The University of Melbourne and US partners have been researching to see if analysing data of electrical activity in the brain can predict epileptic seizures (CMM September 8 2016). It can using a “brain-inspired computer chip”, as set out in a new paper by Dean Freestone (UniMelb) and Stefan Harrer (IBM), plus colleagues from both institutions, published in The Lancet’s EBioMedicine journal.

“Seizure prediction can increase independence and allow preventative treatment for patients with epilepsy. We present a proof-of-concept for a seizure prediction system that is accurate, fully automated, patient-specific and tunable to an individual’s needs,” they write.

Ever wondered why Australians believe in medical research funding? This is why – the hope that this brings will make Christmas happy for many families.