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Telemedicine's 150-Year Journey, HIV Breakthrough, and the Evolution of Touchscreens

Telemedicine's 150-Year Journey, HIV Breakthrough, and the Evolution of Touchscreens

The Point by Modern Sciences - November 13, 2024

Don Smith
November 13, 2024

In partnership with

By The Modern Sciences Team

November 13, 2024

Hello Cultivators of Curiosity,

Welcome to the 23^rd edition of The Point by Modern Sciences! This issue takes you on a journey through science and technology's past, present, and future, showcasing how innovation shapes our world in unexpected ways.

First, we explore the fascinating 150-year history of telemedicine, tracing its roots from science fiction and early communication technologies to its current role in modern healthcare, with the potential for further breakthroughs in space exploration. Next, we dive into a landmark clinical trial in HIV prevention, where a twice-yearly injection has shown 100% effectiveness, offering hope for simplifying treatment and making prevention more accessible. Finally, we examine the evolution of smartphone touchscreens, from early resistive technology to cutting-edge foldable displays, revealing the pivotal advancements that have transformed how we interact with our devices.

Each article highlights the impact of human ingenuity, whether in medicine, technology, or envisioning the future.

Photo by Thirdman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-medical-person-using-a-laptop-for-research-5327916/

HEALTH AND THE BODY

From science fiction to telemedicine: the surprising 150-year history of long-range medical treatment

The concept of telemedicine dates back to the 19th century, with early examples including telegraphed wound care instructions and suggestions to use the telephone for medical consultations. Read more.

Essential highlights:

Origins of Telemedicine: Telemedicine has deep roots, dating back to the 19th century, when early forms like telegraph and telephone consultations were suggested, with science fiction envisioning even more advanced remote healthcare technologies.
Historical Developments: Telemedicine evolved alongside technological advancements, with significant milestones including radio-based medical consultations in the 1920s, NASA's integration of telemedicine in space missions during the 1960s, and the term "telemedicine" in the 1970s.
Modern Telemedicine and Future Prospects: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the widespread adoption of telemedicine, particularly video consultations, a practice long envisioned by science fiction writers like Hugo Gernsback. Future advancements, especially in space exploration, could further align telemedicine with its science fiction roots.

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LISTS

The Best Hands-On STEM Kits for Young Minds

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) toys have become an increasingly popular way for children to learn through hands-on play. Far from the simple board games of the past, these kits allow young learners to engage deeply with scientific and engineering concepts in fun, interactive ways. Whether creating electronic circuits, constructing robots, or designing intricate mechanical structures, STEM toys allow kids to develop crucial skills while building their understanding of the world. These toys blend education with play, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong interest in learning. Read more.

HEALTH AND THE BODY

HIV breakthrough: drug trial shows injection twice a year is 100% effective against infection

A clinical trial in South Africa and Uganda demonstrated that a twice-yearly injection of lenacapavir provides total protection against HIV infection for young women. Read more.

Key takeaways:

Groundbreaking Trial Results: A large clinical trial in South Africa and Uganda demonstrated that a twice-yearly injection of lenacapavir provides 100% protection against HIV infection in young women, outperforming daily PrEP pills.
Significant Implications: This breakthrough offers a highly effective and convenient HIV prevention tool, addressing challenges young women face with daily PrEP regimens and potentially reducing new HIV infections.
Next Steps and Accessibility: The trial will continue in an open-label phase, allowing participants to choose their preferred PrEP method. Regulatory submissions and potential WHO recommendations are expected soon, with efforts to make the drug affordable and widely available.

TECH

The Evolution of Smartphone Touchscreens

In the past few decades, touchscreens have become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing how we interact with technology. From smartphones to tablets, these intuitive interfaces have transformed how we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. But have you ever wondered how these touchscreens work and how they have evolved? Read more.

The Point:

Evolution of touchscreen technology: Touchscreens have evolved from early resistive screens, which relied on pressure to detect touch, to more advanced capacitive screens that use the electrical properties of the human body for improved precision and responsiveness.
Key advancements: Significant breakthroughs include multi-touch functionality, which allows complex gestures like pinch-to-zoom and projected capacitive touchscreens with embedded micro-fine wires for enhanced touch tracking, durability, and multi-touch capabilities.
Innovative features in modern smartphones: Recent innovations include in-display fingerprint sensors, AMOLED/OLED displays for vibrant visuals, haptic feedback for tactile responses, and foldable displays, offering flexible form factors that enhance user interaction and experience.