[This widely-cited story from The Daily Mail highlights part of a new Lancet Commission report regarding the use of several technologies, including those designed to evoke different types of presence, for the treatment of dementia patients. For more information see The Lancet as well as a related story, “Assisted living tries virtual reality to help seniors with dementia,” in The Journal Times. –Matthew] [Image: Source: The Daily Mail] Robots could soon care for dementia patients but experts warn it’s ‘not a replacement for human contact’ Tech advancements mean gadgets and apps are already being introduced But there may be some…

[Here’s a short, middle-of-summer presence story from People, where the original includes more images and a 1:05 minute video. See the Madame Tussauds Hollywood website for more. –Matthew] Kylie Jenner Says She ‘Fooled Her Whole Family’ During FaceTime Call with Her $350,000 Wax Figure By Karen Mizoguchi Posted On July 19, 2017 Kylie Jenner put one over on her famous family during a recent prank call with a little help from her newly-created Madame Tussauds wax figure. “I made her FaceTime my whole family … fooled everyone,” the Life of Kylie star, 19, shared on Instagram Tuesday, along with a…

[The use of virtual reality (and presence) recently gave a team of doctors the insights they needed to save the lives of conjoined twins; the story is from The Washington Post, where it includes more images and a 3:12 minute video, and more details are available from the University of Minnesota. –Matthew] How doctors used virtual reality to save the lives of conjoined twin sisters By Peter Holley July 23, 2017 During an 18-year career in medicine, Daniel Saltzman — the chief of pediatric surgery at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital — has grown accustomed to looking at X-rays…

[This story from India’s MiD DAY (where it includes other pictures) describes an effort to use presence for education and social change on a vital topic. The goal and power of the approach is described in coverage from The Pioneer: “By integrating technology creatively in the work [the creators] do, they aim to connect more with the young target audience by enabling them to get a realistic immersive experience of what is intimate partner violence.” And coverage in DNA: “You might have figured out where Manoj’s initial transgressions lead, without us elaborating—but it is only the immediacy of the 360 degree experience that…

[I look forward to multiple field trips to the new presence-experience attraction VR World described in this story from Metro US; the original story includes a 16-image photo gallery and two videos. –Matthew] Giant virtual reality arcade VR World opens in Midtown With 50 stations and all the latest equipment, VR World finally gets the future of virtual reality gaming and movies in your hands. By Eva Kis Published: July 15, 2017 | Updated: July 17, 2017 Hold onto your controllers, NYC — a huge new virtual reality arcade called VR World just landed in Manhattan. “You can walk in…

[This story from CBS News details the ongoing evolution of simulator technologies used to train members of law enforcement; in addition to 360 degree immersive virtual environments, the simulators can create a more realistic “fear response” via “an electronic impulse device which can be used to deliver a mild shock to the trainee.” The original story includes a second image and a video. –Matthew] [Image: Monmouth County’s VirTra V-300 simulator in action. The simulator gives officers a 300-degree view using five different screens. Courtesy Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office.] Virtual reality helps reinvent law enforcement training By Tyler Lewis, CBS NEWS…