The neurotechnology category tends to be associated with brain implants. But wearable neurotech refers to therapeutic medical devices that apply brain stimulation from outside the body — through the skin and skull — not via any physically invasive process as a treatment for a range of chronic health issues.
The new tools are the latest example of Microsoft’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in health-care AI. Last October, the company unveiled a series of health features across its Azure cloud and Fabric analytics platform. It also acquired Nuance Communications, which offers speech-to-text AI solutions for health care and other sectors, in a $16 billion deal in 2021.
Vibrio bacteria are a group of aquatic microorganisms that can be found in warm coastal waters around the Gulf states. They bacteria cause an estimated 80,000 infections in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC, and research suggests these might be on the rise. While most Vibrio infections are relatively mild, one species—Vibrio vulnificus—can cause a potentially life-threatening infection, with roughly one in five of those infected dying in as little as two days.
Tampa General, a Florida hospital with just over 1,000 beds and the region's only Level 1 trauma center, sits on the tip of Davis Islands. It's one of the lowest-lying neighborhoods in the Florida city, and was a mandatory evacuation zone ahead of Hurricane Milton, which swept across the west coast of Florida Wednesday night. That storm brought intense rain, flooding, and even tornadoes, leaving more than three million people without power. Davis Islands saw at least four feet of storm surge Wednesday night. But Tampa General weathered the storm, thanks in part to its AquaFence. Tampa General did experience some impacts from Hurricane Milton. The hospital said it had some minor leaks Wednesday night, but that its power and supplies held strong, and that there was no threat to staff or patient safety. The hospital remained open Thursday morning.