Author Archives: Danzig

Virtual Santa Uses Real AI to Talk to Children Around the World – GlobeNewswire

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Consulting the Naughty or Nice List on AskSanta.com, the free, fully interactive virtual Santa powered by StoryFile AI. Available on any browser now.

Los Angeles, CA, Dec. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The COVID-19 Pandemic was going to prevent many children from speaking with Santa Claus this year. But, AI startup StoryFile had other plans Christmas would not be cancelled. Today StoryFileannounced that AskSanta.com, the world's first artificially intelligent, virtual Santa Claus, has already been visited by children from over 170 countries. Today, the site allows children of all ages to interact with Santa in real time, for free, and with no time limits. Heather Smith, Co-Founder & CEO of StoryFile, developed the idea to use her companys conversational video technology to usher in the holiday spirit. StoryFile created AI powered Ask Santa as a gift to children everywhere.

While there are many virtual Santa experiences this year, Ask Santa is the only one that is free, interactive, and answers questions in real time. While some custom video experiences can cost as much as $58 for 8 minutes, Ask Santa has no time limit, or limit on the number of sessions per child or family. The idea was to create an experience for people to speak with Santa from the comfort and safety of their homesand have the opportunity to ask Santa (almost) anything! Ask Santa is even being visited by large groups using big screen TVs or monitors. Ask Santa is a webpage app that works on any browser on smartphones, tablets, desktops etc.

By far the most frequent thing kids bring up with Ask Santa is their concern for his safety during the pandemic. We are seeing through the interactions just how concerned children are and they are telling Santa they are hungry, or sharing that a relative passed away. It is heartbreaking at times, but we are comforted by the fact that Santa is offering an empathetic and comforting outlet, said StoryFile CEO Heather Smith. Ask Santa answers these questions and shows the spirit of the holiday is about compassion and community more than ever--not just gifts. That said, many children still ask Christmas specific questions, and Am I on the naughty or nice list? is still a top question!

What makes Ask Santa stand above the entire Santa business sector, is that when children ask Santa a question, they receive direct and immediate answers and responses. StoryFiles technology means that children can have face-to-face conversations that are very much needed in todays socially and physically distanced world. In addition, children are writing in letters to Santa and receiving responses from Santa and his team within 24 hours.

Top questions and subjects asked of Santa include:

When asking about COVID-19 specifically, Santa answers their questions by:

2020 has been really hard for so many people, but Christmas will still be awesome if we remember what it's all about, our Santa, also known as Santa Cortney, told ABC News. Thats why Im so happy that AskSanta.com is free and that children can talk to me for as long as they want. Ho Ho Ho!

In a partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Red Sled Foundation, Ask Santa is encouraging anyone that is able to make a holiday donation to help kids in need. 100% of donations made on the Ask Santa website will go directly to the AHA, inspiring kids and adults alike to be heart heroes this holiday season.

For more information or media/PR requests for AI Santa and StoryFiles Heather Smith, please contact alana@storyfile.com

About StoryFile:StoryFile is rapidly evolving the media and storytelling landscape through its proprietaryinnovative technology, creating new ways to interact and communicate with each other and the world through user-led, voice activated interactive conversational video technology. StoryFiles mobile native cloud-based automatic AI-driven interactive conversational video platform creates an individualized and curated historical and living narrative. StoryFile leverages AI to enhance a natural conversation with the video captured on any device. StoryFile offers in-studio and remote legacy capture experiences, a beta-version of the StoryFile App on the app store, and [soon] a StoryFile Life version for users to create their personal full length StoryFiles using their own devices. To learn more, visit http://www.StoryFile.com.

About the American Heart Association:Children are the future in a world where cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. The American Heart Association is a relentless force dedicated to saving and improving every childs life. Its vision is that all children, regardless of gender, race, location or economic status, should be able grow to their full potential. The American Heart Association is laser-focused on enabling our children to build a world free from heart disease and stroke, working to improve environments where kids live, learn and play, and arming them with information, advocating for healthy environments and encouraging healthy habits. To learn more, visit http://www.heart.org.

About Red Sled Santa Foundation: For many years, the Red Sled Santa Foundation has made the holidays special for children. The Foundation provides programs, services, fun and educational holiday gifts, and essential needs for low income, special needs, medically challenged and terminally ill children so they experience a memorable and meaningful loving holiday. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through fundraising efforts, gifts from generous donors, and support from local merchants for our annual Fill the Sleigh Toy Drive. To learn more, visit http://www.redsledfoundation.org.

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Virtual Santa Uses Real AI to Talk to Children Around the World - GlobeNewswire

Google CEO says company will review disputed dismissal of top AI researcher | TheHill – The Hill

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Google will review the process that led to the dismissal of a top artificial intelligence (AI) researcher who said she was fired after voicing concerns about the handling of a report on AI bias, though the companys head of research said Google merely accepted the researchers resignation.

CEO Sundar Pichai sent a memo to employees on Wednesday that addressed the departure of AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru, apologizing for the doubts it led to among the Google community and pledging to have an internal review of the process, according to a copy of the memo firstreported by Axios.

Ive heard the reaction to Dr. Gebrus departure loud and clear: it seeded doubts and led some in our community to question their place at Google. I want to say how sorry I am for that, and I accept the responsibility of working to restore your trust, Pichai reportedly wrote.

We will begin a review of what happened to identify all the points where we can learn considering everything from de-escalation strategies to new processes we can put in place, he added.

A Google spokespersonconfirmed the memo is authentic, but said the company has "nothing further to share."

Gebru, however, dismissed the efficacy of Pichais memo in addressing the root of the issues.

I see no plans for accountability and there was further gaslighting in the statement, she tweeted after the memo was reported.

I see no plans for accountability and there was further gaslighting in the statement. https://t.co/Q8MAYSJwdU

Gebru, a co-leader of Googles Ethical AI team, last week said on Twitter that shewas fired from Google after an email she sent to a group of company researchers called Brain Women and Allies. In the email she reportedly commented on a report others were working on about minority hiring, referencing her own experience withpushbackon an AI ethics paper she submitted for a conference.

Google requested Gebru retract an AI ethics paper she had co-written with six others, including fourfellow employees, that was submitted for an industry conference next year, or at least remove the names of Google employees, she told Bloomberg News.

The paper detailed ethical considerations of large language models that are used in AI research, including in products such as Googles search engine, according to a blog post by a group protesting Gebrus dismissal.

Gebru said she asked for an explanation on the request to retract the paper and said thatwithout more discussion on the paper and the way it was handled she would plan to resign after a transition period.

In the email to the Brain Women and Allies group, Gebru wrote, Stop writing your documents because it doesnt make a difference, according to Bloomberg.

There is no way more documents or more conversations will achieve anything, she reportedly wrote.

The next day she said she was fired by email.

Google senior vice president and head of research Jeff Dean last week pushed back on Gebrus claims that she was fired. He shared an email sent to the Google Research team that said the company accepted her decision to resign after her emaildetailed a number of conditions she had "in order for her to continue working at Google."

Timnit wrote that if we didnt meet these demands, she would leave Google and work on an end date. We accept and respect her decision to resign from Google, Dean wrote, according to the copy of the emailhe shared.

I understand the concern over Timnits resignation from Google. Shes done a great deal to move the field forward with her research. I wanted to share the email I sent to Google Research and some thoughts on our research process.https://t.co/djUGdYwNMb

Thousands of Google employees, however, rallied behind Gebru,as didacademics, industry and civil society supporters who signed a petition in protest of her dismissal and calling on Google to be transparent about her departure.

Google Walkout for Real Changes petition underscored its plea for transparency on Gebrus dismissal by noting that she was one of very few Black women working as research scientists at the company.

Google Walkout for Real Change on Monday wrote an additional blog post disputing Deans claims that Gebru resigned, backing the researchers account of the situation.

The controversy over Gebrus dismissal adds to concerns over Googles treatment of its employees.

The National Labor Relations Board earlier this month filed a complaint against the tech giant alleging it illegally spied on and then fired two employees for organizing.

Google defended the firings, arguing the two workers had violated company policy.

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Google CEO says company will review disputed dismissal of top AI researcher | TheHill - The Hill

Save the bees, save the world: How ApisProtect uses AI and IoT to protect hives – The Next Web

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Not be an alarmist, but if bees go extinct its likely that coffee would become a rare and expensive luxury commodity. And I dont want to live in that world.

Luckily, ApisProtect today announced its entry into the US market where it will provide its unique AI-powered hive monitoring system to beekeepers and farmers.

If youre unfamiliar, ApisProtect is a European startup that uses simple proprietary devices and a unique stack of AI and software to, essentially, give beekeepers a spy on the inside.

