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Touchy subject: 3D-printed fingertip “feels” like human skin

<p>Machines can beat the world’s best chess players, but they cannot handle a chess piece as well as an infant. This lack of <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/robotics/the-surprisingly-complicated-technology-that-goes-into-picking-winners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot dexterity</a> is partly because artificial grippers lack the fine tactile sense of the human fingertip, which is used to guide our hands as we pick up and handle objects.</p> <p>But now, scientists have created this sense of touch in an artificial fingertip using a 3D-printed mesh of pin-like papillae (bumps) on the underside of synthetic skin. These papillae mimic the dermal papillae found between the outer epidermal and inner dermal layers of human tactile skin.</p> <p>This 3D-printed tactile fingertip can produce artificial nerve signals that look like recordings from real, tactile neurons.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p187394-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form mailchimp-ext-0.5.61 spai-bg-prepared init" action="/technology/robotics/robot-3d-printed-fingertip/#wpcf7-f6-p187394-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> <p style="display: none !important;"><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap referer-page"><input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page spai-bg-prepared" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/" data-value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/" aria-invalid="false" /></span></p> <p><!-- Chimpmail extension by Renzo Johnson --></form> </div> </div> <p>The papillae are made on advanced <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/materials/how-does-3d-printing-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3D-printers</a> that can mix soft and hard materials to create complicated structures like those found in biology.</p> <p>“Human tactile nerves transmit signals from various nerve endings called mechanoreceptors, which can signal the pressure and shape of a contact,” explains senior author Nathan Lepora, professor of Robotics &amp; AI (Artificial Intelligence) from the University of Bristol’s Department of Engineering Maths, UK.</p> <p>Electrical recordings from these nerves were first plotted in 1981 to study “tactile spatial resolution” using a set of standard ridged shapes used by psychologists. In this work, researchers tested their 3D-printed artificial fingertip as it “felt” those same ridged shapes and discovered a startlingly close match to the neural data.</p> <p>“Our work helps uncover how the complex internal structure of human skin creates our human sense of touch,” says Lepora. “This is an exciting development in the field of soft robotics – being able to 3D-print tactile skin could create robots that are more dexterous or significantly improve the performance of prosthetic hands by giving them an in-built sense of touch.”</p> <p>The <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2107.02084" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> was published in the <em>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</em>.</p> <p><!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --></p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=187394&amp;title=Touchy+subject%3A+3D-printed+fingertip+%E2%80%9Cfeels%E2%80%9D+like+human+skin" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" /></p> <p><!-- End of tracking content syndication --></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/robotics/robot-3d-printed-fingertip/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/imma-perfetto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Imma Perfetto</a>. Imma Perfetto is a science writer at Cosmos. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Science Communication from the University of Adelaide.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Professor Nathan Lepora</em></p> </div>

Technology

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Alleged right-wing extremist planned to 3D-print gun

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A man from New South Wales’ Central West region has </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/crime/nsw-man-with-nazi-flag-in-bedroom-arrested-c-3950729" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">been arrested</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by counter-terrorism police for planning to produce a 3D gun.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">26-year-old Michael Priest has been charged for possessing a blueprint to 3D print a gun - which is prohibited by NSW firearm laws and carries a penalty of 14 years in prison.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844024/arrest-dubbo2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/788c57198f884c7ca9dbca51f26035fd" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Police Multimedia / AFP</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police began investigating Mr Priest less than two weeks ago, after the Australian Border Force intercepted a package containing a firearm component addressed to the man.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon further investigation by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism (JCTT) team, they discovered the man listed as the recipient of the package was also a right-wing extremist.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His home was searched by police on Friday, where they discovered a Nazi flag and a map of the state hanging on his bedroom wall.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844023/arrest-dubbo1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/de74f9783a8c4647985b852da2139b7c" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Police Multimedia / AFP</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Priest has allegedly been importing “legally obtained items” since the middle of 2020, which police said were to be used to manufacture weapons.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Joint Counter Terrorism Team acted early to prevent him manufacturing a firearm, even though he allegedly made significant preparations to be able to do so,” Stephen Dametto, the counter-terrorism commander of the Australian Federal Police, said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The JCTT is made up of officers from the AFP and NSW Police, as well as investigators from intelligence agency ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The potential for 3D printers to print firearms, or their components, is something police are constantly monitoring, and we will take action if we have evidence a person intends to manufacture a firearm,” Dametto said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NSW Police said homemade firearms were often poorly made, adding to the danger.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“These types of firearms add another layer of risk in terms of the safety of the community as they are unstable, and many are unable to maintain integrity once fired,” Detective Superintendent Mick Sheehy of the NSW Police and Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We will not hesitate to take action if we believe there is a possibility that a firearm could land in the wrong hands.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Priest appeared before a Dubbo magistrate on Monday, where he was refused bail.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He is due to appear in court again on September 27.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Police Multimedia / AFP</span></em></p>

Legal

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Fake Banksy print sold on the artist’s website for over $450,000

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A hacker has been forced to return over $450,000AUD to a British art collector after he tricked him into purchasing a fake Banksy print. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The NFT (non-fungible token) print was posted on Banksy’s official website, fooling many fans of the elusive street artist. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The auction of the print ended early after the art collector offered 90% of rival bidders. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Banksy’s team spoke to the </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58399338"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BBC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and assured art fans that, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">"any Banksy NFT auctions are not affiliated with the artist in any shape or form."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NFT’s are a relatively new phenomenon in the art world, which show artworks that can be “tokenised” to create a digital certificate of ownership that can be bought and sold. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They often don’t give the buyer the actual artwork of copyright, but are seen as more of an investment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The man who got duped by the site believed he was buying Banksy’s first ever NFT. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The man, who wished to remain anonymous, explained over Twitter that he suspected Banksy’s official site was hacked and that he was the victim of an elaborate scam. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hacker returned all the money, with the exception of $9,000AUD transaction fee once he was caught out. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The prominent NFT collector used the online name Pranksy, and said the whole experience was bizarre but that the hacker may have got scared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The refund was totally unexpected, I think the press coverage of the hack plus the fact that I had found the hacker and followed him on Twitter may have pushed him into a refund. “</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I feel very lucky when a lot of others in a similar situation with less reach would not have had the same outcome," he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The NFT was called Great Distribution of the Climate Change Disaster, and is not linked to the famous street artist.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Banksy</span></em></p>

