The Latest in Scientific Breakthroughs and Holographic Tech
Emerging Tech Roundup — January 6
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Diabetes Drug to Potentially Reduce Long Covid Risk, Holographic Tech Elevates Virtual Meetings, Startup Unveils AI-supported ‘Power Suit’, Virtual Reality Games Detect ADHD Symptoms in Children, TikTok Creators Place Age Restrictions for Viewers, Scientists Discover First Lifeform Known to Eat Viruses, and Intel Introduces First 24-Core Laptop CPU.
A Common Diabetes Drug May Reduce Long Covid Risk, Trial Data Finds
(Gizmodo, December 28)
Preliminary data from a clinical trial found that COVID-19 patients who took metformin, a common diabetes drug, were less likely to be diagnosed with ‘Long Covid’ up to ten months later than those in the control group. The study’s original intent was to test whether three easily available oral medications could prevent COVID-19 cases from worsening if taken early. The clinical trials are underway now, with hopes to further explore potential treatments and preventatives for Long Covid.
Skip Zoom? Holographic Tech Allows You to ‘Beam’ Into Your Next Meeting
(Interesting Engineering, January 3)
Los Angeles firm Proto’s original, patented hologram device was announced as a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree in the category of Digital Health. The new holographic technology by the company allows for full-body broadcasting within its seven-foot-tall machine. The groundbreaking system, designed to be extremely lifelike, requires only a camera, white background, and wifi connection.
German Startup Unveils the Lightest and Most Versatile AI-Supported ‘Power Suit’
(Interesting Engineering, January 3)
European robotics firm German Bionic will unveil its new lightweight, AI-powered, wearable suits and products at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The company’s new technology aims to further workplace safety in physically demanding jobs, empowering people with tools to make their jobs safer and more sustainable. German Bionic, the first to introduce connected exoskeletons for workplaces, continues to study the correlation between their smart power suits and wearables, and workplace safety, employee happiness, and productivity.
Researchers Use Virtual Reality Games to Detect ADHD Symptoms in Children
(Interesting Engineering, January 3)
Researchers are using virtual reality (VR) games to diagnose attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by studying the differences in eye movements. By tracking children’s natural eye movements as they perform different tasks within a VR game, researchers were able to effectively detect ADHD symptoms. Some modifications may enable the technique to be used for examining language problems, brain trauma, cerebral palsy symptoms, and aging-related memory detection such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers.
TikTok Begins Rolling Out the Ability for Creators to Restrict Videos to Adult Viewers
(Tech Crunch, January 3)
TikTok has announced that it’s expanding its audience controls feature, giving creators the ability to restrict their videos to adult users via user settings. The new setting aims to further distinguish between content aimed towards children versus adult audiences, including comedy acts or complex topics. The app will continue to remove content that violates its Community Guidelines.
Scientists Discover First Lifeform Known to Eat Viruses
(Gizmodo, January 3)
A recent study found a “virovore” with supporting evidence that some microscopic organisms actively feed on viruses. Their findings are the first to show that some microbes can sustain themselves with viruses alone, though evidence suggests there are many similar virovores yet to be discovered. The next step in the study is to better understand how virovores interact and affect their surrounding environments.
Intel’s 13th Gen Mobile Processors Include the First 24-Core Laptop CPU
(The Verge, January 3)
Technology company Intel claims it now has the world’s fastest mobile processor with the flagship Intel Core i9–13980HX. Built mainly for upcoming gaming laptops, the Intel Core i9–13980HX has a 5.6GHz turbo frequency and is the first laptop CPU with 24-core configuration. This comes alongside several other new additions designed for higher power efficiency, performance, and productivity.
