https://techlife.app/tag/Health https://techlife.app/archives/can-this-overnight-app-help-american-women-take-back-their-abortion-rights.html 2022-06-29T22:01:00+08:00 A few days ago, the U.S. Federal Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, declaring that "the Constitution does not grant a right to abortion" and allowing states to decide for themselves whether abortion is legal. The move triggered a global cultural 'earthquake': President Joe Biden said 'this ruling sets America back 150 years', people in the US took to the streets in protest, and leaders in the UK and France publicly criticised it.Since the appointment of three conservative justices by former US President Donald Trump, coupled with the rising tide of conservatism for years, and the 'leak' of the draft conservative Justice Alito decision in May this year - Roe v. Wade was overturned and everyone in the know knew it was only a 'matter of time'.Ostensibly fighting over the right to abortion, Roe v. Wade has long gone beyond health and women's rights to become a constitutional, legal, moral and political 'life and death proposition' in the United States.The top concern of American women is reflected in the 'explosion' of the physiological tracking app Stardust. At one point, the app soared to the top of the Apple App Store in the US and promised to encrypt user data and not hand it over to the government.App, can it help people take back their abortion rights?Flipping the right to abortion"Roe v. Wade was overturned, affecting women of childbearing age first.The Republican-held "red states" have already banned abortion across the board and have been planning legislation to ban women in their states from going to other states for abortions, while the Democrat-held "blue states" have no guarantee that a blanket ban will not be issued at the federal level in the future, and may be saddled with lawsuits with other states as a result.With the legal risks of abortion already much higher for women of childbearing age, and the inherent health risks of abortion, it makes sense to use technology such as software applications like Stardust and Clue to watch and record your cycle and pregnancy dates.In addition to downloading tracking apps, women are stocking up on emergency contraceptives in droves. CVS and Rite Aid Corp pharmacies in the U.S., announced this Monday that they are limiting purchases to a maximum of three pills per person to ensure they can keep up their supply.At the same time, demand for IUDs that provide long-term contraception is surging, and more and more consumers are making appointments to buy them online.Second, for women who are already pregnant, the process of giving birth or having an abortion becomes difficult. An editorial in The Lancet noted that about 120 million unintended pregnancies occur worldwide each year, three fifths of which end in abortion, and that abortion is likely to be safe, provided it is done using medically recommended methods and by trained professionals.After abortion rights were banned in several states, it became less 'probabilistically safe' for patients to abort, what circumstances make abortion appropriate, and how to define the difference between abortion and miscarriage. In Texas, where 'facilitating an abortion' carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, doctors are simply afraid to make recommendations that 'cross the line'.Abortion groups in "red states" such as Mississippi and Texas have to seek help across state lines. The average distance to receive care has increased from 25 miles to 125 miles. These people are often marginalized groups such as minorities and are not wealthy.In addition, insurance companies and clinics are affected. The former have to research legal procedures to help pregnant women get abortions across state lines, and also leave employers and public interest groups to deal with higher employment cost issues and logistics. Clinics and doctors face additional clinical dilemmas, such as deciding between 'hysterotomy' and 'evacuation abortion procedures' - the former does not trigger a 'right to abortion' ban, but increases the risk of complications for patients.Data persecutionThe demand for abortion is high among American women. One third have experienced an "abortion" in the broad sense, including the use of abortifacients.This part of the need, while tech companies offer physiological period tracking apps that provide part of the solution, also implies a high level of risk. Data from apps about physiological periods, pregnancy periods, hormone fluctuations, etc. can now be used to prosecute women who intend to have an abortion. Those states with 'abortion bounties' can also use this data to engage in political persecution.Texas passed a law last year that any citizen who successfully prosecutes a woman who is six weeks pregnant and planning to have an abortion, a health care worker, or anyone who helps with an abortion can receive a bounty of at least $10,000. Other 'red states' have the idea of copying it.This scenario makes sense that Stardust is 'on fire'. That's because the founders make a big deal about the app using encryption and that the data is not controlled by the government. According to Sensor Tower, on June 24, the day Roe v. Wade was upended, Stardust reached 135,000 new installs, a 4,400 % increase over the previous day's installs. The next day, it added another 200,000 installs, moving from #119 in the app store to #1.The concerns are not unreasonable. Similar body data recording apps have a previous 'history' of sharing data with third-party tracking and analytics companies. Last year, an app called Flo violated