In today's rapidly changing world, the pursuit of sustainability has become more critical than ever before. Fortunately, emerging technologies like blockchain are paving the way for transformative solutions. Blockchain, originally known for its association with cryptocurrencies, is now making waves in the realm of sustainability. This blog post explores the profound importance of blockchain in promoting sustainability, how this technology is driving positive change across industries, and how companies can leverage it to contribute to a bigger good in a sustainable way. Industries and companies face numerous challenges in achieving their sustainability goals, such as supply chain transparency, accountability, and traceability issues. Fortunately, blockchain technology is disrupting various sectors by addressing these challenges hands-on. For instance, in supply chain management, blockchain enables end-to-end traceability of products, ensuring sustainable sourcing, fair labor practices, and ethical production methods. In the energy sector, blockchain facilitates peer-to-peer energy trading, promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources. Moreover, blockchain-based systems are revolutionizing waste management, circular economy practices, and carbon footprint tracking, creating a more sustainable future. The process of setting up and running a node to support a production-ready blockchain application has become increasingly resource-intensive, requiring costly hardware and regular infrastructure management. The resource-intensive nature of running blockchain nodes can have an impact on the environment, as it requires costly hardware and consumes large amounts of energy. By relying on node providers, who can manage blockchain nodes in a more efficient manner, we can reduce the environmental impact of blockchain technology and make it more sustainable. Additionally, by quantifying the quality of these providers and choosing the most efficient and sustainable options, we can further reduce the environmental impact of our blockchain applications. A study conducted by Quicknode, resulted in the top 3 fastest most fast node providers: The first being Quicknode, second Ankr, third Alchemy. You can see the whole study here. Blockchain technology offers a myriad of benefits that drive positive change in sustainability efforts. Transparency and immutability are inherent characteristics of blockchain, providing stakeholders with a trustworthy and tamper-proof record of transactions. A rating done recently by Green Crypto Research, has put blockchains on a scale of ESG risks. See the rating here. The top 5 most sustainable ones are: 1- Tezos (XTZ): a smart contract platform that enables the deployment of dApps such as the NFT marketplace objkt.com. It has a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism and can execute up to 1,000 transactions per second. Tezos uses a governance model that can change when upgrade proposals receive a positive community vote. 2- Avalanche (AVAX): a smart contract platform that enables the operation of dApps such as Aave or Trader Joe. It is based on proof-of-stake, strongly focused on energy efficiency, and validated by over 1,000 nodes. 3- Solana (SOL): a smart contract platform that enables the operation of dApps such as the Solend lending platform. It is the first and only project based on the proof-of-history consensus mechanism, which allows up to 50,000 transactions per second. 4- Cardano (ADA): is a proof-of-stake blockchain with the long-term vision of enabling economic participation for people in need. 5- Polygon (MATIC): is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible smart contract platform that enables the deployment of dApps such as the game GAMEE, Sunflower Farmers, or the decentralized exchange QuickSwap. Polygon is a Layer 2 cryptocurrency with a less energy-intensive proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. To truly leverage the power of blockchain for sustainability, companies and industries need to incorporate it into their strategies and operations. They can explore opportunities to implement blockchain in supply chain management, ensuring responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and combatting issues like child labor and deforestation. Blockchain can also enable sustainable finance and impact investing, where smart contracts automate agreements and ensure the transparent execution of sustainability-focused investments. Additionally, collaboration and partnerships among organizations are crucial to implementing shared blockchain platforms, creating robust networks that amplify sustainability efforts and maximize impact. Cases that can illustrate this better: PowerLedger: is a company that uses blockchain for peer-to-peer energy trading. As a software development company, they are committed to creating innovative solutions for clients and partners. Their primary focus lies in developing software systems that enable consumers and producers to track, trace, and trade every kilowatt of energy. ”Energy markets are changing fast. Powerledger’s technology creates the marketplace to keep customers connected to the grid and empowers them to control their energy future.” Dr. Jemma Green Executive Chairman & Co-founder • Powerledger Climate Chain Coalition: is a global initiative that brings together blockchain experts and climate change professionals to explore the potential of blockchain technology for climate action. The CCC was launched in 2017 and has since grown to include more than 360 member organizations from around the world. Plastic Bank: is a social enterprise that uses blockchain technology to create a circular economy for plastic waste. The company has created a system in which individuals can collect plastic waste and exchange it for digital tokens that can be used to purchase goods and services. By using blockchain technology, Plastic Bank is able to create a transparent and secure system for tracking the journey of plastic waste and incentivizing individuals to recycle. Blockchain for Climate Foundation: is a BITMO platform that enables international collaboration, issuance, and exchange on climate action. They believe putting the Paris Agreement on the blockchain, connecting the national carbon accounts of the world is blockchain’s “killer app.” Deploying new blockchain tools to drive global collaboration on the urgent issue of climate change is the definition of innovation. "Today’s world presents nearly unlimited opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but has lacked a system to connect emissions reductions opportunity with capital and demand. Blockchain technology holds promise of manifesting a transparent, public and universal ledger, that can serve as a medium of exchange for emissions reductions outcomes." Joseph Pallant Founder & Executive Director Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI): is a progressive think tank providing leading expertise in the deployment of emerging technologies for climate and sustainability actions. As an international network of scientific and technological experts, BCI is at the forefront of innovative efforts, enabling technology transfers, to create a sustainable and clean global future. Everledger: is a blockchain-based platform that enables companies to track the journey of diamonds and other valuable assets. By using a blockchain-based system, Everledger helps to ensure that diamonds and other assets are ethically sourced and produced, with minimal environmental impact and fair labor practices. By embracing these eco-friendly blockchains, CEOs and their companies have a remarkable opportunity to align their core values with sustainable practices. The adoption of these blockchain platforms can result in reduced energy consumption, lower transaction costs, improved supply chain transparency, and enhanced corporate social responsibility. Let's work towards a sustainable future and make a positive impact on the environment. Together, we can make a lasting impact and pave the way for a greener, more responsible business landscape 🌍💚. ⭐️🌍📢 Visit our Home page to subscribe to our blogs and news to stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3, AI & Metaverse domains. Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

