In case you missed it: treating pediatric AIDS in Papua New Guinea, Google Glass & surgery and more
We hope you have recuperated after last week’s brief holiday break. Catch up on news from Baylor College of Medicine and other headlines related to medicine, science, research and health you may have missed this week.
Pediatric AIDS initiative to expands to Papua New Guinea
Monday jointly with Texas Children’s Hospital, the Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric AIDS Initiative announced their efforts to improve global health have expanded with a new program in Papua New Guinea. The program is being supported by a $3.1 million, two-year grant from ExxonMobil and the other co-venturers of the PNG LNG Project to Texas Children’s Hospital.
Read more about the announcement.
See photos from special dedication ceremony in Papua New Guinea.
In June, the initiative celebrated a decade of helping more than 6,000 children in Botswana since the first clinic was opened in Africa.
Read more about the expansion of BIPAI.
See photos from the celebration and expansion project.
Google Glass in the OR?
Streaming a surgery to telecommunicate and collaborate is nothing new. World-renounced Baylor College of Medicine surgeon Dr. Michael E. DeBakey was a telecommunications via satellite pioneer. But now Google Glass is kicking things up a notch. This week, Forbes magazine featured an Arkansas surgery to repair a hole in a man’s heart that was causing an abnormal blood flow.
The plan was to have a doctor off-site act as a “telementor” to help guide the procedure. To live stream the surgery, the team used Google Glass to allow the experienced expert mentor the procedure.
Holiday safety tips
Before you head to the mall or leave work for the holiday season, Baylor College of Medicine’s Director of Security Butch Roberson has tips to keep you and your money safe. These easy to follow tips include:
- Avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables with you, especially when you are out shopping. Carry only what you need.
- Try not to overload yourself with packages or other items. Keep your hands as free as possible.
- Do not post vacation times or itineraries on office doors or bulletin boards.
- Always get a receipt when using a credit card for any purchase – even when pumping gas.
Check out Roberson’s tips so you can stay safe and enjoy the holiday season.
“Don’t give up…Don’t ever give up”
If you watched any pro football, basketball games, or ESPN you know this week kicked off Jimmy V Week. The celebration honors college basketball coach Jim Valvano’s fight against cancer, and works to raise money and awareness for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
This year, the V Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary of funding cancer research. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have been awarded research grants throughout the last two decades. This year, Drs. Gianpietro Dotti, Cliona Rooney and Caridad Martinez received a $600,000, three-year grant to advance research into the prevention and treatment of complications associated with stem cell transplantation to cure leukemia.
Read more about the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy’s V Foundation translational grant.
Want to be inspired? Watch Valvano’s 1993 ESPY award speech.
