The New New Internet unveiled a number of timely and important news items this week geared toward the government contracting executive, as well as a fun holiday story.
Avaya will help the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operate a hotline for children interested in when Santa Claus and his sleigh will arrive at their house for Christmas.
“We know Santa travels quickly, but we’re certain NORAD is up to the challenge,” said Steve Derr, chief technology officer for Avaya Government Solutions. “We’re proud to provide the same mission-critical Avaya systems for NORAD’s Track Santa hotline that the organization uses year-round for the important work it does in the defense of our nation.
NORAD utilizes the company’s Aura unified communications and contact center services to pass each caller to one of NORAD’s 1,200 volunteers tracking Santa.
Last year, more than 100,000 children called the hotline.
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On a more serious note, DARPA has developed an injectable foam which prevents internal bleeding by using two compounds to compress the wound.
During tests, the foam reduced blood loss by six times and increased the rate of survival at three hours post-injury to 72 percent from the eight percent observed in controls.
“If testing bears out, the foam technology could affect up to 50 percent of potentially survivable battlefield wounds,” said DARPA program manager Brian Holloway.
“We look forward to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on future regulatory submission of this device, and with our partners, the Army Institute of Surgical Research and Special Operations Command, on getting this technology to where it’s desperately needed on the front lines.”
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