Fill a cavity, try your hand at suturing, and explore simulations at Researchers’ Night at RSU

This year, European Researchers' Night at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will take place at the Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) on 26a Anniņmuižas bulvāris on Friday, 29 September, from 18.00 to 22.00.

Visitors will be able to fill in cavities, try out surgical suturing, laparoscopy, as well as various simulators that are used by prospective physicians during their training. Learn about the use of herbs in childbirth and how artificial intelligence and smart textiles can be used in health monitoring and take part in many other exciting activities.

Participants in European Researchers' Night will have the opportunity to visit Latvian universities, research institutes, research centres, and laboratories, take part in experiments, creative workshops, and participate in lectures and discussions with researchers.

Visitors are welcome to take part in various activities offered by RSU students, scientists and faculty members at the RSU METC.

• Can herbs and grains be used to ease childbirth? Latvian folk beliefs mention a number of herbs that have a positive effect on delivery and help to induce labour. Do teas make the birthing process easier? Is there scientific evidence supporting the benefits of drinking tea? You will get the answers to these questions and be able to taste different teas and guess which herbs they are made from and have the opportunity to identify different grains that were once used in childbirth.
• Video and quiz on childbirth. Is on-screen labour close to reality? After watching the video, you will be able to answer these and other questions and get to know the process of childbirth better.
• First aid – unconscious victim. Learn how to rescue an unconscious person and use an automated external defibrillator.
• Tying surgical knots. Is it possible to tie a tight knot with one hand without looking and in less than one second? Test how deft your hands are and learn about a surgeon's daily work.
• How clean are your hands? Learn how surgeons wash their hands and take a look into an operating theatre.
• Laparoscopic surgery. Explore the possibilities of laparoscopic surgery and try out how to perform it in practice.
• What is an immersive environment? You will have the chance to teleport to any environment with the push of a button.
• Inhalation and exhalation in resuscitation. Explore how anaesthesiologists ensure patients’ airway patency.
• My health and technologies. Take a look at what technologies will be used in healthcare in the future and what the latest technologies in healthcare are now. Learn about the role of innovations such as telemedicine and health monitoring sensors. Learn how to integrate technology into a sustainable lifestyle. During the event, workshops will be organised where participants will be able to talk to artificial intelligence about health. Learn about the latest digital innovations, such as smart textile clothing and the opportunities of the smartphone in monitoring health and movement.
• Get to know the dentistry profession! Try your hand at filling a cavity.

• How to recognise cancer. In the workshop, children up to the age of 7 will be able to colour in pictures, while those aged 7-13 will have the opportunity to take part in the game Where does cancer hide in the body? At the start of the game, children will be introduced to what a tumour is and what influences its development. Teenagers and youngsters will have the opportunity to play the game Clinical Case – the Road to Diagnosis, where they will learn what happens to a person with cancer – how energy consumption, weight, taste, and well-being can change. Learn how a nutritionist assesses an oncology patient using malnutrition screening, body mass index and other parameters.
• Safe food in the diet. Educational activity on food packaging, shelf life, contamination and healthy food choices.

RSU Researchers' Night activities are organised by the RSU Technology Transfer Office with the participation of representatives from the Research Department, the Department of Sports and Nutrition, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Faculty of Dentistry and the Medical Education Technology Centre.