The immune system is one of the most complex and sophisticated systems in the human body. It plays a critical role in protecting us from infectious diseases and cancer, but there is still much that we don't understand about how it works. That's where the Human Immunome Project comes in. The Human Immunome Project is a groundbreaking plan to use artificial intelligence to create a virtual simulation of the human immune system over the next decade. The project aims to map the entire human immunome - the complete set of immune system genes and proteins - and use this information to create a comprehensive model of how the immune system works. After spending more than 30 years of his life fighting the AIDS crisis, Wayne Koff found himself coming to a startling realization: namely, that we understand far more about how the HIV virus evolves and adapts over time than we do about how our own immune system responds to it. By creating a virtual simulation of the immune system, researchers hope to gain new insights into how the immune system functions and how it can be harnessed to fight diseases. The project could also help to accelerate the development of new treatments and therapies for a wide range of diseases, from cancer to autoimmune disorders. The Human Immunome Project is a collaboration between leading researchers in immunology, genomics, and artificial intelligence. The project is supported by the Human Vaccines Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of new vaccines and immunotherapies. “I spent a long time on HIV vaccine development,” says Koff, adjunct professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “None of them worked, and slowly, over time, we began to see that we understood a lot about HIV at the molecular level, but we didn’t know anything about ourselves. And the reason is that the immune system is incredibly complex.” Wayne Koff, Ph.D., is the founding President and CEO of the Human Immunome Project. One of the challenges of the project is the sheer complexity of the human immune system. The immune system is composed of many different types of cells, each with their own unique functions and interactions. It is also highly dynamic, with the ability to adapt and respond to new threats in real-time. To tackle these challenges, researchers are using advanced technologies such as machine learning and computational modeling to create a virtual simulation of the immune system. The project will also rely on the contributions of thousands of researchers and clinicians around the world, who will provide data and insights to help refine the model. The potential benefits of the Human Immunome Project are enormous. By unlocking the secrets of the immune system, we can develop new treatments and therapies that could save countless lives. The project also represents a major step forward in the field of artificial intelligence, demonstrating how this technology can be used to solve some of the most complex problems in science and medicine. The Human Immunome Project is still in its early stages, but the potential for this groundbreaking initiative is truly exciting. We look forward to seeing the progress that is made over the next decade and the impact that it will have on human health. If you want to learn more about the Human Immunome Project or get involved, visit their website. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

As technology continues to advance, we are seeing more and more applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) being used in healthcare. These applications have the potential to revolutionize the field of medicine, as they allow for more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and improved patient outcomes. One area where this technology is particularly exciting is in the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that can decode continuous language from non-invasive recordings. Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin, recently published a study in Nature Neuroscience where they introduced a non-invasive decoder that can reconstruct continuous language from cortical semantic representations recorded using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This breakthrough could have many scientific and practical applications in the field of healthcare. In their study, the scientists at University of Texas at Austin, were able to demonstrate that their non-invasive decoder successfully deciphered the essence of narratives that human participants viewed, heard, or even conceived mentally by analyzing fMRI brain patterns. This achievement essentially enables the decoder to read people's thoughts with unparalleled efficiency. In this study, researchers used an AI model called GPT-1 to decode the neural activity recorded in FMRI data derived from three test subjects. These test subjects spent 16 hours listening to stories each and provided the data that the AI was trained on. The model learned the semantic features of the recorded stories and linked them with the recorded brain patterns. The methodology used was to record FMRI data from test subjects who listened to stories for an extended period, process the data, and identify patterns, and used an AI model to decipher the neural activity patterns in response to certain words and phrases used in the story. The model was successful in identifying correlation patterns in brain activity during story listening, opening up new avenues for understanding language comprehension. Language decoder. Following the training phase, the participants underwent fMRI scans while listening to fresh stories that were not included in the training dataset. The decoder was able to convert the audio narratives into text in real-time, although the resulting interpretations frequently used dissimilar semantic constructions compared to the original recordings. For example, the sentence "I don't have my driver's license yet" spoken by the speaker was decoded from the listener's thoughts through the fMRI readers as "She has not even started to learn to drive yet." Encoding model and word rate model performance. The researchers tested the decoder across the cortex and found that continuous language could be separately decoded from multiple regions. This suggests that the decoder could be used in a wide variety of applications, from diagnosing language disorders to helping individuals with speech impairments communicate more effectively. Importantly, the scientists also tested whether successful decoding required subject cooperation and found that subject cooperation was required both to train and to apply the decoder. This is an important consideration when developing BCIs, as they must respect mental privacy. You can take a look at the entire study here. The development of this non-invasive language decoder is a significant breakthrough in the field of healthcare. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat language disorders, as well as help individuals with speech impairments communicate more effectively. The researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have demonstrated that generative AI can be used in a non-invasive way to decode continuous language from cortical semantic representations, which has many scientific and practical applications. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more exciting developments in the field of BCIs and their applications in healthcare. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

