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  • Study Finds Little Support for Alternative Autism Treatments

    Study Finds Little Support for Alternative Autism Treatments

    A large-scale review of research on complementary and alternative autism treatments found no strong evidence of effectiveness and noted that their safety was seldom evaluated.
    Image Credits: Pixabay

    A large-scale review of research on complementary and alternative autism treatments found no strong evidence of effectiveness and noted that their safety was seldom evaluated.

    A study in Nature Human Behaviour reviewed 248 meta-analyses and 200 trials involving over 10,000 participants.

    Examining 19 Alternative Autism Treatments and Launching an Evidence Platform

    The researchers assessed the safety and effectiveness of 19 alternative autism treatments, including acupuncture, music therapy, probiotics, and Vitamin D. They also developed an online platform to make their findings on these treatments more accessible.

    Autistic people often struggle with communication, sensory sensitivity, anxiety, and repetitive behaviors, impacting daily life. Up to 90% report trying CAIMs at least once.

    Why Families and Autistic Individuals Turn to Alternative Treatments

    “Many parents and autistic adults turn to alternative medicines hoping for benefits without side effects,” says Professor Richard Delorme of Robert Debré Hospital in Paris.

    “Still, it’s important to weigh findings from well-designed randomized trials before recommending these treatments,” the authors caution.

    To do this, the team conducted an umbrella review—a method that combines evidence from multiple meta-analyses to provide a broad overview.

    Broad Evidence Review and a New Tool to Guide Treatment Choices

    Dr. Corentin Gosling, lead author from Paris Nanterre University, said: We analyzed all available meta-analyses instead of single trials.”This approach let us assess the overall evidence across different treatments. We also created a free, user-friendly online platform, which we plan to refine further. Our goal is to help autistic people and clinicians make informed decisions together.”

    Although a few treatments showed promise, most were backed by weak or low-quality evidence, making their effects unreliable. More concerning, fewer than half of CAIMs were assessed for safety, tolerability, or side effects.

    Professor Samuele Cortese of the University of Southampton said: “It’s vital to judge treatments by the full body of evidence and its quality.” Relying on a single low-quality study can be very misleading.

    Read the original article on: Medical Xpress

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  • TRIC Robotics Secures Seed funding to Support Pest and Disease Control for Farmers

    TRIC Robotics Secures Seed funding to Support Pest and Disease Control for Farmers

    TRIC Robotics, specializing in autonomous pest and disease control, has raised $5.5 million in seed funding. The company plans to scale its robots for specialty crops, starting with labor- and pesticide-heavy strawberries.
    Image Credits:therobotreport

    TRIC Robotics, specializing in autonomous pest and disease control, has raised $5.5 million in seed funding. The company plans to scale its robots for specialty crops, starting with labor- and pesticide-heavy strawberries.

    “Our robots have already helped cut chemical use across hundreds of acres on California’s Central Coast,” said founder and CEO Adam Stager. “This funding will fuel our growth, letting us expand into new regions and add key talent.”

    He added, “Automation is essential to helping farmers boost productivity sustainably.”

    TRIC Robotics Offers Sustainable Alternative to Chemicals and Manual Labor

    TRIC Robotics says farmers face mounting pressure to cut chemical use, control labor costs, and meet sustainability goals. Based in San Luis Obispo, California, the company promotes its robotic fleet as a cleaner, more efficient alternative to pesticides and manual labor.

    Its tractor-sized robot, Luna, replaces traditional chemical sprays by using UV light to combat pests and disease without harming the environment. It also uses vacuum technology to remove insects without pesticides.

    Offered as a full-service solution, TRIC’s technology aims to boost farm profitability while supporting the demand for chemical-free produce—creating recurring revenue for the company. The initial focus is on strawberries, a crop known for high labor and pesticide needs.

    TRIC’s robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model features a data-driven platform equipped with vision systems and real-time field analytics. The company reports that pilot programs have cut pesticide use by as much as 70%.

    TRIC gained early visibility among robotics investors through its participation in the Pitchfire competition at RoboBusiness 2023.

    TRIC Robotics Secures Backing from Top VCs and Strategic Angels in Seed Round

    Version One Ventures led TRIC Robotics’ seed round, with support from Garage Capital, Todd and Rahul Capital, Valor Equity Partners, Lucas Venture Group, Spacecadet, and Redstick Ventures. Strategic angel investors—including the founders of Clearpath Robotics and New Leader Manufacturing—also contributed.

    Existing backers like Undeterred Capital, Embark Ventures, Soundboard Venture Fund, and Central Coast Ventures participated as well. TRIC plans to use the funds to grow its robot fleet, expand into new California farming areas such as Oxnard and Watsonville, and enhance its automation and analytics features.

    The company has doubled its robot fleet over the past year, now operating nine units with three more in production. It says Luna has been deployed across hundreds of acres, helping farmers improve the profitability of high-value crops while reducing chemical use.

    “Our goal is to equip farmers to grow more with less—sustainably,” said CEO Adam Stager. “This funding drives our mission to bring chemical-free solutions to specialty crop regions across California.”

    Read the original article on: The Robot Report

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