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Health BuddiesWhy should only the affluent have personal trainers? I propose a website that matches people with similar goals (fitness, rehabilitation, diet, etc). Each person can then be accountable to their health buddy (and vice-versa), who will check on progress, provide moral support, set challenges, and even award virtual badges for accomplishments. Often we don't derive the same instant gratification for treating our bodies right that we get from so many other things in life, but our health buddies can provide the immediate feedback we all crave, keeping us motivated to get healthy and stay healthy. by: Pietro Michelucci | Aug 20, 2010
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Improving survival rates from cardiac arrests using mobile phonesWe have started a global project to empower the people to locate the nearest automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during emergencies. We are approaching 3000 AED locations worldwide,which is only the tip of the iceberg. It only takes one AED to save one life. We have developed phone apps to allow the public to locate the nearest public AEDs. iPhone users can download the free "AED Nearby" app, Android users the free "ShowNearby AED" app. More apps are being developed. Our methods will encourage those who are afraid to do CPR to participate in the chain of survival to save lives. by: Dana Elliott MD | Jul 22, 2010
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Crowdsourced Citizen ScienceA local parish uses a smartphone app to let their members collect air pollution data in their community. The app recommends whether it is safe for them to be outdoors and allows them to contribute this data to the parish pollution network for aggregate analysis and mapping of pollution in the parish. Once they find the most polluted spots, they can initiate clean-up and lobbying efforts to benefit their community. by: Mathias Crawford and Jason Tester, IFTF | Jun 12, 2010
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Indoor Community GardensTransform one foreclosed or repossessed home per neighborhood into a sustainable, eco-friendly garden that's capable of producing enough healthy fruits and vegetables for 50+ households; hydroponics technology would enable year-round growth. Facilities would be powered by a combination of renewable energy sources (eg, geothermal, thin-film solar, piezoelectric) and designed to leverage passive techniques (eg, rainwater harvesting) to minimize maintenance costs and needs, with neighborhoods providing minimal upkeep. Diets from these gardens could curb childhood obesity and avoid cognitive deficits caused by low-cost foods. (The gardens would also help clean the air.) Image via Creative Commons. by: Steven Edwards | Jul 18, 2010
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Thermo/visual gamma wave feedback monitorStress is implicated across the board as a driver of poor health. Meditation has been shown to be an effective way to reduce stress. Gamma waves (around 40 Hz) have been shown to be produced by seasoned meditators. Thus, a gamma wave feedback monitor may help a beginning meditator to know when they are producing higher amplitude gamma waves. Sensors are attached to the forehead. The monitor is worn on the arm. Feedback is indicated by gentle heating when a user-set threshold has been reached. There is also a visual indicator for use by a friend, guide, or coach. by: Jody Radzik | Jun 24, 2010
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Reducing flu spread by bowingA simple idea: flu and other illness (e.g. diarrhea) can be spread by shaking hands, cheek kissing, and hugging. We should promote bowing as the preferred way of greeting. This avoids spreading bacteria via hand-shaking, hugging, and kissing. If extreme intimacy or respect is needed people can touch their foreheads. by: Eric Durbrow | Jun 24, 2010
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The Food Fight RTS Game (for Kids)Become a food wizard. Track your meals and then watch ingredients throw down. Each food generates a virtual "fighter" (think minotaur, goblin, etc.) with specific attributes (hit/attach points) related to nutrition content. Use your (fully customizable) wizard avatar to launch the battle and cast spells/buffs for your team (the good food, obviously). If you win, get experience points + gold (buy loot for your castle). Trade loot with friends on-line or challenge their army (you keep your "fighters" that survive each battle)! Earn extra XP or gold with physical activity. Imagine "bottle cap codes" for celery. by: Fisher Qua | Aug 10, 2010
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Neighborhood Level Grey Water RecyclingStrategic placement of simple grey water collectors - along existing sanitary sewer junctions - to manage waste water and return a safe, non-potable water source for irrigation. This could be a pond with sand filters or a filter tank. Where usage and contribution is unequal - a digital meter system could provide credits. Solid waste would be returned as sludge to waste treatment or used for biogas generators for street lights. This would shorten the water cycle, limit demand on community water treatment facilities, and reduce demand for drinking quality water. Additional collectors could be placed to include storm water runoff. by: Lissa Probus | Jul 31, 2010
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Fighting senior loneliness with computersMales over the age of 75 have the heighest suicide rate of any group in the United States and it seems likely that loneliness is a factor in this. One of the major tools of connectivity, email and the internet, is still underused in this age group. Why not create an operating system specifically for these users. One that's simple, easy to learn and helps seniors to remain connected even if they live alone. by: Adam | Jun 25, 2010
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Revolutionize Drug Development, Really, Not on PaperThousands of new compounds (or old compounds for new indications) are not being tested because of boxed thinking within the current system, and prohibitive cost of clinical stages of development. The proposal is to utilize a completely transparent crowdsourcing model and convergence of modern computer sciences / healthcare IT with drug development know-how. As a result, higher quality data will be generated faster and cheaper, bringing many of new chemical entities and "repurposed" generics to patients. The adoption of this method will make the legacy drug development paradigm obsolete, and result in dramatic savings to the healthcare systems globally. by: Tomasz Sablinski | Aug 24, 2010
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