privacy policies and required a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Another app, called Glow, settled with the state of California for exposing medical information about women.There is no definitive proof that Stardust's encryption is reliable. Its official description has removed the words 'end-to-end encryption' - which was previously trumpeted.The scary part is that not only physiological tracking apps, but browsers, search history, email, text messages, logs, and other commercial apps that need to be opened every day, can expose users' physiological data. The Supreme Court's ruling sharply amplifies the fear of user privacy exposure.The Register recently reached out to Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and Twitter to ask "What will your company do to ensure that the data collected is not used to prosecute women seeking abortions, as well as individuals or organizations that provide abortion support?" The tech giants are not responding at this time.Where do human rights beginThe right to abortion is important and sensitive because it implicates the jurisprudential question of how rights are derived.This comes after the full text of a draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (Mississippi 15-week abortion case), suspected to have been written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito (Alito), surfaced online. Alito, a hardcore conservative, took a direct shot at Roe v. Wade, saying it made a "grossly absurd error" to begin with.His opinion is that the right to abortion is neither a constitutional right nor a right so deeply rooted in the history of American society that it makes no sense for the Supreme Court to "legislate" it. In other words, this is an "originalist" view - the Supreme Court can only interpret and interpret the Constitution and the law, it is not a legislator.And the radical 1973 decision, when the Supreme Court legislated by precedent - directly declaring the right to abortion legal throughout the United States. The decision also left an unbridgeable 'gap' by not treating the right to abortion as a fundamental right and thus giving it full constitutional protection, but by using the inherently controversial right to privacy as the supporting theory for the right to abortion. This is a very 'activist' approach.However, not all conservative judges prefer "originalism", while liberal judges prefer "activism". We still follow our own values, and jump across the line repeatedly when we need originalism, and when we need activism.After Roe v. Wade legalized abortion rights throughout the United States in 1973, the issue of abortion was "expanded" from a health issue to a constitutional and political one.20 The activism of the liberal wing of the U.S. Supreme Court during the affirmative action wave of the 1960s and 1970s was phenomenal. At the same time, anti-abortion forces went from local to national, expanding from a very small segment of Catholicism to evangelical Christianity and among social conservatives.Since the right to abortion back then was derived from the 'right to privacy', the prohibition of the former also meant that a range of privacy rights became less 'stable' along with it. Including the associated right to same-sex marriage and the right to contraception, all became precarious.People think more about the ownership of the right to abortion. Whether a woman's (pregnant) body belongs to herself or to the public sphere, such as the state/society, is interpreted differently in different countries, regions, and cultures. At the same time, to whom does the body of the fetus belong?Biologists from 15 countries provide the biological answer: life and the right to life begin with the union of the sperm and the egg.From where human rights begin, morality and law must also begin. However, where do human rights begin? No one knows exactly.Technology, on which people once relied so heavily, can hardly be effective when rights are undefined. https://techlife.app/archives/interview-with-apple-coo-jeff-williams-and-the-health-team-technology-should-improve-every-aspect-of-health.html 2022-06-22T10:07:00+08:00 The beginnings of the Apple Watch go back nine years.That year, Apple launched an internal volunteer drive. At a technology company headquartered in technology development, it was common for internal employees to participate in product testing, and a large workforce of 110,000 could provide a diverse enough sample of technology to test.But this testing job is a complete chore. Outside of work, Apple employees need to come to this secret location ten minutes from the Infinite Loop to continue to shine for the company.It wasn't until September 10, 2014 that it dawned on these volunteers that the prototype device strapped to them before each workout turned out to be the Apple Watch on the big screen, and that they, in turn, had a hand in building the algorithms at the heart of this new product.Before the Apple Watch was born, quantified self was already a trendy term, and you could buy an exercise bracelet for under a hundred dollars.Enter height, gender, weight, and in combination with the heart rate sensor, the bracelet estimates physical exertion. And this data credibility is like a black box, everything depends on the algorithm.Rather than opting to buy commercially available off-the-shelf algorithms, Apple set up a lab, recruited volunteers, and spent years accumulating data on its own.We're sure to make mistakes and fall out of bruises doing everything ourselves. But this will allow us to figure out the process.Jay Blahnik is the Vice President of Fitness Technology at Apple, and before joining