From clunky headsets and simple simulations, VR has evolved to become a tool that is used in many different areas of our lives, from entertainment and education to business and beyond. In recent years, the use of VR has exploded, with more and more companies and organizations exploring its potential to enhance their operations and improve customer experiences. Today, VR is not just for gamers and tech enthusiasts; it is being adopted by businesses, schools, and even bars and arcades. One example of the expansion of VR in clubs is OTHERWORLD. At OTHERWORLD, The Dream Corporation has invented a world-first 4D technology Luxury Resort that combines heat, wind, and rumble, along with top-of-the-range VR hardware called "The Immersion Pod." This enables visitors to not only see and hear, but also feel the virtual environments they are exploring. Individual Immersion Pods transport the traveler and their friends to a parallel universe called the Otherworld, which is a virtual reality theme park that hosts a wide selection of the market's best virtual reality games and experiences. And that's not all; OTHERWORLD also contains a bar with some of the finest up-and-coming drinks brands out there. "It doesn't matter if you've tried a VR headset before: we have everything ranging from VR experiences for beginners, to multiplayer VR shooters. Our Immersion Pod™ Technology features Wind, Heat & Rumble so you body will feel everything as your mind explores." - OTHERWORLD. Visitor’s actions in the metaverse have consequences. Check in for travel using their DreamPort and the OTHERWORLD app, and they'll win and lose DreamCoin for virtual successes and failures. But when they come back to the real world, the DreamCoin could be used for drinks discounts on the bar! Scattered throughout OTHERWORLD, visitors will find portals leading to sixteen unforgettable VR experiences. It's like having a virtual reality theme park at their fingertips! Each experience has been handpicked by their team to allow users to explore the impossible and dive into new realms of adventure. The experiences range from surviving a zombie apocalypse deep in the desert, to soaring around the globe, living a solitary life on the open seas, or swinging from tree to tree to discover the secrets of the ancients. You can find more about them and how you can book a visit here. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

Virtual reality has been gaining momentum as a therapeutic tool in the healthcare industry, especially for chronic pain management. The ability of VR to create a sensory-rich environment and command our senses makes it an effective tool for the modulation of attention, which is crucial for managing serious conditions such as pain and anxiety. One company that has been leading the way in this field is AppliedVR, whose virtual reality-based treatments provide patients with accessible digital tools to self-manage chronic pain in their own homes. AppliedVR's VR platform creates a fully immersive 3D virtual world through the use of goggles and headsets, designed to help alleviate various types of pain such as labor pains during childbirth, burns, and discomfort from cancer treatment infusions. AppliedVR's RelieVRx is the first comprehensive, immersive adjunctive VR treatment for chronic pain to be FDA-authorized. The program promotes neuroplasticity and enables patients to build long-term skills to respond to pain. It is self-administered over 8 weeks in the comfort of a patient's home, with an average daily session of 7 minutes duration. Clinical studies show that RelieVRx use did not trigger any serious adverse events, with a manageable side effect profile. One of the Multimodal, skills-based, self-management VR program in RelieVRx. The efficacy and safety of RelieVRx were evaluated in a rigorous clinical trial, which randomized 188 participants from 40 states to either the RelieVRx or the Sham VR treatment group. Participants completed an 8-week course of treatment, consisting of 56 daily VR sessions. The study was double-blind and controlled, with the results demonstrating the significant impact of RelieVRx on reducing CLBP. Patients who used RelieVRx reported reduced pain and increased daily function compared to those who underwent Sham VR treatment. RelieVRx offers a safe, effective, and non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic pain. You can see the whole study here. By harnessing the unique properties of immersive therapeutics, AppliedVR is delivering a bio-psycho-social solution to address the bio-psycho-social condition of chronic pain. Their approach builds on decades of clinical research on virtual reality conducted across an array of disease areas, including pain, stroke, behavioral health, and neurodegeneration. Source: Dascal, J., et al. Virtual Reality and Medical Inpatients: A systematic Review of Randomized, Controlled Trials. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2017; 14(1-2): 14-21 With the potential to provide non-pharmacological pain management, VR-based treatments like those offered by AppliedVR have the power to transform the healthcare industry and improve patient outcomes. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

Extended Reality (XR) is a rapidly growing industry that encompasses virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality and is changing the way we experience collaboration, entertainment, education, and communication. While VR has been historically dominated by men, women have been making significant strides in this field as well. Women pioneers and game changers in VR have been breaking barriers and pushing boundaries, making extended reality a reality. