For years, the U.S. has experienced a shortage of registered nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that while the number of nurses will increase by 19 percent by 2022, demand will grow faster than supply, and that there will be over one million unfilled nursing jobs by then.

So what's the solution? Robots.

Japan is ahead of the curve when it comes to this trend. Toyohashi University of Technology has developed Terapio, a robotic medical cart that can make hospital rounds, deliver medications and other items. It follows a specific individual, such as a doctor or nurse, who can use it to record and access patient data. This type of robot will likely be one of the first to be implemented in hospitals because it has fairly minimal patient contact.

A robot's appearance affects its ability to successfully interact with humans, which is why the RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center for Human-Interactive Robot Research decided to develop a robotic nurse called Actroid F. It is so human-like that some patients may not know the difference. This conversational robot companion has cameras in its eyes, which allow it to track patients and use appropriate facial expressions and body language in its interactions. During a month-long hospital trial, researchers asked 70 patients how they felt being around the robot and "only three or four said they didn't like having it around."

It's important to note that robotic nurses don't decide courses of treatment or make diagnoses, though robot doctors and surgeons may not be far off. Instead, they perform routine and laborious tasks, freeing nurses up to attend to patients with immediate needs. This is one industry where it seems the interaction of robots will lead to collaboration, not replacement.

The Mattel toy company created a new Barbie doll with the famous British scientist Jane Goodall as its model. The company issued the new doll this week, the latest member of the Barbie toymaker’s “Inspiring Women”. Mattel said the doll, made from used plastic, honored Goodall’s deep research on chimpanzees(黑猩猩)in Tanzania and her efforts to protect the wild animals.

The doll was dressed in a light brown shirt and shorts, much like that seen in many images of Goodall at work in Africa. It also came with a notebook, telescopes and another doll modeled on the real chimp Goodall named David Greybeard, He was the first chimpanzee with which she built trust in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park. The relationship permitted her to study the animals extremely closely. “I wanted a doll to be me even before this idea came up,“the 88-year-oldscientist said, She praised Mattel for developing new Barbies standing for a wider number of working women.

Lisa McKnight agreed. She is the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls for Mattel. She said, “We hope that this collection encourages kids to learn more about green careers and how they can protect the planet, and act out stories about environmental protection through doll play.”

Goodall started her research in what is now Tanzania in the 1960s. She produced much research on wild chimpanzees over the years. She recorded how they made and used tools, lived in communities,and showed a high level of emotional(情感) understanding.

Goodall wanted to teach children that if they wanted to have a good effect on the changing environment, they must act. Goodall said,“Hope is about action on climate change, loss of wildlife, unfriendly lifestyles and pollution. We reach out to others because there are people working on each one of these problems.….”

Standing desks have become common across Silicon Valley, offering health benefits to those willing to work on their feet. However, due to their high price, they have failed to catch on until now. Recently, Ikea has brought out Bekant convertible（可变换的） standing desk that can become a normal desk at the touch of a button. The $500 adjustable desk can transform from a standard desk to a standing one, and Ikea hopes it could make the standing desk mainstream.

Experts say that changing from a seated to a standing desk can improve productivity. Similar desks have become a common sight at tech firms such as Google, where some employees have even installed treadmill (跑步机) and bicycle desks.

The desk is not the first “convertible” on the market. As early as 2013, Stir Kinect brought out an adjustable desk. The $3,890 Stir Kinect desk has a motor to raise and lower itself, changing it into a standing desk or a traditional desk. The desk can even be programmed to move up and down slightly, making it appear to take a gentle breath to remind the user to change their positions. To move between sitting and standing positions, owners simply double tap on the screen. The desk can learn the user’s preferences over time and suggest the best seating position.

The Stir Kinect desk was created by a team of ex-Apple and Disney engineers. It has a built-in touch screen to control and track movement, and can tell users exactly how many calories they burn by standing during their working day. It also has devices containing power points and USB ports for charging phones, to keep cables hidden.

“ Ikea’s height-adjustable desk is great for opening up the lower end of the market, ’’ said JP Labrosse, founder and CEO of Stir.