Art

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Titanium is the perfect metal to make replacement body parts

<p><em>To mark the <a href="https://www.iypt2019.org/">International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements</a> we’re taking a look at how researchers study some of the elements in their work.</em></p> <p><em>Today’s it’s titanium, a metal known for its strength and lightness so it’s ideal for making replacement hips, knees and other parts of our bodies, but it’s also used in other industries.</em></p> <hr /> <p><a href="http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/22/titanium">Titanium</a> gets its name from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Titan-Greek-mythology">Titans of ancient Greek mythology</a> but this thoroughly modern material is well suited to a huge range of high-tech applications.</p> <p>With the chemical symbol Ti and an atomic number of 22, titanium is a silver-coloured metal valued for its low density, high strength, and resistance to corrosion.</p> <p>I first studied titanium via a Master’s degree at the Institute of Metal Research in the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1999. One of my projects was to investigate the formation of titanium alloys for their high-strength characteristics.</p> <p>Since then, the applications for this metal have grown exponentially, from its use (as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/titanium-dioxide">titanium dioxide</a>) in paints, paper, toothpaste, sunscreen and cosmetics, through to its <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/titanium">use as an alloy</a> in biomedical implants and aerospace innovations.</p> <p>Particularly exciting is the perfect marriage between titanium and 3D printing.</p> <p><strong>Custom design from 3D printing</strong></p> <p>Titanium materials are expensive and can be problematic when it comes to traditional processing technologies. For example, its high melting point (1,670℃, much higher than <a href="https://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=103">steel alloys</a>) is a challenge.</p> <p>The relatively low-cost precision of 3D printing is therefore a game-changer for titanium. 3D printing is where an object is built layer by layer and designers can create amazing shapes.</p> <p>This allows the production of complex shapes such as replacement parts of a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-30/victorian-woman-gets-3d-printed-jawbone-implant/8400410">jaw bone</a>, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-21/rare-cancer-sufferer-receives-3d-printed-heel/5830432">heel</a>, <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2014/05/16-ground-breaking-hip-and-stem-cell-surgery.page">hip</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27313616">dental implants</a>, or <a href="http://www.media-studio.co.uk/news/media-studios-first-3d-printed-titanium-cranioplasty-plate-delivered">cranioplasty plates</a> in surgery. It can also be used to make <a href="https://3dprint.com/219546/3d-print-golf-clubs-and-equipment/">golf clubs</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-norsk-boeing-idUSKBN17C264">aircraft components</a>.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/MF/Areas/Metals/Lab22">CSIRO is working with industry</a> to develop new technologies in 3D printing using titanium. (It even <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oc8GoOOUo4">made a dragon</a> out of titanium.)</p> <p>Advances in 3D printing are opening up new avenues to further improve the function of <a href="https://www.materialise.com/pl/node/3197">customised bodypart implants</a> <a href="https://www.renishaw.com/en/metal-3d-printing-for-healthcare--24226">made of titanium</a>.</p> <p>Such implants can be designed to be porous, making them lighter but allowing blood, nutrients and nerves to pass through and can even <a href="https://3dprint.com/219795/3d-printed-lattice-structures/">promote bone in-growth</a>.</p> <p><strong>Safe in the body</strong></p> <p>Titanium is considered the most biocompatible metal – not harmful or toxic to living tissue – due to its resistance to corrosion from bodily fluids. This ability to withstand the harsh bodily environment is a result of the protective oxide film that forms naturally in the presence of oxygen.</p> <p>Its ability to physically bond with bone also gives titanium an advantage over other materials that require the use of an adhesive to remain attached. Titanium implants last longer, and much larger forces are required to break the bonds that join them to the body compared with their alternatives.</p> <p>Titanium alloys commonly used in load-bearing implants are significantly less stiff – and closer in performance to human bone – than stainless steel or cobalt-based alloys.</p> <p><strong>Aerospace applications</strong></p> <p>Titanium weighs about half as much as steel but is 30% stronger, which makes it ideally suited to the aerospace industry where every gram matters.</p> <p>In the late 1940s the US government helped to get production of titanium going as it could see its potential for “<a href="https://titaniumprocessingcenter.com/titanium-technical-data/titanium-history-developments-and-applications/">aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and other military purposes</a>”.</p> <p>Titanium has increasingly become the buy-to-fly material for aircraft designers striving to develop faster, lighter and more efficient aircraft.</p> <p>About 39% of the US Air Force’s <a href="https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f22/">F22 Raptor</a>, one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, is made of titanium.</p> <p>Civil aviation moved in the same direction with Boeing’s new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/boeing-787-dreamliner">787 Dreamliner made of 15% titanium</a>, significantly more than previous models.</p> <p>Two key areas where titanium is used in airliners is in their landing gear and jet engines. Landing gear needs to withstand the massive amounts of force exerted on it every time a plane hits a runway.</p> <p>Titanium’s toughness means it can absorb the huge amounts of energy expelled when a plane lands without ever weakening.</p> <p>Titanium’s heat resistance means it can be used inside modern jet engines, where temperatures can reach 800℃. Steel begins to soften at around 400℃ but titanium can withstand the intense heat of a jet engine without losing its strength.</p> <p><strong>Where to find titanium</strong></p> <p>In its natural state, titanium is always found bonded with other elements, usually within igneous rocks and sediments derived from them.</p> <p>The most commonly mined materials containing titanium are <a href="https://geology.com/minerals/ilmenite.shtml">ilmenite</a> (an iron-titanium oxide, FeTiO<sub>3</sub>) and <a href="https://geology.com/minerals/rutile.shtml">rutile</a> (a titanium oxide, TiO<sub>2</sub>).</p> <p>Ilmenite is most abundant in China, whereas Australia has the highest global proportion of rutile, <a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/education/classroom-resources/minerals-energy/australian-mineral-facts/titanium#heading-6">about 40% according to Geoscience Australia</a>. It’s found mostly on the east, west and southern coastlines of Australia.</p> <p>Both materials are generally extracted from sands, after which the titanium is separated from the other minerals.</p> <p>Australia is one of the world’s <a href="https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/titanium/mcs-2015-timin.pdf">leading producers of titanium</a>, producing more than 1.5 million tonnes in 2014. South Africa and China are the two next leading producers of titanium, producing 1.16 and 1 million tonnes, respectively.</p> <p>Being among the top ten most abundant elements in Earth’s crust, titanium resources aren’t currently under threat – good news for the many scientists and innovators constantly looking for new ways to improve life with titanium.</p> <hr /> <p><em>If you’re an academic researcher working with a particular element from the periodic table and have an interesting story to tell then why not <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/pitches">get in touch</a>.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/115361/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/laichang-zhang-715775">Laichang Zhang</a>, Professor Mechanical Engineering, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/titanium-is-the-perfect-metal-to-make-replacement-human-body-parts-115361">original article</a>.</em></p>

