Debbie motioned me to the couch and said, "Sit. Let me explain. We have
to get the rest of this out in the open." She waited for me to sit back
in the couch, then began pacing in front of me as she spoke. "I love
our sex life. You are the sweetest, most considerate, passionate lover
I've ever had. You make love to me and I love every second of
everything we do." 

Not a bad start. She tells me I'm a stud. That, out of all of her many
partners, I'm the one that does it for her. I started feeling a bit
better. 

She went on. "Any time we are together, the loving is wonderful. But..."
she paused her pacing and turned to face me. "but I think...no...I know
I need something else. Something you can't give me." 

"But you just said..." I began. 

"I just said," she spoke over me, "that you make love to me like no one
else. But it isn't a lover I need. What I still crave, what I have
tried to deny since we have been together, is fucking. Hot nasty hard
fucking. Not loving. I need to have some guy bend me over and ram my
pussy with his cock as he slaps my ass crimson. You couldn't do that if
you tried. Even if you were to perform the physical act, our love would
still be there. Sex between us is sharing and loving no matter what we
do. What I also need, have always needed somewhere inside me, is the 
sex without the love. Just the raw animal lust. It can't be just that
with you and me." 

How's that for a kick in the balls? I was building up a pretty good head
of steam. All of those mixed feelings, the shock, the turmoil of the
last week all started to coalesce into one very pissed off person. I
went with it. "What in the hell do you mean by that? How's this
supposed to work? Will you just take off weekends to go slutting
around, or am I supposed to bring you and your lovers breakfast in bed?
Oh wait, they aren't lovers are they? No loving here, just nasty sex,
right? I guess I should have asked if I was to bring you and your
fuckbuddies breakfast in bed." I recognized how mad I was and knew I
had to disengage before I said something irretrievable. "Look Debbie, I
love you, but I have reached my limit. We gotta stop right here. I'm
too pissed off to say anything else. It won't be rational. Hah - as if
anything we've said today was rational. I'm going for a run." 

I stormed upstairs and stripped to change into running clothes. I flung
my jeans across the room, my shirt flew in the other direction. I threw
on some running stuff and hit the road without looking back in at
Debbie. 

For me, running has always been where I meditate. I don't really think
about anything. I just immerse myself in the moment and lose my
connection with the rest of the world. Nothing exists but the next few
steps. I sometimes get so lost in it I barely know where I am. This was
one of those times. I had been out for thirty minutes or so when it
started raining. I was only aware of the rain because it cooled me off. 

Then, just as I was passing under a large oak next to the road,
everything changed. I am told that the lighting hit the tree and then
jumped to me. All I know is that one second I was running along and the
next I was in the back of an ambulance. A passing motorist saw me go
down and it was lucky for me that she knew CPR. 

I spent the next 24 hours in and out of groggy consciousness. They must
have gotten Debbie's number from me at some point. All I know is than
when I finally really woke up and was alert, she was there holding my
hand. 

She hadn't left my  side the whole time I was all fuzzed out. Once she
realized I was really awake and alert, I got the waterworks. She cried
and we hugged tightly. Both of us taking comfort in the contact with
our soul mate. She eventually got control of the crying and we had a
brief moment to talk before the doctor came in.

Researchers from the Microbicide Development Program studying the effectiveness of vaginal microbicide in preventing the spread of HIV have announced that the experiment failed to produce any positive result.

The microbicide, in the form of a gel called PRO 2000, was tested in 9,385 women in four African countries, but despite the large number tried, it did not show any encouraging and conclusive results.

A microbicide is any compound or substance whose purpose is to reduce the infectivity of microbes, such as viruses or bacteria.

Since condom promotion has not keep in check the spread of HIV epidemic, the experiment was hoping the gel would limit the spread of HIV, especially among women who are said to be easily infected with the virus.

Professor Jonathan Weber, from Imperial College London, who also took part in the study, said: “It is unfortunate that this microbicide is ineffective at preventing HIV infection, but it’s still vital for us as scientists to continue to look for new ways of preventing HIV.

