The week in sci & ed (29/02/2024)
The treatment of burns can be extremely painful and about half of all burn patients are younger than five. By the summer, the burn centre at the University Hospital Leuven will be able to ease the pain of burn patients using virtual-reality glasses. Virtual-reality game SnowWorld closes patients off from what is happening around them, while icy scenes invoke associations as far from fire as possible, and patients are distracted by ducking and throwing snowballs. Research proves that pain sensations are considerably lessened.
A new computer system in which reality is modified with artificial information about the environment makes it possible for astronauts without medical knowledge to perform surgery. The astronauts can see 3D information about the diagnosis and treatment on a computer screen. A prototype headmounted display unit for the European Space Agency was developed by a consortium led by space technology company Space Applications Services and tested at the UMC Sint-Pieter hospital, both in Brussels.
The Dutch word fiets (bike) originates from the German word for “substitute horse”. With this discovery, Professor Gunnar De Boel of Ghent University has ended an etymological discussion that has been going on for 140 years. The professor experienced a “eureka” moment after pouring out cider for German friends. They called the cider Viez (pronounced “fiets”), which is a shortened form of vice-vinum, or “substitute wine”. A bike is seen as a substitute for a horse, or a Vize-pferd in German. This term was shortened to Viez, and when the word crossed the borders to the Low Countries, the origin was lost.
Pre-schools will receive the same resources as primary schools from the next school year, and as a result, classes will have only about 20 students. The Flemish education ministry is providing €50 million for 1,250 extra teachers.
Flemish minister of youth Pascal Smet is looking for 20 young people between 14 and 20 years of age for input to the Jongerenpact 2020 (Youth Pact 2020). Every young person living in Flanders can fill in an online survey that canvasses opinions on themes such as work and mobility. In May, about 400 young people will take part in a debate in the Flemish Parliament with the government of Flanders, community groups and employers’ organisations. The pact will be signed by these three parties at the end of June. www.jongin2020.be