This means keepers can get ahead of health issues that otherwise could remain hidden. According to ApisProtect:

Beekeepers often rely on costly, time-consuming manual hive checks to understand their operation. However, ApisProtect research shows that 80% of manual hive inspections do not require any action on hives but disrupt the bees and risk the loss of a queen.

With ApisProtect, commercial beekeepers can now safely identify and respond to disease, pests, and other hive problems faster than ever before, thereby increasing colony size and preventing colony loss. ApisProtect lets beekeepers know immediately when specific hives need attention within their operation, as well as which hives are most productive.

Quick take: While specific projections may vary, its safe to say that honeybees are endangered to the point where solutions like this should be considered environmental safety efforts. 2020 was a crappy year for beekeepers coming off of a crappy decade for bees.

This is exactly the kind of thing AI is best suited for. Bees can adapt to just about anything but murder hornets and humans invading their spaces, and it turns out ApisProtect safeguards hives against both.

Pdraig Whelan, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of ApisProtect, said, in a press release:

ApisProtect technology could be a useful tool for the detection of murder hornets as a potential new threat to bee hives this pollination season.

Murder hornets can wipe out a bee hive in a matter of hours. Our platform can pinpoint the date at which a hive dies and distinguish whether this has been gradual or sudden. If a hive is healthy one day and dead the next, the beekeeper is alerted rather than having to wait for the next scheduled manual inspection.

The beekeeper can then prioritize visiting the hive and identify the tell-tale signs of a hornet attack. Precision beekeeping ensures the beekeeper can quickly take preventative measures to ensure the safety of their hives and others in the area.

The fact of the matter is that whether its murder hornets, climate change, or disease thats causing the problem, we need to fix it. Bees are incredibly important to the future survival of humans.

While the threat may have been blown out of proportion its unlikely well go extinct just because there are no more bees the loss of our honey-making friends would be a bonafide catastrophe.

According to the National Resources Defense Council:

If honeybees did disappear for good, humans would probably not go extinct (at least not solely for that reason). But our diets would still suffer tremendously. The variety of foods available would diminish, and the cost of certain products would surge.

The California Almond Board, for example, has been campaigning to save bees for years. Without bees and their ilk, the group says, almonds simply wouldnt exist.

Wed still have coffee without bees, but it would become expensive and rare. The coffee flower is only open for pollination for three or four days. If no insect happens by in that short window, the plant wont be pollinated.

For more information check out ApisProtects website here.

Published December 10, 2020 20:28 UTC

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Save the bees, save the world: How ApisProtect uses AI and IoT to protect hives - The Next Web

Forrester: Artificial Intelligence Software Growth Will Fall Below Current Investor Projections – PRNewswire

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --According to Forrester(Nasdaq: FORR), the overall artificial intelligence software market despite ballooning to $37 billion by 2025 will fall below current investor projections of $150 to $200 billion for the same time period. Within the AI software market, AI application growth will be constrained by technology vendors embedding AI functionality into existing software products with greater frequency.

A new Forrester report, "The AI Software Market Will Grow To $37 Billion Globally By 2025," outlines key reasons for this updated AI software market outlook which leaves out hardware and consulting services including:

The report further states that AI maker platforms used for creating highly customized solutions and AI facilitator platforms used for applications including computer vision and natural language virtual assistants have the strongest growth potential. Other AI market segments likely to grow include AI-centric applications for specialized medical tasks and AI-infused applications that create differentiated products through added AI functionality.

"While we're seeing high demand for AI technology, platforms, and applications, AI's ubiquity will ultimately make the technology commonplace in software development," said Andrew Bartels, VP and principal analyst at Forrester. "We believe investors are defining the AI market too hyperbolically. They are mistakenly including categories that are loosely influenced by or distantly adjacent to AI software. As business leaders rely more and more on AI as a tenet of their digital transformation strategy, they will likely expect their vendors to add AI functionality at no additional cost to them."

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About Forrester

Forrester (NASDAQ: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We help organizations grow through customer obsession: putting their customers at the center of leadership, strategy, and operations. Through Forrester's proprietary research, consulting, and events, business and technology leaders from around the globe are empowered to be bold at work to navigate change and build customer-obsessed growth strategies. Our unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 675,000 consumers, business leaders, and technology leaders worldwide; rigorous and objective methodologies, including Forrester Wave evaluations; and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. To learn more, visit Forrester.com.

Media Contact: Ira Kantor Public Relations Forrester Research, Inc. [emailprotected]

SOURCE Forrester

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Forrester: Artificial Intelligence Software Growth Will Fall Below Current Investor Projections - PRNewswire

Award-Winning Artwork Uses AI-Generated Bird Song To Recreate The Dawn Chorus – Forbes

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Bird sounds at the crack of dawn are not part of everyones morning. If you live in a city, theres a good chance that bird populations have migrated elsewhere, as they struggled to compete with urban lights and sounds. That inspired artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg to question what would happen if birds disappeared altogether. How would the dawn chorus change?

Alexandra Daisy Ginberg's Machine Auguries, 2019. Installation shot from 24/7 exhibitionat Somerset ... [+] House, London, open 31 Oct 2019 23 Feb 2020. Commissioned by Somerset House and A/D/O by MINI. With additional support from Faculty and The Adonyeva Foundation.

Ginsbergs work Machine Auguries, which uses artificial intelligence to mimic bird sounds, was commissioned by Somerset House in London. Its currently part of an exhibit at FACT in Liverpool, which recently reopened after Englands latest lockdown. The work was also one of this years ten Science Breakthroughs of the Year at the annual Falling Walls event in Berlin. Being entirely online this year, the event didnt fully do Machine Auguries justice. Its an immersive work, meant to be experienced by walking inside of it.

When you go into the installation, you're in the silvery blue light of the pre-dawn, says Ginsberg. The first bird sings, and it's a real bird. Then you hear another bird sing from somewhere else in the room also a real bird. And then you hear the first machines bouncing back.

This call-and-response between artificial bird sounds and the recorded sound of real birds in mimics how birds communicate. But the way the generative adversarial network

(GAN) learns how to make bird sounds also resembles how real birds learn to sing. One bird sings and another bird copies it in response.

To create this collection of artificial bird sounds, Ginsberg worked with physicist Przemek Witaszczyk, sound recordist Chris Watson, and several others. One of the challenges they encountered is that they would need a collection of bird sounds with very little variation in ambient sound, to prevent the AI from interpreting background noise as bird song. Through the British Library they found a collection of dawn chorus sounds recorded every day for a year in the same location. They also used the website xeno-canto, where people share bird sounds from around the world, to get species-specific recordings, and with this and other collections they had a wide variety of training data for the GAN.

The work includes artificial bird sounds taken at different points in the AI training process. We wanted to show this evolution, says Ginsberg. The beginning of the piece has the first attempts, which are very clunky, noisy and weird. But over the next ten minutes, the machine ones become increasingly lifelike.

With Machine Auguries, Ginsberg wants to encourage people to think about the birds around them and reflect. Do you normally hear a dawn chorus where you live? If not, why not? Whats happening to the birds? And what would it be like if we lost this altogether?

Recently, Ginsberg moved from London to the countryside, and suddenly she hears birds real birds around her every day. She has also started to take up gardening, but thats part of the preparation for her next large exhibit: Ginsberg has recently been commissioned to create a new permanent installation for the Eden Project.

The Eden Project consists of several biodomes and a large garden in a disused clay quarry in Cornwall, England. With a mission to educate people about plants and the environment, the organisation regularly works with artists to start conversations around conservation, and the site includes several permanent and temporary artworks.

But Ginsberg didnt want to build yet another physical structure. Instead, I said, why are we making an artwork for humans? Lets make one for pollinators!

The proposed project is a garden on a 45- by 30-meter outdoor plot, designed using an algorithm that creates the perfect garden for different types of pollinators, including bees, moths and butterflies.

Prepatory sketch suggesting what the final pollinator garden at the Eden Project might look like.

But its not all for the bees: Theres an interactive element for humans as well. The algorithm used to design the garden will be made available online, so that people can create their own unique garden.

Ginsberg is looking forward to seeing the outcome of the interactive part of the project. I hope that for people who aren't experienced gardeners, this might be a fun way to plant something that they might never have planted and be guided through it. And they can say, here's my artwork.

Like Machine Auguries, Ginsbergs upcoming work for the Eden Project combines technology with ecology to encourages visitors to reflect on our interactions with the natural world whether thats waking up to bird song or creating a garden for bees.

