OK. This is a subject matter that requires adult supervision. I debated writing about it- but I know it’s been a subject of interest (maybe just for the males) for at least 3 decades. The problem is that we still know no more- definitively- than we did when I was younger… much younger.
Continue reading Seek and Ye Shall Find?
When I first heard about this development, I thought they were working on something similar to what Bob Langer, a fellow ChemE grad student from MIT, was working on years ago. Normally, all bandaging does is to contain a wound, preventing infection from setting in. That’s why Bob Langer developed his artificial skin to treat burn patients more effectively, because the “new skin” effectively replaced the burned skin and precluded infection in the patient. This new device was being touted as a “smart bandage”. But, that’s not really what Dr. H. Kong (Chemical and Biomolecular engineering, University of Illinois-Urbana), along with Drs. Jeong, Chan, Cha, Zorlutuna, Dyck, Hsia, and Bashir are developing.
Continue reading Smart Bandage?
We know the four letter curses, the 10 letter curses. But, we dread the 6 letter one… C A N C E R…… But, maybe not for much longer.
Continue reading A shot to be felt ’round the world?
We’ve seen 3-D printers for rapid prototyping for a while now. And, the prices for these printers have been dropping to ‘home-affordable’ over the past few years (e.g., last May’s Cerebrations). Given these facts, Dr. Lee Cronin (University of Glasgow) heading a research group at the University of Glasgow (with Drs. Symes, Kitson, Yan, Richmond, Cooper, Bowman, and Vilbrandt of Uformia in Norway) developed yet another use for 3D printers- producing chemicals. They presented their findings in Nature.
Continue reading Drugs on demand?
I was speaking with someone about some information she heard on the Anderson Cooper TV show. While that show was about divorce (four key errors that will indicate you are bound to divorce), Dr. Gottman mentioned something that intrigued her. That feelings of contempt (which is a form of stress) damages one’s immune system.
Continue reading Stress affects our Immune Response
You take a shower. As you come out, you notice beads of water all over your body.
Nothing’s wrong. Your body was designed that way. Your skin contains materials that repel water, to keep you protected. Those hydrophobic compounds (phospholipids) that surround your cells are membranes of polyvalent phosphatidyl choline (PC).
Continue reading The Flip Side?
So, here it comes- or not. The PPACA (Obamacare) stipulates that health care insurers are required to justify their health care premiums. And, should they spend less than 80% of those premiums on benefits (this is called the medical loss ratio ) for small companies and individuals or 85% of large company insurance costs on benefits, they are “legally overcharging” these subscribers.
Continue reading Healthcare Rebates?
Imagine this scenario. It’s almost Christmas. And, you’re in a Hilton hotel bar- teeming with people celebrating, virtually wall to wall. And, you hear a voice. And, recognize it as that of a friend from decades past. “Jeffrey Fried, where are you?”, I call out. Seconds later… “Roy?”. I hadn’t seen Jeff in 21 years. But, I recognized his voice. (Which restarted our friendship for another decade, until I got married and moved away. Jeffrey Fried- where are you?)
Continue reading Can you hear me?
You have the sniffles. You ache. You complain. You call your doctor. He prescribes antibiotics. All is well? Right?
I was perusing the web after I put away all my special dishes and food required for my holiday. (OK, I was vegging out after stuffing and carrying 8 tubs, with an average weight of 25 kilos down 10 steps and through a narrow hallway, leaving them in storage until next year.) And, I ran across a new device that intrigues me- and I think you will be interested as well.
Continue reading Tal navigates his “Narrow Straits”