Doctors at University Medical Center in Tucson just held a very brief news conference and passed along some news about Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ condition.

Dr. G. Michael Lemole, section chief of neurosurgery, said:

— The Democratic congresswoman is opening her eyes more frequently.

— She is “beginning to carry out more complex sequences of events.”

— Overall, Giffords is “continuing to make all the right moves in the right direction.”

— “We couldn’t have hoped for any better improvement than we’re seeing right now.”

There was also word that another of those recovering from gun shot wounds suffered during last Saturday’s shooting rampage, Giffords aide Ron Barber, has been released from the hospital.

His daughters read a statement from their father. Among the people he thanked was Anna Ballis, who was shopping at the nearby Safeway store when the shootings occurred and went to Barber’s aid. She helped keep him alive by applying pressure “to one of my bullet wounds,” Barber’s statement read.

After touring the makeshift memorial site outside the hospital, Barber has gone to the funeral of federal Judge John Roll, one of the six people killed in the attack. Thirteen other people were hit by shots. Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.