Disclaimer: I was a recipient of a Falling Walls / Berlin Science Week journalism grant, and participation in this programme introduced me to Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg and her work.

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Award-Winning Artwork Uses AI-Generated Bird Song To Recreate The Dawn Chorus - Forbes

Ava expands its AI captioning to desktop and web apps, and raises $4.5M to scale – TechCrunch

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The worldwide shift to virtual workplaces has been a blessing and a curse to people with hearing impairments. Having office chatter occur in text rather than speech is more accessible, but virtual meetings are no easier to follow than in-person ones which is why real-time captioning startup Ava has seen a huge increase in users. Riding the wave, the company just announced two new products and a $4.5 million seed round.

Ava previously made its name in the deaf community as a useful live transcription tool for real-life conversations. Start up the app and it would instantly hear and transcribe speech around you, color-coded to each speaker (and named if they activate a QR code). Extremely useful, of course, but when meetings stopped being in rooms and started being in Zooms, things got a bit more difficult.

Use cases have shifted dramatically, and people are discovering the fact that most of these tools are not accessible, co-founder and CEO Thibault Duchemin told TechCrunch.

And while some tools may have limited captioning built in (for example Skype and Google Meet), it may or may not be saved, editable, accurate or convenient to review. For instance Meets ephemeral captions, while useful, only last a moment before disappearing, and are not specific to the speaker, making them of limited use for a deaf or hard of hearing person trying to follow a multi-person call. And the languages they are available in are limited as well.

As Duchemin explained, it began to seem much more practical to have a separate transcription layer that is not specific to any one service.

Image Credits: Ava

Thus Avas new product, a desktop and web app called Closed Captioning, which works with all major meeting services and online content, captioning it with the same on-screen display and making the content accessible via the same account. That includes things like YouTube videos without subtitles, live web broadcasts and even audio-only content like podcasts, in more than 15 languages.

Individual speakers are labeled, automatically if an app supports it, like Zoom, or by having people in the meeting click a link that attaches their identity to the sound of their voice. (There are questions of privacy and confidentiality here, but they will differ case by case and are secondary to the fundamental capability of a person to participate.)

The transcripts all go to the persons Ava app, letting them check through at their leisure or share with the rest of the meeting. That in itself is a hard service to find, Duchemin pointed out.

Its actually really complicated, he said. Today if you have a meeting with four people, Ava is the only technology where you can have accurate labeling of who said what, and thats extremely valuable when you think about enterprise. Otherwise, he said, unless someone is taking detailed notes unlikely, expensive, and time-consuming meetings tend to end up black boxes.

For such high-quality transcription, speech-to-text AI isnt good enough, he admitted. Its enough to follow a conversation, but were talking about professionals and students who are deaf or hard of hearing, Duchemin said. They need solutions for meetings and classes and in-person, and they arent ready to go full AI. They need someone to clean up the transcript, so we provide that service.

Image Credits: Ava

Ava Scribe quickly brings in a human trained not in direct transcription but in the correction of the product of speech-to-text algorithms. That way a deaf person attending a meeting or class can follow along live, but also be confident that when they check the transcript an hour later it will be exact, not approximate.

Right now transcription tools are being used as value-adds to existing products and suites, he said ways to attract or retain customers. They arent beginning with the community of deaf and hard of hearing professionals and designing around their needs, which is what Ava has striven to do.

The explosion in popularity and obvious utility of their platform has led to this $4.5 million seed round, as well, led by Initialized Capital and Khosla Ventures; Day One Ventures also participated.

Duchemin said they expected to double the size of their team with the money, and start really marketing and finding big customers. Were very specialized, so we need a strong business model to grow, he said. A strong, unique product is a good place to start, though.

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Ava expands its AI captioning to desktop and web apps, and raises $4.5M to scale - TechCrunch

Stripchats AI-powered anal-ytics helped it reach nearly 1B new users in 2020 – The Next Web

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Stripchat today released its end of the year data report for 2020 and good-golly is it packed full of more information than you could ever want to know about the live camming business.

For example, who among us would have guessed that the cam-modelling industry had such a huge userbase. Per the report:

Stripchat reports an overall growth in traffic in 2020 having 906,181,416 in total new users vs 537,938,778 in 2019.

Thats nearly a billion new users after a year in which the platform saw more than half-a-billion. Were talking about an industry thats pandemic-proof. (And for good reason, theres no safer sex than cam sex).

However, despite Salt-N-Peppas best attempts, were not here to talk about sex. Were here to talk about AI and what Stripchat calls the the next best use case for AI.

[Read:Why AI is the future of home security]

Called Anal-ytics, its well, heres what Stripchat says:

Our team has developed a machine-learning algorithm to identify particular sex acts within the live-streaming video. Weve called our AI Anal-ytics and it analyzes live video as it happens, allowing us to bring live anal and live blowjob scenes happening at the very moment right to the eyes and hands of our users. In 2020 the total traffic to both categories approximately doubled.

It sounds a lot like Stripchat developed a computer vision model capable of searching through the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of live streams happening on its platform in real-time for specific model interactions. The system, we assume, then surfaces those results to a featured section on the main page or something like that, admittedly I havent interacted with the site itself outside of due diligence for this article.

Quick take: This is genius. A decade ago when the cam industry was really starting to gain steam on the back of quicker home internet connections the idea of this particular use case would have seemed far-fetched. But AIs come a long way.Modern deep learning techniques make it possible for businesses to search through huge mountains of data that would take a staff of humans thousands of years to parse.

In case youre wondering how that surge of users turned out for the models, Stripchat reports the top five earners made between $388 and $965 an hour. The site also said:

Users spent 98,595,157 hours on live cams in 2020, which is 68% more than they did last year (62,190,458 in 2019). Evidently, it coincides with the traffic growth. Its also worth mentioning that in 2020 we have a new single tip record, which is $16,897.

This just goes to show you: nothings more pandemic-proof than robots and sex.

You can check out the very not-safe-for-work Stripchat website here.

Published December 10, 2020 23:02 UTC

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Stripchats AI-powered anal-ytics helped it reach nearly 1B new users in 2020 - The Next Web

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market 2020 | Covid-19 Impact Analysis | Business Outlook, Growth, Share, Trends and Forecasts 2025 -…

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The research report on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market gives thorough insights regarding various key trends that shape the industry expansion with regards to regional perspective and competitive spectrum. Furthermore, the document mentions the challenges and potential restrains along with latent opportunities which may positively impact the market outlook in existing and untapped business spaces. Moreover, it presents the case studies, including the ones related to COVID-19 pandemic, to convey better understanding of the industry to all the interested parties.

The recent market trend of increasingly using Complementary and Alternative Medicine for understanding the development of a disease extensively fuel the growth of this market in the coming years. Another trend that will aid the growth of the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market is the escalating demand for personalized medicine. Extensive investments are being made by various organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and governments for the research and development of drugs, and this is another trend that is benefiting the growth of the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market. This is because Complementary and Alternative Medicine techniques enable researchers to compare Complementary and Alternative Medicine changes between disease samples and normal samples. Public health can thus be analyzed as the changes in Complementary and Alternative Medicine are influenced by internal biological system and environment directly.

Request a sample of this premium research: https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3931167?utm_source=Nilesh-SLI

The report covers extensive analysis of the key market players in the market, along with their business overview, expansion plans, and strategies. The key players studied in the report include: Iyengar Yoga Institute, John Schumachers Unity Woods Yoga Center, Yoga Tree, Nordic Naturals, Quantum Touch, Deepure Plus, Pure Encapsulations, Inc, The Healing Company, Columbia Nutritional, Helio USA, Herbal Hills, Herb Pharm.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Segmentation:

In market segmentation by types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the report covers-

BotanicalsAcupunctureMindBodyand YogaMagnetic Intervention

In market segmentation by applications of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the report covers the following uses-

E-SalesDirect Sales

Regional Analysis for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market-:

1) North America- (United States, Canada)

2) Europe- (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium)

3) Asia Pacific- (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam)

4) Middle East & Africa- (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Israel, Egypt, Nigeria)

5) Latin America- (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru)

The report provides insights on the following pointers :

Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Supply Chain Analytics market.

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Supply Chain Analytics market

NOTE: Our analysis involves the study of the market taking into consideration the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please get in touch with us to get your hands on an exhaustive coverage of the impact of the current situation on the market. Our expert team of analysts will provide as per report customized to your requirement.

