Virtual reality developers promise that technology will enter our lives and make the world a better place – but few applications have so far lived up to promise.
Now healthcare could finally have found a practical use for VR technology that would take doctors inside a computer generated cancerous tumour.
Developments using the latest Facebook-owned Oculus CV-1 VR device have been on show at the European Association for Cancer Research in Madrid, offering a glimpse of how the technology could soon be used in GP surgeries and at home.
A step beyond the mobile phone-integrated devices widely seen in recent years, the latest headset and surround motion detection cameras, costing about 400 Euros, can take doctors inside tumours.
The device works in conjunction with Lonsurf, a drug to fight back against colorectal cancer.
Lonsurf Explorer is a programme designed for doctors to show how the drug works, also offering a visual illustration of the study results of a global, randomised clinical trial.
Once wearing the Oculus VR headset, the wearer can clearly see how the drug combats certain DNA strands inside the cell of a cancerous growth.
The wearer can then look around 360 degrees inside the tumor to see how the drug attaches itself to DNA strands to help dismantle the cancer.
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Lara Rincon-Amor is a digital marketing specialist for Lonsurf, and said the VR application could be used to illustrate any new drug coming onto the market.
“This would work for any drug that can be visualised, to show just how it works in a practical sense,” she said.
“Some doctors have found the experience disturbing, as it is so realistic.
“It can be used for training purposes also, so it is a lot cheaper than using a physical replica of a clinical setting, and more accessible.”
Training surgeons can use the device, with headset and hand controllers linked to a computer programme, to complete a virtual surgery, such as a knee replacement.
The wearer gets real time feedback as to their progress, highlighting errors and successful procedures.
“Pressure in the handsets give the wearer the idea of how hard they have to push to make an incision, or to hammer away any loose bone,” said Ms Rincon-Amor.
“We are working on a platform for patients and practitioners to help with any kind of innovations.
“This could be central to future educating tools in the healthcare industry.
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Revolutionary cancer treatment that teaches the body to attack tumours is beginning to save the lives of UAE patients
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“We are doing blind studies now to see which animations work, and which ones don’t, and building an animation to help people who are maybe scared to drive, or leave the house.
“It is helpful in engaging the brain through interacting with a personalized animation someone is familiar with, so it feels real.”
Lonsurf has been proven to prolong overall survival in cancer sufferers, reducing risk of death by 32 per cent and reducing progression of the disease by 52 per cent.
A computer programme also takes the wearer through a short test in a virtual health clinic to show how to prescribe the correct dose of medication – depending on a randomly generated patient’s height and weight.
“I’m not a doctor, but I work with patients and can see how useful this would be.
“From an educational perspective, to see how the drug is acting on the tumour is very effective.
“To see the molecular targets and how it reacts with the DNA, you can really understand how different drugs can be used to directly target cancer.
“It is hard imagine how one thing binds to another just by looking at a 3D model, and you can’t get that from a textbook,
“This is a really cool way of showing how things are actually working in reality.”
Virtual reality is also being trialled to offer an immersive experience for cancer patients to reduce pain and anxiety during treatment.
It has also been used in pediatrics to distract younger patients during chemotherapy, or help relax them before having an MRI scan.
Developers of the technology are working on gloves that will respond to different materials and surfaces, so the wearer feels they are touching plastic, or wood for example, rather than the fresh air of reality.
By tailoring the software to individuals, VR could soon be used to help agoraphobes adjust to going outside into a virtual world.
To aid their progress, and add comfort, a virtual world can replicate their own home – so they are familiar with their surrounding and feel at ease, before venturing outside into a virtual landscape.
Experts hope the technology could then give them the confidence to step outside once more to experience the real world around them.
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
SHALASH%20THE%20IRAQI
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Al Montaqem, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m | Winner: Daber W’Rsan, Connor Beasley, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m | Winner: Bainoona, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: AF Makerah, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 | Winner: AF Motaghatres, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,600m | Winner: Tafakhor, Ronan Whelan, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
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