health - Geek News Central

Click “Like” for a Second Opinion?

Posted by JenThorpe at 9:29 PM on May 2, 2013

There are many reasons why you might be asked to click “like” on a Facebook page. You usually cannot access a coupon that a company offers until after you “like” their page. Bands might ask fans to click “like” to show their support. Political parties (or groups that favor a particular one) may want you to “like” their page or a post that is on it. Overall, this is fairly harmless.

Things get a little fishy when a health care provider asks you to do things on Facebook in order to be given a free second opinion. I’m not talking about those posts that get shared that tell a story of a child who needs surgery and who can get it after that post receives enough “likes”. I think most of us know that, in reality, there isn’t a surgeon frantically refreshing his or her Facebook page so he can dash into surgery the instant that last “like” is clicked and save a child’s life. Things just don’t work that way.

That being said, New Times SLO reports an odd story where Facebook and health care have collided. The Templeton Institute for Neurology has a Facebook page. They are offering a free second opinion, if you do the following things: “like” their main Facebook page, “like” their post, share their post, comment on their post, “like” their video, or share their video. Why? Here is their explanation:

Why your likes are so critical is that because this “one of a kind program in the world” depends in its funding and success on advancing name recognition of this free service measured by our “Facebook likes”.

The website for Templeton Institute for Neurology says:

Second Opinion is free at our institution, in excahnge (sic) for the “good will” of 50 of your firends (sic) liking us on Facebook. No insurance needed even if you have insurance.

According to the article from New Times SLO, a patient who does not want to use the “Facebook Free Program” that Templeton Institute for Neurology offers can still get the second opinion that they are seeking. However, it will cost them $2,500 for the initial consult and then $600 per hour for follow up through a place called Neurology Second Opinion Inc., (which is part of their practice).

Tags: Facebook, healthcare

Posted in Facebook, health

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HAPIfork Helps You Monitor Your Eating Habits

Posted by JenThorpe at 9:19 PM on April 20, 2013

HAPILABS has created a specialized fork that can help people to monitor their eating habits, and potentially lose weight as a result. It is called HAPIfork, and it has a Kickstarter that will gather funding until June 1, 2013.

Those who cannot wait to get their hands on the HAPIfork have the option of pledging $89.00 (or more) to the Kickstarter in order to get their very own “smart fork” for $10.00 off the regular price. HAPILABS will begin shipping those out in September of 2013.

The HAPIfork monitors and keeps track of your eating habits. It pays attention to “fork servings”, which is described as “every time you bring food from your plate to your mouth” (with the HAPIfork). It will note how long it took for you to eat your meal, the amount of “fork servings” you took per minute, and the interval of time between each “fork serving”.

The data is then uploaded via USB to your Online Dashboard, so you can track your progress. Each HAPIfork comes with the HAPILABS app and a coaching program that will help you improve your eating behavior. There is a HAPILABS mobile app for Android and Windows mobile that will keep track of health, fitness, sleep, relaxation, and physical activities. Data can be loaded to the app via Bluetooth.

Eat too quickly, and the HAPIfork will vibrate to let you know that you need to slow down. It is subtle, and I think most people would prefer that type of notification instead of a loud sound or a flashing light that would instantly attract the attention of everyone else in the room. When your meal is over, you can wash HAPIfork either in the sink or the dishwasher.

The primary concept is to encourage people to eat more slowly in order to avoid digestive problems, weight gain, and post-operative complications. This amusingly named “smart fork” sounds like an interesting device to use if you are hoping to lose some weight.

Tags: HAPILABS, Health, kickstarter

Posted in Gadgets, health

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Fitbug

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 7:31 PM on February 20, 2013

Fitbug Orb Fitbug is a wearable fitness device that is tied to an online community and service. The device measures the number of steps you take and how well you sleep. You can connect it to an app on the iPhone or iPad or the website. Which will help you keep track of your information. When you get the Fitbug and you set up an account it will ask you what your goals are. After a week of using the Fitbug doing what you would normally, based on your goals the Fitbug service will set up an exercise and nutrition plan for you to follow. At the end of each week you are provided with a report on how well you did and it will set up goals for the next week. The service is free for the first year after that it is $3.99 a month

Fitbug introduced the Fitbug Orb at CES 2013 This is a small device slightly bigger then a quarter which tracks and shows the number of steps you have taken. It can be worn on a watch band, a belt or a key fob. They also have a small pouch you can put it in and attach it to your undergarments. Fitbug also sells a bluetooth scale, the Fitbug Wow and the Fitbug Love a blood pressure cuff. More information about the devices and service is available at the Fitbug website.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine. and by Scott Ertz of F5 Live.

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Tags: exercise, Fitbug, Fitbug Orb, Health, pedometer, walking

Posted in Gadgets, Gear, health, Information, Special Media

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HeartMath’s Inner Balance Digital App

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 7:59 PM on February 18, 2013

After over 20 years of research and based on the emWave2, HeartMath has created the Inner Balance Digital App. The Inner Balance Digital app can help you reduce stress in your life. The product consist of an iOs app which is available for iPad and iPhone and the HeartMath sensor that clips to your ear. It reads your heart and breathing. It trains you through twice a day daily use to main proper breathing of 5 seconds in and 5 seconds out. You also learn to reach a calm aware Zen state where your heart beats at an even rate and its graph looks like rolling hills instead of jagged mountains when you are under stress. The app shows you both your breathing rate and your heart beat. When you are through your results are shown in easy to read graphs and charts.