Groundbreaking research at Imperial College London has found a potential new drug for lung cancer which stopped lung cancer tumours from growing when tested on mice.

Imperial’s researchers identified a drug called PD173074 that was able to shrink tumours. It is now planned to conduct clinical trials to see if the drug works for patients with inoperable forms of lung cancer.

If the drug proves successful in humans, the researchers hope that it could help patients with lung cancer to live longer.

Kevin – www.studylondon.ac.uk

School children in Africa

According to the UN, more than 60 million children go to school hungry every day worldwide. To help combat the problem, Imperial College London has launched a new project to help local farmers in sub-Saharan Africa provide healthy school meals for local children.

The project will help governments to run school meal programmes using locally-sourced food, providing regular orders and a reliable income for local farmers. The project will also conduct a series of studies to analyse the cost and impact of the school meal programmes.

Supported by a $12 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project aims to ensure a reliable and fair market for local farmers’ products in countries such as Mali, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya.

Kevin – www.studylondon.ac.uk

By Matthew Moore 

Taking maternity is an attributing factor to the pay gap in the medical profession says report

Doctor’s wages should be published to give “transparency” to the profession, says the author of a landmark gender pay report. 

There is a £15,000 gap between men and women in the medical profession in the UK, according to the report published by Imperial College London, the University of East Anglia and the British Medical Association (BMA). 

Speaking to Edinburgh Napier News, Dr Anita Holdcroft, a co-author of the report said that women face many challenges in “career progression”. 

Dr Holdcroft said: “This is an obstacle that can be overcome through increased transparency. 

“We want more openness with regard to what salaries people are earning, and we’d like independent auditors to analyse these.” 

She said many factors account for part of the wage disparity such as maternity breaks, unsympathetic employers and a recent influx of women into the profession leading to more males at the top of the hierarchy. 

However, around one third of the financial gap was unaccounted for and the study concluded that this was down to “discrimination and a hostile culture” facing women. 

“Doctors should be paid the same for equal work carried out,” said Dr Holdcroft. 

Local NHS Trusts are failing to enforce equal pay regimes, the report also found. 

A BMA spokesman said the finding were “worrying” and called for action. 

“Women are not getting a fair deal in some areas, despite the fact we are now living in 21^st century Britain. 

“There needs to be a joint effort to solve this problem, not just on the part of managers and ministers, but also on the part of women.” 

The study interviewed over 1100 doctors and its findings affect 100,000 professionals, 40 percent are consultants and 60 percent are junior doctors. 

A Scottish government spokesman labelled the pay gap “unacceptable” but said that the figures were not as straightforward as they seemed. 

“While the overall figure is increasing, this is not the full story, as the same statistics show the gap is narrowing when the calculations for full time and part time employees are done separately,” said a spokesperson. 

The report showed that the gap for full time employees had narrowed two percent in one year; however it had increased by five percent in one year for part-time employees. 

Asked what she hoped would come of the report, Dr Holdcroft said: 

“It’s the first time we’ve considered pay influences and looked at these processes. We hope this is the start of change.”

Não é novidade. Pena que está nas mãos dos grandes industriários, que ganham muito dinheiro com o vício e morte dos seus consumidores, permitir que as pessoas se conscientizem.

Daniel Pinheiro

——————————————-

Álcool e tabaco são piores que maconha, LSD e ecstasy, diz especialista

da Efe, em Londres

Fonte: Folha de S. Paulo

O álcool e o tabaco causam mais danos à saúde do que algumas drogas ilegais como a maconha, o LSD e o ecstasy, segundo David Nutt, professor do Imperial College London e presidente do comitê assessor do governo britânico sobre abuso de drogas.

O especialista acusou os políticos de distorcerem e desvalorizarem os resultados dos estudos científicos no atual debate sobre drogas ilícitas.

Nutt criticou também que alguns boletins tenham publicado relatórios exagerados sobre os supostos danos de algumas dessas drogas.

Segundo o especialista, o álcool deve figurar como a quinta droga mais perigosa depois da heroína, cocaína, barbitúricos e a metadona, enquanto o tabaco aparece em nono lugar.