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the notable women in XR, exploring their contributions, achievements, and impact on the industry. From developers, engineers and researchers to experience designers, entrepreneurs and activists, these women have been driving innovation and advancing the field of XR in unique and inspiring ways. Through the stories of these women pioneers and game changers, we hope to shed light on the importance of diversity and representation in the XR industry and inspire the next generation of women and girls to pursue their passions in this exciting field. [The names are mentioned in alphabetical order, based on the first name.] PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO: Ann Lasko-Harvill is a trailblazing woman in the field of virtual reality. At VPL Research, she held the position of Product Design Director, where she developed novel devices and user interface concepts for networked virtual reality. Among her notable inventions was the DataSuit™, a comprehensive full-body motion capture system. Antonia Foster is a Senior XR Technical Specialist at Unity, a co-founder of the LGBTQ+ VR Museum, and a Web3 Circle of Trust Ambassador. She has won several awards for advocating for women and LGBTQ+ people in tech. Starting her career as a biologist with an MSc in animal behavior, she transitioned to the XR domain and is known for blending scientific expertise with radical science communication techniques. At our Web3 Gala by Evenness, she spoke about creating virtual spaces centered around inclusion and accessibility: Anna Zhilyaeva is a globally-known artist and an early adopter of virtual reality who creates immersive art experiences with VR, holograms, and other technologies. She produces mixed-reality videos. Her creations are more than paintings, they are whole visual experiences. Anna utilizes Google Tilt Brush to produce remarkable virtual artwork. Among her masterpieces is a VR replica of the renowned painting "Liberty Leading the People" that was showcased at the Louvre. Dr. Beth Marcus is an engineer, an inventor a founding CEO of EXOS, a startup that was acquired by Microsoft in 1996. She played a pivotal role in developing the Dexterous Hand Master, which remains one of the most advanced input devices used in virtual reality. Currently, she is the Senior Principal Technologist for Halo Health & Wellness at Amazon. Dr. Brenda Laurel is a pioneering interaction designer, video game designer, and researcher who co-designed and produced the ground-breaking Virtual Reality system Placeholder. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusiveness in video games, and the founder and chair of the Graduate Design Program at California College of the Arts. Carol Shaw: the pioneer female game developer, started her career as a Microprocessor Software Engineer at Atari. She worked for Atari, Inc. from 1978-1980 where she designed multiple games including 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe (1978) and Video Checkers (1980). After Atari, Carol Shaw joined Activision where she created River Raid, a title almost universally regarded as a masterpiece of game design for the Atari 2600 console. It quickly became a classic and generated $500,000 in revenue by 1985. Dr. Caroline Cruz-Neira is a pioneer in the areas of virtual reality and interactive visualization known worldwide for being the creator of the CAVE virtual reality system. With over 100 publications and $75 million in awards, grants, contracts, and donations, she has received numerous national and international recognition. Dr. Cruz-Neira has been inducted as a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an ACM Computer Pioneer, and received the IEEE Virtual Reality Technical Achievement Award and the Distinguished Career Award from the International Digital Media & Arts Society among other national and international recognitions for her contributions to the field. Carrie Heeter is known as an award-winning designer and developer of cyber meditation experiences. She designed and directed the development of more than 50 interactive experiences including meditations, games, online learning systems, virtual reality, and patient empowerment software. Her many awards include Discover Magazine’s Software Innovation of the Year and Meaningful Play’s Most Innovative Game. As a professor of Media and Information at Michigan State University, she ran a lab and created works like “Hands over Hawaii” where participants saw their real hands inside of a photorealistic virtual Hawaii. Cathy Hackl is a globally recognized metaverse/web3 strategist, tech futurist, sought-after business executive, speaker and media personality with deep expertise working in metaverse-related fields with companies like HTC VIVE, Magic Leap, and Amazon Web Services. She’s the Chief Metaverse Officer & Co-founder of Journey, where she leads Journey's Metaverse Studio. Cathy Hackl actively invests her money and time in helping move the nascent web 3.0 industry forward. Dr. Diane Gromala is a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) computer scientist and designer, and a pioneering researcher in VR & interactive health technologies for chronic pain. She is the Founding Director of the Chronic Pain Research Institute & Pain Research Lab. Her VR research has been recognized as a Google Moonshot initiative and has been featured by various media outlets. Dr. Diane Gromala is a Distinguished SFU Professor at the School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT). Evelyn Miralles is a trailblazer and visionary who previously worked as the Chief Principal Engineer at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Her groundbreaking work in the Virtual Reality Laboratory at NASA has been instrumental in advancing human spaceflight exploration, specifically in training US and international astronauts for spacewalking and working outside spacecraft in microgravity. She currently serves as the Business Associate at Aegis Aerospace Inc. Miralles designed and co-wrote the state-of-the-art flight software called Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG), a Virtual Reality training tool that has been used to prepare astronauts for every Space Shuttle and International Space Station mission since 2000, earning her several awards. Miralles has received numerous accolades for her significant contributions to critical engineering tools for NASA's operations and is recognized as one of the BBC's Top 100 Inspirational Women in the World and CNET's Top 20 Most Influential Hispanics in Technology. Dr. Jacquelyn (Jacki) Ford Morie is a pioneering VR researcher and artist who has been instrumental in advancing the VR industry and technology's capabilities by placing emotional experiences at the heart of immersive engagement. Her decades-long career has been marked by numerous achievements, including developing multi-sensory VR techniques using psychology and art to elicit powerful emotional responses from users. In 1999, she helped establish the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies, where she spent 14 years as a senior research scientist and patented a scent collar to deliver evocative odors within immersive environments. Notably, she co-created ANSIBLE, a virtual world ecosystem for psychological benefits and astronaut training for long and isolating missions to Mars at NASA. Dr. Ingrid Daubechies is a Belgian physicist and mathematician who is known for her pioneering work on wavelets in image compression. She is a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University. Her contributions to the field of signal processing have had a profound impact on audio, image, and video devices, communication systems, and the VR industry. In 2023, she became the first woman to receive the prestigious Wolf Prize in Mathematics. Learn more about Dr. Daubechies Dr. Jannick Rolland is the Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering at the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester. She