VR Technology

Virtual Reality Technology caught my attention lately in a few of my different classes so I found an article discussing it. This particular technology is not new, however, it proves very useful and I previously did not know about it. Basically, VR technology is a web-based interactive simulation that is currently used in many ways. These simulations are used to train military personnel, first responders, and even medical personnel. Those going through training interact with the simulation that demonstrates real-life situations designated to the profession in order to habituate, you could say, the trainee to the environment in which they will be immersed. For example, military personnel train in combat simulations, police officers interact with a virtual crime scene, and medical personnel perform surgery on a virtual patient.

 A different use for VR technology is that for treatment of psychological disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety disorders, and/or phobic disorders. Many psychologists utilize this technology to desensitize a patient to the stimulus which provokes the symptoms of his/her disorder. I watched a video in my Abnormal Psychology class in which an individual suffering from a phobia of spiders underwent treatment via VR technology. The individual was slowly introduced to more and more anxiety producing stimuli involving spiders in order to overcome the phobia. You will be glad to know, the patient can now happily hold a tarantula and no longer suffers from the phobia.

I think that Virtual Reality technology has really come a long way and proves itself very useful. I, personally, believe there are more pros than cons (probably because I cannot think of any cons without more research being done). If you are interested the site is here: Virtual Reality

I have also included a video in which an individual has a panic disorder and the treatment is exposure therapy via, you guessed it, Virtual Reality technology:

New Biopsy Methods

I found a neat article discussing a device that a University of Rochester professor created. This device is used in order to take high-resolution 3D images below the skin, which could possibly eliminate biopsies. The prototype that this professor created apparently has a liquid lens, kind of crazy, that takes thousands of images below the epidermis and creates a 3D image of what is underneath the skin. Apparently, the lens is made of water instead of the typical glass lens. I thought that was pretty interesting... I mean, how reliable is a water lens? Probably easy to replace but how does it keep it's shape? I just can't even imagine how it works. This device has been tested but they do not forsee its day-to-day use in the near future.

This article is located here: Biopsy replacement device

Tablets for kids

I'm sure everyone has at least heard of the iPad and other tablets that are out there, especially those of you who will read this. I was on engadget.com the other day and an article caught my eye in regards to tablets. VTech has created a new tablet called the Innopad which is targeted for children. It is basically an updated Leap Frog type of technology, however, has many more uses than just a game for learning. This tablet is built to take beating (we all know how kids are) and could probably be beneficial to some clumsy adults, like me. I think it's a great way to keep kids utilizing new technology and prepared for the next new thing to come out. However, if this is your child's primary way of learning... I would question your parenting skills. Don't get me wrong, I do think that games for learning are a wonderful idea. Some kids do not have older siblings to learn from, for example I was writing my name by age 3 because my sister taught me how whereas someone else the same age might just be watching Baby Einstein videos which, if I remember correctly, do not have much of an effect. Don't quote me on that though. I believe that these types ideas are worthwhile and beneficial, however, I do not think that parents should rely on technology and school systems for their children to learn. There is much more to gain from social learning, experience, and general knowledge sharing between peers, relatives, etc. Plus, children crave attention, love, and new knowledge from their parents and without that attention there can be psychological impacts. Now that I've noticed my ranting, let's get back to basics here... VTech's new Innopad is a great way to incorporate learning into technology use, however, in my opinion it should not be your child's primary learning source.

The article about the VTech Innopad is here: VTech Innopad

Nanotechnology & Nanomedicine

We all read about nanotechnolgy which is "engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale." The research for this began by looking at the physical and chemical properties of carbon-based materials.They have already laid down the basics for this technology and have implemented it in many different ways. Nanotechnology is already used to eliminate odors, which I found pretty cool for a common use. In order to eliminate odors, a silica nanoparticle is covered with copper and placed in a shoe, for example, and the reaction from the copper eliminates odors. Something I thought was interesting. Nanotechnology has also led to another field of nanomedicine. Nanomedicine is a very "specific medical intervention at the molecular scale" for curing diseases. This uses biological structures in order to cure a disease, such as Alzheimer's which is projected to be possible within a decade. I believe that nanotechnology and nanomedicine could lead to great possibilities within the field of criminal justice. If nanomedicine can cure a disease such as Alzheimer's, maybe with continued research it can cure other psychological disorders such as personality disorders, mood disorders, or anxiety disorders, many of which are seen in criminal offenders. That's not to say that all offenders have a psychological disorder, though. I also believe that nanotechnology could lead to better evidence collection and improved methods for making a connection between crime and offender with that evidence. I hope to see this develop and be used in a positive manner.
All of the information referred to can be found here: http://commonfund.nih.gov/nanomedicine/overview.aspx
and here: http://www.gizmag.com/nanoparticles-eliminate-odors-better-than-carbon/17722/