Slashdot | FDA OKs Brain Pacemaker for Depression: "FDA OKs Brain Pacemaker for Depression
Posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday July 21, @01:27PM
from the shocking-developments dept.
Duke Machesne writes 'On Friday, the FDA approved a new therapy for the severely depressed who have run out of treatment options: a pacemaker-like implant that sends tiny electric shocks to the brain. The Food and Drug Administration's clearance opens Cyberonics Inc.'s vagus nerve stimulator, or VNS, as a potential treatment for an estimated 4 million Americans with hard-to-treat depression - despite controversy over whether it's really been proven to work.' "
Friday, July 22, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Japanese bank combines ATM with slot machine : Mail & Guardian Online
Japanese bank combines ATM with slot machine : Mail & Guardian Online: "Japanese bank combines ATM with slot machine
Tokyo, Japan
20 July 2005 05:41
Japanese people hoping their bank accounts carry a bit more cash could see their hopes come true with an automated teller machine (ATM) that doubles as a slot machine, a regional bank said on Wednesday.
Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank, based in Ogaki city about 300km west of Tokyo, will on August 8 introduce slot games that run during the wait as cash machines process transactions.
A user who hits three straight sevens using the 'stop' button on the ATM screen will get 105 yen (about R6) to cancel the customary fee for using the machine outside regular hours.
The bank customer can even strike a jackpot of 1 000 yen (R60) if the slot machine gives them a set of 'gold' or 'super gold' images, named after the accounts the bank has been offering.
To collect the prize, the winner has to come up to the bank counter.
'We want our customers to enjoy a little excitement during the waiting time when they operate an ATM,' a bank spokesperson said.
'We also want people to come to our outlets as we have been offering various products and services,' he said.
The slot game is not available during regular business hours when money withdrawal is free of charge.
Depositors with other banks' cards can also use the slot-game ATMs of Ogaki Kyoritsu -- but will be charged a fee of 210 yen.
The odds of winning are 'good', according to the bank, being one in 10 for the 105-yen fee cancellation and one in 500 for the 1 000-yen cash prize. -- AFP"
Tokyo, Japan
20 July 2005 05:41
Japanese people hoping their bank accounts carry a bit more cash could see their hopes come true with an automated teller machine (ATM) that doubles as a slot machine, a regional bank said on Wednesday.
Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank, based in Ogaki city about 300km west of Tokyo, will on August 8 introduce slot games that run during the wait as cash machines process transactions.
A user who hits three straight sevens using the 'stop' button on the ATM screen will get 105 yen (about R6) to cancel the customary fee for using the machine outside regular hours.
The bank customer can even strike a jackpot of 1 000 yen (R60) if the slot machine gives them a set of 'gold' or 'super gold' images, named after the accounts the bank has been offering.
To collect the prize, the winner has to come up to the bank counter.
'We want our customers to enjoy a little excitement during the waiting time when they operate an ATM,' a bank spokesperson said.
'We also want people to come to our outlets as we have been offering various products and services,' he said.
The slot game is not available during regular business hours when money withdrawal is free of charge.
Depositors with other banks' cards can also use the slot-game ATMs of Ogaki Kyoritsu -- but will be charged a fee of 210 yen.
The odds of winning are 'good', according to the bank, being one in 10 for the 105-yen fee cancellation and one in 500 for the 1 000-yen cash prize. -- AFP"
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