Apple, he was a well-known fitness trainer in the biz, guest health expert on MSNBC and the Los Angeles Times, and the author of a best-selling book on the topic of fitness.Six years ago, he took me on a tour of Apple's Fitness Lab, which, despite being top-secret, looked not unlike a gym. The only difference was that each person exercising wore a blue breathing mask and was accompanied by a nurse with an iPad to monitor data.Jay told me that the mask is called a metabolic monitor (metabolic cart) and is used to calculate the amount of oxygen metabolized during exercise, which is the most accurate way to calculate calories.Scientific rigour and protection of privacy are two fundamental principles of our work.In an exclusive interview, Jeff Williams, Apple's Chief Operating Officer, emphasized this. And that science and rigor continues into the eighth year of the Apple Watch.Last week's watchOS9 release added three metrics for running posture - vertical amplitude, measuring stride length, and touchdown time. jay Blanhik says these features come from advice from advanced runners, such as vertical amplitude, which is a measure of how much you move up and down. If the amplitude is too great, it means too much energy is being expended to move up instead of advancing forward.However, it is not easy to measure body metrics by the wrist alone, and requires the use of arm swing to infer torso motion. This is done by using machine learning and sensor fusion, including acceleration sensors and gyroscopes, to isolate the torso motion and then measure the vertical amplitude it produces.Jay Blahnik says.Members of the Health Lab team have studied the relationship between swing arm and shoulder joint movements as well as stride touch time and vertical amplitude in runners. This allows us to accurately measure these data without having to add additional sensors to the foot or shoe.At the beginning of the Apple Watch, fitness and health was just a selling point for the Apple Watch, which Apple hoped would provide more accurate health data than its competitors, until Apple later received more and more letters from users.Many letters from our users tell us that Apple Watch has sent reminders that saved their lives. This has inspired and motivated us to take the next step in health.The only thunderous applause and high point of the September 12, 2018 launch came when Jeff Williams announced the addition of electrocardiogram (ECG) capability to the Apple Watch, the first time a wearable device offered medical-grade functionality.As Apple's chief operating officer, Jeff Williams directly drives the company's health initiatives and medical research. As one of the largest-held wearable devices today, the Apple Watch is expected to provide a massive data sample for treatment options for a number of difficult conditions.While other companies were still following in the footsteps of the Apple Watch ECG feature, Apple moved upstream into the medical field with a bigger vision. A year later, Apple launched its Research app to expand the scope of medical research by an order of magnitude. Users can sign up for three major medical programs - women's health, heart and exercise, and hearing research.The idea of using crowdsourcing for medical research came from the ReasearchKit project, which was announced seven years ago. It's a tool that turns an iPhone into a medical research study. With permission from the participant, the ResearchKit app accesses data such as acceleration sensors, gyroscopes, microphones, and GPS to provide insight into the participant's activity level, sports injuries, memory, and more.In the past, smart devices, represented by smartphones, usually existed as 'out-of-body objects'. Smartwatches tie digital tools to the wrist for the first time, with richer sensors and a network that is always connected, making everything about the 'quantified self' watertight.I think one of the challenges with health issues is that people simply don't think about whether they're healthy all the time. But it's much better to wear a watch because the monitoring is integrated into people's daily lives.Jeff Williams said.For example, periods, while an important health indicator, are usually only mentioned during cervical diaphragm exams or contraceptive counseling. And many period recording apps on the market are narrowly designed to metaphorically record periods either for contraception or for pregnancy preparation.Apple wanted to find the relationship between menstruation and infertility, heart health, and menopause, which in turn would serve for early screening and risk assessment for gynecological diseases. That's why menstrual research is also part of the Apple Women's Health Study.Despite the association between polycystic ovary syndrome and heart disease, past heart health studies have never collected information on the menstrual cycle, said Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah of the Harvard Tzeng-Hsien School of Public Health.Dr. Sumbul Desai has been involved in a number of collaborations and studies between Apple and institutions in the medical field. Prior to joining Apple Health as vice president, she was a clinical associate professor in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University.According to her, these studies have already spawned the landing of new features, such as the Apple Watch already being able to predict periods more accurately by heart rate.In addition, the Walking Stability feature on the iPhone is the result of Apple's Heart and Exercise Study, which collected data from 100,000 subjects.From the initial heart rate monitoring, to ECG mapping, to sleep