French and German scientists decided to analyze the crying of newborns from the two countries for differences in intonation. Turns out that German babies have a different "accent" to their cry compared with those from France, which implies that language learning perhaps begins even in the womb.
The analysis of crying conducted under the supervision of the psychologist Kathleen Wermke from the ZWES showed that the newborns tended to produce the intonation pattern most typical for their respective mother tongue. The crying patterns of the German infants mostly began loud and high and followed a falling curve while the French infants more often cried with a rising tone. This early sensitivity to features of intonation may later help the infants learn their mother tongue, the researchers say. "When they begin to form their first sounds, they can build on melodic patterns that are already familiar and, in this way, don't have to start from scratch", says the neuropsychologist. The evolutionary roots of this behaviour are older than the emergence of spoken language, the researchers believe. "The imitation of melodic patterns developed over millions of years and contributes to the mother-child bond" says Friederici.
Press release: Babies with an accent ...
Abstract in Current Biology: Newborns' Cry Melody Is Shaped by Their Native Language...
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We've previously covered Iomai Corp's (now part of Intercell) transcutaneous vaccination technology, with the idea being that if you're able to vaccinate patients through their skin, you can take advantage of the high density of Langerhans cells in the epidermis to activate an amplified immune response. Also, since transcutaneous vaccination does not involve systemic exposure, you're able to use more potent immune stimulants. These factors, in addition to it being needle-less, make transcutaneous vaccination an appealing option because you need less vaccine for an equal immune response. Additionally, having the vaccine in this dry, patch form also allows it to last much longer without refrigeration (possibly up to six months).
Application of the vaccine, however, first requires you to scrape off some of the keratinized epithelium to gain access to the Langerhans cells. This abrasion needs to be consistent, painless, and easy enough that it could be self-administered. At TEDMED, we've heard from IDEO's CEO Tim Brown, whose design firm was hired to develop the application technique for the transcutaneous vaccine patches. IDEO came up with a band aid looking device with a bulls eye and an attached tab. Pressing at the center and pulling the tab draws an abrasive strip across the skin, as well as leaves an ink mark to show where the vaccine patch should be placed. The application device and patch is also made using only standard processes and materials so they'd be easily manufactured in developing countries. 
Quick-Med Technologies out of Gainesville, Florida got its NIMBUS barrier gauze wound dressing classified as a novel Class II medical device by the FDA:
Combining PET and MRI scanning into one machine has great potential for comprehensive imaging of the body. Modern gamma ray detectors use vacuum photomultiplier tubes which are sensitive to magnetic fields, so a major goal of the project was to overcome this limitation. Philips, the leader of HYPERImage, the multi-institution European project to create a PET/MR machine, is announcing considerate success toward its goal.
Optima Neuroscience (Alachua, FL) has announced that FDA has approved the company's software package that detect seizures from long-term EEG recordings. The development of the IdentEvent™ algorithm began at the University of Florida, and the software has now shown an exceptional sensitivity and specificity to detect seizure activity.
Merck has released the iChemoDiary for the iPhone platform, an app designed to help patients monitor their time on chemotherapy. The software allows patient to compile chemo treatments, side effects, and general well being, through a set of criteria, that can be later presented to a healthcare provider.
Mr. Verbruggen had his brain activity measured while he closed his eyes for 3 seconds. The extracted EEG data was used to create a 3D landscape with the x-axis representing the frequency of brainwave activity in hertz, the y-axis is the percentage of activity, and the z- axis is time. The sofa was then created in its physical form by a five axis computer numerical controlled machine, which creates a three dimensional object out of foam.
Scientists from McMaster University in Canada have developed a dipstick that changes color when exposed to organophosphate pesticides. The test provides results in a matter of minutes, is reportedly inexpensive to produce, could be used for food testing, and perhaps might lead to a marketable product that one day could be found in food stores.
