News and commentary about events, business, technology, science and the arts in and around Cambridge, MA.
PR Consultant Anita Harris of Harris Communications Group reports that CCTV and Google reports that Cambridge TV and Google will offer computer training for Cambridge residents over age 50 .
| This just in from Cambridge Community Television: |
|
||||||
| New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, a public relations firm specializing in strategic, integrated outreach for clients in health, science, technology and energy, worldwide. | ||||||
I thought it was nuts for a 50-something professional woman with a responsible job to spend hours a day watching two red-tailed hawks build a nest and a family on the ledge of an office building in Cambridge. But after just a few minutes with the group at 185 Alewife Brook Parkway, it all made sense to me.
In May, I ran into an acquaintance who said she’d been totally busy and frazzled–and was totally behind in her work. Why? ” I’ve been watching the hawks across from the Fresh Pond Shopping Center,” she said, sheepishly. I thought this was nuts: this is a 50-something professional woman with a responsible job–utterly fascinated with watching two red-tailed hawks build a nest and a family on the ledge of an office building in Cambridge. For the second year in a row.
These hawks aren’t even rare in these parts–plenty of people have seen them in the renowned Mt. Auburn Cemetery, nearby, but, evidently there’s something mesmerizing about watching hawks lay eggs, help them hatch, watch over the babies and teach them to fly— all next to a highway that runs between Cambridge and Arlington. Ok. Each to her own. (Ridiculous is what I really thought).
The other day, I went to do some shopping at Trader Joe’s–and from the parking lot, spotted a crowd in front of the office building, nearby. Yup-it was them. Looking up at a nest under the roof at 185 Alewife Brook Parkway.
Skeptical, but curious, I pulled out my cell phone and asked the guy to the far left if it was OK to take a picture of him. Sure, he said.
“I’ve been here since February, ” he said. “Six hours a day.” Turned out he was George McLean, a professional photographer, now retired. “I saw Buzz and Rubie -those are the parents-‘making whoopie’–so the group named one of the fledges ‘Georgie, after me.” Their sibs are Honey and Yahoo (after Jonathan Swift’s land of the Yahoos). “We’ve been waiting for them to fly for weeks… today could be the day.”
Or not.
He tells me that people have been photo- and videographing these birds since January.
Here’s a link to the babies hatching– http://www.cctvcambridge.org/node/44293 ; another, of Georgie flopping on his face http://atlanta.pointslocal.com/story/atlanta/316332/185-alewife-red-tail-hawk-chick-takes-a-big-flop and, yet another, to video at Cambridge Community Television. http://www.cctvcambridge.org/subject/nature?page=8 .
Last week, George tells me, one of them tried to fly but fell off the ledge into the parking lot.
People seem mesmerized; there’s definitely an atmosphere of suspense.
I figure, “I’m here, what the heck,” and start shooting photos of the nest. It’s quite high up–seven stories–I can make out a few birds but can’t really see them, very well.
I’m zooming in to get a close look–when a gasp goes through the crowd–a fledge has spread his wings.
I missed it. Damn. I shoot again. Got it. And again-Got that one, too.
And again…and again. I’m getting excited, now…and so is George.
He’s flapping his arms, like wings. When will one of these babies take off?
I’m thinking I wish I could stay..but company is coming to my house.
Later that afternoon, I check the Internet for news of the fledges…nothing yet.
And again the next day, which is Sunday.
But on Monday, driving by 185–I see an empty corner–and an empty nest. The hawks must have done their thing…
On the group’s yahoo site, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/185redtails/message/700 , one of the observers, Bonnie, has written that when she arrived at 185 on the morning of June 6, Buzz and Ruby were “doing a happy dance…. soaring and flying together over 185, over Whole Foods parking lot, and over to the apartment towers and back.” The fledges had flown.
And, according to Paul Roberts,
Roberts tells a gripping tale of the fledges’ struggle to find their new place in the wild world outside the nest–attacked by blue jays, unable to perch…Animal control is called….
To my surprise, based on my 0wn brief experience at 185, I have to agree. See you there, next year?
Anita M. Harris
New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, a marketing communications and public relations firm in Cambridge, MA.
