Human pee mixed with ash can turn out to be a natural fertilizerSeptember 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has proven that human urine mixed with wood ash can be a natural fertilizer. According to a report in National Geographic News, the study was carried out by Surendra Pradhan, an environmental scientist at University of Kuopio in Finland.
Researchers work on artificial legs that don't slipSeptember 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Marjorie Brasier, on an instrumented prosthetic leg, repeatedly tripped or slipped on the treadmill. Sometimes she recovered on her own and kept walking, while at other times the harness she wore was all that kept her from tumbling to the floor.
Soon, improved prosthetic legs to prevent amputees from trippingSeptember 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at the University of Rhode Island are conducting a study to develop improved prosthetic legs that could prevent amputees from tripping. The study is aimed at improving the safety of prosthetic legs by developing a reliable and responsive stumble detection system.
Low birth weight linked to decreased bone mineral density in adulthoodAugust 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, Finnish researchers have found that adults born with very low birth weight have lower bone mineral density. Led by Dr. Petteri Hovi, from the National Institute for Health and Welfare Helsinki, Finland, the researchers evaluated skeletal health in 144 adults (ages ranging from 18 to 27 years) who were born preterm with very low birth weight.
Artificial bone made of wood may allow broken human bones to heal fasterAugust 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Italian scientists have developed a new procedure to turn blocks of wood into artificial bones, which may be implanted into large animals and eventually humans, allowing live bones to heal faster and more securely after a break than currently available metal and ceramic implants. According to a report in Discovery News, the researchers chose wood because it closely resembles the physical structure of natural bone, "which is impossible to reproduce with conventional processing technology."
"Our purpose is to convert native wood structures into bioactive, inorganic compounds destined to substitute portions of bone," said Anna Tampieri, a scientist at the Instituto Di Scienza E Techologia Dei Materiali Ceramici in Italy.
Circulating blood cells can form bone outside the normal skeletonJuly 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Circulating cells in the blood have the ability to form bone at sites distant from the original skeleton, according to a new research. It is believed that bone-forming cells, derived from the body's connective tissue, are the only cells able to form the skeleton.
KFC under fire over 'misleading' fresh chicken claims in new adJuly 15th, 2009 LONDON - KFC has come under fire over "misleading" claims that fresh chicken is delivered to each of its branch on a daily basis. The fast food chain broadcast an advertisement, saying: "KFC.
Alcohol may soon power artificial muscles for robots, prosthetic limbsJuly 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Instead of batteries, artificial muscles driving robots or prosthetic limbs might soon be powered by a kind of alcohol that can make people blind, say researchers. "You can imagine robotic soldiers fighting ahead of human soldiers and getting a drink of alcohol to fight on," Live Science quoted materials scientist, Ray Baughman director of the University of Texas at Dallas NanoTech Institute as saying.
Breakthrough opens way to developing tiny bio-fuel cellsJuly 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A breakthrough in making miniscule brushes potentially opens the way to bio-fuel cells that can power pace-makers, cochlear implants and prosthetic limbs. University of Georgia (UGA) chemist Jason Locklin and graduate students Nicholas Marshall and Kyle Sontag grew polymer brushes, made up of chains of aromatic molecules sometimes used as solvents, attached to metal surfaces as ultra-thin films.
Soon, bulletproof vests made of cementJune 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new type of body armour made from cement is being developed by engineers at the University of Leeds. The boffins are combining super-strong cement with recycled carbon fibre materials to make a material tough enough to withstand most types of bullets.
Student with prosthetic arm alleges discrimination by Abercrombie & Fitch in BritainJune 24th, 2009 Student alleges discrimination by AbercrombieLONDON — A British student who worked for U.S. retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
British woman with prosthetic arm sues Abercrombie for discriminationJune 24th, 2009 British woman with prosthetic arm sues AbercrombieLONDON — A British woman with a prosthetic arm has filed a discrimination claim against Abercrombie & Fitch Co., alleging the U.S. retailer made her work in the stockroom because she didn't conform to its "look policy."
Riam Dean is seeking up to 25,000 pounds ($41,000) in damages at an employment tribunal that began Wednesday.
Bone fragment may confirm human presence in Treasure Coast 13,000 yrs agoJune 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An amateur fossil collector has discovered a 15-inch-long prehistoric bone fragment in Treasure Coast, Florida, which might help confirm a human presence here up to 13,000 years ago. The ancient bone, found by local amateur fossil collector James Kennedy near Vero Beach, contains a crude engraving of a mammoth or mastodon on it.
Researchers create better mosquito repellentJune 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Housewives can now have a good night's sleep - scientists have created a better mousetrap when it comes to repelling mosquitoes. Up till now, the gold standard has been DEET.
Wood injures herself on setJanuary 19th, 2009 LONDON - Actress Evan Rachel Wood had to go to the hospital when she cut her hand on the set of 'The Wrestler'. Contactmusic.com reports that the director Darren Aronofsky instead offered to superglue the wound himself so that there wouldn't be a delay in the shoot.
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