CSA Ray Hammond’s Blog

Superdrug Starts Retailing 23andme DNA Testing Kits

UK High Street chemist Superdrug has begun selling 23andme’s DNA exome analysis kit direct to consumers.

British doctors have criticised Superdrug for making the £124.99 cheek-swab test available to the public. Some doctors claim that ordinary members of the public aren’t equipped to interpret the results.

Questioned about this at a lecture in Oxford recently, Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andme, told doctors in the audience that market research clearly indicates that consumers responded responsibility to the DNA results.

The company’s DNA test analyses only 1% of the genome, but this 1% is responsible for 85% of all genetically-related health conditions.

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Children Learn To Write By Teaching Robots

Researchers at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne have developed a new teaching tool called CoWriter based on the pedagogical principle of “learning by teaching.”

When children experience difficulties in writing, they can easily lose confidence, begin to shut down, or even gradually lose interest in the learning process. Eventually, their entire education can be affected.

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Nano-Coating Produces Steel That Is 10x Stronger

An inexpensive new process can increase the strength of metals such as steel by as much as 10 times, and make them much more resistant to corrosion – it is claimed.

If the modified metals pass field testing, the new process could go on to make bridges and other infrastructure last far longer; it could also make cars lighter and therefore more fuel-efficient.

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The 3-D Ultrasound Medical Scanner That Runs On Your Smartphone

Imagine that every doctor’s office – perhaps even every pharmacy – had a low cost imaging device running on a smartphone. The scanner would be able to provide instant, real-time pictures inside damaged limbs and inside other parts of the body, significantly reducing the time taken for diagnosis. No referrals, no hospital visits and faster treatments. Read More