monitoring, blood oxygen measurement, fall detection, period tracking, hand washing duration, medication reminders, atrial fibrillation history ......Apple Watch's health features now cover all aspects of life, and while it provides convenience to users, it is also providing the medical field with It's also providing invaluable data to the medical field, and these studies are inadvertently feeding into Apple Watch's hardware iterations and growth.It's a spontaneous process. Because people use Apple Watch and iPhone every day, it gives us the opportunity to help people go further on their health journey.Before the interview ended, I asked Jeff Williams, "What does Apple's ideal relationship between digital tools and health look like?"Jeff Williams said.The core of health care has always been the doctor-patient relationship, and technology can enhance the civilianization of health and facilitate the exchange of information between users and doctors.Born on the cusp, but grown on the ebb, the Apple Watch is also eight years old as the first post-Jobs product. As an accessory that relies heavily on the iPhone, it may not reach the commercial heights of the iPod and iPhone, but it puts health in the company's DNA.Earlier in an interview with Fastcompany, Cook talked about how Apple considers whether to enter new markets, throwing out three soulful questions.What is the main technology behind it? What can we bring to the table? Can we make a significant contribution to society through it?If you look back in history years from now and then ask the question, "What was Apple's greatest contribution to humanity?"Maybe one answer is, health. https://techlife.app/archives/pepsi-is-trying-to-steal-business-from-beer-by-launching-coke-for-fried-chicken-in-japan.html 2022-06-13T06:01:00+08:00 Everyone's eating habits may vary, but they can agree on certain food pairings, such as eating fried chicken with Coke (of course, there are other pairings, such as the fried chicken with beer that became more popular a few years ago because of the TV series "You Who Came From the Stars"), using the refreshing carbonated beverage to neutralize the inevitable greasiness of fried chicken.▲Image from: Taste LifeTo make it even better for fried chicken lovers, Suntory (Suntory is responsible for Pepsi's production and sales in Japan) has launched a limited new product, "Pepsi for Fried Chicken", available in a 600ml version from June 14 for 140 yen (about $7).▲ Image from: HypebeastUnlike common colas, this "Cola for Fried Chicken" is transparent in color, and has a reduced flavor and sweetness, with 0 calories and increased dietary fiber.▲ Image from: SUNTORYThe main reason for this adjustment to the recipe is to make it more "compatible" with fried chicken. The taste of the "Coke for Fried Chicken" is refreshing, highlighting the flavor of the fried chicken and making it less greasy to eat. 0 calories also slightly reduces the "guilt" of eating high-calorie fried chicken.▲Image from: SUNTORYIn the pre-launch commercial, a taster with fried chicken tried the chicken with "Coke for Fried Chicken" and BIG "Raw" ZERO, another Pepsi product, and concluded that the two were indistinguishable from each other.▲Image from: SUNTORYIn addition to the "fried chicken-only" model, it seems that there are many other colas with unique flavors in Japan. For example, the BIG "Raw" ZERO featured in this commercial is a mix of "raw cola spices" selected from dozens of spices, and is made without heating to maximize the fresh taste and texture of raw cola spices, making it feel like you're drinking draft beer.▲ Image from: GigazineNot only that, but Pepsi has also launched cherry blossom flavors, cucumber flavors, Christmas Coke with strawberry aroma, and J-Cola Midnight's Blackcurrant flavor ...... in Japan, but they all seem to be mostly gimmicks over flavors.▲ Image from: PinterestCoca-Cola, a "hard to beat" rival in the cola world, has innovated a lot in terms of flavors: cherry, vanilla, lime, strawberry, and a flavor that "stands out" just by its name, "Starlight" (Star River Walk).▲Image from: DelishEven not too long ago, Coca-Cola's Tmall flagship store launched an herbal tea product, 'Xia Ku Cao'. This herbal formula of traditional herbal tea is a product of Coca-Cola's 'Healthworks'.▲Image from: Coca-Cola Tmall Flagship StoreXia Ku Cao is an herb commonly used in herbal teas, and judging from the recipe, this drink from Coca-Cola is a very common herbal tea, but it is sold at a discounted price of $297 for 24 bottles, which is about $12.40 per bottle. Not a great value for money for an herbal tea drink.Although Coke is a commodity that has been carried on for hundreds of years, it seems to have been 'begging for change'. Whether it's the variety of special flavors or the introduction of different types of drinks, both Coke brands are trying to appeal to a wider range of consumers. Consumers satisfy their curiosity, brands achieve their promotional goals, and each gets what they want.▲Image from: SUNTORYHowever, in the opinion of many consumers who will buy Coke, it should still be the original flavor that tastes best. https://techlife.app/archives/fake-robot-fingers-are-waterproof-bendable-and-self-repairing.html 2022-06-10T04:02:00+08:00 Published in 1968 and later adapted into the film Blade Runner, the famous science fiction work "Do Bionic Men Dream of Electronic Sheep? in which it was largely impossible to distinguish humans from bionics by appearance. It is not only it, but in many works of science fiction there are similar visions of a future in which there may be robots that are infinitely closer to humans physically.