On my way to a meeting at MIT, I happened to spot some stunning photos through the window of what turned out to be the Philip Alden Russell Gallery David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. While cancer research would not seem to be much of a draw, the gallery is well worth a visit.
On my way to a meeting at MIT, I happened to spot some stunning photos through the window of what turned out to be the Philip Alden Russell Gallery of the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. I contacted the Institute-which opened in March–and learned that the photos are featured in a gallery designed to connect the community with the Koch’s work. I happily accepted Curator Alex Fiorentino’s offer to show me around.
On my tour, Fiorentino explained that the galleries are designed so that visitors can explore current cancer research projects, examine striking biomedical images, hear personal reflections on cancer and cancer research, and learn about the historical, geographic and scientific contects out of which the Institute emerged. The photos, he said, were taken under microscopes by Koch research scientists and collaborators–chosen through a contest, then blown up, printed on fabric, adhered to stretchers over light sources, Each has a scientific story to tell. The photo just below for example, is one I took of an EI-fluorescence micrograph by Christian Kastrup of the Anderson and Langer Labs at the Koch. It shows a new technique for delivering treatments to a blood vessel (seen in blue) using nanoparticles and microparticles. According to a Koch publication, the original image was dark, with nanoparticles, microparticles and the blood vessel each stained a different color. But, in this version–to which my photo does not do justice— the original colors are inverted.
Another beauty is Kara Cerveny’s confocal micrograph–“Sunrise in the Eye: the Making of a Retina.” Taken by the Koch collaborator at the Steve Wilson Group at University College, London, it is part of Cerveny’s investigations into how stem cells in the zebrafish eye differentiate to become more specialized cells. Her goal is to gain insight into how the normal development process goes awry in cancer and other diseases. There are ten award-winning photos displayed– all viewable any time through the Koch windows or inside during gallery hours–9-5 on weekdays.
Other gallery highlights include exhibits on five new technologies to combat cancer being developed at the Koch; a “video box” providing 16 presentations by cancer patients, their families and scientists; wallpaper showing cellular processes, a mosaic floor composed of thousands of tiles laid out to form a map of the Kendall Square area; and timelines showing the parallel histories of science and engineering at MIT. The timelines converge in the present, with the Koch’s cross-disciplinary approach to cancer. And–just inside the lobby there’s an attractive cafe.
As a journalist, I’d be remiss not to mention that David Koch, an MIT alum–has been the subject of some controversy. According to a 2010 article in the New Yorker, as a cofounder of Koch Industries, the nation’s second largest privately-held corporation, he and his brother Charles are major funders of conservative/libertarian causes. But, Wikipedia reports, gifts of $600m for scientific research and the arts surpass David Koch’s political donations.
While ordinarily I wouldn’t think that cancer research would be much of a draw, the gallery, named for financeer Philip Alden Russell– a mentor of funder Charles B Johnson and his wife Anne Johnson– is well worth a visit. Or several.
–Anita M. Harris
Koch Institute Public Galleries 500 Main St. Cambridge, MA Open to the public 9-5 weekdays. Admission Free.
New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, an award-winning public relations and marketing communications firm located in Cambridge, MA.
I asked when and how these groundbreaking technologies will affect the costs and structure of US healthcare–and whether those who make and market our costly technologies will try to keep these new testing devices from our marketplace.
Earlier this month, in Kendall Square, two entrepreneurs described new medical devices designed to provide low-cost “point-of-care” tests-far from laboratories or medical centers in the developing world.
Speaking at a meeting of Health Care and Life Science Special Interest Group of the MIT Enterprise Forum at the British Consulate former Mass Biotechnology Council President Una Ryan described the paper-based medical testing technology that her new nonprofit enterprise, Diagnostics for All (DFA), has licensed from the George Whitesides Laboratory at Harvard.
The technology allows bodily fluid to accumulate in patterns on postage-stamp sized pieces of paper–to be used for multiple tests simultaneously. DFA’s first project, funded in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is a liver function test to monitor the effects of drugs for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, and to help manage viral hepatitis. The test kits will first be sold in convenience stores in Africa at a cost of approximately ten cents each, Ryan said.