Technology

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Coles shopper disappointed by fine print on Australian Made logo

<p>A disgruntled shopper at Coles has asked anyone if they’ve checked the fine print besides the Australian Made logo lately as there’s something there that they’re bound not to like.</p> <p>They shared a post that noted that beside the Australian Made Logo, the product of streaky bacon from Coles stated that only 10 per cent of its contents were sourced from Australia.</p> <p>“How is that Australian Made???” the post questioned.</p> <p>“With African Swine Flu at our doorstep, why the hell are we accepting foreign pork products into the country,” the post continued.</p> <p>“Support our Aussie Pig farmers and Pork industry, and don't be fooled by the Australian Made symbol!”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D2518242698412213%26set%3Da.1635186646717827%26type%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="492" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Coles quickly responded to the photo shared, saying that while 85 per cent of its own brand products were sourced in Australia, if local supply doesn’t meet current demand, it’s difficult to ensure low prices for shoppers.</p> <p>“We do source some items from overseas when there is insufficient supply to keep prices low in Australia,” a Coles spokesperson said online.</p> <p>“We'll share your concerns with our Merch Team to make them aware and they'll take them into consideration next time they review our product range.”</p> <p>Many posters were shocked at this, saying that they’ve checked their own meat products at home to look at the sliding scale and were annoyed at what they saw.</p> <p>“After I saw this post, I looked at all the meat in the deli section in Coles and other than triple smoked ham all the items contained only 15 % Australian items!! Check for yourself!” one person wrote.</p> <p>“Less than 10% ! Really that’s just the package,” another angrily stated.</p>

Food & Wine

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“I don’t have one of those!”: Kmart slow cooker fine print reveals hilarious X-rated typo

<p>In a world of social media, something that potentially could’ve gone unnoticed can be immediately shared with thousands around the globe.</p> <p>And that is exactly what happened to homewares giant Kmart as an Australian woman discovered an X-rated typo on her slow cooker purchased from the discount department store.</p> <p>The Newcastle shopper shared the mistake in a Facebook group called Kmart Hacks and Décor and asked the members to point out the unfortunate mistake.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsandie.swain%2Fposts%2F10156235421561594&amp;width=500" width="500" height="620" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>The woman shared the appliance’s warning instructions that say “c**k only in this container instead of “cook”.</p> <p>The post garnered a large reaction and many members of the group shared their puns.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"It's a C*ckpot," one person joked. </p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"What a c*ck up," another commented. </p> <p>“That is hilarious. Just checked mine, says the same thing too. Can’t wait to give the other half the instructions!!!” the woman said.</p> <p>“Does this mean the meat will fall off the bone(r)?” another joked, adding to the long list of puns.</p> <p>Kmart was quick to address the incident in a statement to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7335503/Newcastle-mum-shocked-finding-X-rated-typo-slower-cooker.html" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Mail Australia</em></a> saying that they were sorry for the mistake.</p> <p>“We sincerely apologise for this error and the team have ensured this does not occur on future ranges,” the discount department store said. </p>

Home & Garden

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In praise of the printed book: The value of concentration in the digital age

