Microchip Implant Gives Medication On Command

News | Health

A tiny chip implanted under the skin can dole out dozens of doses of osteoporosis medication right on schedule

By Katherine Harmon ?| February 16, 2012?|

Chipping away at drug delivery: With a tiny implanted chip, filled with individual doses of medication, a patient might soon be able to forget all about daily shots--and perhaps even pills. Image: MicroCHIPS, Inc., Massachusetts

For people who face frequent needle jabs to treat chronic conditions, a new technology is on the horizon that might make treatment a lot less painful.

Researchers report that a new wirelessly controlled microchip, implanted under the skin, can safely and reliably give osteoporosis patients the daily dose of a drug that they need for at least 20 days in a row. The findings were presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Vancouver and published online Thursday in Science Translational Medicine.

Some 55,000 people in the U.S. with osteoporosis face daily injections of a bone-boosting hormone (known as human parathyroid hormone fragment, which is the basis for the drug teriparatide, sold as Forteo). But during a two-year daily regimen of the shots, close to three quarters of osteoporosis patients fail to take the drug as often as they are supposed to. High noncompliance makes this condition an especially compelling target for an automatic drug-dosing system.

"In a silent disease like osteoporosis, [patients] don't feel any difference, and they just give up the injections all together," says Robert Farra, co-author of the study and chief operating officer at MicroCHIPS, the company that makes the chip. Doctors can either preprogram the new device for a release schedule or send release instructions directly to it via a dedicated radio frequency.

For the study, eight postmenopausal women with osteoporosis had the chip?which is about three by five centimeters and can be implanted during an office visit?inserted under the skin around their bellies for about three and a half months. Daily doses of teriparatide were preprogrammed to release for about 20 days during the middle of the trial. Seven of the eight received most of their doses right on schedule, and each of these said they would opt in for another chip?most reported that they had forgotten that it was there.

Microchips like these could also be used for other conditions that demand discrete drug dosing, such as multiple sclerosis, for which some patients must inject a dose of interferon once every two days. Therapies that use hormones are particularly appealing for adaptation to microchip delivery because the body usually releases hormones intermittently?just as the chip does, Farra says. In the future, a device like this might also be able to help diabetics both monitor and treat their condition.

This sort of direct communication in an implanted device could help patients stick to medication regimes without having to face a syringe or pill bottle.

Remote controlled
The device can be preprogrammed or controlled wirelessly via the Medical Implant Communication Services (MICS) band, set aside for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the Federal Communications Commission. And the device can also report back dose-delivery data to a computer-based system.

Scientists demonstrated that this sort of wirelessly controlled drug delivery might be possible in 1999. Some major technological hurdles needed to be cleared in the interim, Farra says.

The first challenge was figuring out how to create seals on the drug-holding wells that would stand up to moisture inside the body. Researchers solved this by using compression welding to create a hermetic seal around the well's metallic membrane. The second hurdle was figuring out how best to open those tight seals. The scientists settled on an electrical current that would melt the membrane on command. The final hurdle involved scaling things down?getting all the components and wells onto a chip that would fit comfortably under the skin.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=cb2e58a6d29490f33e35fe46106b8ec1

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AP Interview: Cardinal wants to be bridge to China (AP)

[unable to retrieve full-text content]AP - The new cardinal from Hong Kong said Thursday that he wants to "keep the door open" between the Vatican and the Chinese government while acknowledging there are "lots of battles" ahead for the Catholic church.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/china/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120216/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_china

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The BBC confirms 3D plans for London Olympics, 100m men?s final gets the go-ahead

Almost two-and-a-half years ago, the BBC?s Director for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Rogery Mosey, outlined the broadcaster?s vision for the sporting extravaganza, noting its plans to broadcast ?every single hour of every sport?, as well as outlining its plans for mobile.

The possibilities of 3D was also floated at the time, and it was finally confirmed last August that some events would indeed be broadcast in 3D. As part of a 3D-trial, the BBC has now confirmed which events they will be:

• The Opening Ceremony
• The Closing Ceremony
• The Men?s 100m final
• A highlights package at the end of each day

The 3D broadcasts will be available to anyone who has a 3D TV, and although the initial offering is limited essentially to one actual live sporting contest ? which will last less than 10-seconds ? it?s indicative of where the BBC is heading.

?We have always said we believe some of 2012 should be captured in 3D, and we?re delighted to confirm our offer to audiences in the UK, providing them with a new way of getting close to some of the key moments from the London 2012 Olympic Games,? says Kim Shillinglaw, Head of BBC 3D.

Last week we reported on some of the BBC?s other very early-stage experiments in the TV space, including perceptive media. In a nutshell, a TV signal would be sent, as normal, to your set-top box (STB) or TV. The hardware in your livingroom would be able to modify that signal with information about you, to create a personalized version of what you were watching. This is all some years off becoming a reality, however.

