Human brain control

Technology for thought-controlled limbs that allow amputees to touch and feel again is bringing a robotic hand from Star Wars within reach of becoming a reality. A U.S. research team developing the cutting-edge prosthetic is bringing Luke Skywalker's robotic hand, seen at the conclusion of the film The Empire Strikes Back , closer to real-life use . The collaborative effort to mimic human arms with synthetic replacements has some major advancements to come, according to Gregory Clark, an associate professor in biomedical engineering at the University of Utah. A team of specialists has been creating innovative methods to attach robotic arms to amputees at the university's Center for Neural Interfaces . Connecting artificial limbs to a person's neural function is a complicated process, involving linking specific electrodes to specific nerve fibers to create the correct perceptions from the recipient's brain. The brain adjusts and learns to effectively manipulate the … [Read more...] about ‘Skywalker’ prosthetic hand feels like It’s the Real Thing to Amputees

This Thanksgiving was bittersweet for those with Andy Ritchie on their minds. An affable standup with strong ties to several comedy scenes, Andy received an outpouring of support earlier this year when friends Brendon Walsh, Colton Dunn, and Nick Swardson set up a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of him and his fiancee, comic Ruby Collins. The page revealed – to many of Andy’s friends, for the first time – that he’d been undergoing treatments to combat a growing brain tumor. His story was widely shared, in part thanks to a recent, very public fundraising effort broadcast on Tosh.0 that contributed nearly $50k towards Andy’s medical expenses. Last week, Walsh posted several frank updates to Andy’s GoFundMe page, letting everyone know that, “[u]nfortunately all the money in the world can’t save our friend at this point.” Andy died last Thursday morning. An accomplished standup and improviser, Andy was a member of ComedySportz in Minneapolis before moving to Austin where, in 2009, he … [Read more...] about Remembering Andy Ritchie

David Bennett, the man who received a pig heart transplant in a groundbreaking surgery earlier this year, has died at the age of 57, two months after his operation. His cause of death and whether the pig organ was involved remains unknown. Mr Bennett was gravely ill and only received the pig heart as a last resort because he had terminal heart disease, an irregular heartbeat and was ineligible for a human organ. His doctors in Maryland, US, had offered the grandfather-of-five one last glimmer of hope to prolong his life: a replacement heart from a genetically modified pig. News of his operation made headlines around the world, with Mr Bennett saying it was “do or die'' and that he accepted it was a “shot in the dark”. The operation was initially a success. The genetically modified heart, which had been designed to be small enough for a human and not to be rejected, was functioning well. Surgeon Dr Bartley Griffith received special permission from the US Food and Drug … [Read more...] about Man who had world’s first pig heart transplant dies

Coronavirus: Dr Nighat Arif discusses benefits of vitamins Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info It’s crucial to spot B12 deficiency promptly to be able to start the treatment. Otherwise, you could be risking developing “irreversible” damage. Apart from the traditional symptoms linked to this condition, your food choices could also hold clues. Related articles High cholesterol; Three smelly symptoms associated with high levels Dementia symptoms: Craving three types of food is a warning sign It can be completely normal to want a specific food, however, Sas Parsad founder of The Gut Co explained that craving certain foods could be pointing … [Read more...] about Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: Craving certain foods could be a sign – expert

Published 11 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic One Christmas, Michelle Kibble was given a mug with 'chaos coordinator' printed on the side because she was so busy juggling her full-time job in a pharmacy with being the main carer for her bed-bound father and running a small business with her husband of 25 years, Terry. But Michelle and Terry's lives changed forever when Michelle, 47, from Swindon, almost died after contracting Covid-19. It left her disabled, she lost her job, and became fearful of leaving the house in case she caught the virus again. In her own words, Michelle tells the BBC how the trauma has affected her family and how she is managing to cope. I had a really bad headache for about three or four days in November 2020. It got to the stage where the pain was so severe I used to bang my head against the … [Read more...] about Long Covid-19: ‘I’m physically and mentally not able to do anything’