Request a discount on standard prices of this premium research: https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-for-discount/3931167?utm_source=Nilesh-SLI

Table of Content

Chapter 1 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Introduction and Market Overview

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

Chapter 3 Industry Chain Analysis

Chapter 4 Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market, by Type

Chapter 5 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market, by Application

Chapter 6 Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis by Regions

Chapter 7 North America Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis by Countries

Chapter 8 Europe Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis by Countries

Chapter 9 Asia Pacific Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis by Countries

Chapter 10 Middle East and Africa Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis by Countries

Chapter 11 South America Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Analysis by Countries

Chapter 12 Competitive Landscape

Chapter 13 Industry Outlook

Chapter 14 Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Forecast

Chapter 15 New Project Feasibility Analysis

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Health: The growth of marijuana as medicine in NH – Concord Monitor

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In 2016, New Hampshire established a Therapeutic Cannabis Program, that allows Granite Staters with a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, PTSD, and epilepsy, to buy medicinal marijuana. Caregivers and physicians can also qualify for the program, with appropriate documentation. Those who qualify are required to buy the drug through one of the states four Alternative Treatment Centers.

Growth of New Hampshires therapeutic cannabis program has doubled, or more, in every qualifying demographic since the program began.

Qualifying Patients: 2,089 used the program in 2016, 8,566 participated in 2019

Designated Caregivers: 129 used the program in 2016, 488 participated in 2019

Certifying Providers: 560 used the program in 2016, 1,101 in 2019

Marijuana legislation in N.H.

2013: Maggie Hassan, the then Governor of New Hampshire, signed a bill that allowed seriously ill Granite Staters to use cannabis for medical reasons.

2015: Linda Horan, a stage four lung cancer patient, sues the state and wins the right to have a medical marijuana card.

2016: The first New Hampshire dispensary opens its doors to patients.

2017: Gov. Chris Sununu signed a marijuana decriminalization bill that reduces penalties for possessing small amounts of the substance. Adults could no longer be arrested for having less than 0.75 of an ounce of weed. Instead of jail time, those found in possession of the drug are fined, the proceeds of which go to statewide substance abuse prevention programs

2019: A bill was signed that allowed those who received convictions for possession of cannabis to have their records annulled.

2019: The Senate and House approved a bill that would allow patients and caregivers to grow their own cannabis. Gov. Sununu vetoed the bill.

2020: The State House passed a bill that would have legalized possession of marijuana. The Senate shelved the bill.

Commonly asked questions

Marijuana is fully legalized in 15 states in the U.S, including Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. Legalization advocates have called New Hampshire an island of prohibition because of its strict marijuana restrictions compared to its closest neighbors.

New Hampshire: Marijuana is somewhat legal, medical use is allowed.

Maine: Marijuana is fully legal, medical use is allowed

Vermont: Marijuana is fully legal, medical use is allowed

Massachusetts: Marijuana is fully legal, medical use is allowed

In New Hampshire, a variety of conditions can qualify you for the therapeutic use of cannabis. Some of these conditions include cancer, PTSD, chronic pain, Alzheimers disease and epilepsy.

According to the Mayo Clinic, more research needs to be done on the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana. However, there are some documented side effects of the drug including increased risk of heart attack, hallucinations or mental illness, dizziness and increased heart rate.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration has approved a couple of THC- and CBD-based medications for a variety of conditions, such as a lack of appetite, childhood epilepsy and naturopathic pain. More research needs to be done into the efficacy of marijuana based medicines to determine the extent of the benefits.

Dispensaries

Prime Alternative Treatment Centers: 380 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack

Sanctuary ATC: 568 Tenney Mountain Hwy, Plymouth

Temescal Wellness (two locations): 26 Crosby Rd #11-12, Dover, and 367 NH-120 Unit E, Lebanon

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Health: The growth of marijuana as medicine in NH - Concord Monitor

New Ayurveda centre for alternative treatment opens in Abu Dhabi’s Al Reem Island – Gulf News

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Dr. Shyam Vishwanathan explaining about the traditional curative therapies offered at Vaidyashala to Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu after the inauguration. Image Credit: Supplied

Abu Dhabi: A registered Ayurveda clinic that will provide alternative and complementary treatment for chronic conditions has opened its doors at the Burjeel Day Surgery Centre in Abu Dhabis Al Reem Island.

Staffed by a ten-member team, including registered Ayurvedic doctors, Vaidhyashala aims to integrate conventional medicine with Ayurvedic sciences that originated in India. The centre was officially inaugurated this week by Kumar Bayyapu, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Shyam Vishwanathan, head of Vaidhyashala, said the Ayurvedic treatments offered will supplement treatment through traditional medicine for complaints like back pain, arthritis, autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, allergies and gynaecological concerns.

We expect that 50 per cent of our patients will come to us with neuromuscular complaints and another big group of patients will present themselves with allergic conditions such as asthma. Ayurveda, which has been recognised as a curative treatment in the UAE since 2002, is effective at treating a number of such concerns and we are happy to partner with a registered clinic, he said.

In fact, awareness about the benefits of Ayurveda is on the rise and we expect to open five more centres affiliated with medical networks in the UAE over the next year, Dr Vishwanathan added. Fitted with six therapy rooms and a number of consultation chambers, patients will be able to opt for treatment packages with multiple sessions, following consultations with the centres doctors.

Immunity enhancement

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for immunity enhancement. Ayurveda [complements] the positive role of traditional medicines and practises in enhancing immunity. India can play a major role in meeting the requirements of world markets through the promotion of Ayurveda and other traditional systems of treatment, Bayappu said following a tour of the facility.

No single system of medicine has a complete set of answer [for the health concerns that plague mankind today]. Integrated medicines, which combine traditional medication with alternative treatments like Ayurveda, are the way forward, especially for the treatment of the growing number of chronic illnesses, he said.

The Ayurveda clinic at Burjeel Day Surgery Centre will offer abhyangam (traditional Ayurvedic body massage), thala pothichil (head massage), tharpanam (treatment for the eyes), ayurvedic facial and other packages. It will also provide programmes for weight loss, post-natal care, detox therapies and lifestyle modification.

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New Ayurveda centre for alternative treatment opens in Abu Dhabi's Al Reem Island - Gulf News

Does Medicare cover massage therapy? Information and costs – Medical News Today

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Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy, but an increasing number of Medicare Advantage plans known as Part C offer coverage, depending on certain conditions.

A person enrolled in an Advantage plan that includes massage therapy will get treatment coverage under certain conditions. To qualify, a doctor must order the massage therapy to treat a specific health condition, while a state-licensed therapist must administer the treatment.

This article explores the technique of massage therapy. Next, it provides an overview of Medicare, examining what parts of the program cover the treatment. Then, it looks at other therapies Medicare covers, as well as the associated costs. Lastly, it describes programs that may help with alternative therapy costs.

Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. It aims to help manage certain health conditions or foster wellness. The technique is an alternative treatment used by various cultures for centuries.

Therapists use many different massage techniques, with Swedish or classical massage being the most common in Western countries, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

There are few scientific studies investigating the possible benefits of massage therapy. However, the NCCIH note that preliminary research suggests the treatment may promote:

The NCCIH also state that massage therapy has few risks, noting that there are rare reports of serious side effects, such as bone fractures or nerve injuries.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 years and older, along with younger individuals with certain disabilities.

There are four parts to the program:

Original Medicare comprises Part A, which covers hospitalization insurance, and Part B, which deals with medical insurance. Part A includes coverage for hospital and nursing home stays, hospice, and some home healthcare, while Part B includes outpatient care, such as doctor visits, lab tests, and medical equipment.

Learn more about original Medicare here.

Medicare Advantage, or Part C, is the alternative to original Medicare and provides the same coverage as Parts A and B, with additional benefits. Most Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage with other additions, such as dental, vision, and hearing care.

Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans here.

Part D is prescription drug coverage available with original Medicare. Each plan supplies a list of covered drugs and generally provides at least two medications in each commonly prescribed class.

Learn more about Part D here.

Private insurance companies offer Medicare supplemental insurance, which pays 50100% of Parts A and B out-of-pocket costs, such as coinsurance, copays, and deductibles.

If a person has Medicare Advantage, they cannot also have a Medigap plan.

Learn more about Medigap here.

Coverage for massage therapy differs between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, as detailed below.

Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy, so a person must pay 100% of treatment costs. Because massage therapy falls under the category of alternative medicine, Medicare does not consider it medically necessary.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover alternative medicine treatments, including massage therapy, if they are considered primarily health-related, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

To qualify, the massage treatment must meet these two conditions:

Costs for massage therapy sessions for Advantage plan enrollees may involve copays, coinsurance, or deductibles. These costs vary among the different plans.

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover therapies other than massage, although Advantage plans provide broader coverage of alternative treatments. Below is a description of the differences between the two programs regarding therapy treatment and coverage.

Original Medicare covers physical, occupational, and speech therapy. In addition, under certain circumstances, it covers acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, both of which are alternative treatments.

Medicare Part B covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain only. To receive this diagnosis, a person must meet the following requirements:

A person with chronic low back pain may obtain coverage of up to 12 acupuncture visits within 90 days. If a person shows improvement with this treatment, Medicare covers an additional eight appointments, for a maximum of 20 treatments per year.

Medicare Part B covers chiropractic care to help a person manage active back pain, as opposed to coverage for preventive or maintenance treatment. This means Medicare will only fund chiropractic care to correct an existing problem.

A person who has this treatment pays 20% of the cost after meeting the Part B deductible of $203.

Advantage plans offer all the benefits of original Medicare, providing coverage of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The program also includes acupuncture and chiropractic services as described above.

However, Advantage plans with acupuncture or chiropractic benefits offer more extensive coverage than original Medicare. The costs vary among plans.

People with a low income and limited resources may get help with alternative therapy costs from the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Extra Help, or Medicaid.

The QMB program is one of four state-run programs designed to help a person with limited income meet their Medicare costs. People who enroll with QMB are also enrolled with Medicaid.

The QMB program pays for:

The QMB program also helps with prescription costs by limiting how much a drugstore can charge for a prescription. In 2021, the limit is $3.90 for a prescription medication covered under Medicare Part D.

A person who qualifies for enrollment in the QMB program has automatic enrollment in Extra Help, which also covers some costs of a Medicare Part D plan. However, it does not help with therapy treatment costs.

Medicaid helps pay many out-of-pocket healthcare costs for either original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Since it can work with Medicare Advantage, it may help pay a plans massage therapy costs, in addition to other alternative treatment costs.

However, not all providers accept Medicaid. In these cases, a person can check with a federally qualified health center to enquire about further help with costs.

Learn more about Medicaid here.

Massage therapy is an alternative treatment that may offer health benefits. Studies suggest it may reduce certain types of pain, relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, and lower anxiety in people with AIDS.

Some Advantage plans offer massage therapy as a plan benefit, although out-of-pocket costs, such as copays or coinsurance, vary among plans. A person who needs help in paying the costs may qualify for Medicaid.

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Does Medicare cover massage therapy? Information and costs - Medical News Today

Alternative Medicine Market Value Chain Analysis and Forecast | Deepure Plus, Pure encapsulations, Herb Pharma and Others – Cheshire Media

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Global Alternative Medicine market report offers a precise outline of the market that includes many aspects of market product definition, market segmentation, analysis, key developments, and existing vendors state of the business. These Alternative Medicine industry documents include key players and geographical markets that have adopted vital methodologies for business developments and growth. The consumer trust in precise and proper Alternative Medicine information structures that is employed for analysis of the business Report 2020 has the aim to deliver a complete analysis of the Alternative Medicine market. The report could assist you in coming up with worthy growth methods and additionally aware and indurate challenges.

Perpetually increasing in the market, often rise in customers demands are the notable factors of growing and developing the business. Taking thought of each segments Alternative Medicine market report is deliberate by creating each analysis of the market conditions worldwide. Examine the restraining Alternative Medicine segments affecting the business in the coming future has been into consideration.

Get a Sample Copy of the Report at https://www.futuristicreports.com/request-sample/59571

Impact of COVID-19 on Alternative Medicine Market

The report also contains the effect of the ongoing worldwide pandemic, i.e., COVID-19, on the Alternative Medicine Market and what the future holds for it. It offers an analysis of the impacts of the epidemic on the international market. The epidemic has immediately interrupted the requirement and supply series. The report also assesses the economic effect on firms and monetary markets. Futuristic Reports has accumulated advice from several delegates of this business and has engaged from the secondary and primary research to extend the customers with strategies and data to combat industry struggles throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global Alternative Medicine Market: Competitive Landscape

(Deepure Plus, Pure encapsulations, Herb Pharma, Herbal Hills, Thorne Research, Medigenics, Nordic Naturals, Helio USA, Pacific Nutritional)

Segment by Type, the Alternative Medicine market is segmented into

Herbal supplements Nutraceuticals Supplements Others

Segment by Application, the Alternative Medicine market is segmented into

Men Women

To Understand How Covid-19 Impact Is Covered in This Report With additional Discount: https://www.futuristicreports.com/check-discount/59571

This report also splits the market by leading region:

Key Questions Answered in The Report:

Market Report includes major TOC points1 Study Coverage1.1 Alternative Medicine Product Introduction1.2 Market Segments1.3 Key Alternative Medicine Manufacturers Covered: Ranking by Revenue1.4 Market by Type1.4.1 Global Alternative Medicine Market Size Growth Rate by Type1.4.2 Measuring Smart Plug1.4.3 Regular Smart Plug1.4.4 Remote Control Smart Plug1.4.5 Other1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Alternative Medicine Market Size Growth Rate by Application1.5.2 Home1.5.3 Commercial1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered

2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Alternative Medicine Market Size, Estimates and Forecasts2.1.1 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue 2016-20262.1.2 Global Alternative Medicine Sales 2016-20262.2 Global Alternative Medicine, Market Size by Producing Regions: 2016 VS 2020 VS 20262.3 Alternative Medicine Historical Market Size by Region (2016-2020)2.3.1 Global Alternative Medicine Retrospective Market Scenario in Sales by Region: 2016-20202.3.2 Global Alternative Medicine Retrospective Market Scenario in Revenue by Region: 2016-20202.4 Alternative Medicine Market Estimates and Projections by Region (2021-2026)2.4.1 Global Alternative Medicine Sales Forecast by Region (2021-2026)2.4.2 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue Forecast by Region (2021-2026)

3 Global Alternative Medicine Competitor Landscape by Players3.1 Global Top Alternative Medicine Sales by Manufacturers3.1.1 Global Alternative Medicine Sales by Manufacturers (2016-2020)3.1.2 Global Alternative Medicine Sales Market Share by Manufacturers (2016-2020)3.2 Global Alternative Medicine Manufacturers by Revenue3.2.1 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue by Manufacturers (2016-2020)3.2.2 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2016-2020)3.2.3 Global Alternative Medicine Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI) (2016-2020)3.2.4 Global Top 10 and Top 5 Companies by Alternative Medicine Revenue in 20193.2.5 Global Alternative Medicine Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3)3.3 Global Alternative Medicine Price by Manufacturers3.4 Global Alternative Medicine Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Types3.4.1 Alternative Medicine Manufacturers Manufacturing Base Distribution, Headquarters3.4.2 Manufacturers Alternative Medicine Product Type3.4.3 Date of International Manufacturers Enter into Alternative Medicine Market3.5 Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

4 Market Size by Type (2016-2026)4.1 Global Alternative Medicine Market Size by Type (2016-2020)4.1.1 Global Alternative Medicine Sales by Type (2016-2020)4.1.2 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue by Type (2016-2020)4.1.3 Alternative Medicine Average Selling Price (ASP) by Type (2016-2026)4.2 Global Alternative Medicine Market Size Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.2.1 Global Alternative Medicine Sales Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.2.2 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.2.3 Alternative Medicine Average Selling Price (ASP) Forecast by Type (2021-2026)4.3 Global Alternative Medicine Market Share by Price Tier (2016-2020): Low-End, Mid-Range, and High-End

5 Market Size by Application (2016-2026)5.1 Global Alternative Medicine Market Size by Application (2016-2020)5.1.1 Global Alternative Medicine Sales by Application (2016-2020)5.1.2 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue by Application (2016-2020)5.1.3 Alternative Medicine Price by Application (2016-2020)5.2 Alternative Medicine Market Size Forecast by Application (2021-2026)5.2.1 Global Alternative Medicine Sales Forecast by Application (2021-2026)5.2.2 Global Alternative Medicine Revenue Forecast by Application (2021-2026)5.2.3 Global Alternative Medicine Price Forecast by Application (2021-2026)

..Continued

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Futuristic Reports

Name: Mark RiveraTel: +1-408-520-9037Email: [emailprotected]

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Alternative Medicine Market Value Chain Analysis and Forecast | Deepure Plus, Pure encapsulations, Herb Pharma and Others - Cheshire Media

Know the limitations of health insurance for Ayush treatment – Mint

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It told all insurers to mandatorily offer, from 1 April 2020, Arogya Sanjeevani, a standard health insurance product that will cover Ayush treatments up to the sum insured. Some health insurance policies covered Ayush treatments earlier too, but with a sub-limit on the sum insured. Irdai first asked insurers to provide alternative treatment coverage in 2013, but the uptake of these treatments has picked up in recent years. In the last three years, we have seen a huge increase in the demand for alternative treatments and medicines," said Adarsh Agarwal, appointed actuary at Digit General Insurance Ltd.

