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Statements posted on this blog represent the views of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for Law Science & Innovation (which does not take positions on policy issues) or of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law or Arizona State University.

Tuesday Triple Trivia for November 18, 2014

3 Questions. 3 Hints. 3 Answers.  Every Tuesday.

1. What technology, described as a  “black box” for humans is headed to court?

Hint: 

Answer: no, we are not talking about the personal  injuries allegedly caused by wearing a Fitbit.  Here we are talking about Fitbit data being used to support a personal injury claim.  A Calgary law firm is breaking new ground in a  personal injury case that will use data from a Fitbit to establish the effects of an accident on its client.   In this case, the plaintiff’s lawyer won’t be using Fitbit’s data directly, rather the data  will be fed through an analytics platform to compare the plaintiff’s activity data with that of the general population.  The claimant in the Calgary case will wear the Fitbit for an assessment period, during which her personal data will be collected and assessed.  Given that the complainant in question used to be a personal trainer, her attorney hopes to easily establish that she was active before sustaining injuries in an accident.   Nonetheless, one can foresee that this type of assessment vehicle may be subject to abuse in that one could easily curtail one’s activities in order to establish lack or lessening of physical activity during the investigative period.  Read the details here.

2.  What discovery may qualify more folks to receive a  Darwin Award?

Hint:

Answer: scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School and the University of Nebraska have discovered a virus found in algae (chlorovirus Acanthocystis turfacea chlorella virus 1 (ATCV-1))  that can infect the human brain, making its victims more…stupid.  The virus affects visual processing, spatial awareness and attention.  In their study, researchers found that “the presence of ATCV-1 was associated with a modest but measurable decrease in cognitive functioning.”  Read the details here.

3.  What rather massive resurrection is potentially in the works?

Hint:

Answer: Scientists announced they may have the know-how and DNA to clone one very old wooly mammoth.  The well-preserved 40,000 year-old mammoth was discovered in 2013 in Siberia.  While the tools are in place, certain ethical constraints may prevent the project from moving forward.  Read the story here.