▲Still from the movie Blade Runner, image from: The GuardianThe development of such humanoid robots has also continued over the years; for example, there are currently silicone skins made for robots that can mimic the appearance of a human to some extent, but are hardly as finely textured as human skin, such as wrinkles, and lack the skin's unique features.But not long ago, a research team led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi at the University of Tokyo developed an artificial skin-covered robot finger. At first glance, this robotic finger may startle people and then make them wonder, "Is this really not a real person's finger?"▲Image from: Shoji TakeuchiIf there would be these reactions, it actually shows just how much it is indeed bionic. In fact, the dermal equivalent that covers this skin model is made from the very same living human cells (fibroblasts, keratin-forming cells, etc.) and extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels (collagen, etc.).The robot fingers are immersed in a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts, the two main components that make up the connective tissue of the skin, and the mixture has a natural tendency to shrink, as if the fingers were coated with a 'primer' that also provides the basis for human epidermal keratin-forming cells.▲Image from: Shoji TakeuchiThis three-jointed robot finger, in addition to having an exterior form and texture very close to real human skin, it also functions similarly to real human skin. For example, this robot finger is waterproof like a human finger and the water droplets that form on the surface can be easily wiped off so that it can protect the internal electric motor and other parts from water.Not only that, but it can straighten and bend like a human finger. The click from the motor paired with the movement and realistic look makes this robotic finger look more like a real finger.▲Image from: Shoji TakeuchiWhat's more, the research team was originally inspired by the use of hydrogel for medical treatment of deeply burned skin, so the dermal equivalent covering the robot's finger also accomplished 'self-healing'.In their tests, the researchers cut a small slice of skin off the robot's finger specifically and covered it with a collagen sheet. The collagen sheet was able to seal the wound, and after 7 days of incubation, the boundary between the transplanted decellularized collagen sheet and the original dermal equivalent became blurred, and the repaired finger, with the collagen sheet adhering to the dermal equivalent, was strong enough to withstand the tensile strain generated by repeated bending movements of the mechanical finger.▲Image from: Shoji TakeuchiOf course, research on such robotic fingers leaves much to be desired in terms of longevity and functionalization, such as the fact that it cannot lack proper water supply from the circulatory system and local wetting due to sweat secretion, and can currently only stay in a medium with fluid. Therefore the creation of perfusion channels within and below the dermis to mimic blood vessels to supply water, as well as the integration of sweat glands in the skin, are important directions for future research.▲Image from: Shoji TakeuchiAlso, this wet culture condition leading to degradation of electronics and wiring should be noted. To further improve the functionality and physical autonomy of robotic fingers, the establishment of architectures with perfusable artificial vascular networks and biocompatible waterproof electronics coexisting side by side is likewise an important future focus, not only to maintain the viability of living skin, but also to be able to integrate electronic processors, motors, sensors, wires, batteries, communication modules, etc.▲Image from: Shoji TakeuchiHowever, the breakthrough in this research is undeniable. It proves that it is possible to mold skin tissue directly around robots, allowing skin to grow directly on robot parts. It also gives 'artificial skin' a texture and softness that silicone skin doesn't have, as well as a look and function similar to real skin, such as being waterproof, stretching with joint flexing and even repairing itself.According to the research team's future plans, it also wants to develop more advanced versions by adding sensory neurons, hair follicles, nails and sweat glands, and also to try to cover larger structures.▲ Image from: Shoji TakeuchiIt is worth noting that this study may have one more item to note. It mentions in its research objectives that humanoid robots need a human-like appearance for some of their tasks in order to improve the efficiency of information exchange with humans and to evoke affection. In order to mimic the human appearance, it is imperative to develop humanoid overlay materials with realistic human skin tones and textures.But in time, I fear that when faced with humanoid robots, especially those with skin so close to that of real people, there is no way to avoid the 'Valley of Terror Theory'. Humans may like robots that look like people, but can robots that look this much like people really still be liked? https://techlife.app/archives/harvard-research-institute-develops-3d-printed-heart-technology-that-prints-heart-filaments-that-grow-on-their-own.html 2022-06-09T04:48:00+08:00 In the Global Health Assessment 2019 report, published by the World Health Organization in December 2020, heart disease has been the leading cause of death globally for the past 20 years, and more people are dying from heart disease than ever before. Since 2000, the number of heart disease deaths has increased by more than 2 million, rising to nearly 9 million in 2019.