A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST), a five-minute daily breathing workout, can significantly lower blood pressure, rivaling the effects of exercise and medication. The study, conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder, involved 36 adults with above-normal systolic blood pressure and found that IMST reduced blood pressure by nine points on average. The article also reviews several IMST devices, including the Airofit PRO, Breather, and Expand-a-Lung, highlighting their features and benefits. The popularity of these devices is increasing due to their health benefits, including improved vascular health and respiratory function.

The article explores the current state and future prospects of body temperature monitoring in wearable technology. It highlights the features and limitations of various products from major brands like Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, Garmin, Oura, WHOOP, CORE, and Empatica. The discussion includes the significance of body temperature monitoring for sleep, fertility tracking, sports performance, and general health. The article also delves into the potential use cases and research areas, such as sickness onset monitoring, stress detection, and metabolic rate tracking. The overall sentiment towards the brands and products is neutral, with a positive outlook on Oura's innovative research.

Oura has announced the acquisition of Proxy, a company known for its digital identity signal platform, in an all-equity deal. This acquisition aims to integrate Proxy's technology into future Oura rings, potentially adding features like smart wallet capabilities and secure health data sharing. Key employees from Proxy, including its founders, will join Oura. The move is seen as a strategic expansion of Oura's leadership in the health wearables market, emphasizing innovation and data privacy.

Oura Ring introduces new features for iPhone and Apple Watch users, including lock screen widgets, Apple Watch complications, and a companion app. These updates allow users to access Oura metrics like readiness, sleep, and activity scores directly on their Apple devices. The company assures that membership fees will remain unchanged despite these enhancements. The features are primarily targeted at Apple users, with no new updates for Android users. The Oura app on Apple Watch mirrors the iPhone app, providing convenience for users who prefer checking health stats on their watch.

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can detect weak heart pumps using ECG data from the Apple Watch. The study showed high participation and suggests that this tool could be used to screen and monitor heart patients globally. The AI transforms the ECG signal into a detector for a condition that typically requires more expensive tests. The findings were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society conference 2022, and the 12-lead ECG algorithm has previously received FDA breakthrough device designation and emergency use authorization for COVID-19.

Mayo Clinic is launching a new clinical study requiring a million participants to validate the quality of ECG and symptoms data collected from Apple Watch. The study will use AI algorithms to predict cardiac pathologies and compare the results with traditional ECGs and other clinical data. The study aims to assess the utility of Apple Watch data in guiding patient care and will ensure patient confidentiality throughout the process.

The new iPad Mini, equipped with the A15 Bionic chip and 5G technology, is being adopted in the healthcare industry for its portability and efficiency. Dr. Tommy Korn highlights its suitability for healthcare professionals, emphasizing features like Touch ID, which is convenient for masked users, the speed and clarity provided by 5G, and the form factor that fits in a lab coat pocket. The Center Stage camera technology is also praised for improving televideo consultations. Dr. Korn's insights suggest the iPad Mini is a transformative healthcare tool.

Scribd is introducing standalone streaming of its audiobooks on the Apple Watch, allowing users to listen without needing an iPhone. The new app includes playback controls and a sleep timer, and works with Series 3 or later watches on watchOS 7+. Scribd's subscription service offers various content for $9.99 a month. Spotify and Pandora have also released similar streaming services for the Apple Watch, which is becoming popular for audio consumption. Apple is set to launch Podcasts Subscriptions and channels in June.

Apple is enhancing its health division by hiring a senior cardiologist with expertise in health products and technology. The role involves collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to identify key focus areas and develop new product concepts. Key qualifications include an MD in cardiology, experience with regulated medical and digital health products, and strong communication skills. This position is part of Apple's broader effort to expand its health-related workforce, including roles for clinical research and FDA interfacing.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the U.S. Army in implementing mission command in Afghanistan, highlighting issues such as unstable and inexperienced staff, complex equipment integration, and the need for detailed planning. The author, Maj. Niel Smith, emphasizes the importance of stable, highly trained personnel and the necessity of detailed planning to avoid operational failures. The piece provides insights into the operational complexities and the adjustments required to ensure effective mission execution.