The BBC first broadcast in 3D last year, when it showed the Men?s and Ladies? Finals at the 2011 Wimbledon Championships via the BBC?s HD Channel.

Last month, the BBC launched a new version of its Sports website, as it prepares for a busy year for sport, with the football European Championships also taking place in Poland and the Ukraine.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNextWeb/~3/adIwPv7_134/

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Rebuilding Your Swimming Pool - Kusiquyllur Home Improvement ...

If you already have a pool in your back yard, but are finding that it doesn?t provide you with the enjoyment you want, then you can easily take a step back and move into warmer waters. Looking for the right steps to take to change and alter the way your pool is, and making sure that you allow rebuilding to bring in the luxury you desire, allow you to move into better swimming abilities. Understanding the process that is a part of this is the beginning to building more outside of your back door.

Approaching the make over of your swimming pool in the correct way is the first step to rebuilding correctly. This will make a difference in completely rebuilding what you have or building an attachment to what you already have. Redefining the style that works best and making sure this fit with your needs allows you to make the most of your pool and get the right fit for your upgrade.

With this, you want to make sure that you add in the design that fits best, as well as any other attachments you want with the pool with the initial design.

After you have redesigned the pool you are looking into, then you want to begin the excavation of the area you are rebuilding. Taking out any of the older accessories, draining out the pool and clearing everything to dig in the area has to be done to get this started on the right track. When this begins, you will see that the old swimming pool you have will need to partly be removed, especially if you are thinking about a completely new design. This is to make sure the design fits together perfectly and provides the right fit for your pool.

The new attachments or upgrades to your pool will then be built similarly to the first pool.

This includes rods and bars on the bottom of the pool that are filled with cement. The side walls will still contain metal and the filling of cement on the back of the pool for the perfect fit. After this main design is done, you can continue the upgrade with defining the coping, deck and other alternatives for the pool. Making sure you add this in so the older pool and new addition matches helps you to get a better look to your pool, allowing you to enjoy even more of the area.

When the old pool is being torn up and new designs are considered, you want to make sure that you have the right maintenance and plumbing supplies. For instance, if you are expanding your pool, you want to make sure the filters, pumps, drain system and other water systems are equal, allowing the dirt and debris to move to the right area while keeping the same level of cleanliness for your pool. Finding an innovative way to do this without having to completely rebuild your pool is a consideration to make before you continue with the redesign.

If you are finished with the basic rebuilding of the pool, you can begin to add in other extras that fit into your pool. For instance, combining a spa system into one area of the pool can be brought in as an addition. Waterfalls, fountains and sprays can also be considered with the additional needs, allowing you to enjoy even more of the pool. For some, it is this alone that calls for the rebuilding and new structure of the pool, allowing you to get the most enjoyment out of the waters.

For anyone who is finding that the swimming pool in their backyard is dull and not fulfilling the desired entertainment needs, is the ability to add in even more by rebuilding the area. Knowing that this can be done and planning out for the right remodels is the beginning to enjoying the most out of the pool area and upgrading it to the point that offers more enjoyment and provides the entertainment that you desire.

Find More Swimming Pools Articles

Source: http://www.kusiquyllur.org/2012/02/rebuilding-your-swimming-pool/

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Apple ordered 65 million iPad 3 'Retina Displays' from LG and Samsung

With the whole tech world restless with anticipation ahead of the upcoming iPad 3, expected to be announced on March 7th,?it appears Apple is confident the third generation iPad will comfortably break all previous sales records.

According to ChinaTimes (via 9to5Mac), Apple ordered 65 million 264PPI 'Retina Displays' from Samsung and LG, that is 63% more high resolution screens than Apple required a year ago, when the iPad 2 was released.

Both suppliers have already started mass production. It is unclear at this point, if the third manufacturer rumored to be involved in iPad 3 panel production, namely Sharp (who did not come in for a mention from ChinaTimes), might also deliver an additional volume of Retina Displays to be sent to Apple's supply chain for iPad 3 assembly.

When hearing such figures, one has to wonder how Apple plans to impress ever more customers, with the previous iPad already having managed to conquer the tablet market. The latest report reveals that Apple sold 15.4 million iPad 2 in the holiday quarter alone.

China is certainly a market where the iPad has huge potential for further growth, but a trademark battle with Chinese company Proview Technology over the 'iPad' name could be a big setback.

Source: http://www.itproportal.com/2012/02/15/apple-ordered-65-million-ipad3-retina-displays-lg-samsung/

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3 Simple Low Cost Home Decoration Tips | Interior Design Ideas

Regardless of your budget you can decorate your home. Using low cost items and a simple style you can decorate your home even though it would be nice to be able to hire someone else to design your home decor and purchase expensive things from overpriced stores. Becoming a bit more innovative can help you when you are on a budget for decorating your home. In the following article we will be going over some tips for low cost home decoration to get you on your way.

