Doctors Reveal Seizure Insights Gained From ResearchKit App

Medical doctors who used an Apple Watch app to discover the most common triggers of epileptic seizures will present their findings at the American Academy of Neurology’s 69th Annual Meeting today in Boston, Massachusetts.

The 10-month study involved 598 people who tracked their seizures with an iPhone app called EpiWatch, which was built by Johns Hopkins using Apple’s ResearchKit software framework. The app features a custom Apple Watch complication that provides patients with one-touch access to record accelerometer and heart rate sensor data. When participants felt a seizure aura coming on, they were asked to launch the app to let it record their heart rate and movements for 10 minutes.

After the seizure had come to an end, participants filled out a brief survey about seizure type, aura, loss of awareness, and possible trigger that led to the seizure.

“The data collected will help researchers better understand epilepsy, while helping people with epilepsy keep a more complete history of their seizures,” said study author Gregory Krauss, MD, in a press release. “The app also provides helpful tracking of seizures, prescription medication use and drug side effects — activities that are important in helping people manage their condition.”

Overall, 40 percent of the group tracked a total of 1,485 seizures, with 177 people reporting what triggered their seizures. Stress was revealed to be the most common trigger, and was linked to 37 percent of the seizures, while 18 percent of sufferers identified lack of sleep as another contributing factor. Meanwhile, menstruation was found to be a cause in 12 percent of recorded seizures, and overexertion accounted for 11 percent.

Stress was more commonly reported as a trigger for participants who worked full-time (35 percent), compared to those who worked part-time (21 percent), were unemployed (27 percent), or were disabled, (29 percent).

“Seizures are very unpredictable,” said Krauss. “Our eventual goal is to be able to use wearable technology to predict an oncoming seizure. This could potentially save lives as well as give people with epilepsy more freedom. The data collected in this study helps us take a step in that direction.”

The insights result from one of three ResearchKit studies launched by Johns Hopkins and Oregon Health & Science University in October 2015, which sought to learn more about autism, epilepsy and melanoma.

(Thanks, Fred!)

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: ResearchKit
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Scientists hold the first quantum computer face-off

For the first time ever, two quantum computers have faced off against each other in a series of experiments to determine which technology reigns supreme. A team of researchers from the University of Maryland have pitted their own quantum computer against IBM’s creation, running the same algorithms on both at the same time. The winner? Well, it’s kind of a tie. IBM’s is faster than Maryland’s, but it’s also much less accurate. In one test, Maryland got 77.1 percent in accuracy, while IBM only got 35.1 percent. IBM’s, however, was up to 1,000 faster than its competitor.

These quantum computers are based on two very different technologies. University of Maryland’s uses ytterbium ions manipulated by lasers in an electromagnetic trap, while IBM’s is based on five small loops of superconductive metal that can be manipulated by microwave signals. Since the tech titan’s also has a cloud-based platform that gives the public a way to access it, the U of Maryland team were able to use it for their tests.

Both of them don’t have a lot of power yet — they’re but the embryonic forms of their underlying technologies. As University of Oxford physicist Simon Benjamin told Science, though, just the fact that we have two front-running approaches to quantum computing that we can actually compare is a “sign that this technology is maturing.”

Source: MIT Technology Review, Science, Cornell University Library

Strava Launches Apple Watch App With GPS Support For Series 2 Owners

Popular running app Strava has been updated with support for the Apple Watch Series 2, enabling runners to use Strava on their wrist and leave their iPhone at home.

The new support in version 5.13.0 makes full use of the built-in GPS found in the second-generation Apple Watch, meaning users of the app no longer have to be tethered to iOS to track their workouts. Strava Head of Integration Mateo Ortega said the company saw this as just a “first step” in its plans for supporting the Apple Watch 2.

Research and athlete feedback often drives new Strava features and integrations. We’re excited to add to our growing list of compatible devices, and see this as the first step in providing our athletes an excellent Strava experience on the Apple Watch Series 2. Our athletes can look forward to continued updates as we strive to provide the best Watch experience possible.

Users can expect Strava to keep track of a series of metrics which are displayed on their wrist, including heart rate, time, distance, pace, and running speed.

Strava joins a small number of apps that support GPS functionality on the Apple Watch Series 2, which includes the likes of Runkeeper and Nike+ Run Club. Strava users simply need to update their iOS app for the changes to take effect.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: Strava
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Watch this drone-launching UPS truck send an octocopter on a delivery run

Why it matters to you

Delivery-drone ideas continue to come thick and fast, and this one for rural areas might just stick.

News of UPS’s interest in drone delivery first surfaced in 2013 just a few weeks after Amazon’s Jeff Bezos took the wraps off the first version of the Prime Air flying machine.

Then last year it revealed it was testing drones for delivering emergency supplies to people in remote areas.

Now the shipping giant has unveiled its most advanced system yet — a fully autonomous drone that launches from the top of its delivery trucks, flying packages to customers while the driver delivers to other customers in the same locality. The aim is to boost efficiency by cutting down on the number of miles driven, which in turn will help to cut emissions.