is also the co-founder and CTO of LighTopTech, a women-owned business focused on creating medical imaging technologies with biomimetic noninvasive imaging technology. Dr. Rolland has made significant contributions to the field of freeform optics, optical design, optical coherence tomography, and virtual reality. She has over 19k citations and is the Director of the NSF I/UCRC Center for Freeform Optics and the R.E. Hopkins Center for Optical Design and Engineering. Dr. Karon MacLean is a computer scientist and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of haptics, developing technologies that allow users to interact with virtual objects using touch and other physical feedback. Dr. Margaret Dolinsky is a digital artist who has been creating virtual environments since 1995. Her work has been exhibited at various venues worldwide, including SIGGRAPH and Ars Electronica. She has also designed digital projections for opera and experimental film, including the American Opera Theater's "Annunciation + Visitation: Operatic Projections of her sexual insight". Dr. Dolinsky's handcrafted, AR, and 3D printed sculptures focus on how digital art enhances sensory awareness. Dolinsky is currently an Associate Professor and Area Head of Digital Art at Indiana University in Bloomington, holding a PhD from the University of Plymouth, UK and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her work involves digital painting fused into projections for opera and experimental film. Dr. Margaret Minsky is a Visiting Professor of Interactive Media Arts at NYU-Shanghai. Her recent research areas are whole-body interaction, learning environments, and craft computing with research aimed at increasing cognitive, social, and physical wellbeing. Previous work includes the first technique for creating haptic textures (developed while at the MIT Media Lab and UNC), and Research Lead positions at Atari Cambridge Laboratory and Interval Research Corporation. She has published research in areas of computer graphics, computing learning environments, mechanical engineering, and served on numerous conference program committees including ACM Siggraph. She is also a recreational performer in Trapeze and Circus Arts. Mary Lou Jepsen is a technical executive and inventor who specializes in display, imaging, and computer hardware. She co-founded One Laptop per Child (OLPC) and served as its first CTO. At Google X, she led two ambitious projects as a moonshot leader under Sergey Brin. Dr. Jepsen also held an executive role at Facebook/Oculus VR, where she spearheaded efforts to advance virtual reality technology. Dr. Mary Whitton pursued a career in computer graphics technology after leaving her teaching job in 1976. She co-founded Ikonas Graphics Systems and Trancept Systems, which produced user-programmable hardware and software, serving markets such as seismic exploration and scientific simulation. Ms. Whitton held Director of Technical Marketing positions in Adage, Inc. and Sun Microsystems after Ikonas and Trancept were acquired by them. She is now a Research Professor of Computer Science at UNC Chapel Hill, leading the Effective Virtual Environments research group since 1998. Ms. Whitton has been actively involved in the Society of Women Engineers, ACM SIGGRAPH, ACM, and IEEE, holding leadership positions in these organizations. She was awarded the SIGGRAPH Outstanding Service Award in 2013 for her contributions and leadership in the organization. You can see her contributions here. Dr. Maribeth Gandy is a computer scientist and the Director of the Interactive Media Technology Center at Georgia Tech. She is interested in creating compelling and entertaining user experiences through cutting-edge AR applications and often uses human-computer interaction techniques for design and evaluation. She teaches video game design and has developed entertainment applications for mobile devices, desktop computers, and museum installations. Maribeth is currently developing hand-held AR games to explore appropriate design processes, game mechanics, and interaction techniques. She is also involved in an NSF-funded project to develop cognitive games for older adults. Maribeth has collaborated with Duran Duran to integrate real-time AR effects into their live concerts and has performed usability analysis and evaluation on prototype products for healthcare, communication, and entertainment. Nicole Stenger is among the first female VR artists, making her “VR Movie Trilogy” - Angels, Chambers, and Dynasty - at the University of Washington HIT lab that was completed in 1991. Dr. Nonny de la Peña is the CEO of Emblematic Group, which uses advanced technologies to tell stories that deeply engage viewers. Her pioneering work in immersive journalism has earned her the nickname "The Godmother of Virtual Reality" and recognition from Fast Company as "One of the People Who Made the World More Creative." In 2007, her first VR project was a collaboration with digital artist Peggy Weil designed to bring Guantanamo Bay to the forefront of public consciousness. Together, they built a virtual Guantanamo Bay in Second Life, one of the earliest metaverse spaces. With over 20 years of experience in journalism and storytelling, Dr. de la Peña's VR projects have been featured by major media outlets and screened globally. She coined the term "immersive journalism" and premiered the first-ever VR documentary, Hunger in Los Angeles, at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. Sylvia B. Wilbur, a British computer scientist who helped develop the ARPANET, and a leading researcher on computer-supported cooperative work, whose work included 9 research papers, such as "A Framework for Immersive Virtual Environments (FIVE): Speculations on the Role of Presence in Virtual Environments" and “Virtual Social Clubs: Meeting Places for the Internet Community. Dr. Tish Shute pioneered innovative approaches to machine learning to create a new generation of augmented mobile social experiences. She served as a "Reality Architect" at Super Fun Club, where she collaborated with Will Wright, the creator of Sims and Sim City, to design advanced entertainment products such as smart toys and AR television. Until December 2022, she worked as a Director, Spatial Computing (AR/VR/AI), Strategy & Technology Planning at Futurewei Technologies where she developed new display technologies and innovative approaches for content creation. Using computer vision and AI, she aims to transform video and redefine XR communications and entertainment. Dr. Shute is also one of the co-founders of AR.ORG, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of AR and VR, and the Augmented World Expo (AWE). Dr. Victoria Interrante is a computer scientist specializing in computer graphics, scientific computing, and virtual environments. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on applying insights from visual perception and cognition to the development of more effective virtual reality experiences and the more effective communication of complex information through visual imagery. In addition to her appointment in Computer Science, she is currently serving as the director of the university-wide Center for Cognitive Sciences and as a member of the graduate faculty in two interdisciplinary programs: Cognitive Science and Human Factors & Ergonomics. Dr. Interrante is a recipient of the 2020 IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Career Award and has a 20+ year history of mentoring undergraduate students in research While there are many more women shaping the future of XR, may these shared profiles make you curious to conduct research and find many more stories that are out there. Thank you to all the incredible women innovators who have made the extended reality a reality of today! ⭐️🌍📢 VISIT THE IMMERSIVE GALLERY:

Breast and ovarian cancer can have a significant impact on a woman's life, both physically and mentally. Female cancer survivors often experience hot flashes, sleep difficulties, and mental health issues. However, a new pilot study has found that a novel artificial intelligence-virtual reality (AI-VR) intervention called Bubble could help alleviate these symptoms. The study involved 42 women with breast and/or ovarian cancer who suffered from hot flashes at varying frequencies. They were instructed to use Bubble, a VR mobile psychological intervention based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, twice a day and when experiencing a hot flash, for 24 consecutive days. Before and after this period, the participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing hot flashes, general psychiatric distress, perceived stress, illness perception, sleep quality, and quality of life. VR Frosty landscape with coach Luna. The results of the study showed that participants reported a significant reduction in the daily frequency of hot flashes, stress, general psychiatric distress, several domains of quality of life, and sleep difficulties. They also reported an improvement in illness perception and high satisfaction with Bubble. Importantly, both age and baseline levels of psychopathology were found to moderate the effect of Bubble on sleep difficulties. This study provides preliminary evidence for the potential of VR interventions in alleviating hot flashes and accompanying mental distress among those coping with breast and ovarian cancer. VR is a powerful therapeutic tool that can directly address mind-body aspects, and more studies are needed to fully understand its potential as a unique intervention. If future studies confirm these findings, AI-VR interventions like Bubble could become a valuable tool in improving the quality of life for women with breast and ovarian cancer. You can read the entire article here: Article. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

Nanome is a biotech company that uses VR to accelerate drug discovery and improve collaboration among scientists. Nanome is a collaborative virtual reality tool for molecular design. Teachers and students can naturally interact with any molecular structure in an immersive virtual environment. Analyze the 3D arrangement of molecules while inside a protein binding pocket and easily measure the distance between atoms directly in 3D space by pointing at atoms with your hands. Even quickly change the representation and color of a structure’s atoms, backbone, or surface. Industry-grade features built for drug discovery teams means your classroom is equipped with the most advanced molecular design software ever built for virtual reality. An academic utilizing Nanome's VR technology to oversee the control of molecular design. Another way in which Nanome is using VR is to support remote collaboration and communication among scientists. With Nanome, researchers can work together in a shared virtual space, even if they are located in different parts of the world. This allows them to discuss and manipulate molecular structures in real-time, which can help to improve the speed and efficiency of the drug discovery process. A chemistry expert and a life sciences researcher convene virtually through the Nanome VR platform from separate locations to cooperatively work on a molecule they are jointly creating in real-time. Nanome’s technology can create various ways for students and academics to level up their knowledge, being this: Educating: Elevate student participation, knowledge retention, and understanding by utilizing cooperative chemical design software in Virtual Reality. Nanome's sophisticated drug development software is not only used by experts in the field, but also by educators globally in the classroom setting. With Nanome, imparting chemical concepts becomes more tangible and captivating, opening doors to a novel approach to teaching chemistry. Student point of view: Experience the practical side of chemistry you have always yearned for with Nanome's virtual reality software. No longer limited to a 2D screen or drawing, you can now physically reach out and grasp the chemistry structure with your own hands. Work together with peers from any corner of the world and discover a completely novel perspective of chemistry that you have never seen before. Researcher point of view: Transform your lab with Nanome's cutting-edge drug design software. Seamlessly integrate Nanome into your scientific processes and collaborate with peers worldwide. Employed by leading pharmaceutical companies, Nanome can be the key ingredient in your next scientific breakthrough. Overall, Nanome's use of VR technology is helping to transform the way that scientists approach drug discovery and molecular design. By providing a more intuitive and efficient way to explore and manipulate complex molecular structures, as well as improving collaboration and communication among scientists, VR is helping to accelerate the development of new and more effective therapies for a range of diseases. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

Hello everyone! 🌐 Our recent event series, "Web3 Wellbeing & Mindfulness," was truly inspiring. In each of the five videos, we learned from different experts about how to support our mental health in the virtual world. Here's a quick summary of what you can expect from each video: Part 1: Dr. Jose Ferrer Costa shared his expertise on VR spaces for mental health recovery and a guided well-being practice. Part 2: Eli Strzelecka, founder of Conspicuis, discussed how her team is creating mindful communities and supporting well-being in the Web3 space. Part 3: Chee Pui Khei, biomedical engineer and DAO creator, shared her research on mental health technology. Part 4: Matej Gyarfas, founder & partner at BETTER Virtual Architecture, talked about creating virtual architecture for therapeutic support. Part 5: Daniela C. Merlano, a positive psychologist, shared her work in creating a more empathetic world through Mindful Web3. If you missed the event, don't worry! You can experience the virtual world that Dr. Ferrer Costa built to support people who need guidance in their well-being practice & mental health recovery by following this link: https://lnkd.in/epue2mrH . We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our speakers for sharing their valuable insights and experiences in the "Web3 Wellbeing & Mindfulness" event series. Dr. Jose Ferrer Costa, Eli Strzelecka, Chee Pui Khei, Matej Gyarfas, and Daniela C. Merlano - your expertise and passion for promoting mental health and wellbeing in the Web3 space has truly been inspiring. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host you in this amazing event, and we hope that your contributions have helped our attendees gain a better understanding of the potential that Web3 holds for improving mental health and wellbeing. Thank you for making the "Web3 Wellbeing & Mindfulness" event series a success, and we look forward to working with you again in the future. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested in learning more about VR for Good and participating in our upcoming events? Follow @Evenness on LinkedIn. Want to organize your own learning event or conference in #extendedreality? Contact us at hey@evenness.rocks. Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