<p>There is an old saying that anxiety is the enemy of concentration.</p> <p>One of the best pieces of sports journalism I ever read was by <a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2007/02/22/the-man-who-wasnt-there">Gene Tunney</a>, world heavyweight champion of the 1920s, writing about how reading books helped him stay calm and focused in the lead-up to his most famous fight against former champion Jack Dempsey. While members of Dempsey’s camp ridiculed Tunney for his bookishness, Tunney kept calm, and went on to win.</p> <p>Most of us would feel stressed at the prospect of stepping into the boxing ring, but stress-related illnesses, especially depression and forms of anxiety and attention disorder, are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in wealthy societies. According to a major <a href="http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=1&amp;ved=0CCIQFjAA&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.plosmedicine.org%2Farticle%2FfetchSingleRepresentation.action%3Furi%3Dinfo%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0030442.sd004&amp;ei=_3mgULrKOoWRigeI6IDoCw&amp;usg=AFQjCNFMmbioHNEqLYDf0H8jduBX-qV_hw">2006 projection of global mortality by Mathers and Loncar</a>, by 2030, unipolar depression will be almost 40% more likely to cause death or disability than heart disease in wealthy societies.</p> <p>Stress can of course have many causes, but in the most general sense, it spreads from factors that impact negatively on focus and concentration. We fear interruption or a surplus of tasks, responsibilities or options to choose, leading to heightened stress levels.</p> <p>The digital age is an age of distraction; and distraction causes stress and weakens concentration. Concentration, as the philosopher <a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/james/">William James</a> argued in his classic 1890 work <a href="http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/James/Principles/"><em>Principles of Psychology</em></a>, is the most fundamental element of intellectual development. He wrote:</p> <blockquote> <p>The faculty of voluntarily bringing back a wandering attention over and over again, is the very root of judgement, character, and will … An education which should improve this faculty would be the education par excellence.</p> </blockquote> <p>Concentration is equally important emotionally, as is being increasingly revealed by new research into <a href="http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/collections/monash-authors/2008/9781741667042.html">“mindfulness” and meditation</a>. The inability to focus is associated with depression and anxiety and, amongst other things, an underdeveloped sociability and human empathy. Tests have revealed that people report greater happiness from being effectively focused on what they are doing than from daydreaming on even pleasant topics.</p> <p>How many memoirs include stories of the author surreptitiously reading books by torchlight underneath the blankets, with parents fearful of the child reading too much? (In my case I was reading The Hardy Boys so my mother’s objections were probably justified.)</p> <p>As <a href="http://www.jamescarroll.net/JAMESCARROLL.NET/Welcome.html">James Carroll</a> has argued, at its core, reading is <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0130-02.htm">“the occasion of the encounter with the self”</a>. In other words, the ultimate object of reading is not to take on information but to absorb and reflect upon it and, in the process, hopefully, form a more developed version of one’s own identity or being.</p> <p>It seems likely that the concentration required and encouraged by books is extremely valuable. Reading books is good for you. And this seems especially so in the case of print books, where a reader is most completely free from distraction.</p> <p>Ebooks, and more pertinently perhaps, the digital reading environment, are unquestionably transformative in the opportunities and experiences they offer to readers. Great oceans of knowledge otherwise only obtainable through tracking down print books or physical archives and records, have become available and, much more easily searchable. <a href="http://websearch.about.com/od/h/g/hyperlink.htm">Hyperlinks</a> mean readers no longer have to read in a straight line, as it were, but can follow innumerable paths of interest.</p> <p><a href="http://www.unimelb.edu.au/copyright/information/guides/wikisblogsweb2blue.pdf">Web2 technologies</a> enable “talking back” to publishers and media, the formation of groups of readers with common interests, easy (sometimes too easy) sharing of files and other information. Stories can be enriched by animated graphics and interactivity. And so on.</p> <p>No-one in their right mind would imagine that the e-reading environment can or should somehow be wound back.</p> <p>Nonetheless, by their nature e-reading devices facilitate and encourage the constant, inevitably distracting consideration of other reading options, more or less instantly attainable. This is probably their main selling point. <a href="http://ase.tufts.edu/epcd/faculty/wolf.asp">Maryanne Wolf</a> has even asked:</p> <blockquote> <p>“if the assumption that ‘more’ and ‘faster’ are necessarily better (will) have consequences that radically affect the quality of attention that can transform a word into a thought and a thought into a world of unimagined possibility?”</p> </blockquote> <p>It is interesting to consider, in light of this possibility that the greatest benefit of reading may come from its capacity to assist in the development of focus and concentration, that the print book may not actually have been superseded or, indeed, be supersede-able.</p> <p>This, I think, is what the novelist, critic, philosopher and communications historian <a href="http://www.umbertoeco.com/en/">Umberto Eco</a> means when he argues: “The book is like the spoon, scissors, the hammer, the wheel. Once invented, it cannot be improved.”<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/9855/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Written by <span>Nathan Hollier, Director, Monash University Publishing, Monash University</span>. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://theconversation.com/in-praise-of-the-printed-book-the-value-of-concentration-in-the-digital-age-9855"><em>The Conversation</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Books

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These 3 medical advances could change your life

