Core Concept of Realology - Realology is the study of flow and deformation of materials, primarily used to measure viscosity for intended functions, applicable to materials between liquid and solid states [4][5] - Realology is essential across various consumer products and industries, ensuring desired texture and performance, such as lotions, motor oils, and cement [5][6] - Materials measured by realology are classified as non-Newtonian fluids, where flow properties are tailored for specific applications [9] Medical Applications and Cardiovascular Disease - Blood is a non-Newtonian fluid with shear-thinning properties, and its viscosity is crucial for healthy blood flow; abnormal viscosity can lead to clots, aneurysms, or inflammation [10][11] - Measuring blood's rheological properties can provide a method for early detection of cardiovascular diseases [12] - Studies indicate that up to 46% of individuals over 40 years old have some form of coronary atherosclerosis, and heart disease accounts for one quarter of deaths in the United States [13] - Despite over a hundred years of research correlating blood viscosity to cardiovascular disease, blood rheology is not widely used as a diagnostic tool [15] Call to Action - The speaker encourages spreading awareness about realology to improve cardiovascular disease diagnosis and outcomes [16][19][20] - The speaker's work involves developing a small, portable microfluidic chip to simplify rheological measurements, aiming to make the technology more accessible to doctors [17]

GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (GEHC) recently announced FDA approval for Optison, its polyethylene glycol (PEG)-free ultrasound enhancing agent, for use in pediatric patients. This milestone expands the application of Optison to children of all ages, enabling clearer and more accurate echocardiogram imaging.As one of the only ultrasound agents in the United States without PEG, Optison offers a safer alternative for patients with PEG hypersensitivity. With a proven safety profile and decades of clinical us ...