When engineering and biology come together, extraordinary things happen. The meeting of these disciplines has already reshaped our daily lives through biomimicry: the practice of learning from and emulating nature’s time-tested strategies to solve human challenges. Velcro’s tiny nylon hooks, inspired by burdock burrs clinging to a dog’s fur, are standard in clothing, aerospace and… Read More »Living Blueprints: How Human Biomimetics Is Turning Nature’s Playbook into Tomorrow’s M...| Biomedical Odyssey
The definition of life has long been under constant debate within the life sciences. The more we push the boundaries of knowledge and explore our planet, the more difficult it becomes to reach a consensus. While some defend the idea that living organisms are those exhibiting basic metabolism, others argue that the ability to reproduce — either independently or by exploiting the metabolism of another life form — is essential.| Biomedical Odyssey
I was surfing Amazon the other day when I came across the most peculiar thing. It was a brain stimulator, a research tool like the one we often use in the lab I work in to study the brain. Yet this wasn’t a device manufactured for research purposes; it was marketed to the average consumer as an all-in-one panacea to boost cognitive performance, treat mood disorders and accomplish who knows what else. Naturally, I was intrigued, a curiosity that led me down the rabbit hole of direct-to-consu...| Biomedical Odyssey
Each November, the American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates is held. The House of Delegates is a policy and legislative body comprising nearly 500 elected physicians. The House of Delegates convenes under one roof with delegates from each state and specialty society to discuss the direction of medicine and medical advocacy for the coming six months. The following topics were at the forefront of negotiations at this meeting in November 2023.| Biomedical Odyssey
What steps are clinical teams responsible for to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) recommendations are accurate and unbiased before using them in patient care? If a care team member uses AI to automatically write a note in a patient’s chart, how should this be indicated in the electronic medical record? Once an AI has been shown to have largely accurate performance, is it necessary that a physician be able to explain the AI’s decision in an individual case?| Biomedical Odyssey
The incorporation of machine learning into daily living has exponentially increased in recent years after the release of ChatGPT for public use. From generating digital artwork and creating personalized playlists to predicting medical outcomes and election results, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken up an indispensable role in improving the efficiency of our recreational and professional| Biomedical Odyssey