September/October 2020

Developing Antibody Defenses

Author(s)3: Leslie Mertz
Developing Antibody Defenses 2000 1500 IEEE Pulse
Long before the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began, four research groups—two at universities and two at biotechnology companies—were preparing for it by tackling a seemingly outlandish challenge proffered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense: find a stopgap defense against emerging pathogens, so people would have protection until a longer-term solution, notably a vaccine, became available. read more

Harmonicas

Author(s)3: Art Johnson
Harmonicas 150 150 IEEE Pulse
It is easy for me to imagine life without harmonicas, but for my parents’ generation, harmonicas were as common as rain. They were small and easy to fit in a shirt pocket or kit bag, and, whenever an idle moment presented itself, out came the harmonica to render a slightly reedy version of a well-known song: songs like “Red River Valley,” “You Are My Sunshine,” or “Tennessee Waltz.” read more

Smartphone-Based Medical Diagnostics, 1st ed.

Author(s)3: Paul King
Smartphone-Based Medical Diagnostics, 1st ed. 150 150 IEEE Pulse
This reviewer has an interest in the use of smartphones for various tasks, such as documentation of device failures (photography), inspection of parts (use of borescopes), thermal imaging (attachments for infrared imaging), personal health monitoring (step counting, heart rate monitoring, stress monitoring), and the like. read more

Hearing Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology

Author(s)3: Max Valentinuzzi
Hearing Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology 150 150 IEEE Pulse
It is said that time marches on, and one thing is certain: Hearing loss marches right along with it. The recorded history of hearing loss goes back hundreds of years, and attempts to correct hearing loss have been in existence since the very first person to cup a hand behind one ear. read more

From Face-to-Face to FaceTime

Author(s)3: Sarah Campbell
From Face-to-Face to FaceTime 2322 1290 IEEE Pulse
In a Jetsons episode from 60 years ago, Elroy, the youngest Jetson, tries to get out of taking a space calculus test at school by telling his mom he’s sick. “I think I have Venus Virus,” he says. His mom doubts him, but summons a doctor anyway. read more

Tracking Sleep to Optimize Health

Author(s)3: Kristina Grifantini
Tracking Sleep to Optimize Health 2121 1414 IEEE Pulse
With the advent of wearable biometrictechnology like smart watches, “hacking” our bodies’ functions and cycles has become a tool in the never-ending quest for better health. And sleep is no exception. For example, a staggering one-third of Americans don’t get enough sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more

Rural Health Care for Coronavirus Requires Collaboration, Creativity

Author(s)3: Wudan Yan
Rural Health Care for Coronavirus Requires Collaboration, Creativity 2560 1709 IEEE Pulse
Before the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) started sweeping across the United States, it began on the coasts. The first known case was reported in a county just outside of Seattle, WA, with other cases quickly cropping up in California and in the greater New York City region. read more

In a Pandemic, Technology Has Its Limits

Author(s)3: Pamela Reynolds
In a Pandemic, Technology Has Its Limits 2080 1442 IEEE Pulse
If there’s one thing made abundantly clear as the pandemic rages on, it’s this: Technology alone can’t save us. read more

IoMT (Internet of Medical Things): Reducing Cost While Improving Patient Care

Author(s)3: Saanvi Arora
IoMT (Internet of Medical Things): Reducing Cost While Improving Patient Care 2560 1440 IEEE Pulse
Citizens’ dissatisfaction with the scope of the United States health care system has been a hot topic for many years. In a country where patient to nurse ratios remain 6:1, even universal health care coverage cannot guarantee adequate patient care. read more