Biometrics

29 Aug 23

Worldcoin Launched. Then Came the Backlash

Computer & Information Technology

The controversial cryptocurrency-cum-biometric identification project Worldcoin finally launched last month and now boasts more than two million sign-ups. But the scheme has attracted scrutiny from regulators in several countries, suggesting that its mission to become the world’s arbiter of digital identity could face a rocky road. Cofounded by OpenAI CEO…

11 Jul 23

Parkinson’s Predicted From Smartwatch Data

Computer & Information Technology

Scientists at Cardiff University, in Wales, have discovered a way to accurately predict the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease years before clinical symptoms show up by analyzing motion data available from common smartwatches. They showed that a type of machine learning trained on wrist-worn accelerometer data was able to accurately determine…

24 May 23

This Mindful Gamer Out-Thought Elden Ring

Computer & Information Technology

Perri Karyal, a video game and variety streaming video broadcaster, has created a way to play games with her brain waves. Karyal, who hosts a regular show on twitch.tv, has been using a custom controller that reads electroencephalogram signals (EEG) to play the popular video game Elden Ring since earlier…

17 May 23

Decoding Stress from Wearable Tech

Computer & Information Technology

Can your mind be read at arm’s length? Scientists and clinicians at Mt. Sinai hospital in New York have taken a step down this road—using smartwatch data to discover aspects of a wearer’s psychological state. The researchers want to predict a person’s resilience, optimism, and emotional support–all correlated with positive…

25 Apr 23

Expansive Health Data Privacy Law for Washington State

Biotechnology & Biomedical

On Monday, 17 April, the Washington State Legislature passed the My Health My Data Act. The bill, HB 1155, currently sitting on Governor Jay Inslee’s desk after passing both state houses by considerable margins (57-39 House; 27-21 Senate), restricts what can be done with personal health data collected from anyone…