Published 19 August 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A group of MPs and Peers says legal cannabis markets should be tested and drug use decriminalised as part of a radical new approach to drug use. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform wants an overhaul in global narcotics policy. It says the "war on drugs" and "blanket prohibition" have failed. The group also believes certain human rights laws could be used to claim that those who possess cannabis should not be treated as criminals. Dangerous substances In its report, the all-party group says that experiments into possible models for the regulated sale of marijuana should be encouraged among United Nations countries including the UK. Co-chairman Lady Meacher wants ministers in the UK to try out a controlled system where licensed premises sell labelled and tested cannabis. The … [Read more...] about MPs and Peers call for radical new approach to drugs laws

If there’s one bit of advice that was really hammered home in lockdown, it was that it’s oh so important to have a routine . As our lives lost our usual structure, we were urged to grasp any semblance of normality in the form of a regular plan, whether that was going for a daily walk or doing a fake commute . But now lockdowns are done and dusted (hopefully), it’s vital we don’t toss those good practices out of the window. Having a routine remains a crucial part of self-care, and can be super helpful for your mental health . One reason why: if you know you have do certain things every day, this removes the mental stress of dithering and deciding. That means less choice fatigue . ‘As soon as your alarm clock goes off in the morning, your mind will be awake and active and you, consciously or not, will start making decisions,’ explains Giulia Guerrini, lead pharmacist at Medino . ‘Thoughts such as “Do I need to wash my hair?”, “How many meetings do I have … [Read more...] about Why having routines is so important for your mental health

Published 29 October 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing New figures show more than 1,550 people were referred for treatment for cannabis use in Wales in the last year. Alcohol problems still amount to more than half of all substance misuse cases in Wales, according to Public Health Wales. Heroin accounts for nearly a fifth of cases. But is cannabis - just under 10% of cases - something we should still be worried about in Wales? Click to see content: drugswales HOW MANY ARE USING CANNABIS? Cannabis use peaks in the late teens and early 20s, and then declines with age, according to the Home Office's Crime Survey. The most recent crime survey suggests cannabis use has dropped in Wales, with 6.1% claiming to have taken the drug in the last year. At a high point in 2003/04, this was 10%. Across England and Wales, 2.2 million are … [Read more...] about Should we be worried about cannabis in Wales?

Google is launching a swathe of new products (Image: GOOGLE ) Sign up for FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Google has just given gadget fans a glimpse of what's coming later this year and there are plenty of top tech treats on the horizon. The Californian company has confirmed it's launching a new budget phone, an upgraded Android flagship, premium earbuds and even its very first smartwatch. Sound exciting and want to know more? Here's Express.co.uk's guide to everything new coming soon from Google. Google Pixel 6a will be released next month (Image: GOOGLE) GOOGLE PIXEL 6A RELEASE DATE: Expected in July PRICE: £399 There is good news if you fancy a shiny new … [Read more...] about Love Android? These are the dates Google desperately wants you to know about

A Kris Jenner lookalike has had to hide from the star's autograph-hungry fans - and Starbucks baristas even write "Kris" on her cup. Linda Zirkus, a celebrity makeup artist from the US, has shot to viral fame for her uncanny resemblance to the famous momager — with even a member of the Kardashian family saying they look alike. Initially, she couldn’t see the similarities — but after Keeping Up With the Kardashians aired, Linda found herself unable to leave the house without being asked for a picture. Since then, she’s been confused for the mother-of-six while in taxis, on airplanes, and out at dinner — with the most recent incident taking place during a family member’s graduation. According to Linda, the Kardashians’ own security team reportedly can’t tell the difference between the pair, with the makeup artist claiming she was swept to safety during Kim Kardashian’s appearance at BeautyCon in Los Angeles. “I hid in a closet for two hours, as hundreds of fans were behind me … [Read more...] about I’m a Kris Jenner lookalike – I hid from her crazed fans for 2 hours and baristas write her name on my coffee cups