“A cannabis, o LSD e o ecstasy, mesmo sendo nocivos, estão mais abaixo na lista, em 11º, 14º e 18º, respectivamente”, explica Nutt em um documento do Centro de Estudos sobre Crime e Justiça do King’s College.

Segundo Nutt, fumar maconha cria um risco “relativamente pequeno” de doença mental, mas o álcool e o tabaco são mais perigosos para a saúde.

Um porta-voz do Ministério do Interior se distanciou das opiniões expressadas pelo cientista.

Reclassificação

O governo britânico realizou no ano passado uma reclassificação dos diferentes tipos de drogas e situou a maconha no mesmo nível das anfetaminas.

Segundo a atual classificação, pertencem à classe A de drogas mais perigosas como ecstasy, LSD, heroína, cocaína, crack, cogumelos alucinógenos e as anfetaminas injetáveis.

Na classe B figuram as outras anfetaminas, além de cannabis e metilfenidato (Ritalina), enquanto na classe C, consideradas as menos perigosas, estão os tranqüilizantes, alguns analgésicos e o cloridrato de cetamina (ketamina).

No Reino Unido, a classificação é importante também no ponto de vista da lei e da sanção penal: a posse de drogas da classe A pode levar a sete anos de prisão e multa ilimitada frente a um máximo de cinco anos para as da classe B e dois anos para as da classe C.

O comércio é punido ainda mais duramente: pode levar à prisão perpétua no primeiro caso e até 14 anos de prisão para classe B e C.

Há quem defenda – não só usuários, como políticos igualmente – que se aprove imediatamente mudanças na legislação sobretudo em relação à posse e ao tráfico de drogas.

Defende-se por aí, por exemplo, que o consumo da maconha não passe pelas sanções da lei. Donde a pergunta que me vem é esta: Sanções? Quando? Onde? Desde que me conheço por gente nunca vi ninguém ser preso por posse de maconha. Em tempo algum, quanto mais agora onde o sujeito anda na rua e se vê abalrroado pelo insuportável cheiro da erva maldita.

Os defensores de uma lei menos rígida ganharam um apoio de peso recentemente. É que o professor do Imperial College London e presidente do comitê assessor do governo sobre abuso de drogas, David Nutt, refere que o álcool e o tabaco causam maiores danos à saúde do que algumas drogas ilegais como a maconha, LSD e extasy.

Em seus estudos, o professor acusou os políticos de “distorcer” e “desvalorizar” os resultados dos estudos científicos no atual debate sobre drogas ilícitas.

Nutt criticou também que alguns boletins tenham publicado relatórios exagerados sobre os supostos danos de algumas dessas drogas.

Segundo o especialista, o álcool deve figurar como a quinta droga mais perigosa depois da heroína, cocaína, barbitúricos e a metadona, enquanto o tabaco aparece em nono lugar.

“A cannabis, LSD e extasy, mesmo sendo nocivas, estão mais abaixo na lista, em 11º, 14º e 18º, respectivamente”, defende Nutt em documento do Centro de Estudos sobre Crime e Justiça do King’s College.

Ou seja, o fato é que todas as drogas causam males, em maior e menor grau. Donde o raciocínio é atentar para a hipocrisia que permeia as drogas ilegais e, ao mesmo tempo, se farta de dinheiro com a indústria do álcool e do tabaco. Moral da história – é talvez nesse ponto que se apegam alguns políticos – ou libera geral ou proíbe-se tudo.

Tema complicado. Mas eu já tenho opinião formada: não troco meu chimarrão por qualquer dessas substâncias.

Anderson Passos

Imperial College London

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered an unusual kind of meteorite in the Western Australian desert and have uncovered where in the Solar System it came from using a new camera network.

Meteorites are the only surviving physical record of the formation of our Solar System. By analysing meteorites, researchers can learn valuable information about the conditions that existed when the Solar System was being formed.

However, information about where individual meteorites originated, and how they were moving around the Solar System prior to falling to Earth, is available for only a dozen of around 1100 documented meteorite falls over the past two hundred years.