▲ Photo from: The Guardian NigeriaMany of these patients with serious conditions require a heart transplant, yet this wait is always too long and it is not uncommon to wait more than six months or even before the time of life runs out. This shows that we need more effective heart tissue replacement options.In 2017, a team of researchers at ETH Zurich used 3D printing to create an artificial silicone heart that beats like an organ in a human body, but tests at the time showed it could last only 30 to 45 minutes of use.▲Image from: ETH ZürichIn 2019, researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel succeeded in printing the first 3D heart using patient cells and biomaterials. This is a fully constructed heart that includes parts such as blood vessels and ventricles, but it is only the size of a rabbit's heart.▲ Photo from: Tel Aviv UniversityThe regenerative capacity of the heart itself is limited, and these artificial hearts, while bearing some fruit, do not mimic the highly structured structure and complex functions of the heart muscle and are naturally limited in their usefulness in restoring heart function.Now, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Jennifer Lewis's team at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have come together to develop a new set of heart engineering techniques.▲ Image from: Wyss InstituteThis solution is a modification of Wyss' existing SWIFT bioprinting technology, built on a 3D bioprinting platform. The platform developed by the researchers has 1050 individual wells, each containing two microcolumns.Artificially induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSCs-CMs) were used to form pre-assembled cardiac organ building blocks (OBBs), which were then removed from the micropillars and used as feedstock for the fabrication of dense bioinks, and further aligned during printing using the motion of the 3D printer head.▲Image from: Wyss InstituteAfter trials, the researchers were able to print complex and variably aligned slices of heart tissue that were organized and functioned similarly to actual human heart muscle layers.To test the contractile characteristics of the printed heart structure, the researchers also printed 'large filaments' connecting the two large columns, and measured that the contractile force and contraction speed produced by the filaments increased over 7 days, suggesting that the heart filaments continue to mature into true muscle-like filaments.▲Image from: Wyss InstituteThis also means that this technique can effectively mimic the arrangement of the cardiac contractile system throughout its hierarchy, from individual cells to thicker cardiac tissues consisting of multiple layers, and is essential for generating functional cardiac tissues for use in alternative treatments, as well as for generating more physiological disease models.In the future, with the help of this technology, it may be possible to create highly structured heart muscle patches that match the specific areas where different patients have heart attacks. For example, custom-made patches could be used to repair patient-specific 'holes' in the hearts of newborns with congenital heart defects, and these patches could develop along with the child without having to be replaced as the child grows.▲Image from: Wyss InstituteWhile there is still a long way to go before a fully functional and complete heart can be 3D printed, the creation of this technology is already a huge step forward and may not be far from the day when the difficulty of 'healing the heart' is removed. https://techlife.app/archives/edible-labels-that-biodegrade-even-if-you-drink-them-so-there-s-no-place-for-fake-alcohol-or-drugs-to-hide.html 2022-06-08T06:01:00+08:00 Food and drug safety has always been an important issue in people's lives. However, there are always counterfeit products that people can't guard against, so I'm afraid you need to have a "good eye" to identify the real thing.▲ Image from: UnsplashA joint research team from Purdue University, Indiana, USA and the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Korea, has developed an 'edible label' for the purpose of identifying fake drugs, and the related research results have been published in the journal ACS Publications.The material for this 'edible label' is made from silk proteins extracted from silkworms crossed with a number of different fluorescent protein genes. The information is then encoded in a similar way to a traditional barcode or QR code, which can be activated using a smartphone to confirm the authenticity of the product.▲Image from: ACS PublicationsAfter demonstrating oral drug and alcohol dosing with a smartphone in a simulated setting, respectively, the researchers also used protein hydrolases released in the gastrointestinal tract to study the digestibility of this 'edible label' used for protein denaturation and degradation.Since some liquid drugs contain alcohol and counterfeit products of drugs and alcohol are a big problem around the world, spirits can be easily faked and people can easily buy counterfeit opioids. So, the researchers decided to focus on drugs containing alcohol and tested them first in whiskey, which has a high alcohol content.▲Image from: Purdue UniversityIn the tests, the researchers placed such tags on various brands and price points of whisky and all were able to consistently activate the tags and codes using a smartphone app. In addition, the research team also developed ways and means to activate the labels by smartphones at various lighting settings.This label uses proteins that are easily denatured and degraded by pepsin (silk proteins and fluorescent proteins). Due to the unique silk protein structure, it is tolerated in liquid solutions with high alcohol content and is also biocompatible, photostable and thermally reliable.▲Image from: ACS PublicationsBecause it's an edible label, it won't cause any problems if you swallow it while drinking whiskey, and the label won't affect the taste of the whiskey.The researchers believe that such 'usable labels' could serve as an additional authentication mechanism for pharmaceutical companies and alcohol producers to identify authenticity by being placed separately on high-priced bottles of alcohol or expensive drugs.▲Image from: ACS PublicationsOr perhaps the risk of dispensing errors can be reduced in hospital pharmacies by assisting in the development and production of single-unit packages and unit-dose volume packages.That said, such edible labels could allow patients to play a regulatory role in combating illegal drugs and maintaining a sustainable healthcare system, as well as allowing buyers to avoid buying counterfeit alcohol that would endanger their health; a small label could make counterfeit products 'invisible'. https://techlife.app/archives/the-netflix-food-pamela-is-eating-at-the-top-of-the-fitness-world-stop-using-it-as-a-weight-loss-secret.html 2022-06-08T04:25:00+08:00 Girls who follow Pamela's practice should also have followed Pamela's healthy recipes. Pamela's regular diet of chia seeds and raw cacao has been dubbed 'Superfood', a 'peer group' with superheroes.▲ Image from: KeepNot only that, the "first generation of netflix" avocado, blueberry, "evergreen" acai, kale, familiar goji berries, green tea, reishi, and then the niche track of spicy wood, Noni fruit ...... super food camp is getting richer by the day.Superfoods have been popular in the European and American diets for a long time, and in recent years they have slowly become known in China, appearing on the tables of supermodels, gym-goers, and bouncing around Instagram and Little Red Book, but the concept has always been controversial - andIs it super nutrition or super marketing?Superfoods are just a foodWhere do superfoods come from?According to the T.H. Chan Institute at Harvard University, it didn't come from scientists and nutritionists, but from banana marketing by the United Fruit Company around World War I. In their propaganda, bananas are nutritious and even cure celiac disease, but the current treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.To this day, there are still no scientifically rigorous standards for superfoods. in 2007, the EU banned the marketing of products as 'superfoods' unless there are health claims supported by credible scientific studies.Generally speaking, superfoods are considered to be "foods with higher than average nutritional value", providing a wide range of important nutrients, including essential nutrients that cannot be produced in the human body, for personal health and prevention of chronic diseases.But the broadness of the definition has led to a blurring of the face of 'super' itself, and no one can say exactly what the line between it and ordinary is.▲ Categories of Superfoods. Image from: Super NutrientsIt is at least certain that 'super' is not omnipotent, and certain superfoods may indeed be higher in certain nutrients than their counterparts, but that does not mean that one food can meet all of the body's nutritional needs, let alone eliminate all diseases.Like chia seeds, higher calcium content, more dietary fiber than oats, protein comparable to soy and meat, has antioxidants, contains Omega-3 fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body, but the amount suitable for daily intake is limited, and has phytic acid to reduce the absorption of calcium utilization, which is why it contains more calcium but is not as good as milk for calcium.However, the high relevance of superfoods to nutrition and health has been enough for commercial forces to race in.There are superfood brands abroad such as Sunfood, Super Nutrients, OMG Superfoods, and Creative Nature.Because superfoods are regional and origin-focused, Sunfood's partner farms are located around the world, from South America, the Middle East, and West Africa to the Philippine Islands; in order that "no one is ever excluded from a healthy snack again," one of the key features of Creative Nature's products is that they are free of gluten and dairy products, among 14 other major allergens.▲ Image from: Creative NatureThe country also has local superfood brands such as SO ACAI and Soileta.Founded in 2017, SO ACAI started out as a superfood-focused healthy light food store and has been offering current fads like fruit shake bowls and plant-based milk coffee ever since. During the epidemic, SO ACAI often shared science and recipe videos, and in the process of making content and observing the rising health concerns, it was natural for SO ACAI to convert its in-store light foods into packaged foods and tap into the online business.▲ Image from: SO ACAIAs the niche market matures, big companies won't miss the opportunity to step in.In April 2020, Nestlé launched "nesQino", a personalized health drink solution that includes superfood pouches and basic pouches made with freeze and dry technology to create superfood pouches and basic pouches for quick DIY hot and cold drinks; and in 2018, healthy snack brand Health Warrior was acquired by Pepsi, whose signature product is a chia seed cereal bar.▲ image description. image from: nestleMordor Intelligence research data, the global superfoods market is valued at USD 152.71 billion in 2021 and is expected to to reach US$214.95 billion by 2027, with North America being the largest market and Asia Pacific being the fastest growing market.