FEATURED STORY: Within minutes of connecting him to a brain-computer interface developed at UC Davis Health, Casey Harrell’s words appeared on a monitor and were spoken aloud by a computer in a voice resembling his own. It brought everyone in the room to tears. “On day two of this use by Casey, he was talking to his daughter for the first time in her memory,” says neuroscientist Sergey Stavisky.
The holidays are nearly upon us, but December is also our annual innovation issue here at Comstock’s!
This year, we featured some major advancements in health science that are happening right here in the Capital Region, including thought-to-speech neurotechnology, pharmacological applications for seaweed and the broadening of transplant capabilities. Did you know you can read the latest issue of Comstock’s on your computer or tablet right now, before some of these articles are available on the web? Check it out.
Worldwide, 2024 was an exciting year for health science. National Geographic just released their list of the seven most important medical breakthroughs that happened this year, including advancements in pig-to-human kidney transplants and a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease.
In other news, please take some time to nominate your favorite woman in leadership for March’s 11th annual special issue. We’re looking for top-tier executives who make a demonstrated difference in their industries, companies, communities and the next generation of the workforce. Submit your nomination here (until Dec. 31).
- Dakota Morlan, Managing Editor
Other stories you may have missed: ‘Hushed Hybrid’ Trend May Thwart Return-to-Office Efforts
Hushed hybrid (or hushed remote) is when managers overrule, dismiss or choose to not enforce the company’s return-to-office policies. Why is this a problem, and what can be done about it?
My Ancestors’ Connection to the Golden 1 Center
Comstock’s contributor Graham Womack shares a love story that came before The Beam and the now-iconic Kings stadium.
Dilemma of the Month: How Do I Tell an Internal Candidate He’s Not a Good Fit?
Even if he appears to be qualified on paper? Evil HR Lady answers.
Regaining Lost Land
Comstock’s President and Publisher Winnie Comstock-Carlson reacts to the latest news of Wilton Rancheria’s majority ownership of Sacramento Republic FC.
Recommendations from our staff
Judy: The calendar flipped to December, so that means goodbye to sports series, history documentaries, crime thrillers, tense psychological dramas and hello to Hallmark movies! I don’t watch the Hallmark Channel the rest of the year, but there’s something about watching their sugary-sweet holiday movies during Christmastime that gets me ready for the season. I enjoy the pretty decorations of the small towns depicted in the movies (did you know Nevada City was the location of one?) I’m pushing for charming Fair Oaks Village to be included in a future movie.
Jennifer: This week I read “L’armée du salut” by Abdellah Taïa, a Moroccan author based in France since 1999. The semi-autobiographical novel charts a Moroccan boy’s journey to university in Geneva, where he’s forgotten by the friends who are supposed to pick him up and ends up staying at a Salvation Army shelter run by a dead-ringer for Michel Foucault. Taïa is the first openly gay Arab writer and has been called “a beacon of hope” for people in his home country.
Dakota: Do you remember Capitol Aquarium at T and 29th? It closed in 2011 after more than five decades in operation, but the building now hosts a Japanese bistro, fittingly called Koi (they kept the koi pond from the aquarium days). I thought the sushi was excellent, and the interior of the restaurant is a delightful setting with high ceilings and lots of natural light.
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