Here’s a quick look at some industry news you may have missed this week.
- University of Washington researchers have developed a new form of communication called interscatter that converts Bluetooth signals into Wi-Fi transmissions over the air, allowing devices such as smart contact lenses to talk to other devices like smartphones and watches.
- Researchers at Drexel University are studying how smart eyewear affects the brain in everyday situations through the use of a portable system they developed that uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure a person’s brain activity.
- A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School and published online in the journal Pediatrics says clinical trials in children commonly go either uncompleted or unpublished. The study proposes the initiative RIAT (Restoring Invisible and Abandoned Trials), which would invite researchers with unpublished trials to either commit to publish within a year or provide public access to their data.
- ReVision Optics®, Inc. — maker of the Raindrop® Near Vision Inlay for the surgical correction of presbyopia — recently announced it had secured a $10 million credit facility from Square 1 Bank. Proceeds from the credit facility will reportedly be used for working capital purposes including commercial operations.
- RPS® Diagnostics recently issued a press release offering tips to parents on stop the spread of acute conjunctivitis.
- Boston Medical Center plans to launch a study to examine the efficacy of glaucoma drop aids in their patient population. According to information on ClinicalTrials.gov, the purpose of the study — which has not yet opened to participant recruitment — will look at whether or not glaucoma drop aids will be cost-effective in delivery of ophthalmic medications by improving medication compliance, visual function and even decreasing medication waste.
- A new study at The University of Texas at San Antonio has identified factors that could help lead more students to pursue careers in STEM fields.
- A recent study published in The Lancet looked at how virtual reality combined with treadmill training can help prevent falls in older adults. The study used a camera that allowed participants to see their feet while using a game-like simulation that helped them train how to avoid obstacles that might be in their way.
- And just for fun ... a new study recently published in Molecular Biology and Evolution has found snake eyes are rather sophisticated. For snakes that need to hunt during the day their eyes have lenses made to block out UV light, while those that hunt at night allow UV light in so they can see in the dark.