NASA has long been at the forefront of technological innovation, and virtual reality (VR) is no exception. In recent years, the space agency has been leveraging VR to train astronauts and design spacecraft more efficiently and effectively. NASA's use of VR technology in astronaut training has been a game-changer, enabling astronauts to simulate spacewalks, practice emergency procedures, and acclimate to the unique environment of space in a safe and controlled manner. Additionally, NASA has been using VR technology to design and test spacecraft, allowing engineers to see how various components will fit together and identify any potential issues before physical prototypes are built. The application of VR technology has led to significant time and cost savings for NASA, and it is expected to continue to play a crucial role in the agency's future space missions. Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is pictured wearing a virtual reality headset and clicking a trackball for Time Perception, a study exploring how astronauts perceive space and time and possible effects on navigation and fine motor coordination in microgravity. Credits: NASA The virtual reality (VR) market is rapidly growing, According to a recent report by Mordor Intelligence, the global virtual reality market size is projected to reach USD 62.1 billion by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of 33.47% from 2018 to 2023. This market growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the increased use of VR technology in fields like gaming, education, and training. By adopting cutting-edge technology and staying ahead of the curve, NASA is continuing to make groundbreaking advancements in the field of space exploration. Use of VR by NASA: Astronaut Training: NASA is using VR technology to provide astronauts with realistic simulations of the conditions they will face in space. This allows astronauts to practice and prepare for various tasks, such as spacewalks and handling equipment, in a safe and controlled environment. Spacecraft Design: NASA is also using VR technology to simulate and design new spacecraft. This allows engineers and scientists to test and refine their designs before they are built, improving their efficiency and effectiveness. Time Perception: Examines changes in how humans perceive time during and after long-duration exposure to microgravity. Crew members wear a head-mounted VR display, listen to instructions, and use a finger trackball connected to a laptop to respond. They take tests once a month during flight, as well as before launching to space and after returning to Earth, to evaluate adaptive changes. ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet tests out the equipment for the Immersive Exercise experiment on the ground before launch. Credits: ESA , NASA. Astronauts are trained in many ways, and the GRASP study is just one of them. The European Space Agency's (ESA) GRASP study is aimed at improving our understanding of how the perception of gravity influences our ability to reach for objects. This is accomplished by observing astronauts using a virtual reality (VR) headset to interact with virtual objects. When we reach for something, our brain combines sensory information such as sight and hearing with hand movements. Astronauts must physically adjust to microgravity to live in space, and their brains must adapt to the absence of traditional up and down orientation. By providing insights into this adaptation, the GRASP study has significant implications for supporting future long-term space exploration. Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) conducts a session for GRASP, an ESA-sponsored study on how the body adapts to the microgravity environment using virtual reality headsets. Credits: NASA NASA's use of VR technology for astronaut training and spacecraft design is an example of their innovative approach to their operations. By using VR technology, NASA is improving the preparation of their astronauts and the efficiency and effectiveness of their spacecraft design process. As the VR market continues to grow, NASA's use of VR technology is likely to become an increasingly important part of its operations. Exploring a recent use for VR for long-duration future astronauts with NASA: An Interview with Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie, a VR Pioneer "In collaboration with SIFT Smart and Smart Information Flow Technologies and researcher Peggy Wu, I had the opportunity to work on a project for NASA in 2013-2016 that focused on the use of virtual reality (VR) for long-duration spaceflight support. The first task assigned to me was to write a technical report on how VR could be implemented to train astronauts, mitigate the psychological effects of isolation and sensory deprivation, and prepare them for long missions. Later, we built a virtual world ecosystem, ANSIBLE, which was deployed in a twelve-month isolation study to evaluate its capacity to maintain the social connection between participants in a Mars simulation analog environment and their friends and family living outside the habitat. The scientists who were sequestered for a year on a lava mountain in Hawaii had limited communication with the outside world, and ANSIBLE helped ease their isolation by providing them with creative tools and a platform to interact with their loved ones through recordings. Our findings showed that the use of VR in space missions could significantly increase feelings of closeness, maintain interactions with loved ones, decrease stress, and give the perception that time is moving fast. By creating a dedicated virtual world based on OpenSim software, we allowed the scientists to explore creative outlets that they could use to build various things. Although VR was still emerging at the time, we were able to deploy the ANSIBLE virtual ecosystem in the Mars habitat with the scientists, using the Oculus DK-1 headset. The scientists could go into the virtual ecosystem on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while their friends and family could interact with them on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday by leaving little recordings for them to watch. In conclusion, the project was a great success in terms of demonstrating how VR can be used to mitigate the psychological effects of isolation and sensory deprivation over the course of a long mission. By providing an outlet in Virtual Reality, the scientists were able to keep themselves connected with their loved ones through the ANSIBLE virtual ecosystem. Our project was a groundbreaking achievement in VR and has the potential to revolutionize the way astronauts are trained and prepared for long-duration spaceflight missions. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel. Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss.