Also read: The pandemic push to the silver economy

The Ayush system is based on natural ingredients, but it can also include drug therapies to cure specific diseases. We tell you how Ayush benefits work under a health insurance policy, the key inclusions and exclusions, and what to keep in mind when taking a cover for Ayush treatments.

What do you get?

Arogya Sanjeevani as well as some other health insurance policies cover Ayush treatment. If your policy has in-patient benefits for Ayush, then any treatment, which is an alternate procedure, is also covered under that plan. So, if you get admitted to, lets say, an ayurveda hospital that may also be covered in the exact same way that normal treatments are covered," said Amit Chhabra, business head, health, Policybazaar.com, an online marketplace for insurance.

Coverage: Arogya Sanjeevani covers Ayush treatments up to the sum insured, which has to be a minimum of 50,000; theres no upper limit.

This is the first step towards recognition of Ayush treatment. In Arogya Sanjeevani, the product features are uniform across the industry and the companies are mandated that they should cover Ayush," said Dr S. Prakash, managing director, Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. Further, pre-hospitalization (30 days prior to admission) and post-hospitalization expenses (60 days from discharge) are also included in this plan.

Other health insurance policies usually cover Ayush treatment up to a maximum limit of 50,000. Different policies have different limits. Some policies cover it till the sum insured. In some cases, there are caps on coverage. For example, Ayush coverage may be around 10% of the sum insured," said Chhabra.

Cost: Overall, such treatments for certain ailments are said to be a lot more cost-effective than modern medicine. There are some neurological, psychosomatic and chronic dermatological diseases where Ayush has been able to address issues at a lesser cost, particularity in semi-urban and rural areas," said Prakash, who has a masters in surgery.

Where can you get it? According to recent guidelines, Irdai classifies Ayush hospital as a healthcare facility wherein medical or surgical treatment procedures are carried out by Ayush medical practitioners having at least five in-patient beds and a qualified medical practitioner in charge. Citing National Health Portal data, Agarwal said that there are around 98 Ayush hospitals till July 2020 that have been set up in the country.

Further, hospitals in Ayush sectors do not necessarily need the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare (NABH) certification to be able to tie up with health insurers.

The limitations

The Ayush benefits come with certain limitations currently, both for the insurers as well as the policyholders.

For insurers: Distinguishing the right practitioner is a challenge insurers are facing. Ayush has its benefits, gives a remedy for some of the medical challenges in allopathy, but the biggest limitation is how to distinguish the right Ayush practitioner," Prakash said.

The fear of misuse and abuse in terms of alternative treatments has also driven insurers to offer Ayush cover with some limited benefits. We respect the system and acknowledge the benefits in select areas out of Ayush, but the biggest challenge is to identify the right connect and the right place where an evidence-based treatment is given," he said.

Lack of clarity and quality control is another issue for insurers. Ayush treatment is acceptable in certain cases, but overall there is a big question mark on the studies to determine the efficacy and the quality control of its medicines. Unless these issues are addressed, there is a big risk of having such treatments covered under insurance. People will tend to misuse it, as there are no indicators that can be monitored and there is lack of a standard line of treatment," said Dr Bharat Gadhavi, president of Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (AHNA).

For policyholders: Alternative treatments such as homeopathy, unani or ayurveda in most scenarios are out-patient, and health insurance mostly covers in-patient treatment. This means that consultation or evaluation expenses for Ayush treatment may not get covered. To claim for the expenses, one needs to be hospitalized for at least for 24 hours. Also, any preventive and rejuvenation treatments that are not medically necessary wont be covered under Ayush benefits," said Agarwal.

Further, treatment at a health care facility that is not approved and not a hospital is excluded, so choose the practitioner carefully.

While general health insurance offering Ayush benefits caps the claim amount, the Arogya Sanjeevani has a 5% co-pay (fixed out-of-pocket amount paid by the insured) and 2% sub-limit on room rent (the insurer will pay only up to 2% of the sum insured as room rent). The cost of other procedures are usually calculated based on the room rent.

To get the Ayush benefit, you might have to pay extra premium in case of a general health insurance plan.

Further, only a few insurance companies offer cashless treatment, and the majority of the claims are reimbursed later on the basis of bills.

Consider all aspect before opting for this plan.

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Know the limitations of health insurance for Ayush treatment - Mint

Israel set to approve NIS 500 fine for those visiting other people’s homes on Hanukkah – Ynetnews

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Israeli government on Thursday is expected to approve a partial nighttime lockdown for the duration of holiday of Hanukkah, including a fine of NIS 500 for those visiting other people's homes during the festival.

The government failed to reach an agreement during a meeting on Wednesday reconvened in the morning hours to approve tightening of coronavirus restrictions across Jewish municipalities on Hanukkah, and across Christian localities for the holiday of Christmas.

Police officers enforce lockdown in Bnei Brak

(Photo: AFP)

According to the outline tabled for the ministers all movement between cities as well as almost all trade will halt operations from 5:30pm. While some restrictions on movement are set to take effect on Thursday evening, curbs on trade and congregation are scheduled to take effect starting Friday to give businesses time to prepare.

Finance Minister Israel Katz, however, at the start of the meeting demanded for the hour to be moved to 6:30pm or 7pm. "The proposals would cause severe damage to tens of thousands of business owners in the trade sector who have just returned to full activity and to hundreds of thousands of people who will return to the cycle of unemployment," said Katz at the meeting.

Finance Minister Israel Katz tours a market in Jerusalem

(Photo: Rafi Kotz)

Business designated as "essential" will be allowed to operate as usual and so will restaurants and cafes providing takeaway services only.

Israelis will also not be allowed to visit other people's homes during the holiday, with celebrations limited to nuclear family members. Those violating the order by visiting other people's homes will be fines NIS 500.

The exceptions to that rule include instances of provision of essential products or services, medical care, essential social care or alternative medicine, assisting a person in distress, handing over a child between two parents who do not live together or to a carer, providing care for an animal.

Police officers enforce lockdown in Bnei Brak

(Photo: AFP)

People will be allowed to congregate outside with up to 10 people. Congregation in confined spaces will be banned, once again with the exception of the nuclear family, from 5:30pm.

Synagogues, however, are exempt from the rule with up to 10 people allowed inside confined places of worship and up to 20 in open areas.

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Israel set to approve NIS 500 fine for those visiting other people's homes on Hanukkah - Ynetnews

Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores mourns loss of sand tiger shark Jolene – The Coastland Times – The Coastland Times

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The veterinary team at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize a sand tiger shark December 8. The decision came after two years of treatment and monitoring, according to a release from the aquarium.

This was not a decision we made easily. You could see it on the faces of each person and hear the enormity of the situation in the questions and statements each person made when we gathered to discuss her situation, said Liz Baird, director of the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. At the end of the day, it was important for us to look at her overall health and quality of life.

Animal care staff had been caring for Jolene, as she is affectionately called by staff, since 2010 when the now roughly 12-year-old shark came to the aquarium after she was collected from pound nets in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Caring for more than 4,000 animals is an enormous responsibility, stated the press release. Caring for sick animals can be even more challenging. Make that animal a 400-pound female sand tiger shark, and it becomes an even more intricate and difficult task.

About two years ago we started noticing bumps and lesions on Jolenes flanks, said Emily Christiansen, North Carolina Aquariums Division veterinarian. We decided we needed to get a closer look at what was going on.

In December 2018, the team used an Aquarium Vet Shark Bag, a device used to bring large aquatic animals into the acclimation pool of the Living Shipwreck. This device is made of a see-through material which is barely visible to the shark. When the animal is safely inside the bag, divers then swim the device to the surface where the shark is treated by the animal care team inside an acclimation pool attached to the larger habitat.

Historically, staff members would use safety sticks to try to convince sharks to swim into the pool. This was extremely slow and often times not effective, according to the aquarium. The new method was faster, safer and proved to be less stressful on the large shark.

Our first time in with the shark bag was interesting, and we missed getting Jolene to swim into the bag. We had to go back to the acclimation pool to create a better plan, said Clint Taylor, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores husbandry curator. The second and subsequent attempts proved to be much more successful, and we were able to safely get Jolene in for an exam.

While in the smaller acclimation pool, Jolene is rolled upside down. This is known as tonic immobility and puts the shark into a sleep-like state, stated the aquarium.

There she was provided oxygen by continuously delivering moving water over her gills, stated the release. She was also closely monitored by several staff while the veterinarian team worked diligently to collect samples, administer medication and conduct an ultrasound exam of her internal organs.