The new meteorite, which is about the size of cricket ball, is the first to be retrieved since researchers from Imperial set up their cameras to track meteorites falling in Australia. They hope that their new desert network could yield many more findings.

Kevin – www.studylondon.ac.uk

Researchers create portable black hole

Physicists have created a black hole for light that can fit in your coat pocket. Their device, which measures just 22 centimetres across, can suck up microwave light and convert it into heat.

The hole is the latest clever device to use ‘metamaterials’, specially engineered materials that can bend light in unusual ways. Previously, scientists have used such metamaterials to build ‘invisibility carpets’ and super-clear lenses. This latest black hole was made by Qiang Chen and Tie Jun Cui of Southeast University in Nanjing, China, and is described in a paper on the preprint server ArXiv1.

Black holes are normally too massive to be carried around. The black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, for example, has a mass around 3.6 million times that of the Sun and warps the very space around it. Light that travels too close to it can become trapped forever.

The new meta-black hole also bends light, but in a very different way. Rather than relying on gravity, the black hole uses a series of metallic ‘resonators’ arranged in 60 concentric circles. The resonators affect the electric and magnetic fields of a passing light wave, causing it to bend towards the centre of the hole. It spirals closer and closer to the black hole’s ‘core’ until it reaches the 20 innermost layers. Those layers are made of another set of resonators that convert light into heat. The result: what goes in cannot come out. “The light into the core is totally absorbed,” Cui says.

“I am very impressed,” says John Pendry, a theoretical physicist at Imperial College London. Pendry says that the black hole is yet the latest example of the many strange devices that can be built with metamaterials. But, he adds, it is not a perfect black-hole analogy. The enormous gravity of real black holes causes them to emit an eerie quantum glow, known as Hawking radiation. “The optical device reported in this paper has no internal source of energy and therefore cannot emit Hawking radiation,” Pendry says.

Nevertheless, Cui says that the hole could prove useful. By the end of the year his team hopes to have a version of the device that will suck up light of optical frequencies. If it works, it could be used in applications such as solar cells.

See also:
Chinese Scientists Create First-Ever Artificial Black Hole
Artificial Black Hole Created in Chinese Lab
Chinese Scientists Build Working Black Hole
Scientists Make Desktop Black Hole
Artificial Black Hole Created in Chinese Lab
Table-Top Black Hole Can Absorb Light
Chinese Lab Creates Artificial Black Hole
How to Create a Black Hole on a Lab Bench
Metamaterial Revolution: The New Science of Making Anything Disappear
Metamaterial

/is that a black hole in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

I’ve been looking into nursing education and training available on Second Life. Imperial College London, a sim located on SciLands, has an impressive start providing training to its med students. (It’s important to mention that this project was in no way meant to replace real life training. It’s just a distance learning tool for those who learn well that way.) The activity takes place in a respiratory ward where students practice basic protocol on four different patients with varying symptoms. Before getting started your avatar must first wash his or her hands (protocol that is just as annoying in a virtual world as in a real one). After reviewing the patient profile and listening to audio of the patient’s breathing patterns, there are a number of different tests that can possibly be run. That’s actually as far as I got because I have no idea what each of the tests are for, haha. More to come soon!

British scientists from the Imperial College London have found out that a chemical in  vegetable broccoli could boost a natural defense mechanism that protects arteries from clogging that causes heart attacks.

In a study funded by the British Heart Foundation charity and conducted on mice, the researchers found out that sulforaphane — a compound occurring naturally in broccoli and other brassicas — could “switch on” a protective protein, which is inactive in parts of the arteries vulnerable to clogging.

Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard family.  The members of the genus are collectively known either as cabbages or mustards.

The study explains how green-vegetable consumption promotes a healthy heart.  Scientists already know that arteries don’t clog up in a uniform way, but there are bends and branches of blood vessels — where blood flow is disrupted or slower — which are more prone to the buildup of fatty plaques that cause heart disease.

