Robot learns to feed folks dinner

Prosthetics for most are frequently challenging, both in terms of mobility and associated pain. This video highlights a doctor in Sweden innovating new, more reactive prosthetics, aimed at addressing these challenges.

A hospital in Uganda is using a new device created by scientists that produces oxygen without the use of electricity. Since the device has been introduced, 500 children have been treated with it and the mortality for children who have faced breathing problems has been reduced drastically.

Scientists from Uganda and Australia have worked together to come up with a device that produces oxygen without the use of electricity. Although this solution was originally intended to help address the high rate of children suffering from pneumonia, it is now also relevant for those suffering from respiratory issues due to COVID-19, especially in rural areas.

Patients suffering from chronic illnesses can often be overwhelmed with their care routines and doctors typically only have limited time to monitor them. A small robot is changing this narrative, however, by providing personalized health monitoring.

As companies look to stay economically viable and responsive to customers during the coronavirus pandemic, many are beginning to turn to automation as a way to fill jobs that would have humans working too closely together. From Amazon's cloud-based call center service to autonomous robots that can cook, the coronavirus crisis has created a pathway for technological advancements to be put to use.

Pediatric cardiologist Sandra Mattos had set up a network of doctors and hospitals working with tiny heart patients via telemedicine. Her system now also helps remote Zika sufferers.

In Louisville, KY, many people suffer from allergies or asthma and need to take inhalers to assist their breathing. A new inhaler called Propeller Health connects to Bluetooth devices to help patients track their inhaler dosages as a form of self-surveillance. The data collected also has a broader impact, offering scientists insight on people’s breathing patterns in different geographic regions as well as the effectiveness of certain medicated inhalers.

Digital public infrastructure is helping African countries build more sustainable health systems by replacing fragmented, donor-funded projects with interoperable digital services. In Zambia, for example, the SmartCare Pro electronic health record system uses thumbprints to identify patients and track chronic diseases like TB and HIV, ensuring continuity of care, where it was historically missing.

As many struggle to access mental health care, AI-powered chatbots, called “psychobots,” are emerging as a response to limited access to traditional psychotherapy. While they may not be a replacement for human connection, these chatbots offer affordable, convenient and anonymous psychological support, using techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and advanced conversational AI algorithms to communicate.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress and the Department of Agriculture changed the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) to make the program more accessible. Innovations included allowing virtual appointments and increased funding for fruit and vegetable vouchers, among other changes. These changes led to significant program growth, estimating 6.6 million WIC participants in 2023.