News 2003
New update of The Observer 5.0
30 October 2003
The best observational data collection tool has become even better!
Although it is just a few months ago that we released a new upgrade of The Observer, a new update is already available.
What is new in the latest update (version number 5.0.25)?
In this new release, we have added a number of functions, such as:
Merge function: combine two observational data files (ODFs) into one new file with the correct time codes. The merge function not only combines the observational data, but also other elements like independent variables, notes, etc. If the contents of more ODFs have to be joined together, you can just repeat the merge function a number of times.
Why would you use the merge function? Expert users of The Observer may know that you can also group observations in the analysis. These are a few examples where this new function can be handy:
Noldus IT Launches SYBAR 2.0
18 July 2003
Wageningen - Noldus Information Technology is proud to announce the launch of SYBAR 2.0.
The name "SYBAR" is a Dutch acronym for "system for motion analysis in rehabilitation medicine". The development of SYBAR was initiated some ten years ago by the University Medical Center of Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit), as a tool for physicians to visualize certain parameters during gait that are not visible to the naked eye.
The solution was the integration and synchronization of video with EMG (muscle activity) and GRF (Ground Reaction Force). This is what SYBAR offers: a complete system for objective clinical motion analysis. The three modalities of motion: kinetics (by looking at the video image), kinematics (forces) and muscle activity (EMG) are simultaneously visualized in SYBAR thanks to an integrated combination of software and hardware. As a result, a more accurate diagnosis is possible and therefore a better treatment, which is also cost and time efficient.
Noldus IT Launches The Observer 5.0
23 May 2003
Wageningen - Noldus Information Technology is proud to announce the launch of The Observer 5.0.
"…I wish I'd had this program when I did my PhD…"
So said one of our users when she witnessed the release of the latest version of The Observer last year. With a host of new features, this upgrade undoubtedly strengthened The Observer's position as the most advanced tool for observational research. As ever, though, research and technology continue to evolve. Based on the latest user requests and state-of-the-art technology, we have therefore created The Observer 5.0. Alongside all the features that made the previous version a success, we have now added a number of new functions that will help to increase the efficiency of behavioral observations and analysis.
Noldus Information Technology and PatternVision launch Theme 4.0
18 February 2003
Wageningen - Noldus Information Technology now offers Theme 4.0. Theme revolutionizes the way to analyze behavior. The software discovers and analyzes hidden patterns in human and animal behavior. Theme has been developed by PatternVision. Noldus Information Technology has published the package and is responsible for worldwide exclusively marketing, sales and support.
"Theme is a truly unique product, in the sense that it uses unique methods and algorithms to automatically identify hidden patterns in sequential data sets", said Lucas Noldus, Managing Director of Noldus Information Technology. "Similar results cannot be achieved by visual inspection or by using standard analytical methods. Since Theme can be used in combination with data files generated by The Observer and EthoVision, it has a clear added value to our customers and perfectly complements the product portfolio of Noldus."
An automated observation system to analyse the behaviour of laboratory rodents
29 January 2003
Recording and classifying the behaviour of laboratory rodents is a vital part of a wide range of studies ranging from the discovery of new drugs and detection of harmful side-effects to the biological control of agricultural pests. Until now, it has been a lengthy and painstaking task, requiring human observers to judge, count and record. But a new computerised system developed with EUREKA's help has done away with the need for human observers, revolutionising the way labs work around the world.
One of the key issues in the biological control of agricultural pests is to find the right natural enemy for a particular pest, for example, parasitic wasps attack pest insects like caterpillars, beetles, aphids, etc. EthoVision allows researchers to automate the observation process in the exploratory phase. It measures aspects of the insect's behaviour in the laboratory (e.g. walking and flight speed, turning rate, time distribution of different areas in space) that have a predictive value for its performance in the field.