The sensor and app together should sell around $99.00. Inner Balance Digital app will be available soon at the Inner Balance website. To receive a pre-release version send an email to info@heartmath.com.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network. and by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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Tags: breathing, heart, HeartMath, Inner Balance Digital, relaxation, stress

Posted in application, Gear, health, Information, Special Media

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Netatmo Personal Weather Station

Posted by JenThorpe at 1:19 AM on February 3, 2013

Netatmo was a three time award winner at CES 2013. Their Urban Weather Station was named a CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honoree in three categories: Tech for a Better World, Health & Fitness, and Home Appliances. It is a very impressive personal weather station.

Netatmo consists of two simplistic, yet attractively designed, stations that are made from aluminum. The slightly shorter one is to be placed outside. Put the taller one inside your home. Both will record data about the weather and send it to the cloud. You can then find out details about the current weather, both outdoors and indoors, by using an app that is compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android device.

Interview by Andy McCaskey of SDR News and RV News Net.

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Tags: ces, Health

Posted in ces, health

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Tinké by Zensorium

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 3:31 PM on February 2, 2013

Tinké Tinké by Zensorium measures heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level and heart rate variability. It compiles the heart rate, respiratory rate and blood oxygen level information into a score know as the Vita Index. The Zen index uses the heart rate variability to quantify your stress level. It is a small device, 1.65 long inches by 1.26 wide by .0275 deep which fits easily into a pocket or purse. It works by plugging it into the iPhone and then placing your thumb on the device for 30 seconds. The iPhone powers it and so there is no need for batteries.

The device is $119 and comes in a variety of colors.The Tinké is available through the Zensorium website. They are looking for distribution partners. The app is free and available in the iTunes store. You can share your results thru the Tinké network or other social networks. Within the Tinké network you add friends and post comments on their scores. You also have the option to keep your information private.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network and by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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Tags: heart rate, oxygen level, respiratory rate, stress level, Tinké, Zensorium

Posted in Gear, health, Information, Special Media

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HeartMath Inner Balance for iOS

Posted by Andrew at 6:46 PM on January 30, 2013

It’s a brave man who attempts to find inner balance at CES, but Jamie gives it a go with HeartMath‘s forthcoming Inner Balance.

HeartMath’s Inner Balance combines an iPhone app with a heart rate sensor, providing a feedback loop that helps people control their heart rate, relax and relieve stress. The sensor gently attaches to the earlobe and measures heart rate variability. The app uses a breath pacer and graphical display of the heart rate to help the person concentrate and control their breathing and pulse rate.

The Inner Balance sensor will be available in February for $99 and the free app can be downloaded from the Apple AppStore for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Interview by Jamie Davies of Health Tech Weekly.

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Tags: Apple, ces, Health, IOS, IPAD, iPhone, iPod Touch, Medical, smartphone, Tablet

Posted in Apple, ces, health, iOS, IPAD, iPhone, ipod, medical, smartphone, Special Media, tablet

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iSpO2 by Masimo

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 5:37 AM on January 29, 2013

iSpO2 If you are a mountain climber, private pilot or hiker you know how important it is to make sure you are acclimated to your environment. Not being acclimated can lead to altitude sickness or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema These situations can lead to serious injures and even death. Taking accurate measurements of vitals can help to prevent these situations. That is the idea behind the iSpO2 by Masimo.

The iSpO2 is a Pulse oximeter. It measures pulse rate, oxygen saturation and perfusion index. Pulse Rate is the number heartbeats per minute. Oxygen saturation is the measurement of amount of oxygen in the blood, the higher the saturation the more oxygen in the blood. Perfusion index measures the amount of blood flow into extremities such as fingers. This is the first product for the consumer market made by Masimo, which has a long history in the professional market.

The product consists of a cable and sensor. The sensor attaches to your finger and takes the measurements, which are then sent to the app. Right now the app is available on iOs only although they are working on an Android app. The app shows readings and graphs which can be used to monitor trends over time. You can also email the information. The iSpO2 is currently available through Amazon for $249.00

Interview by Jamie Davies of the MedicCast and the Health Tech Weekly

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Tags: Health, iSpO2, Masimo, measurement, vitals

Posted in Gear, health, Information, Special Media

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Dakim Brainfitness

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 5:30 PM on January 28, 2013

Dakim Brainfitness is the leader in the development of brain fitness products. The products have been created to maintain and enhance cognitive fitness. This is important as both seniors and boomers continue to live longer and want to remain active. The programs are clinical tested by UCLA scientist and are based on standardize neurological tests and programs. Dakim Brainfitness uses this knowledge to create programs that work and are fun to play. Providing a broad range of cognitive activities that improve memory and concentration. These programs have shown significant improvement in memory and concentration both immediately and over time in most users.

There are several products available: an integrated hardware and software program available to senior living environments, a professional software program that can be used by doctors and clinicians that work with the elderly and starting in March there will be a cloud base program for the consumer. The pricing varies depending on what program is being used. As the overall population continues age programs like this will increase in importance.

Interview by Chris Montera of and the Health Tech Weekly

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Tags: concentration, Dakim Brainfitness, memory

Posted in health, Information, Special Media

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UnitedHealthcare and Konami Bringing Dance Dance Revolution to the Classroom

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 10:20 AM on January 28, 2013

Brian Landwehr of UnitedHealthcare talked about their new partnership with Konami, the gaming company to bring the Dance, Dance Revolution Classroom Edition into schools. This is part of the UnitedHealthcare’s Activate Program which also includes dietary and mental health curriculum. The idea is to increase kids physical activity by using something they are already doing, playing video games. The program is tied into each school current curriculum. The student and their parents along with the school can track the student’s progress throughout the year.

At the present time this program is being introduced by UnitedHealthcare into schools that they already have a partnership with. These schools are being used to pilot the program. However the Dance, Dance Revolution Classroom Edition is also available at retail stores and through Konami who will work with directly with school systems.

Interview by Jamie Davies of the MedicCast and the Health Tech Weekly

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