1. Artificial cornea gives hope to the blind
Major advancements in technology like this one are what makes the future worth looking forward to. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany have invented an artificial cornea that may well be the key to restoring sight for our people with damaged corneas.
“Our artificial corneas are based on a commercially available polymer which absorbs no water and allows no cells to grow on it,” says IAP project manager Dr. Joachim Storsberg. “Once our partner Dr. Schmidt Intraokularlinsen GmbH has suitably shaped the polymers, we selectively coat the implants: We lay masks on them and apply a special protein to the edge of the cornea, which the cells of the natural cornea can latch onto. In this way, the cornea implant can firmly connect with the natural part of the cornea, while the center remains free of cells and therefore clear.” What is special about this protein is that it can survive the later thermal sterilization of the artificial cornea without being damaged, as it does not have the three-dimensional structure typical of large proteins. Such a structure would be destroyed during the sterilization process, leading to changes in the material’s properties. The optical front part of the implant is coated with a hydrophilic polymer, so that it is constantly moistened with tear fluid.
Researchers in Dr. Karin Kobuch’s working group at Regensburg University Hospital have already tested these corneas in the laboratory and found that their cells graft very well at the edge and cease growing where the coating stops. The optical center of the implant thus remains clear. The first implants have already been tested in rabbits’ eyes - with promising results. If further tests are successful, the technology will be tried on humans in 2008.”
2. Self-cooling seat cushion
A warm weather coupled with a non-breathable chair can be quite a killer to our poor butts. For those of us who can’t afford a Herman Miller, the Self-Cooling Seat Cushion is a butt saviour!
The cushion is made from “natural minerals,” which has a unique property of producing a cooling effect when melting. The minerals regenerate automatically when stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight.To minimize regeneration time, stop using cushion before all minerals are in a melted state (easy to feel by gently squeezing the cushion).
Neither the melting time nor the regeneration time is stated, which has a huge impact on how useful this product is. But then again, this might be our only ticket to cool asses!
Price: $49.95Availability: Now!