<p><span>From bioprinting a heart valve to isolating new treatments for diabetes, some of the most amazing and revolutionary medical research is going on right here in our own backyard. Here we look at three of the most exciting projects and how they’re going to change our lives for the better.</span></p> <p><strong>1. The research: 3D bioprinting human organs</strong><span> </span></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia<span> </span></p> <p><strong>Research team:</strong><span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="http://vasclab.mech.uwa.edu.au/barry" target="_blank"><span>Dr Barry Doyle</span></a> (pictured above, left) and team</p> <p>Thanks to a revolutionary new bioengineering program, we may one day see human organs printed on demand and then transplanted into sick patients needing organ transplants.</p> <p>Dr Barry Doyle, head of the vascular engineering laboratory at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research says it’s still early days, yet he is hopeful that the new biomedical research facility that brings experts from many different disciplines together will help speed up the process to breakthroughs.</p> <p>“What’s possible at the moment around the world is that scientists can print crude structures with cells in them and keep that alive for a matter of weeks afterwards. To go from transplanting that into a human needs a lot more work, but one day hopefully we should be able to print all the major organs in the body such as the kidneys and liver,” he says.</p> <p><strong>What’s involved?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>At the moment Doyle’s team is focused on bioprinting a heart valve and keeping it alive long enough to implant it into an animal. A heart valve has been successfully printed before in the US, but researchers weren’t able to keep it alive long enough to implant it into a live host to see if it works.</p> <p>Doyle plans to reach this stage in the next couple of years, a goal he says would be a huge step forward towards the ultimate goal of producing other organs. “The heart valve is quite a complicated geometry but if we can create one and implant it into an animal, we’ll have a good shot at being able to extend on sections of the aorta and build towards the heart,” he says.</p> <p>Bioprinting organs that have been specifically printed from a recipient’s own cells could potentially replace the need for donor organs, not to mention the lengthy waiting times for suitable donor organs to be found.</p> <p>Since bioprinting involves using a patient’s own cells, it becomes less likely that the organ will be rejected by the body as well. Donor organ rejection is currently a major problem in transplant recipients after surgery with recipients required to take anti-rejection medications on an ongoing basis.</p> <p><strong>How do you bioprint an organ?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>The technology that will make all this possible is called a 3D bioprinter. A 3D bioprinter works by depositing layers of material on a flat surface. First, living cells are taken from a patient, cultured in the lab and mixed into a soft gel-like substance called a hydrogel, which is then put into a 3D bioprinter. Another stiffer material is added to the printer and two nozzles move back and forth depositing these substances to build up the structure of an organ, layer upon layer.</p> <p>“The printing process is quite easy to carry out, but it’s keeping the printed structures alive after printing that’s where the big challenge lies,” says Doyle.</p> <p>To overcome this hurdle, Doyle’s team needs to perform tests to better understand the mechanical properties of the substances they’re using. “You can make different blends of these materials and each blend changes the material properties slightly, so one of the challenges is really understanding the hydrogel that we’re working with,” he says.</p> <p>It’s a huge task but one that Doyle’s team is well qualified for. His team has already developed another promising technology called patient-specific modelling that will one day help cardiovascular specialists and surgeons better predict and personalise patient care.</p> <p>For example, by making 3D computer models of the heart or aorta from the images taken by heart surgeons, his team can simulate the way blood will flow out of a patient’s heart and down through the vessels using computers. With this information surgeons can better determine whether a patient will need an operation, what type of operation, and even where to operate.</p> <p>“Only one in ten aortic aneurysms rupture but a huge number of operations are performed each year that are probably unnecessary. But using these computer models we can very specifically predict if operations are even needed,” Doyle says.</p> <p><strong>2. The research: Fighting cancer with nanotechnology</strong><span> </span></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>University of Sydney Nanotechnology Hub, Sydney<span> </span></p> <p><strong>Research team:</strong><span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/zdenka.kuncic.php" target="_blank"><span>Professor Zdenka Kuncic</span></a><span> </span>and team</p> <p>At the University of Sydney Professor Zdenka Kuncic, director of the Australian Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (AINST) and her team are working on ways to detect and destroy tumour cells from cancers spreading around the body, known as metastasised tumour cells.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/2833592/heath-research-syd-wyza-com-au.jpg" alt="Heath -research -syd -wyza -com -au" width="500" height="300" /><br /><em>Professor Zdenka Kuncic and her team's research hopes to find a cure for cancer (Image: University of Sydney)</em></p> <p>This is a real problem in medicine because there are currently no imaging techniques that can detect metastasised tumour cells and no techniques that can specifically target and kill them. But using nanotechnologies like the ones being developed by Kuncic and her team, we might one day be able to detect them and even deliver drugs and therapeutic agents to destroy them. But what is nanotechnology and how does it work? </p> <p>Nanotechnology is a branch of science that uses tiny particles called nanoparticles. These particles are no bigger than the size of a single molecule of glucose. In fact, you can only see them with an electron microscope. They can be made of different substances and can even be changed and ‘programmed’ to carry out specific tasks.</p> <p>One of the most exciting applications for nanotechnology is in medicine because nanoparticles have different physical properties than normal sized objects. All of the biochemical processes that happen in our bodies every day occur because of nanoscience and by understanding the properties of nanoparticles, researchers can develop nanotechnologies that work in a non-invasive way in the body.</p> <p>Nanoparticles can move around the body using the body’s own systems and can be made virtually invisible to the body’s immune system.</p> <p>Professor Kuncic and her team are already quite advanced in programming (functionalising) nanoparticles to perform certain tasks. That’s when a nanoparticle is coated in a certain type of chemical coating or when it has an antibody or other small molecule attached to it to carry out a certain job in the body. But now her biggest challenge is trying to figure out how to control those nanoparticles once they go into the body. “It’s one thing to see the nanoparticles work in a lab in a petri dish, it’s another thing to actually make them work in a living person,” she says.</p> <p>To unlock the secrets to controlling nanoparticles, Kuncic says there is an enormous amount of testing still to be done. However she is hopeful for future breakthroughs. “There are a number of nanotechnology strategies that have passed through clinical trials already and they’re being used right now,” she says.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/2833595/heath-research-suits-syd-wyza-com-au.jpg" alt="Heath -research -suits -syd --wyza -com -au" width="500" height="300" /><br /><em>At the Sydney Nanoscience Hub researchers are trying to unlock the secrets to controlling nanoparticles (Image: University of Sydney)</em></p> <p><strong>What will nanotechnology do for us?</strong><span> </span><br />If Professor Kuncic and other researchers in this field succeed, treating cancer might one day be simply a matter of ingesting a pill or having an injection at the oncologists’ and letting the nanoparticles inside find and destroy the disease.</p> <p>But the potential benefit of this technology is not just in fighting cancer. Nanotechnology has far-reaching applications in medicine, according to Kuncic. It may one day also be used by GPs to detect if patients have taken their medicine, and even as a way to detect and treat diseases before they have surfaced. “The holy grail would be to detect the signs of disease in people and be able to nip it in the bud before it starts to become a problem and that’s more than a decade away,” says Kuncic.</p> <p><strong>3. The research: Finding out how exercise protects against diabetes and other diseases</strong><span> </span></p> <p><strong>Where:</strong><span> </span>The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney NSW<span> </span></p> <p><strong>Research team:</strong><span> </span><span><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.garvan.org.au/research/diabetes-metabolism/cellular-and-molecular-metabolism/marfeb" target="_blank">Professor Mark Febbraio</a></span> and team</p> <p>You’ve probably heard before that exercise can help protect you against a whole lot of diseases, but what you might not know is exactly how this happens.</p> <p>One way exercise helps protect you is that your muscles secrete protective substances while you’re exercising. These substances are called ‘myokines,’ and by identifying these molecular links, scientists can better develop ways to treat these diseases.</p> <p>This is the crux of Professor Mark Febbraio’s research as the division head of diabetes and metabolism and head of cellular and molecular metabolism at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.wyza.com.au/media/3342342/shutterstock_323905706.jpg" alt="Shutterstock _323905706" width="500" height="336" /><br />Febbraio says that lifestyle interventions like exercising and watching your diet are still the best way to prevent type 2 diabetes</em></p> <p>One area of his research is finding a molecular link for type 2 diabetes.<span> </span><span>Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, and although it can be initially managed through lifestyle changes, around one-in-two people will eventually need insulin. </span></p> <p>According to Febbraio, in healthy people, myokines can help protect you against diabetes by activating special kinds of fat cells in your body. Unlike white fat cells, brown fat cells chew up a lot of energy when they’re activated. Myokines turn white fat cells into brown fat cells – which may assist in counteracting the metabolic processes that leads to obesity and or diabetes.</p> <p><strong>How far along is this research now?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>At the moment Febbraio and his team have evidence that myokines can help protect us from disease, but they’re not quite sure exactly which substances do what, and that’s what they’re trying to work out, but not just for diabetes. They’re also trying to identify the molecular links in a range of other diseases too, such as in obesity, Alzheimer’s disease and some types of cancers.</p> <p>“By identifying the substances that have the most protective effects (the molecular links between exercise and this protective effect) we can then use medicinal chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry to come up with drugs that doctors can use to provide more personalised treatment options for people with these diseases,” says Febbraio.</p> <p><strong>How do we find myokines?</strong><span> </span></p> <p>Finding these substances is not easy. Febbraio and his team use what’s called proteomic and genomic techniques to screen for them. Once substances have been found, they then use bioinformatics – basically complex mathematics and statistics and mice models to help them determine which of the substances are the most important.</p> <p>One promising protective muscle substance recently discovered by his lab is a substance that helps protect women against breast cancer. If further trials in mice and humans prove successful, this could prove a huge step forward in breast cancer treatment.</p> <p>While finding the molecular links will almost certainly result in better pharmaceutical treatments, Febbraio recommends being physically active as a tried and true way to prevent disease.</p> <p>“In 80 per cent of [type 2] diabetes cases, if there was no obesity in those patients they would not have the disease. So lifestyle interventions like exercising and watching your diet is still the best way to prevent diabetes,” he says.</p> <p><em>What would you like medical researchers to investigate and why? Let us know in the comments section below.</em></p> <p><em>Written by Dominic Bayley. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/these-3-medical-advances-could-change-your-life.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Technology

