for training, do more in virtual reality Army leaders said they are looking at more virtual reality and remote training inspired by civilian…

[Although this story from Blooloop doesn’t use the term, several elements of Not Fade Away, a new immersive media attraction next to the historic Surf Ballroom music venue in Clear Lake, Iowa, are designed to evoke presence. See the original version of the story for three more pictures, and for more information see the Clear Lake and Surf Ballroom websites. A 2:02 minute video news report is available from KAAL ABC 6 TV in Clear Lake. –Matthew] Trivium Interactive helps bring immersive storytelling to Surf Ballroom with Not Fade Away New multimedia experience tells the story of the iconic museum…

[Researchers in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota are testing the potential benefits of a program of nature experiences via virtual reality for children and adolescents who are undergoing stem cell transplants to treat cancer. An “adapted” version of this story was published on January 9, 2026 by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. More details about the study are available at ClinicalTrials.gov. –Matthew] [Image: Assistant Professor Erica Timko Olson explains how to use the virtual reality headset and controllers to a young patient]. Virtual reality may offer a natural escape for young cancer patients A new…