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Health
Tests demonstrate effectiveness of BioSentry water monitoring system
By Kyle Sherer
20:09 April 22, 2008 PDT
April 22, 2008 The World Health Organisation states that one billion people lack access to clean drinking water, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change believes this number will rise. In the developed world, the issue is one of monitoring and maintaining the fresh water supplies that already exist, and that's where systems like JMAR Technologies’ BioSentry water monitoring system come in. Biosentry uses laser-produced, multi-angle light scattering technology to identify individual microorganisms, eliminating the need for consumables or reagents and is able to detect bacterial pathogens up to 25 times better than any other water monitoring system according to recent test results from the U.S. EPA. Read More
Hybrid device combines hearing aid and cochlear implant
By Emily Clark
00:07 April 18, 2008 PDT
April 18, 2008 To date the the options have been limited for hearing-impaired patients who do not stand to benefit from hearing aids, but for whom cochlear implants are unsuitable because they retain some natural hearing. Now a hybrid hearing device being tested in trials across the US offers a solution to this category of patients by combining the advantages of both hearing aids and implants. Read More
"Put that gum back in your mouth Johnny"
17:53 April 9, 2008 PDT
April 10, 2008 A recent study on the effects of a new chewable mint that mimics the cavity fighting properties of saliva has found a 62 percent decrease in cavities in children using the product. Read More
Thudguard safety hat for toddlers
By Emily Clark
21:51 April 7, 2008 PDT
In the UK, over 500,000 children's head injuries are recorded each year and part of this is due to bumps and falls as toddlers learn to walk. Thudguard is a lightweight safety hat for kids to keep them safe while the find their feet and reduce the severity of the everyday bumps and bruises. Read More
Alzheimer's detection using near-infrared light
By Emily Clark
20:23 March 25, 2008 PDT
It is estimated that around 4.5 million people in the US are currently living with Alzheimer's and the disease is one of the leading causes of death, accounting for tens of thousands each year. There has been no definitive way of diagnosing the disease on living patients so doctors have had to rely on medical histories, administering physical exams, and neuropsychological assessments. Now, a team of researchers in Massachusetts has developed a way of examining brain tissue with near-infrared light to detect signs of Alzheimer's disease. Read More
Samsung and adidas miCoach fitness phone
By Mike Hanlon
22:21 March 6, 2008 PST
March 6, 2008 It is inevitable that one day our mobile phones will monitor the body’s key functions - ubiquitous usage of such a device moved closer this week when Samsung and Adidas announced the miCoach mobile phone. The miCoach comes with a stride sensor (pedometer) and heart rate monitor, enabling the phone’s software to monitor your workouts and advise/push you with a voice-simulating personal coach. Despite concepts from Nokia and Microsoft, and add ons from Kiwok and Alivetech , the miCoach is the first phone with heart rate functionality, so it is a milestone. Read More
New funds for development of high tech prosthetic limb
By Emily Clark
23:14 February 21, 2008 PST
A team led by the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University has received a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to complete development of a prosthetic arm that will look, feel and perform like a natural limb. Read More
Second Sight announces milestone in groundbreaking retinal implant trial
15:58 February 19, 2008 PST
February 20, 2008 It has to be among the most powerful examples of the miraculous potential of modern science and technology - restoring sight to the blind. Following approval from the US FDA last year, Second Sight Medical Products Inc has now announced that enrollment is complete for the first phase of clinical trials on a system that restores a basic level of sight to sufferers of retinal eye diseases. Enrollment at key European sites also underway. Ten subjects have been recruited for the Phase I trial of the second-generation electronic retinal implant known as The Argus II, which is capable of restoring rudimentary vision using an external camera and transmitter mounted in eyeglasses linked to a tiny array of 60 electrodes that are attached to the retina. Read More
Open up and say ahhh: new technique uses laser light to analyze breath for diseases
By Jude Garvey
23:26 February 18, 2008 PST