We were hopeful to find some clue as to what was causing the dermatitis on her skin, but really found nothing conclusive, said Christiansen. We started her on antibiotics, additional vitamins and steroids to treat the symptoms.

This method seemed to work for a while. However, each time the team began stepping down the amount of medicine Jolene was receiving, the sharks rash came back, leaving the team looking at different options to better care for the shark.

We have been adjusting her medications over the past two years and looked at a variety of scientific research to identify alternative treatment options for Jolene. Unfortunately, many of the tools we have for identifying disease in other animals arent very well defined for sick sharks, said Christiansen.

The aquarium stated that while dermatitis might not sound like something serious, in sharks it is often an indicator of underlying health issues affecting other body systems.

The sharks are conditioned to eat at specific locations inside the Living Shipwreck habitat and are individually fed using a long pole known as a shark fork, allowing staff to monitor food intake and ensuring each animal is getting proper nutrition.

Although she seemed to be responding, in the last few weeks Jolene has refused to eat more often than not, stated the aquarium. The aquarist charged with feeding Jolene had been trying throughout each day.

I have provided numerous opportunities for her to feed as well as provided a variety of fish for her daily, said Jeff Mcbane, an aquarist at Pine Knoll Shores. Eating is extremely important to the overall health and welfare of an animal.

Even with opportunistic feeding, Jolenes health continued to decline. After an extensive meeting with the husbandry care staff, veterinary team and aquarium leadership, the difficult decision was made to euthanize, stated the release.

Jolene is now at N.C. States Center for Marine Sciences and Technology where she will undergo a necropsy by the NC Aquariums veterinary team to hopefully provide more answers on her condition that will help animal care teams across the country better care for their large sharks.

The results from these tests could take weeks or even months.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is five miles west of Atlantic Beach at 1 Roosevelt Blvd. in Pine Knoll Shores. The aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visitwww.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shoresor call 252-247-4003.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

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Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores mourns loss of sand tiger shark Jolene - The Coastland Times - The Coastland Times

The plastic pandemic: could the environmental impact of the NHS response to covid-19 be reduced? – The BMJ – The BMJ

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The NHS disposes of around 133,000 tonnes of plastic each year, but only about 5% of it is recovered. The recently published Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service document reports that the NHS is responsible for 4% of Englands total carbon footprint. The NHS Long Term Plan recognises the health services huge carbon footprintabout 60% of which is from the procurement of goods and services. Although there have been improvements, there is a long way to go and time is running out.

As covid-19 spread, so did panic. Guidelines were implemented quickly. Measures such as hand hygiene, face coverings, and social distancing were promoted to protect individuals and the public. To maintain public trust, every organisation had to be seen to be doing something that makes people feel safer. Was there enough evidence to back these policies?

Many safety measures came with a pricedisposable plastic. It seems to have come to the rescue. But while feeling safe is important, any measure must improve safety, not just create an illusion of it, particularly if that measure causes long-lasting harm to the environment.

Understandably, some targets set in the NHS Long Term Plan may be put on hold while the pandemic is dealt with. But the pandemic should not eclipse the climate emergency.

Personal protective equipment (PPE), has been a hot topic since the beginning of the covid-19 crisis, and policies regarding PPE have been updated multiple times. In the updated Infection Prevention and Control guidance, published by Public Health England, patients are categorised into low, medium, and high risk groups. The majority of attendees at outpatient services are medium risk where an asymptomatic individual with unknown covid-19 status is accessing care. The PPE advice includes single-use plastic aprons, single-use gloves, plus surgical face masks and visors/goggles.

A single clinic, with about 50 patients daily, disposes of approximately 500 plastic aprons and 1000 gloves every week. Multiplied by the number of outpatient clinics running in all trusts, the waste produced becomes immense.

Two questions need answers. Does wearing gloves and an apron when treating an asymptomatic patient offer any meaningful protection? And is there a more pragmatic alternative which reduces the amount of plastic waste without endangering healthcare workers?

The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), which provides the evidence published in the infection prevention and control guidance, refers to literature reviews on single-use aprons and gowns and single-use gloves. But these documents provide no evidence for using aprons and gloves to prevent transmission of an airborne infection from an asymptomatic individual wearing a face covering.

The NICE guidance states wear (aprons) if there is a risk that clothing may be exposed to blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions. A WHO scientific brief (June 2020), states despite consistent evidence as to SARS-CoV-2 contamination of surfaces and the survival of the virus on certain surfaces, there are no specific reports which have directly demonstrated fomite transmission. And although the WHO report emphasises the role of asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission of covid-19, it states that according to a few studies, 0% to 2.2% of people with asymptomatic infection infected anyone else. Hand hygiene mitigates most of that risk.

According to the Department of Health environment and sustainability manual, if aprons and gloves are not mixed with other waste (often the case in clinical practice), they should be disposed of in orange waste bags to be incinerated or undergo alternative treatment (chemical or heat disinfection). Incinerators release an average of 1 tonne of CO2 for every tonne of waste.

As healthcare workers we should avoid measures aimed at mitigating the pandemic which are of no significant benefit and which increase the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics. The environmental damage caused by dealing with the pandemic has already been recognised. The NHS could continue to be at the forefront of efforts to contain covid-19 in a more environmentally friendly manner. Work has begun to reduce the environmental impact of NHS PPE, such as trialling reusable face masks.

By incorporating evidence-based medicine and common sense, we could reduce our plastic waste while continuing to work in a safe environment and help to make the NHS ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2040 a reality. It is one we must achieve if we are to address the global climate change and ecological emergencies.

FareedShiva is a consultant in genitourinary medicine and HIV. He is currently working at St Marys Hospital, London.

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The plastic pandemic: could the environmental impact of the NHS response to covid-19 be reduced? - The BMJ - The BMJ

‘You have NO authority!’ US hits back at UK as Joe Biden charm offensive fails – Daily Express

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UK-US trade: Eustice says UK will set own food safety standards

Donald Trumps trade office warned Britain it had "no authority from the World Trade Organisation (WTO)" to impose tariffs on its own after it finally unshackles itself from the EU. The move comes after International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said tariffs would be scrapped as soon as the UK is out of the EU transition period on January 1 in a bid to help incentivise incoming US President Joe Biden.

The UK announced on Tuesday it would suspend tariffs on aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co jets and other US goods on January 1, describing the move as an attempt to de-escalate a long-running conflict over aircraft subsidies that has dragged the US and Europe into a tit-for-tat tariff war.

In a statement from United States Trade Representative, officials welcomed the move for a negotiated solution, but warned: The United States does not agree, however, that the UK would have any authority to impose tariffs.

Only the EU sued the United States at the WTO; the UK did not bring a case in its individual capacity.

Therefore, the UK has no authority from the WTO to participate in any such action after it is no longer part of the EU.

The decision comes amid wider trade talks between Britain and the US and ends a united front on tariffs among Airbus's political backers Britain, France, Germany and Spain.

Diplomats say US and EU trade chiefs are in "serious" negotiations to end the 16-year-old aircraft trade dispute.Last year the EU placed tariffs worth 3billion on American products.

READ MORE:UK will have 'less strategic importance' to US with No-Deal Brexit

The measures were imposed after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled the US had unlawfully subsidised Boeing, to the detriment of the UK and EU aerospace industry.

The subsidy dispute is the largest case ever handled by the WTO and comes to a head just as Britain is leaving the EU, forcing it to seek new trade deals.

Britain is hoping to secure a free trade deal with the US as early as possible in Mr Biden's presidency.

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However, Mr Biden opposes Brexit and has reservations about Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who he once likened to a "physical and emotional clone" of Mr Trump.

The tariff decision has now spawned a technical row between London and Brussels about whether Britain can in any case legally impose tariffs inherited from the EU after January 1 - expanding a list of jurisdictional issues arising from Britain's EU exit.

The EU said it alone could act in the transatlantic dispute.

But Britain has insisted it could revive the tariffs if needed but said their suspension would help resolve the subsidy spat, which has spread to hit other industries.

A UK spokesman said: We are serious about de-escalation. This suspension of tariffs demonstrates the seriousness we place on reaching a negotiated settlement.

Several sources said an aircraft agreement could be reached before Mr Trump leaves office next month.

A US source said: It is not clear how you resolve the UK part without addressing the rest of Europe.

The entire discussion has been structured around finding a whole solution".

