What We're Reading: Uptick in Coronavirus Cases; Juul Ads Targeted Children; Motion Technology Aids Rehab

Hundreds of New Coronavirus Cases confirmed in China

A record rise in deaths and thousands more cases of coronavirus were reported in the Chinese province of Hubei, Reuters reports. The uptickmay be the result of a newly implemented diagnostic method. On February 12, Hubei health officials reported 242 deaths in 1 day, marking the fastest rise in daily count since the outbreak began. Previously, RNA tests were used to confirm cases, but now computerized tomography scans are being used in Hubei to more quickly reveal lung infections. Meanwhile, the CDC confirmed a second case of the virus in San Diego, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Lawsuit Reveals Juul Targeted Youth Websites

A lawsuit filed on February 12 by the Massachusetts attorney general’s office found Juul Labs Inc bought online advertisements featured on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Seventeen magazine websites, Reuters reports. The company previously denied it ever intentionally targeted teenagers. The lawsuit claims the company worked through online ad buyers to purchase slots on websites utilized by children and teens between 2015 and 2016. Educational websites like coolmath-games.com and socialstudiesforkids.com also listed Juul advertisements.

Motion Capture Technology Aids in Rehabilitation

Technology used in Hollywood to capture actors’ movements is being used by hospitals and rehab centers to analyze patients with mobility-limiting conditions like Parkinson disease, STAT reports. Data are collected by reflective markers tracked by infrared cameras when actors move on screen. The same data collected from the cameras are used by physical therapists to make treatment recommendations. The technology can also be used for those recovering from stroke-induced paralysis and other muscular conditions.