The easiest way to revamp an area, room, or whole house is to paint. Paint should be of high caliber but that doesn?t mean it has to cost a lot. Sometimes excellent paint brands are marked down. Investing in the correct type of brush and roller is influential on what your paint job will look like. A big consideration is the color of a room as it creates the atmosphere, so choose carefully. It takes little time and money to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and create a whole new room.

While this is all relevant to your discovery, a few items about home decorating hold more weight than others. Nevertheless, the bottom line is how you want to use it, and how much of it will impact your situation. Of course there is quite a lot more to be learned. The final half of the article will offer you a lot more solid info about this. Even after what is next, we will not quit there because the best is but to come.

If you are lacking inspiration for decorating on a budget, try getting some do-it-yourself magazines for tips. While these will usually portray high priced and luxurious decorating ideas, the fact is that you can always take the basic ideas and scale them down to your own budget. For example, look at the color schemes, styles of furniture and artwork and the way top designers arrange things. You don?t need their budget to copy some of their concepts. Not everyone can afford a Tiffany lamp, but if you like the look of it for your room, shop around for a faux version to use in its place. When you still want a similar look as a designer?s idea, try using the same colors and arrangement in your room.

You can?t ignore the windows when considering the appearance of a room, as these always have a major impact. Remember that windows and what covers them are not only decorative in themselves, but they?re also involved with the lighting of a room, at least during the day. So it?s important to give sufficient thought to how your windows look and if improvements could be made. For example, if you have blinds and curtains, remember to open them up in the morning to let light into the room. Curtains and other window decorations can be found quite reasonably. It?s not hard to make curtains out of an attractive fabric, or you could find some nice used ones online or maybe at a thrift shop.

You can have a good time decorating your home on a budget as you?re saving money. Aside from the tips we?ve mentioned here, think of as many ways as you can to bring out the most of every room without buying any costly new items. Remember that you don?t have to do everything at once; work on one room or even section of a room at a time, and the look of your whole house will gradually be transformed.

The author is a search marketing and advertising expert ? who writes on various cleaning related issues similar to Orlando flood damage, Orlando FL water damage and Orlando flood damage.

Source: http://interiordesign.rushblogger.com/3-simple-low-cost-home-decoration-tips.html

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Washington governor to sign law allowing gay marriage (Reuters)

SEATTLE (Reuters) ? Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire plans to sign legislation on Monday legalizing gay marriage, making the state the seventh in the nation to recognize same-sex matrimony.

A statehouse signing ceremony in Olympia was slated for 11:30 a.m. But the measure, which won final legislative approval last Wednesday in a 55-43 vote in the state House of Representatives, would not take effect before early June.

The Washington state law, once signed, would amount to another key victory for proponents of gay marriage after a federal appeals court declared a voter-approved gay marriage ban in California unconstitutional last week.

Opponents of the Washington measure have vowed to seek its repeal at the polls in November, but they cannot begin collecting signatures for a petition to repeal the bill by referendum until it is signed into law.

Democrats, who control both legislative bodies in Olympia, accounted for the lion's share of support for the bill. The stage for swift passage of the measure this year was set after Gregoire, a Democrat in her last term of office, said last month she would endorse such a law.

Several prominent Washington-based companies employing tens of thousands of workers in the state have supported the bill, including Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks. Opponents were led by Catholic bishops and other religious conservatives.

Supporters of same-sex marriage are pushing similar statutes in Maryland and New Jersey. The state Senate in Trenton was expected to vote on a gay marriage bill on Monday, though Republican Governor Chris Christie has vowed to veto it if it reaches his desk.

A referendum to legalize gay marriage in Maine has qualified for the November ballot there. Six other states already recognize gay marriage -- New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa -- as does the District of Columbia.

Gregoire said after the bill won legislative approval that Washington state would "no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love."

"We tell every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state," she said in a statement issued after last Wednesday's House vote.

Still, the measure cannot take effect before June 7, three months after the conclusion of the legislative session.

In the meantime, opponents of same-sex matrimony have said they would seek to overturn the legislation via one of two ballot measures -- a referendum for repeal or an initiative defining marriage as the exclusive domain of heterosexual couples.

If a repeal referendum qualifies for the November ballot, the gay marriage law would be suspended until the certification of election returns in December, before it is either repealed or goes into effect.

But qualification of a proposed initiative defining matrimony as restricted to one man and one woman would not, in and of itself, prevent gay marriages from proceeding under the newly passed statute starting on June 7.

It remains unclear whether gay weddings performed in the interim would be nullified if an initiative were to pass in November.

(Writing by Cynthia Johnston; Editing by Steve Gorman and Dan Burns)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/us/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120213/us_nm/us_gaymarriage_washington

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