“We know that vegetables are clearly good for you, but surprisingly the molecular mechanisms of why they are good for you have remained unknown for many years,” said Paul Evans of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College.  Evans said that his research found out that in the more vulnerable areas there is a protective protein (Nrf2) that is inactive.  It is the compound sulforaphane that switches on the Nrf2 to protect the areas at risk.

Well, really prehistoric spider relatives imaged in 3D by CT scanning. This thing really looks more like a tick to me …

Eophrynus prestivicii

Head below the fold for the press release on this creature.

Scary ancient spiders revealed in 3-D models, thanks to new imaging technique

Early relatives of spiders that lived around 300 million years ago are revealed in new 3-D models, in research published today in the journal Biology Letters

Early relatives of spiders that lived around 300 million years ago are revealed in new three-dimensional models, in research published today in the journal Biology Letters.

Scientists at Imperial College London have created detailed 3D computer models of two fossilised specimens of ancient creatures called Cryptomartus hindi and Eophrynus prestvicii, closely related to modern-day spiders. The study reveals some of the physical traits that helped them to hunt for prey and evade predators.

The researchers created their images by using a CT scanning device, which enabled them to take 3,000 x-rays of each fossil. These x-rays were then compiled into precise 3D models, using custom-designed software.

Both Cryptomartus hindi and Eophrynus prestivicii were around the size of a 50 pence piece and they roamed the Earth during the Carboniferous period, 359 – 299 million years ago. This was a time before the dinosaurs, when life was emerging from the oceans to live on land. During this period, the world’s continents were merging together near the equator to form one supercontinent and the first tropical rainforests were playing host to a diverse range of species.

Previous studies of the fossilised remains of Cryptomartus hindi allowed scientists to see some features of the creature, which had four pairs of legs and looked similar to a spider.

In the new study, the researchers’ computer models reveal that Cryptomartus hindi’s first two legs were angled towards the front of the body, which suggests that it used its legs to grab its prey before killing them. The researchers believe this find suggests the Cryptomartus hindi was an ambush predator, living in logs and fronds, waiting for prey such as insects to walk by before catching and killing them. This stance is seen in modern day crab spiders, which sit on the edge of flowers and wait for insects to land so that they can grab them.

The scientists also discovered that Cryptomartus hindi had ball-like growths at the base of its limbs, called coxal endites. The scientists believe the coxal endites could be an evolutionary hang-over from their last common ancestor, who probably used the growths at the base of their limbs to help them grind their food. These coxal endite-type growths can still be seen today in species such as horseshoe crabs, which use them to grind up their prey before pushing it into their backward-facing mouths.

The computer models also revealed that Cryptomartus hindi’s mouth appendages, called pedipalps, had tiny ‘tarsal’ claws attached at the end to help the creature to manipulate its prey. These claws are seen in rare modern-day arachnids such as the Ricinulei. The researchers say that the existence of this common physical feature, shared by the Cryptomartus hindi and the Ricinulei, lends further weight to the theory that they are closely related.

The models also reveal new information about Eophrynus prestivicii. Previous studies of fossilised remains of this creature suggested that it could have hunted on the open forest floor. It had long legs that enabled it to run through leaf litter to chase, catch and kill its prey.

The new models reveal, for the first time, that Eophrynus prestivicii had defensive spikes on its back. The researchers say that the spikes may have been a defensive adaption by Eophrynus prestivicii, to make them a less tempting meal for the amphibians that would have recently emerged from the oceans onto land.

The study’s lead author, Mr Russell Garwood, PhD student from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London, says:

“Our models almost bring these ancient creatures back to life and it’s really exciting to be able to look at them in such detail. Our study helps build a picture of what was happening during this period early in the history of life on land. We think one creature could have responded to increasing predation from the amphibians by growing spikes, while the other responded by becoming an ambush predator, hiding away and only exposing itself when it had to come out to eat.”

At present, most palaeontologists analyse fossils by splitting open a rock and looking at the creatures encased inside. This means that scientists can often only see part of the fossil and cannot explore all of the fossil’s physical features.

The researchers believe their new technique could be used to re-explore previously analysed fossils to provide a much clearer picture of how ancient extinct species survived on early Earth.