The technology has been developed in partnership with Workhorse, an Ohio-based electric truck and drone developer, and was tested in Florida at the start of this week. It looks pretty cool — at least, according to the slickly shot marketing video above — with the roof of the UPS truck sliding open to reveal the package-carrying octocopter.

The custom-built vehicle makes it easy for the drone to be quickly loaded up with another package, and includes a docking station to keep its battery topped up.

“This test is different than anything we’ve done with drones so far,” Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president of global engineering and sustainability, said in a release. “It has implications for future deliveries, especially in rural locations where our package cars often have to travel miles to make a single delivery.”

Explaining the process, Wallace describes a triangular delivery route where the stops are several miles apart: “Sending a drone from a package car to make just one of those deliveries can reduce costly miles driven. This is a big step toward bolstering efficiency in our network and reducing our emissions at the same time.”

More: Drones are now delivering pizza to paying customers in New Zealand

But it seems the technology requires some work. TechCrunch was on hand to witness the demo, and reported that while the first one went smoothly, the second one definitely didn’t.

“Some sort of interference — possibly from the broadcast reporters’ cameras — caused an issue with the drone’s compass,” TechCrunch said. “The drone aborted its launch, tried to land on top of the UPS truck, fell to the side and was nearly crushed by the still-closing lid of the vehicle.” Oops.

Mishaps aside, UPS’s take on the delivery drone process is certainly an interesting one. With regulatory hurdles likely to hinder the introduction of any drone delivery efforts in urban areas for the foreseeable future, having a drone launch from a truck in rural locations – as opposed to from fixed-location fulfillment centers à la Amazon – seems like a more realistic option for now.

The Airport Jacket lets you wear your luggage to beat excess baggage fees

Why it matters to you

If you’re unable to pack for a flight without taking half your home with you, the Airport Jacket could be just the ticket.

If you always find yourself forking out for excess baggage every time you take a flight, then an Aussie-based startup has come up with an ingenious solution that’ll have you confidently packing the kitchen sink for your next trip.

The “Airport Jacket” is, for all intents and purposes, a wearable suitcase. With a whopping 14 pockets and two detachable pocket panels capable of taking up to 15 kg of stuff, your only concern will be ensuring your legs don’t give way as you stagger toward the check-in desk.

Crucially, the jacket – with all the stuff inside – can be quickly transformed into a small bag (with handles) so you only need to put it on when you arrive at the airport. Once you’re through check-in and on the plane, you can fold it back up again before throwing it into one of the overhead bins.

Drawbacks? Don’t be surprised if security takes an interest if you’re looking particularly bulky, and you’d better hope airlines don’t cotton on to the ruse or you’ll find yourself reaching for your wallet after all. If you can remember which pocket you put it in.

More: Don’t walk through the airport  — ride on your motorized luggage with Modobag

According to its designer, “the Airport Jacket is capable of carrying a laptop, an iPad, two pairs of shoes, a pair of jeans, three T-shirts, two pairs of shorts, underwear for 3 to 4 days, a light jumper, a dress, a liquids bag, wallet, phone, and passport — with room to spare.” Did you get that? With room to spare.

Besides beating excess baggage fees, its creator suggests the Airport Jacket will also help you to skip baggage lines because there’ll be no need to check-in any luggage.

To take care of all climates — important for true globetrotters – the multi-garment collection includes two spring/summer styles and two winter styles for both men and women. The spring/summer design comprises a lightweight water-resistant polyester, while the winter one is 100 percent wool. So, yes, if you travel a lot you might need two of these massive jackets.

The jacket is a Kickstarter project and has till the end of March to raise AUD$100,000 (about $77,000). At the time of writing, interested travelers have pledged AUD$16,000 (about $12,300), but there’s still plenty of time for it to reach its target.

The Airport Jacket comes in various sizes and costs from AUD$239 (about $185) depending on the design , though early-bird deals are still available.

AI photography studio highlights how robots are slowly hijacking nearly every profession

Why it matters to you

StlyeShoots Live is the latest example of robots’ and AI’s application to everything.

Intelligent robots may soon be among the finest fashion photographers. Developed by Dutch company StyleShoots, the StyleShoots Live system is a “smart studio” that simultaneously captures still photos and live action videos, taking care of all the technical tasks — from lighting to setting up shots — and using algorithms to edit videos in a matter of minutes.

It’s an all-in-one solution to a problem few of us realized existed.

“We identified a few key bottlenecks for brands wanting to create both stills and videos of live models,” Anders Jorgensen, head of product and marketing at StyleShoots, told Digital Trends.

Jorgensen explained that fashion brands typically have separate studios for photo and video shoots. “[This] means twice the equipment, twice the space, twice the people to operate it, and that models literally have to tip-toe through buildings to get from one set to the next,” he said. After the shoot, a crew of humans have to edit footage to produce clean, consistent, high-quality clips.

More: Epson’s printers weave high-fashion with advanced imaging technology

The machine combines of a motorized camera head, a Canon DX Mk I, and a computer engine that controls the camera and lights. The stylist can use an interface to decide on details like video styles and lighting configurations. “The variables all add up to an infinite amount of possibilities,” Jorgensen said.