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X-rated print found on mum’s favourite dress

<p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">We all have our favourite go-to items of clothing in our wardrobe that we can always rely on to feel comfortable in while going out.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">One mum had a go-to summer dress that she wore for years without ever realising that hidden in the pattern was a very risqué image.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">When she noticed the rude picture for the first time, she was shocked that she had worn the dress to numerous functions without ever noticing the X-rated print.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">One of her children shared a photo of the dress online and wrote: “My mum has been wearing this summer dress for years and no one noticed the pattern until now…”</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="/umbraco/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bb9d2b752fde4553b12b2cdad966d96d" /><img style="width: 281.2982998454405px; height:500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819961/1.jpg?width=281.2982998454405&amp;height=500" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bb9d2b752fde4553b12b2cdad966d96d" /></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The dress has brown, green and light blue flowers on a white background.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">After carefully looking at the design, the silhouette of a curvy woman with her hands in her hair can be seen.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The image is repeated multiple times across the dress and cannot be unseen once it is spotted.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Did you spot the image on the dress straight away? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p>

Beauty & Style

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How to sign a document without printing it out

<p><em><strong>Lisa Du is director of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://readytechgo.com.au/" target="_blank">ReadyTechGo</a></span>, a service that helps people gain the confidence and skills to embrace modern technology. </strong></em></p> <p>There are often times when you need to sign or fill in a PDF form that has been sent to you. You could print out the document, fill it in, sign it, scan it and then email it back but that's all such a hassle for something that should be so simple.</p> <p>Thankfully with Microsoft Edge (previously known as Internet Explorer), you can do all that without having to print the document!</p> <p>Here’s how:</p> <p>Step 1: Right click on the PDF file.</p> <p>Step 2: Go to "Open with" and then click on "Microsoft Edge"</p> <p>Step 3: Click on the pencil icon located at the top right.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="600" height="NaN" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/e785dd9ba906ed79fad48bd7e/images/04a179b2-1e01-4c08-a4e3-4cf46008b44d.png" style="width: 240px; height: 120px; margin: 0px; line-height: 100%; outline: none;"/></p> <p>Step 4: Click on the "pen" icon and choose the right colour and size for you signature.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="320" height="148" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/e785dd9ba906ed79fad48bd7e/images/11f3ba9a-4647-40e1-bced-1a137714ef37.png" style="width: 320px; height: 148px; margin: 0px; line-height: 100%; outline: none;"/></p> <p>Step 5: Draw your signature by holding down left click and dragging your mouse. If you're unhappy with the signature (or you've made a mistake) click on the "eraser" icon in the top right and 'draw' over your signature to erase it.</p> <p>Step 6: When you're satisfied with your signature, right click on the open PDF and click on "Save-As" to the document!</p> <p>Have fun signing documents in a jiffy!</p>

Technology

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3D-printed meat coming to an aged care home near you

<p>3D-printed meat could be the future of food in age care homes.</p> <p>Using a meat extract as “ink”, 3D printers could produce soft foods that not only contain the nutrients of meat but be suitable for people with chewing or swallowing issues.</p> <p>Food in aged care homes has in recent years come under the spotlight. With the regulations and time constrictions that often plague aged care kitchens, the sad reality is that the food in aged care is often left considerably wanting.</p> <p>One of Australia’s most beloved cooks Maggie Beer’s passion for good food for all led her to create the Maggie Beer Foundation in 2014, which aims to change the food culture in aged care. She believes that everyone has a right to good food, and can see no reason why those in the later stages of their lives should miss out.</p> <p>“My hope is that every meal can give comfort and pleasure, always something to look forward to,” <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2016/06/maggie-beer-reflects-on-the-importance-of-food-in-aged-care/">Maggie wrote in a piece for Over60.</a></span></strong></p> <p>With advances in technology, there may be new and novel ways for aged care food to be transformed in the future.</p> <p>In the inaugural Sydney talk for Rising Minds on Thursday, Michael Lee, a food technologist and program manager for innovation at Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), spoke about the exciting possibilities of new technologies to transform food in aged care, making it more appetising through taste, texture and shape.</p> <p>“One is definitely 3D printing,” Michael tells Over60, “We are also looking at technology called high-moisture extrusion cooked. Those two technologies in particular are all around providing texture. We are looking at how we can use technology that actually has meat-like fibres and texture, so that food can be actually enjoyable to eat and chew.”</p> <p>Red meat is a great source of protein, iron and zinc, but chewing and swallowing problems means meat isn’t on the menu for many aged care residents.</p> <p>“What’s important for seniors is that they have muscle strength, so they do not fall,” says Michael, adding, “Red meat with its high protein component can actually help muscle strength.”</p> <p>Considering chops, sausages and roasts were a staple in many aged care residents’ diets throughout their lives, Michael hopes the emerging technologies will provide a tasty and nutritious solution for people who still want to enjoy meat.</p> <p>“We need to be adaptable and say steaks and roasts and chops are great products but can we use technology to give a certain segment of the population some solutions, so they can still eat red meat, but in a different form,” says Michael.</p> <p>“I’d love to see a red-meat solution of some form so aged care residents can still enjoy red meat.”</p> <p><em><strong><a href="/%20http:/www.risi.ng/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rising Minds</span></a> is a global collective that hosts free, monthly lectures that explore the futures of business, technology and culture, and where they intersect. Find more information and the speaker for the next talk by visiting their <a href="/%20http:/www.risi.ng/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">website</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2017/01/lower-stroke-risk-with-a-tipple/">Lower your stroke risk with a tipple</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2017/01/diet-to-defeat-dementia/">The everyday diet to defeat dementia</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2016/12/this-herb-can-improve-memory-and-fight-dementia/">Smelling this herb can improve memory and reduce risk of dementia</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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Researchers print 3D ear tissue