February 19, 2008 We're familiar with the use of breath testing to determine blood alcohol content, but according to new research the air we exhale could reveal much more about what's happening in our bodies, and in the future, breath testing could become a regular part of visiting the doctor. The research by a team of US scientists has shown that markers for diseases such as asthma or cancer can be determined by analyzing trace molecules in the breath using laser light. Experiments using a pulsed laser aimed into a breath-filled cavity proved that gases such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, and methane could be detected revealing signposts to particular diseases being present in the patient - ammonia, for example, may indicate renal failure. Read More
Nemorelax targets personal tranquility amid airport mayhem
22:46 February 4, 2008 PST
February 5, 2008 Finding a quiet space to de-stress, phone home, check emails or catch a quick, comfortable nap in the middle of a busy airport is a challenge that's nigh-on impossible at the best of times. While airport lounges offer some comfort to the weary traveler, the Nemorelaxer aims to take this to a whole new level by providing a fully-connected personal oasis where users can watch films, access wi-fi Internet, make calls, listen to music or just recline for a well earned nap without fear of interruption. The staffed service, to be sold in 30 minute time-blocks, also incorporates wake–up calls, a luggage lock-up facility and the free loan of a laptop. Read More
Researchers develop new dark field x-ray technique
By Jude Garvey
16:15 February 4, 2008 PST
February 5, 2008 A breakthrough by European researchers has the potential to expand the application of powerful "dark-field" x-ray imaging using standard medical and industrial imaging equipment. Normally only possible via prohibitively expensive and sophisticated crystal optics, the detailed images produced by "dark-field" x-rays could be applied to diagnose breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, identify explosives in hand luggage, or pinpoint hairline cracks in airplane wings. Read More
INADA’s Sogno chair delivers full-body shiatsu massage
By Jude Garvey
18:44 January 29, 2008 PST
January 30, 2008 Japanese company INADA has introduced Sogno - a full-body massage chair that uses infra-red scanning to identify shiatsu acupressure points on your body and then delivers a massage which feels like you’re being pummeled and manipulated by a real masseuse. Read More
K-NFB Reading Technology offers cell phone solution for the blind
By Emily Clark
21:52 January 28, 2008 PST
January 29, 2008 Access to cell-phones in today’s increasingly technological world is important for all people, not just those with 20/20 vision. The latest news in this sector comes from Kurzweil Technologies, which in a joint venture with the National Federation of the Blind in the US, has announced the pairing of its K-NFB Reading Technology software with the Nokia N82 mobile phone. Read More
Human Touch Portable Massage Pad: take relaxation with you
By Emily Clark
18:09 January 6, 2008 PST
January 7, 2008 Massage is considered a great tool for an active and healthy lifestyle and in recent years a number of effective, purpose-built massage chairs have appeared on the market. These devices do suffer from one drawback however - you can't take them with you. The solution from Human Touch is to go portable - its new HT-1470 back massage pad is specially designed to fit on almost any sofa, home or office chair, providing a go-anywhere, heated massage to knead out tough knots and keep the blood flowing at any time of day. Read More
Lifestraw mark II - push to expand distribution of upgraded lifesaving invention
21:43 December 2, 2007 PST
December 3, 2007 We have previously examined the remarkable potential of the Lifestraw - a personal water purification device that avoids the need for electricity by utilizing the sucking power of the user to kill disease causing micro organisms and filter bacteria, delivering the immeasurable benefits of clean water to anywhere on the planet. With estimates putting the number of daily deaths that result from unsafe drinking water at 6000, there's no questioning the potential of the Lifestraw to alleviate misery and since our first encounter with the device, manufacturer Vestergaard Frandsen has upgraded the specifications in response to feedback from the field. Read More
Samsung announces new flat-panel digital X-ray detector
20:14 November 22, 2007 PST
November 23, 2007 Samsung has developed an advanced flat panel digital X-ray detector (FPXD) for radiology machines that promises faster, cheaper and more accurate imaging in medical labs. Developed in conjunction with Korean medical machinery manufacturing company Vatech, the new device utilizes thin-film transistor (TFT) technology to produce high-resolution (9.4 megapixel) without the need for film or development required in analog film applications. Read More
Kids rock on with their toothbrush out
By Emily Clark
16:29 November 22, 2007 PST
November 23, 2007 Getting kids to brush their teeth is no easy task, which is why Tiger Electronics has introduced a little fun to oral care with Toothtunes - a collection of musical toothbrushes that transmit music from the bristles, through the teeth into the inner ear. Songs last for two minutes, the amount of time generally recommended by dentists for a thorough clean. Read More