Notes to editors:

1. *** Images and 3 D models ***

CT scanning was carried by Mr Garwood at the Natural History Museum, London, and modelling was carried out at Imperial College London. All images must be credited:

“Courtesy of the Natural History Museum and Imperial College London.”

Cryptomartus hindi – video
<https://fileexchange.imperial.ac.uk/files/71b10fcb46f/Cryptomartus%20hindi.mov>

Eophrynus prestivicii – video
<https://fileexchange.imperial.ac.uk/files/2da602c0079/Eophrynus%20prestivicii.mov>

Cryptomartus hindi – image
<https://fileexchange.imperial.ac.uk/files/9443ee4360/Cryptomartus%20hindi%20-%20face%20on.png>

Cryptomartus hindi – image
<https://fileexchange.imperial.ac.uk/files/e73ab02a8a3/Cryptomartus%20hindi%20-%20D.png>

Eophrynus prestivicii – image
<https://fileexchange.imperial.ac.uk/files/e2d05a8c0cc/Eophrynus%20prestivicii%20-%20D.png>

Eophrynus prestivicii – image
<https://fileexchange.imperial.ac.uk/files/69f8086af9/Eophrynus%20prestivicii%20-%20V.png>

2. “High-fidelity X-ray micro-tomography reconstruction of siderite-hosted Carboniferous arachnids”, Biology Letters, Wednesday 05 August 2009.

Russell Garwood (1), Jason Dunlop (2) and Mark D. Sutton (1)
(1) Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London

(2) Museum fur Naturkunde at the Humbolt University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany

3. About Imperial College London

Consistently rated amongst the world’s best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 13,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.

Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment – underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.

Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial’s contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.

Website: www.imperial.ac.uk

With thanks to Dusan Writer….

Most blog readers know of the medical training community’s use of Second Life as a simulator for training nursing and doctoral students in techniques.  You can duplicate many situations in world that a budding doctor or nurse might encounter, especially in a RL emergency room.  The only thing missing is the smell.  (Which actually might provide vital clues; but Philip’s Krazy Krew hasn’t come up with an olfactory simulator yet.)

Notice is now being given by the mainstream media.  Discover magazine’s Web site is running a two-page piece on simulators at Imperial College London, with notes from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and Dartmouth College’s Hitchcock Medical Center.  The article gives kudos to the technique from various advocates, noting the ability to simulate many situations (including some difficult or costly to recreate in a more physical simulator room), low cost, and the ability to debrief groups of students following a session.

Does Second Life have no future?  Or is it rather the beginnings of the future?  I’m reminded of the episode of Star Trek:  The Next Generation where Worf is assisting Keiko in giving birth to her first child, following an accident in space to the Enterprise.  Worf is a little ham-handed at it, and admits that he’s only done the process in a holodeck simulator; but I think you can put this down to (a) asking a Klingon warrior to help a woman give birth, and (b) asking a man to cope with a woman in conditions of discomfort the man will never understand (grin).  This is still early days, but it’s working quite well for both Second Life and the hospitals, according to reports, and I think we’ll hear more about these processes as the years roll on.

Time to check your diet, and see if it includes more vegetables.

A study revealed that people who are nourished by plant-based foods tend to have lower blood pressure than people who consume meat for protein.

After subjecting almost 4,700 middle-aged adults from the United Kingdom, United States, China and Japan, the group of Dr. Paul Elliott of Imperial College London recommended that adults should eat more vegetable protein—from grains, vegetables, beans and fruits—for a better cardiovascular health.

Interestingly, the benefit from consuming plant-based protein is independent from other factors such as exercise, sodium intake, and body weight.  The study found that, in general, average blood pressure levels dropped as vegetable protein intake increased, which is quite the opposite for animal protein intake.

According to Elliot and his colleagues, it was difficult to pinpoint why vegetable proteins are associated with lower blood pressure.  But, they noted that by eating a lot of vegetable protein, people tend to take in a high amounts of fiber and magnesium,  which may account for some blood pressure effects.  Also vegetatawable proteins contain specific amino acids that according to research help control blood pressure.