<p>3D printing is a process used to make a three-dimensional object, using successive layers of material that form under computer control to create an object.</p> <p>Researchers at <a href="http://www.wakehealth.edu/WFIRM/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre</span></strong></a> have used this startling new technology to print customised ear moulds and earbuds in the past, and have now shown that even living tissue structures have the potential to be 3D printed. This includes ears, bone and muscle, which may actually be used to replace lost or damaged tissue on human patients.</p> <p>Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine and senior author on the study, said, “With further development, this technology could potentially be used to print living tissue and organ structures for surgical implantation.”</p> <p>In the study, they created a baby-sized ear structure of 1.5 inches that was implanted on a mouse and showed signs of vascularization one and two months after implantation and even maintained its shape.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/hearing/2016/02/scientists-close-to-curing-partial-deafness/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scientists are close to curing partial deafness</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/health/hearing/2016/03/airborne-ultrasound-could-be-harmful/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Airborne ultrasound could be harmful</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/hearing/2016/02/apps-for-people-with-hearing-loss/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Revolutionary apps for people with hearing loss</span></em></strong></a></p>

Hearing

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6 hidden details in the fine print of plane tickets

<p>A travel writer has revealed a number of secrets about air travel airlines have been hiding in the fine print of their contracts of carriage.</p> <p>Joe Brancatelli, founder of the business travel site JoeSentMe, outlined these details not as a suggestion of any malevolence on the airline’s part, but a general warning for passengers to be wary. </p> <p><strong>1. You have signed a contract with the airline, whether you realise it or not</strong></p> <p>By the act of purchasing a ticket, you’re technically agreeing to the airline’s contract of carriage (COC), which is heavily tilted in the airline’s favour. COCs are generally posted online.</p> <p><strong>2. The airlines aren’t really obliged to take you anywhere</strong></p> <p>Look closely at a contact of carriage and you’ll notice airlines generally give themselves a huge concessions in terms of being required to get you where you need to be, when you need to be there. With slight variations, COCs generally state, “Times shown in timetables or elsewhere are not guaranteed and form no part of this contract. Schedules are subject to change without notice.”</p> <p><strong>3. Class mapping</strong></p> <p>This doesn’t refer to different levels of airline service (ie Business, Economy), but rather the different fare classes airlines charge for each flight. Mr Brancatelli argues that the practice of class mapping affects passengers who book a multiple stop flights and are automatically bumped into the highest fare class for each segment of the flight. To avoid this, ask about alternate routes.</p> <p><strong>4. Space in the cabin</strong></p> <p>For now at least, there are no regulations regarding how much legroom an airline has to give you. Which probably makes a lot of sense if you’ve sat through a crowded economy flight recently.</p> <p><strong>5. Tickets are no longer exchangeable</strong></p> <p>There was a time where airlines were willing to book tickets with different carriers as no additional cost as a means of making up for cancelled flights, but this act is fast going the way of the Wright Brothers.</p> <p><strong>6. Even if your carry on fits it may not necessarily make it on the plane</strong></p> <p>Going back to airlines COCs, while there are strict regulations about the size and weight of a carry-on bag you’re allowed to take on a plane, in the end of the day it’s the air staff who make the call.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/handing-your-passport-to-a-hotel/"><strong>Is it safe to hand your passport over to a hotel?</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/never-book-a-flight-on-a-friday/"><strong>Why you should never book a flight on a Friday</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/16-travel-trends-for-2016/"><strong>16 travel trends you need to know for 2016</strong></a></em></span></p>

Travel Tips

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Understanding the “fine print” on your electricity bill

<p>Understanding exactly what costs make up your energy bill can help you save.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Terms to know </span></strong></p> <p><strong>Average cost per day</strong> – This is how much you pay each day on average for energy for this billing period.</p> <p><strong>Average daily usage</strong> – This is how much energy you use each day on average. It is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) for electricity and megajoules (MJ) for gas.</p> <p><strong>kWh</strong> – Electricity energy consumption is measured in kilowatt hours. A kilowatt (kW) is 1000 watts of electrical power. For example, if you run a 1000 watt heater for one hour, it will use 1 kWh.</p> <p><strong>MJ</strong> – Gas energy consumption is measured in megajoules. A megajoule (MJ) is a measure of gas equal to one million joules.</p> <p><strong>Charge/kWh</strong> – Electricity usage is priced in cents per kilowatt hour, for example, 22.56 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh). So if you use 20 kWh each day, it would cost $4.51 each day.</p> <p><strong>Peak and off-peak</strong> – If you choose a flexible pricing or time-of-use electricity plan, there will be different charges for peak and off-peak use.</p> <p><strong>Service to Property</strong> – A fixed charge that is also called the “daily supply charge”.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to calculate quarterly usage </span></strong></p> <p>Look for the detailed charged section, usually at the back of the bill, and under the usage heading you will be able to find a summary of kWh and how many cents you are paying per kWh.</p> <p>You will also find an “average use for the billing period” figure in kWh and “total for this bill”, which relates to the total amount of kWh you have used during that billing period.</p> <p>To calculate your quarterly usage, multiply your average usage per day by the number of days in your billing period.</p> <p>For example, if your daily average is 5.93 kWh, multiply that by the number of days billed for that quarter (91 days), so 5.93 x 91 = 540 kWh.</p> <p>Remember rates vary between retailers and some quarters are usually more expensive than others, such as in the middle of winter.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The common types of tariffs </span></strong></p> <p><strong>Flat rate</strong> – This is the most common type. The same rate is charged for electricity consumed at any time of the day or night.</p> <p><strong>Time-of-use</strong> – This is where a different price is charged according to when the electricity is used during the day. Time-of-use tariffs usually involve peak and off-peak pricing, which means users are charged less for electricity during 'off-peak' or low demand periods and a higher rate for electricity used during high demand or 'peak' hours. You may not be eligible for time-of-use offers – check with your retailer.</p> <p><strong>Flexible pricing</strong> – This is an extended 'time-of-use' tariff, with peak, shoulder and off-peak rates. New flexible pricing plans have some consumer-protections associated with them, unlike the older and still available 'time-of-use' plans.</p>

