Positive Technology Journal

Via Pasta and Vinegar 

Many Eyes is a new social computing site launched by IT giant IBM:

IBM (Quote) launched a new social computing site today called Many Eyes, which allows users to upload very large data sets, choose different visual representations for the data sets, and engage in an online discussion of what the data reveals. Each visualization will allow for an active discussion to take place and become a common area to share ideas, add insight and understand the visualization in a group setting.
(…)
an attempt to learn whether the principles of crowd-sourcing can be applied to the analysis of visualized data, in the hopes of generating broader and deeper analysis of data.

 

(source:  Internet News)

Re-blogged from Textually.org

BuddyCheckService helps seniors that live alone keep their independence.  It uses ASR speech technology to enable overtaxed family caregivers to monitor loved ones on a regular basis, and are alerted by text message or call on their mobile phone if there is an emergency.

Via Usability News

Deadine: 17 February 2007

SINTEF ICT, department of Cooperative and trusted systems, is in the process of hiring a new researcher. The position is within the HCI-group, which works with user-centred development of ICT solutions and user interfaces. The group is strong, and keeps developing through national and international research projects. Our projects encompass service and application areas such as new interactive media, mobile solutions, e-Commerce and e-Government.

Qualifications:
We will be hiring a person with interest for, and ambitions regarding research within the discipline of Human-Computer Interaction. The applicant should have a drive to create new research missions, a desire to communicate research results in academic and popular arenas, and ability to complete deliverables and projects according to specification. Both younger and more experienced applicants will be considered. In particular we will evaluate applicants against the following competency areas:

- User-centred development method
- Statistical analysis
- Data mining
- User interface design

Applicants should have formal education at university level (MSc, PhD, or similar)

We offer
- Continuous opportunity to develop your areas of interest
- Opportunity for innovative work in national and international projects
- Participation in academic publication arenas
- Competitive terms, pension- and insurance schemes, flexible work hours

For the proposal to be processed, we require that your e-mail has attached comprehensive CV, copy of academic certificates/grade cards, and other relevant documentation.

Please submit your proposal no later than February 17, 2007, as an e-mail to our personnel officer Nora Gibb ( nora.gibb@sintef.no )with copy to HCI group leader Asbjørn Følstad(asbjorn.folstad@sintef.no )

Via Medgadget 

 

Researchers at Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Loughborough University in the UK are planning to introduce a portable telemedicine technology to the market. The system enables a doctor to observe remotely up to four different medical signals from a freely moving patient. Signals that can be transmitted include the ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and blood glucose level.

 

Now Professor Woodward has been awarded a grant by the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), enabling him to join forces with experts in India on the project. Working with the Indian Insitute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University and London's Kingston University, he is hoping to miniaturise the system, designing 'smart' sensors and mini-processors that are small enough to be carried by patients and able to acquire biomedical data from them. The network of sensors will be linked via a modem to mobile networks and the internet, and to a hospital computer. The device would then be used by doctors to remotely monitor patients suffering from chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, which affect millions of people across the world.

"Such a 'Mobile Disease Management System' is long overdue," says Professor Woodward. "Especially in view of the proliferation of applications in mobile data communications. It is also achievable in a three-year time frame and should provide a step-change in improving the quality of life of patients needing expert diagnoses, and for those with pre-diagnosed conditions or undergoing post-operative care.

"In the UK, the project will allow a more patient-driven health service, as promoted by the Government to improve the efficiency of health care delivery. In India, the project will link clinics and regional hospitals in remote areas to centres of excellence. As in the UK, the Indian Government is encouraging the integration of new and existing networks, much needed because of a large population spread over a vast area.

 

Link at Loughborough University...