The study concludes that the results are consistent with current recommendations of health professionals that a diet high in vegetable products be part of a healthy lifestyle or prevention of high-blood pressure and related chronic disease.

Sources

Mom Was Right about Those Vegetables.  www.int.iol.co.za/index/php?set_id=1&click_id=117&art_id=vn20060118071051936C824499Vegetables

Help Lower Blood Pressure.  www.msnbe.msn.com/id/10776695/

Photo courtesy:  vuatkerala

Lord Darzi's Keynote

Lord Darzi addressed a packed auditorium at NHS Innovations Expo this week. The evidence shows that those organisations that are open to innovation are more cost effective and deliver higher quality care than those that lag behind the adoption curve.

I would like to report on the other speakers and workshops at this incredible event, and on the myriad of innovations that were showcased for 2 days in the London Docklands to thousands of visitors, but my colleagues and I were constantly busy demonstrating Imperial College’s innovations including robotic beating heart surgery, the inflatable operating theatre, an improved resuscitation “crash” trolley and of course our virtual operating theatres and wards in Second Life.

More of Imperial’s innovations at the Expo including a movie can be seen here.

The Government has made available a £220 million innovation fund to help get innovative ideas supported and implemented, and to back that up the regional Strategic Health Authorities now have a legal duty to promote innovation in their organisations. My blog is entitled ‘Virtual World Innovations’ because I believe that they provide a fantastic environment for people to share their innovations, as well as enabling service innovations for the future. I spoke to many people at the Expo who agreed that the NHS islands in Second Life could provide a permanent Innovations Expo.

Watch this space!

Imperial College London

Imperial College London’s new £2 million geochemistry laboratories will help tackle climate change, combat pollution and develop a deeper understanding of Parkinson’s disease.

The Mass Spectrometry and Isotope Geochemistry (MAGIC) facilities boast a newly refurbished geochemistry laboratory, the latest equipment to analyse the chemical content of materials, and a large clean room facility.

Students using the new laboratories will investigate the chemical content of materials to further our understanding of humans, our environment, the Earth and the solar system.

Simon – www.studylondon.ac.uk

[Doctors train in 'Second Life' 1:11 A British med school is having students learn by treating virtual patients in the online world 'Second Life'. Source: CNN | Added March 27, 2009]

The Imperial College London Sim : his tower, his conference room, his sandbox and … his hospital

It’s this link for the visist : SLURL http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imperial%20College%20London/150/86/27

First of all, you have to register online :

Pr Martyn Partridge :http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/people/m.partridge

is always at his desk.

You can search the right diagnosis on 5 different patients.

First wash your hands, ask patients basis information, perform a first diagnosis (differential diagnosis), and next …

perform some tests, new investigations for a final diagnosis :

The results of the investigations of each patient are in dedicated rooms. Here is the Laboratory.

It’s 5 clinical cases :

1. Pneumonia
2. Anticoagulant
3. Asthma
4. Pneumothorax
5. Lung cancer

It’s summarize in the Patient Management Area with some slides about this clinical cases:

A very easy-to-use simulation : you are helped by a reminder (wear as a badge on you at the entry of this hospital) so you can know all the time at which steps you have taken a break.

——————-

Initial announcement :
Researchers pilot virtual clinic to help train doctors [6 march 2009] http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/news/060309_virtualclinic/

References :

• London Medical Students Train in Second Life Virtual Hospital http://www.ihealthbeat.org/Articles/2009/3/30/London-Medical-Students-Train-in-Second-Life-Virtual-Hospital.aspx
• Medical Students Using Second Life For Training http://www.inquisitr.com/20911/medical-students-using-second-life-for-training/
• Massively – Imperial College London lets students play doctor in Second Life http://www.massively.com/2009/03/30/imperial-college-london-lets-students-play-doctor-in-second-life/
• Unique Medical Simulation in Second Life!
  http://scienceroll.com/2008/08/17/unique-medical-simulation-in-second-life
• Can Second Life help teach doctors to treat patients? http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/30/doctors.second.life/index.html