Bill Rodriguez, CEO of Daktari Diagnostics, showed a handheld, point of care, battery-operated diagnostics device the size of a small lunch box or portable radio that will first be used to test for AIDS in Africa–at a cost of $1.50 per test–starting next year. He pointed out that while drugs are available to treat the 33 million people worldwide who have HIV– “ten million of them don’t know it.”
Scientia Advisors Partner Arshad Ahmed, who served as moderator, (and is my client) pointed out in a recent blog that emerging markets may have the opportunity to adopt the latest point-of-care products, leapfrogging developed countries, in some instances–and that “emerging markets are where we will see the first application of low cost and inovative disruptive technologies at work.” Launching in the developing world allows companies to test out and market technologies before going through the rigorous approval process required in the developed world.
I was blown away by the prospects for devices like these. I asked when and how they will affect the costs and structure of, say, US healthcare–and whether those who make and market our costly technologies will try to keep these new testing devices from our marketplace. Ryan, whose nonprofit, DFA, will have a commercial wing, responded that she does not expect opposition from stakeholders in our current system. And a marketer for the device and pharma industries was adamant that developments like these will not impact her customers–for many years, at least. Given the vicissitudes of the US regulatory system and financeers needs for ROI, that may well be true.
But, clearly, technologies like these have tremendous potential to transform health care–and I’m excited at their prospects– for the long-neglected developing world.
—Anita M. Harris
Anita M. Harris is President of the Harris Communications Group, a marketing and public relations firm specializing in health, science and technology industries, worldwide.
Who made Microsoft geeks the emperors of syntax and spelling and slang (Oh my!)? Who taught them to spell and keep up with language? Why are they the Wizards of Word?
At a Loss for Word
I spent the day trying to write and wrestling with Word. I’m a decade late with this rant, but today it got me.
I can barely remember why, but I loved Word Perfect. It was so well named from a writer’s perspective. It was the document software in which I learned to type and for a long time the standard for writers and PR people and everyone who wanted to share a common language. It could catch my thoughts as they leapt fully formed (if out of context) from my brow; store sidebars without getting sidetracked; set up and organize the page, stylize it with heads and subheads and put things in the order I wished; insert exported images and show me how they looked; accept Tom Swifties and newly minted puns; and help me express my thoughts in my own voice.
Then came PCs and laptops and Word slipped in under the tent flap and became the standard. Let’s face it, by comparison, Word bites and . . . behaves in other infantile ways. (You know what I mean, but you’ll see in a minute *** why I can’t type it.)
Who made Microsoft geeks the emperors of syntax and spelling and slang (Oh my!)? Who taught them to spell and keep up with language? Why are they the Wizards of Word? Why don’t they know that the basics (page layout, font, ability to insert, addition of typographical and graphic marks) should be doable without leaving the page? How come they use spellcheck to block current spelling of workplan and wasteland and inhouse that don’t have hyphens- and make us change our use of speech to accommodate that quirk? What kind of bleeping editing program does not challenge words like ‘pubicrelations’ when you meant public relations, or f*** and s*** when you meant to write funk or shim? C’mon, that’s adolescent geekspeak for gotcha, smartyhosen!
What’s your favorite Word bugaboo? While I’m at it, why do they call it Windows when they’re opaque, and laid on top of what you need to see for reference? For puzzle fans there are seven words flagged here in red by Word (none were on Lenny Bruce’s list). Can you find them?
All for today. Rest easy (See? If they knew syntax they’d have flagged that for easily!).
Guest blogger Ann Getman is a writer, painter and public relations consultant based in Cambridge, MA.
New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group of Cambridge, MA.
I was blown away when I heard about pill bottle caps that will tell you (or your doctor or your caretakers) if you’ve forgotten to take your meds…a kazoo that measures the chemistry of the air from your lungs…and a telephone that can assess whether you’re depressed–from the tones of your voice. Remote health monitoring gizmos are not for the future: they are now!
You don’t need to be a geek to get into some of the newest technology for keeping track of your health. I was blown away when I heard about pill bottle caps that will tell you (or your doctor or your caretakers) if you’ve forgotten to take your meds…a kazoo that measures the chemistry of the air from your lungs…and a telephone that can assess whether you’re depressed–from the tones of your voice.
