Crystal clue in army brain injury (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A colour-changing crystal attached to a soldier's uniform could help doctors decide if they need treatment for a brain injury, researchers say.

The crystal reveals the intensity of a bomb blast the wearer has been exposed to, helping doctors treat injuries that might not be immediately apparent.

Shockwaves from bomb blasts can cause brain damage not visible on MRI scans, New Scientist magazine reports.
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MRI scans pick up structural damage, such as bleeds on the brain, excess fluid or skull fractures.

But a shockwave, such as that caused by a bomb can cause damage on a cellular level, with microscopic tears in the brain.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7545568.stm

Hmmm ... industrial and scientific equipment is already shipped in crates with shock sensors -- if the sensor has tripped, the shipper and recipient are alerted to rough handling during shipping. Could the same thing work (at least partly effectively) for this purpose?

[varkam]

1. Hey, crystals are actually useful for something!

:rofl: