Bravo to scientists in Israel who have developed a device that makes it possible for completely paralyzed patients to communicate and to steer a wheelchair while sniffing air through their nose or mouth. The Globe and Mail is reporting that the “sniff controller” has allowed some people who have been “locked-in” their bodies, due to conditions such as stroke or ALS, to once again communicate with the world. This is simply amazing. The technology transfer arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science is now investigating how to make the device publicly available.

This next item is not a new discovery, but it is a new term, at least for me. Have you ever heard of SUDEP? It stands for sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. The New York Times is reporting that SUDEP accounts of 18% of all deaths in people with epilepsy. But apparently some doctors aren't telling patients and their families about the risk. Dr. Elizabeth Donner, a neurologist at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital, doesn’t think that’s right. In the same article she’s quoted as saying, “People with epilepsy have the right to know that Sudep exists, and they have the right to be responsibly counseled about how to reduce the risk.” For more information visit Donner’s website sudepaware.org. If you know of someone with epilepsy, you may also want to consider sharing this post.