The automotive industry is making use of the cutting-edge technology of Virtual Reality to streamline their operations, design, and marketing tactics. The implementation of VR has resulted in improved efficiency, cost reduction, and elevated customer satisfaction. As VR technology evolves, it is predicted that more and more auto companies will adopt it to keep up with the competition. Here are five examples of how VR is being utilized in the automotive sector: BMW M2 Mixed Reality: A one-of-a-kind virtual experience for customers. By using a headset, customers can enter a metaverse created by BMW and take part in a blend of real and virtual driving experiences. They can drive a physical car on a real track and participate in an exciting virtual race in a VR world. A vivid demonstration of this can be seen in the video below: Mercedes-Benz: Integrating VR into their showrooms, customers can virtually explore and personalize vehicles before making a purchase. They can also experience test drives in virtual environments for a more interactive and immersive experience. VR is also being utilized to create and test prototypes, cutting down on the time and costs involved in physical prototypes. Experience driving a Mercedes by swiping your phone, watching it in a VR headset (YouTube VR) or changing the view with the arrows on your computer in this video: Audi: Using VR to simulate real-life scenarios and test their vehicles under various driving conditions, Audi can fine-tune their designs and make necessary improvements. VR is also being used to offer customers an interactive and immersive experience when exploring their vehicles, allowing them to customize and test-drive virtual models before making a purchase. At CES 2023, one of Audi's VR uses was demonstrated, allowing visitors to experience rides in the back of an Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback. Holoride technology adapts virtual content to real-time driving movements. For instance, if the car turns right, the spaceship in the virtual world flies right. By synchronizing the visual and felt experiences, holoride reduces motion sickness during multimodal gaming events in the car. This is illustrated in the following video: Hyundai: At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (2019), Hyundai Mobis displayed a concept car equipped with the "Virtual Touch" system. With this technology, drivers and passengers can manipulate the interactive screen in the windshield by using hand gestures like pointing or waving. The car is capable of transitioning from manual to autonomous mode, allowing for the selection of entertainment options. Additionally, the car's facial recognition technology evaluates the driver's emotional state to adjust the lighting inside the vehicle, potentially avoiding accidents caused by inattentive or disengaged drivers. Hyundai plans to begin offering these features with its highest level of autonomous driving technology by 2025. You can take a look at this video: Volvo: They are using VR technology in various ways to improve the customer experience and its business operations, including virtual showroom experiences, design and engineering, employee training, and customer-facing applications. Volvo, known for its commitment to safety, user experience, and smart prototype evaluations, has embraced Virtual Reality to further enhance its offerings. The company introduced the world's first mixed reality test drive, allowing drivers to sit in a real car and immerse themselves in a virtual reality-like experience. By wearing a mixed reality headset, drivers can experience a nearly life-like driving adventure on the road with VR overlay elements. Check out the video below to see this in action: In conclusion, the automotive industry has embraced Virtual Reality technology and is leveraging it to enhance processes, design, and marketing strategies. From BMW's M2 Mixed Reality to Audi's virtual showrooms and test drives, the use cases of VR in the automotive industry have shown significant benefits such as increased efficiency, cost savings, and higher customer satisfaction. As VR technology continues to advance, it's expected that more and more automotive companies will adopt VR to stay competitive and offer their customers a more immersive and interactive experience. ⭐️🌍📢 Stay informed and be part of the Web3 community by subscribing to our Telegram channel - https://lnkd.in/edQBCZdG . Stay updated on the latest advancements in the Web3 space and join the discussion as we delve into the trends highlighted in our report. Let's work together to push the boundaries of web3 and make it a more sustainable future! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events virtually by using immersive technology? Let's book a call to discuss your needs & InnoCityX by Evenness!

⭐️⭐️⭐️Exciting news, everyone! We are thrilled to share with you our latest report on the emerging trends for 2023. Our team has analyzed data and gathered insights from our community to bring you the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on what to expect in the #web3 space. The trends outlined in this report are based on the collective input of our #community, including your voice, questions, concerns, social media posts, and expressions of excitement. We want to express our gratitude to you, our members, for your active participation and for advancing the web3 agenda. Your contributions have been invaluable in shaping this report. Click on the image to view the report ⭐️🌍📢Join our Telegram channel - https://lnkd.in/edQBCZdG - to stay updated on the latest developments in the web3 space and to be a part of the conversation as we explore the trends outlined in our report. Let's keep collaborating to expand the limits of web3 and make it more sustainable! Interested to showcase your business/products or organize events in the Metaverse? Let's book a call to discuss your needs & InnoCityX by Evenness!