These gizmos are the brainchildren of David Rose, an entrepreneur who is now the CEO of Vitality, Inc., in Cambridge. Rose has also invented bathroom scales that can show whether you’ve lost or gained weight, an umbrella that can sense whether it’s going to rain, and objects that assess air quality.
Rose was one of four panelists who spoke last week at a program sponsored by the Medical Development Group about some astounding new health gadgets, most of which are actually on the market. (MDG is a Boston area organization for individuals involved in the medical device and technology industries).
Rose focused on the above-mentioned pill bottle “Glo-Caps”, which “sense” when a patient takes a medication, and, via a wireless Internet connection, show health care professionals, patients or caregivers whether reminders are needed.
The caps light up, play a melody, and even ring a home phone to remind patients to take their pills. The caps can send weekly emails to remote caregivers, create accountability with doctors through an adherence report, and automatically refill prescriptions.
Glo-Caps are not currently available for purchase by individuals, but they are being used by patients enrolled in programs sponsored by certain health insurers and pharmacies.
Panelist Ben Rubin, Co-Founder and Chief Technology officer of Zeo, in Newton, MA, described Zeo’s novel headset and device that monitor an individual’s REM sleep and factors influencing sleep patterns. Knowing how well you sleep is important because sleep is closely tied to health conditions like obesity, depression, diabetes and the like, Rubin said. “If you measure it, you can manage it.”
Zeo’s sleep devices, which cost $250, connect to an Internet site. For an additional $100, Zeo provides email advice coaching to help individuals improve their “sleep hygiene.”
There’s also a Smart Phone application designed to promote better sleep: using the Ap, you put your phone under your pillow to measure your movement (and restlessness) during sleep.
Panelists also described glucose monitors that send data to doctors via patients’ Smart Phones and Nike running shoes that measure your steps. At one point, Rose pulled out a keychain that tells him whether he’s met his daily walking goals and whether he’s on track (ha ha) to meet his monthly goals.
Also mentioned were Internet tools such as a Google Ap to measure flu trends; Healthmedia, through which Johnson & Johnson provides digital coaching for managing stress and chronic disease, Philips Direct, which provides live coaching over email, and various “calorie and other body monitors through which individuals can receive online coaching through gyms.
All of these devices fall under a category moderator David Barash, MD, CEO of Concord [MA] Health Strategies calls “local health monitoring” –meaning that the devices can be used by patients or consumers almost anywhere–rather than just at home or in a hospital, doctor’s office or lab.
According to a recent review by my client, Scientia Advisors, “remote health monitoring” devices are the fastest growing category in a booming home health care market.
The devices are growing in popularity in sync with an aging population, increasing chronic disease, and new Internet technologies, Barash said.
Panelist Frank McGillin, Vice President of Global Marketing for Philips Healthcare, which markets a variety of home monitoring devices, said remote monitoring will become increasing important in light of growing health care costs.
Gillin cited government statistics showing that health care current accounts for 17.6 percent of the gross domestic product in the US, and that by 2050, half of the population in the developed world will be chronically ill—making traditional medical care fiscally overwhelming.
Devorah Klein, PhD, a principal at Continuum, in Newton, MA, who designs devices and evaluates patient adherence to therapy regimes for diabetes, asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and erectile dysfunction, emphasized that simple designs are key because “many patients are not all that interested” in learning to use devices.
And Barash pointed out that while many consumers may be intrigued by these gizmos, doctors have been slow to embrace them.
For one thing, with a dearth of clinical trials to assess devices’ effectiveness, insurers are reluctant to reimburse doctors for evaluating the data thus compiled.
For another, it’s not clear how doctors can manage or assess potentially large amounts of additional data, or how data collected for individual conditions can be assessed in relation to data collected elsewhere for other, possibly related, conditions.
–Anita M. Harris
New Cambridge Observer is published by the Harris Communications Group, a writing and public relations firm in Cambridge, MA. All rights reserved.
I’m pleased to learn that CCTV and Google will be offering one-on-one computer training for Cambridge, MA residents over 50. Participants, paired with Google employees. will receive one-on-one training on how to send email, search the Internet, pay bills on-line, and more. Training will be tailored to each participant’s interests and experience. People of all levels are welcome to register.