HTI's revolutionary forward osmosis filtration system
By Darren Quick
22:17 October 14, 2007 PDT
October 15, 2007 On any given day, over one billion people lack access to clean drinking water and over 50% of hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from water-borne diseases. In the face of these facts it is clear that any technological innovation that can help combat this problem is a worthy one, with water filtration systems such as the LifeStraw and the LIFESAVER bottle having recently grabbed our attention. Now new technology developed by Hydration Technologies (HTI) has become available that allows the user to create a safe, clean diluted sports drink from any contaminated (even sewage-like) groundwater source without the use of power, pumping or chemicals. Read More
Lifesaver: all-in-one water filtration bottle removes pathogens without the use of chemicals
21:09 September 18, 2007 PDT
September 19, 2007 Estimates put the number of people without access to safe drinking water at a staggering one billion, and with thousands – most of them children - dying daily from the risks associated with waterborne disease there is no doubting the significance of this new all-in one ultra filtration water bottle. The LIFESAVER bottle is a World first breakthrough for access to clean drinking water that removes waterborne pathogens without the use of expensive overheads or chemicals. The device has huge potential to save lives in humanitarian and disaster relief operations as well in military situations where its pressurized system also allows it to be used as a sterile wound wash. Read More
Tiny body sensor provides real-time athlete monitoring
By Emily Clark
14:37 September 13, 2007 PDT
September 14, 2007 Real-time athlete monitoring is now firmly entrenched as an essential tool for elite athletes, with a growing array of sports monitoring systems available for both top-level sportspeople and your average fitness fanatic. This new body sensor currently under development at Imperial College promises a new level of usability by virtue of its form – the cufflink sized device clips behind the ear so as not to impede performance and delivers extensive metrics on posture, stride length, step frequency, acceleration and the body's response to shock waves. Read More
COOLINE personal evaporative cooling vest
22:53 August 28, 2007 PDT
August 29, 2007 This thermal cooling vest from COOLINE has been developed to meet the concern of climate related health issues and combat the enormous stress heat can cause on the human body. Worn under or over everyday clothing to cool the body directly, the vest is designed as a functional piece of clothing that is simply filled with water from the tap and uses evaporative cooling to regulate body temperature. Read More
Charmr design concept for diabetics
By Emily Clark
18:56 August 23, 2007 PDT
August 24, 2007 Many diabetics have lamented for years that devices related to their disease (although life saving) are bulky, uncomfortable and altogether “uncool”. The Charmr is a new concept device that would combine an insulin pump and monitor into one in an effort to give those with diabetes with a much more modern look an added functionality in of delivery treatment. Read More
Steamless Infrared sauna
03:56 August 22, 2007 PDT
August 22, 2007 Infrared saunas that use radiant energy to heat the body directly are gaining attention in the international market. These products are seen as a more beneficial and therapeutic sauna experience, use far less power, operate at significantly lower temperatures and according to promoters, they are far more effective at releasing dangerous toxins from the human body... and importantly with recent models like the Sahara from Di Vapor, you can also listen to your MP3s. Read More
Personal therapy sensory device sales to soar
By Emily Clark
17:34 August 21, 2007 PDT
August 22, 2007 As our lives become increasingly busy and stressful people are always on the look out for new ways to relax and find alternatives to drug therapy and conventional Western medicine. The result has been an increase in the number of people engaging in complementary and alternative medicine, which has in turn created a multi-million dollar industry for technologies aimed at delivering personal therapy and relaxation. Read More
Is your sunscreen doing you more harm than good?
17:33 August 8, 2007 PDT
August 9, 2007 In sun-drenched regions the skin protection message has been strongly delivered for years: overexposure equals skin cancer. Despite the warnings to cover up the Skin Cancer Foundation warns that more than 600,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. and skin cancer is responsible for 8,500 deaths annually. Paradoxically, suncreens themselves have been identified as a contributing factor in this dilemma, with new products like UV Natural promoting themselves as a safe alternative to other creams on the market which may be doing more harm than good in the ongoing battle against the sun’s harmful rays. Read More
Sam Munro
- November 26, 2009 @ 08:08 UTC