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'You have NO authority!' US hits back at UK as Joe Biden charm offensive fails - Daily Express

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VR Meetings Are Weird, but They Beat Our Current Reality – WIRED

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The sun never sets in virtual reality. This occurred to me after an hour-long briefing in an Oculus Quest 2 headset. Joined by more than a dozen other floating avatars, we teleported our way around an outdoor meeting space that could only be described as aircraft-carrier-meets-Croatian-vacation.

Beyond the vast expanse of virtual breakout spaces was a stunning sunset, but the day never grew dark. When I pressed a button on the Touch Controller a tad too long, I ended up standing unnervingly close to another avatar, a fellow journalist. Then I remembered that you cant catch the coronavirus from a digital simulacrum.

The press briefing was one of a few ever to occur in VR, a spokesperson for this new app claimed. It's called Arthur, and part of the pitch is that its going to catapult VR for work into the mainstream, that meetings and collaboration sessions and deskside briefings will become headset briefings.

The app launches today, but its been in development for four years. The company behind it, also named Arthur, is headquartered in San Mateo, California, with employees scattered around the globe. It has secured seed funding from VC firm Draper Associates, and it lists the United Nations, Societe General, and a large automaker as its beta testers.

Taking a meeting in Arthur requires a literal suspension of reality. You exist only from the waist up (hey, just like Zoom!), and your shirtsleeves taper off to reveal blue computer arms, which move according to how you move the Oculus Quest controllers in your hands. Your digital eyes are obscured by Matrix-style glasses, and a headset microphone covers your virtual mouth. This is because the technology cant yet mimic facial expressions in VR, and its better than looking at dead eyes, says Arthur founder Christoph Fleischmann. My avatar looked nothing like me, except that it had dark brown hair.

Still, meeting in VR felt like somewhere else, if not somewhere in the physical world. I was sitting in the same living room Ive occupied for most of the year, but I was present with other people. I was aware that my headsets physical microphone was on, that anything I said would be part of the conversation. It felt rude to step away and start making coffee in my kitchen.

When Fleischmann urged the group to take a seat ahead of a presentation in a virtual amphitheater (which appeared on demand, the fastest and cheapest construction project ever), we scattered awkwardly among the seats the way we might in real life. And after the presentation, during which Fleischmann touted the collaborative benefits of working in VR, we teleported to a roof-deck bar and used our hand controllers to pick up virtual cocktails. Everyone loosened up, despite these being unreal drinks. All the while, the sun remained stuck in its permanent position of almost set. It was surreal, but it beat our current reality.

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Arthur wouldnt be the first to try to carve out a space for itself in enterprise VR. Until recently, VR headsetsas well as mixed-reality headsets, like Microsofts HoloLenswere prohibitively expensive, costing over $1,000 per unit. Any company looking to make inroads in the industry had to at least consider selling to big businesses, the ones who could afford the nascent technology. That was the approach Spatial took, a buzzy New York-based startup that WIREDs Julian Chokkattu covered earlier this year.

We always say were like Zoom and Slack had an AR/VR baby, Jacob Loewenstein, Spatials head of business, tells me over Zoom from his New York City apartment (the Zoom meeting was my request; I was on deadline and didnt want to dither in VR). And we really mean it. Because if we succeed its because weve made this thing just stupidly easy to use.

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VR Meetings Are Weird, but They Beat Our Current Reality - WIRED

Q&A: Maplewood Senior Living’s Brian Geyser on the Value of Virtual Reality – HealthTech Magazine

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Its also beneficial: 9 in 10 elderly adults reported feeling more relaxed and rated their well-being higher after engaging in VR sessions, according to a 2018 study conducted at a senior care residence in Minnesota.

Maplewood, which operates 15 communities in three states, uses Oculus headsets at each location. Administrators select and deliver VR programs created by Rendever, an engagement platform designed for seniors, via iPad devices.

Viewers can see the world, rekindle old memories and interact with each other even while quarantined.

Our residents really enjoy that feeling of being inside of this world, but also being together, Geyser says. Traveling is fun, but its a lot more fun if youre with the people you love.

He spoke more about the VR effort and its surprising impact:

Weve been doing VR since 2017. Early on in my tenure at Maplewood, I ran across the Rendever story and I was intrigued. It was a startup company at the time; these guys from MIT who created a VR platform specific for senior living.

I hadnt heard of anything like this before, so I decided to contact them and have a conversation, which resulted in Maplewood doing a pilot.

We were just astounded at the results and the impact on residents when we did the pilot in several of our Connecticut communities. The residents were blown away by the experience and they couldn't stop talking about it. I had never seen a reaction like that to any program that weve ever offered. They were calling it magical.

I remember specifically, it was virtual tours to places where they otherwise would never be able to go like Antarctica. It was the combination of feeling like youre standing in Antarctica, but at the same time these penguins are moving all around you.

Residents were reaching out; they were laughing and talking to each other, saying, Oh, turn to the left, look at the guy over there. It wasnt an animated gaming environment. It was real-life footage, so it felt very real to them.

Then, we took them into a puppy pen where they were surrounded by little puppies; seeing the reactions, the oohs and ahhs, was just so beautiful. We also took them to Africa to hang out with some elephants. Anything with animals was a huge hit.

A closer look at VR programs in action at Maplewood Senior Living, which has used the technology since 2017.

Were able to take people to familiar places, the places theyve traveled to in the past, such as Paris or London. We can also take them back to a childhood home or maybe their high school and have them stand right there and see it as it is today.

Rendever uses Google Street View technology; youre seeing it in a 3D environment, not on a flat screen.

We have residents who are just shocked they can see the house they grew up in. Theyre pointing to their bedroom window and telling stories about a tree there used to be a fort up there, and so on. It just brings this flood of memories back.

Its so social. All of the residents are in the same virtual environment together. So, you bring them all to the Eiffel Tower and theyre all looking up and theyre checking it out. And then someone will start telling stories about when they were there 50 years ago and the travel and the experience of being in France.

It really sparks conversation, and that was a big aha! moment for us.

The final thing that really pulled VR across the finish line for us is that the magic continued for days after the headsets came off. We would hear residents talking at dinner about the virtual travel they went on and how it affected them.

The key is to have your activities and programming teams prepared and enthused to champion the technology. They have to know about the VR program, and they have to understand its purpose and the ideal frequency to run it. And then they have to understand how to do a quick setup and to run it with a resident or a group.

An iPad serves as the control center. An activity programmer can use the iPad to select the virtual journeys. It's very easy technology to use.

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Q&A: Maplewood Senior Living's Brian Geyser on the Value of Virtual Reality - HealthTech Magazine

Virtual reality documentary to bring mega-telescope project to life – University News: The University of Western Australia

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The worlds largest radio telescope, which scientists from The University of Western Australia have contributed to through the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), will be the subject of a virtual reality documentary.

Award-winning West Australian production company White Spark Pictures has received funding from Screen Australia, Screenwest and Lotterywest to produce the documentary Beyond the Stars.

"Well take audiences on a VR tour of CSIROs Murchison Radio Astronomy-Observatory through the eyes of the people working on the site, the astronomers who will eventually use the SKA, and the Wajarri Yamaji traditional land owners.

The funding follows White Sparks first virtual reality production, The Antarctica Experience, which is one of the most successful VR documentary experiences of all time.

White Spark creative director Briege Whitehead said it was great to have an opportunity to promote cutting-edge science happening in her home state.

This production will allow people of all ages and cultural backgrounds to virtually experience the Australian site for the Square Kilometre Arraya part of the world that few will ever visit in person, she said.

It will be shot using specialised 360-degree cameras capable of extreme resolution.

"Well take audiences on a VR tour of CSIROs Murchison Radio Astronomy-Observatory through the eyes of the people working on the site, the astronomers who will eventually use the SKA, and the Wajarri Yamaji traditional land owners.

Beyond the Stars is also supported by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and CSIRO, Australias national science agency.

ICRAR executive director Professor Peter Quinn, who is based at The University of Western Australia, said its an exciting time for the SKA.

The world is coming together to build a telescope capable of observing the first stars and galaxies to appear in the Universe 13 billion years ago, he said.

After nearly two decades of designing and decision-making, construction of the telescope is set to start in Australia and South Africa in the course of next year.

Its an enormous international effort, and were keen to bring as many people as possible along for the ride through virtual reality.

Western Australias remote Murchison region is a truly special place, said Rebecca Wheadon, CSIROs site entity leader for Australias SKA site.

We have a profound duty to share this landscape, its cultural history and our role in building the worlds biggest radio telescope, she said.

Beyond the Stars will feature at the new WA Museum Boola Bardip in late 2021, before touring to other Western Australian Museum venues in 2022.

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Virtual reality documentary to bring mega-telescope project to life - University News: The University of Western Australia