Home & Garden

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How to: make a paw print Christmas ornament

<p>This year while you’re wrapping the tree in tinsel and hanging the baubles you’ll be able to include your furry friend in the festivities with their very own paw print ornament! Just like a handprint from your grandkids, this easy-to-make keepsake will make the perfect addition to your Christmas decorations. Here’s how to make one.</p><p><strong>What you’ll need:</strong></p><ul><li>1 cup flour</li><li>1/2 cup salt</li><li>1/2 cup water</li><li>1 straw or skewer to make hole&nbsp;</li><li>1 glass or circle cookie cutter</li><li>Baking paper</li><li>Decorating supplies: ribbon to hang, paint, glitter etc to decorate &nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Instructions:</strong></p><ol><li>Preheat oven to 120° C</li><li>Combine flour, salt, and water in a large bowl. Mix and knead until well combined.</li><li>Roll out dough and use a cookie cutter or any circular shape to cut.&nbsp; Allow enough room for your pet’s paw to fit.</li><li>Press your pets paw into the dough firmly and evenly.</li><li>Make a small hole at the top with toothpick or straw for the ribbon.</li><li>Place on baking paper in oven and bake for 2 hours. Flip the ornament an hour in so both sides dry evenly.&nbsp;</li><li>Remove from oven and let it cool completely.</li><li>Now it’s time to decorate! A great activity if the grandkids are around.</li><li>Show your furry friend and hang on tree!</li></ol><p><em>Image credit: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/276619602084276388/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></em></p>

Family & Pets

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Australians may soon be living in 3D printed houses

<p>New technology means the idea of Australians living in a 3D printed house is now a reality.</p> <p>Dr Hank Haeusler, senior architecture lecturer at the University of NSW, said that technically speaking the idea of building a 3D printed house was possible. The key, he says, was to find the right client, developer and builders to construct it.</p> <p>“I think it is definitely going to happen ... I think in five to 10 years we will see more and more 3D printed housing construction and nodes,” Dr Haeusler told news.com.au.</p> <p>Dr Haeusler said that researchers at RMIT in Melbourne had already developed a 3D printed structural node that could connect building parts together. Already, 3D printing is being used to manufacture cars and planes.</p> <p>While it is still in an experimental stage of development, the capabilities of the 3D printers have been proven. It’s now a race for the architects to perfect the technique.</p> <p>Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis, a researcher from the University of Southern California has been developing the technology for more than 10 years. It is his goal to be able to build a house from scratch in less than 24 hours.</p> <p>“Our goal,” he told The Age in 2003, “is to be able to completely construct a one-storey 185-square-metre home on site in one day, without using human hands.”</p> <p>He would like to create a huge printer that could print a whole house in a single run.</p> <p>When speaking to news.com.au, Prof Khoshnevis said that entry level 3D printing machines for buildings would be offered for sale within the next couple of years but extensive testing was required before they could get the technology certified.</p> <p>“One should realise that initially 3D printing can build the basic shell of the building. There is much more that goes into a house,” Prof Khoshnevis said.</p> <p>3D printing could make building a traditional home around 10 per cent cheaper too, he said. But for simple houses, such as low income or emergency accommodation, the savings could be significant.</p> <p>In 2014 in China, WinSun Decoration Design Engineering company showed its capabilities by printing 10 houses in 24 hours using what it described as the world’s biggest 3D printers.</p> <p>The cost of these simple one room houses was just $AU6494 each. The company has also built a much larger structure which it calls the “world’s tallest 3D printed building”, as well as a 3D printed mansion which cost around $AU209,111.</p> <p>Prof Khoshnevis and Dr Haeusler both agree that architectural flexibility was one of the unique advantages of printing 3D houses.</p> <p>“Time will tell if 3D printing really will be cheaper but it will definitely be possible to design and build complex shapes,” Dr Haeusler said.</p> <p>If the well known architect Jorn Utzon was trying to build the Sydney Opera House in this day and age, Dr Haeusler said he would be looking at using 3D technology.</p> <p>While 3D printed homes could be a cheaper option as labour costs go up, they still use traditional building materials such as concrete, said Dr Haeusler.</p> <p>“I think for the bog standard Australian suburban house, I wouldn’t see any point in 3D printing because you can easily go and buy design components such as bricks easily from stores such as Bunnings. But if you want to design and build a house like the Opera House where you couldn't get the components, then 3D printing becomes an advantage.”</p> <p>“At the moment it wouldn’t make a contribution to affordable housing because technology has not got to the stage yet where it could be used for mass commercial production.”</p> <p><em>Image Source: Contour Crafting</em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Related links:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/06/imprisoned-men-and-race-horses/">Prisoners and retired racehorses give each other hope for a better future</a><a href="/news/news/2015/06/imprisoned-men-and-race-horses/" target="_blank"><br /></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/06/mother-rabbit-fights-snake/">Mother rabbit fights giant snake to save her babies</a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/06/ashamed-dog-broke-glasses/">This dog is so ashamed he broke his owner’s glasses, he can’t look her in the eye</a></strong></span></p>

News

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Two-legged Dachshund gets 3D-printed legs

<p>Meet Bubbles, the Dachshund who was born without her front legs. Her human, Trevor Byers, first noticed that Bubbles was short two legs when she was in the whelping box, and was concerned for the quality of life she would have. Clearly, that’s no longer a concern.</p> <p>Thanks to a 3D printer, and after many failed attempts by Trevor to design a suitable wheelchair or set of wheels, Bubbles can now get around with all of her friends. She does so quite speedily, too. Trevor even shared the design on the DIY website Instructables, along with detailed instructions so that anyone whose dog may need similar assistance getting around doesn’t have to go without.</p> <p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-Front-Leg-Dog-Wheelchair/?ALLSTEPS" target="_blank">You can see how Trevor created the wheels here.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bubbles2legs" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">And visit Bubbles on Facebook here.</span></a></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/06/blind-jack-russel-and-best-friend/">Meet the blind Jack Russel and his best friend who acts as his eyes</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/06/most-popular-aussie-supermarkets/">Aussie shoppers are ditching Coles and Woolworths in favour of Aldi</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/grandfather-drug-trafficker/"><strong>How did this Gold Coast pensioner become a drug trafficker?</strong></a></em></span></p>

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