StyleShoots Live is just the latest example of AI’s application to everything. And, although some creatives may be concerned that the machine will take their, Jorgensen insisted we not worry.

“To run a fashion shoot, you need a creative eye to compose the shot, pose the model and style the clothes,” Jorgensen said. “A robot can’t do that — yet. So no, we’re not replacing a photographer as much as we’re fully giving those with that creative eye the ability to execute on their vision with speed and ease.”

The crew, however, may be shown the door of the studio and editing room as systems like these become more prevalent. “It’s essentially a cameraman, a crane operator, and a video editor built into one machine,” Jorgensen said.

Netflix reportedly snags Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’

Netflix is making another big movie splash, as IndieWire is the first to report that it’s acquiring the rights to Martin Scorsese’s $100 million+ gangster flick The Irishman. Reportedly in the works since at least 2010, the project is supposed to unite the legendary moviemaker with both Robert de Niro and Al Pacino. The big budget is apparently due to the use of Benjamin Button-style special effects to make its actors appear younger for certain scenes. The story is adapted from the nonfiction book I Heard You Paint Houses, about mob hitman Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran.

A deal for Paramount to release the movie apparently fell through — possibly related to a poor opening for the Scorsese/Paramount produced Silence — opening the door for Netflix to flex its deep pockets and worldwide release capability. Despite those issues, judging by the names attached — which are said to also include Joe Pesci — The Irishman is a good bet to stay far away from the MST3K screen.

Source: IndieWire, Variety, Deadline

Honor V9 debuts in China with 5.7-inch QHD display, 6GB RAM, and 4000mAh battery for $435

The Honor V9 has everything you’d want from a high-end phone in 2017.

Huawei’s sub-brand Honor unveiled its 2017 flagship in China, and like the company’s offerings in the past, the Honor V9 offers high-end specs for the equivalent of $435. The phone features a 5.7-inch QHD display with 2.5D curved glass, and is powered by Huawei’s latest Kirin 960 SoC, which has four Cortex A73 cores clocked at 2.4GHz complemented by four 1.8GHz Cortex A53 cores and a Mali G71 GPU.

The Honor V9 will come with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and will be sold in 64GB and 128GB storage configurations. You also get a microSD card slot that can take in memory cards up to 128GB, a fingerprint reader, dual 12MP cameras at the back with 1.76-micron pixel size and laser autofocus, 8MP front camera, IR blaster, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, Wi-Fi ac, USB-C, and a 4000mAh battery. And yes, it has a 3.5mm jack.

On the software front, the Honor V9 will run Huawei’s latest EMUI 5.0 out of the box, which is based on Android 7.0 Nougat. The phone is sold in three variants: a model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage for ¥2,599 ($377), a version with 6GB of RAM and 64GB storage for ¥2,999 ($435), and a high-end model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage for ¥3,499 ($510). Honor is also throwing in a Cardboard-style VR viewer in the box.

The phone will be available in four color options: Midnight black, Flame Red, Platinum Gold and Aurora Blue, with sales kicking off from February 28. Although we don’t have more details at this point, the Honor V9 is expected to make its way to global markets as the Honor 8 Pro later this year.

Google’s mixed reality tech shows faces behind VR headsets

YouTube has already perfected the art of mixed reality videos that show the VR world and the real world at the same time. A great example is the video of Conan O’Brien’s virtual trip to outer space taken when he visited YouTube’s VR Lab. The video platform’s technique still can’t capture the whole picture, however, since VR headsets get in the way. Google Research and Daydream Labs had to team up to solve the problem, and they did just that with the help of machine learning, 3D computer vision and advanced rendering techniques.

In order to “remove” the VR headset in a video, the user’s face has to be scanned with a camera and reconstructed as a dynamic 3D model that blinks and looks in different directions. Next, the VR headset — Google used an HTC Vive for its tests — has to be outfitted with eye-tracking tech in order to detect where the user is looking. Google’s and Daydream’s technique superimposes the 3D model on the face of the real person. It doesn’t completely remove the VR headset, though: it just replaces it with a transparent version to prevent the uncanny valley effect.

As you can guess, the technique will benefit YouTube creators the most at this point in time. In fact, Google is exploring ways to make it accessible to YouTubers. It could become a lot more useful when VR becomes more widespread, though. For instance, it could be adapted to show people’s faces in VR video conferences or the faces of friends playing VR games together.

Source: Google Research (1), (2)

Crowdfunded ‘MST3K’ revival hits Netflix April 14th

Tonight, after a “Red Carpet Kickstarter Screening” of the first new Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, Netflix announced the revived series will launch April 14th. In a message to backers of the biggest crowdfunded video project, Joel Hodgson promised that backers with rewards including new episodes or a live screening of the new episodes will “have them by April 14.”

Get ready for the Robot Roll-Call: @MST3K is coming to Netflix April 14! pic.twitter.com/iYVT7RhcTo

— Netflix US (@netflix) February 22, 2017

Source: Netflix (Twitter), Kickstarter