In order for virtual reality systems to be truly effective, users need to actually feel the surfaces that they contact in their computer-generated environments. A new “artificial skin” could help, as it provides a sense of touch via tiny air bladders. Developed by scientists at Switzerland’s EPFL research institute, the skin is made up of clear silicone, and stretchable liquid-solid […]

Now that I’ve gone zero-waste, deodorant is one of those things I simply find annoying. As a zero-waster, you tend to learn to live with only the essentials and deodorants and antiperspirants just aren’t up there for me. (Sorry to anyone who thinks I smell bad, but could you tell me? If you don’t tell me, I’ll never know!) Anyway, […]

Traditional shampoos and conditioners can be a real bummer. Not only are they encapsulated in single-use plastic packaging, but in most cases, traditional haircare contains toxins and chemicals. If you’re already making your own shampoo bars and zero-waste, non-toxic bar soap, then it feels about time you also learn how to make DIY conditioner bars. You may be wondering: What’s […]

While there are some devices and medications out there to help slow hair loss and regrow hair, they’re bulky, uncomfortable, or have substantial side effects. Low-frequency electric stimulation, delivered in pulses and over extended time periods, has a great deal of potential as an effective way to promote hair growth. The problem is that it currently requires batteries, electronics, electrodes, […]

Presently, doctors optically check for middle-ear infections utilizing what is known as an otoscope. Now, however, researchers have developed a version of the device that reportedly works even better … by adding ultrasound to the mix. Incorporating technology developed by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems and US-based OtoNexus Medical Technologies, the gadget still does allow doctors to visually peer […]

We’ve already heard about tactile-sensor-equipped prosthetic arms, that give amputees a sense of touch in the artificial limb. Well, scientists have now done the same thing with a prosthetic leg, allowing users to walk with much less effort. When most of us amble around, we feel the varying pressure on the soles of our feet as they meet the ground, […]

As self care continues to rise in popularity and importance, it is increasingly easy to get your hands on high-quality skincare. But the kicker is finding products that work without breaking the bank or relying on nasty chemicals and fillers. Bliss, a long-standing skincare and spa company, has been making natural, cruelty-free offerings for years, so we decided to test […]

Many people already use wearables such as smartwatches to count their repetitions while exercising. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed what could be a better alternative, however, in the form of a user-monitoring computer vision system. The problem with wearable devices is that while they’re able to identify exercise-associated movements of the body part upon which they’re being worn, […]

An artificial body part that behaves just like the real thing would be an invaluable tool in restoring quality of life for amputees, and bit by bit prosthetics researchers are edging towards such a reality. In pursuit of these aims, scientists at Purdue University have developed a special type of glove that when worn over the top of a prosthetic […]

We’re already quite familiar with the testing kits in which a woman pees on a “stick” to see if they’re pregnant. Well, Australian scientists have now developed a similar device, except that users spit on it to find out if they’re at risk of heart disease. Being developed in a partnership between startup ESN Cleer, RMIT University and the Innovative […]