▲ Image from: Mordor IntelligenceSuperfoods are nutritious on the one hand, hyperbolic marketing on the other.Businesses often claim that chia seeds have weight loss effects, but this has not been proven by a 12-week clinical trial.China's avocado imports, which stood at just 31.8 tonnes in 2011 and reached 43,900 tonnes in 2018, have nothing to do with such talking points as 'forest cream from the southern hemisphere' and the sophisticated lifestyle it invokes.In 1991, the USDA endorsed the antioxidant capacity of blueberries, claiming that antioxidants reduce the number of harmful free radicals in the body. But after confirming that not all functions of antioxidants are related to free radical activity, they removed the relevant database. Sales were only slightly affected, and blueberry production continued to grow each year until 2016.At the end of the day, a superfood is just a food, don't get carried away with its 'super'.Maggie and TaoTao, founders of SO ACAI, tell that the primary characteristic of superfoods is that they are nutrient dense, and that while acknowledging that they are nutritious, they should not be deified.Many people will obsess over what benefits superfoods provide, when in fact it is a highly nutrient dense category of food that is part of the diet, a way to replenish nutrients, and as normal as eating white rice. You don't need to cook deliberately, you can take 3-5 grams or 1-2 spoonfuls at a time and sprinkle it on top of any food, like water, juice, yogurt, toast, etc.Master of Food Science and Engineering and B site UP master @halo small intestine also pointed out that superfoods should be used as part of a balanced diet that serve as an icing on the cake rather than as a blessing in the snow."Eat food, plant-based, not too much""Around 1995, processed foods rich in unnatural ingredients contributed to disease, obesity and overall poor health in many people."This is the self-proclaimed founding context of the superfood brand Sunfood.The relationship between deeply processed foods with artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, preservatives, etc., and health is not all cause-and-effect, but it does correlate. Between 1998 and 2009, the number of references to the term 'obese' in the New York Times tripled.▲ Macaroni and cheese with artificial food coloring.Healthy, clean, nutritious, natural, no additives ..... Again, these are key words that superfood brands will now emphasize.This represents a quest for natural foods and a vigilance against deeply processed foods.Superfoods are not 'all natural' either. What superfood brands do is select good ingredients, good processes, and reduce unnecessary processing and retain a greater degree of nutrition.▲ Image from: clevelandclinicTake flaxseed for example, it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, but Omega-3 fatty acids are easily affected by temperature. At the same time, flaxseed needs to be cooked and ground for consumption, as raw flaxseed is slightly toxic and has a hard shell that is not well absorbed without grinding.Combining these characteristics, SO ACAI's flax meal is cooked at a low temperature below 50 degrees using a custom process, unlike many commercially available products that are over 100 degrees.Counter-examples of over-processing also abound. "Super juices" from acai, noni and pomegranate may have a lot of sugar added; freshly brewed green tea contains many antioxidants, but bottled green tea is often brewed with poor quality tea and lots of sugar.In his book In Defense of Food, diet author Michael Pollan states: eat food, plant-based, not too much.But isn't it all food we eat?In Michael Pollan's view, food means natural foods like apples and cauliflower, not processed foods like Coke, potato chips, and white bread. Although his slightly more radical attitude does not prevent appropriate borrowing.A point connected to it is that many superfoods are all around us and that one should seek out seasonal, local ingredients rather than clinging to some internet superfood, as Australian registered dietitian and Little Red Book blogger @Arielle says.Eat local, seasonal, organic, fresh food in peace and honestly, eat less processed food, and eat enough of five different vegetables and fruits each day. It's good to add some superfoods to that, there's no need to put the cart before the horse and pay high prices for so-called processed superfood products.And, as superfoods are meant to be 'discovered' rather than 'invented', perhaps more and more local superfoods will emerge.Maggie tells, "Probably with some changes in diet, more and more different superfoods will be discovered. In the last two years, domestic monkey mushrooms and reishi have been particularly popular abroad."In another interesting example, a few years ago blueberries often dominated the superfood list, but there are studies that illustrate that the nutrients of blueberries are also found in berries such as strawberries and cranberries. Experimental psychologist Barbara Shukitt-Hale argues that blueberries originally topped the list purely because it was being studied more frequently.In addition, foods that don't hold the 'super' designation are just as nutritious and just as available for us to explore.Dietitian Megan Ware says we can incorporate superfoods into a variety of healthy diets if conditions allow, but there's no need to overspend or search too broadly, and don't underestimate the humble apple or carrot.The controversial crown of 'super' aside, in a larger framework, superfoods are a gateway to informing us about healthy eating and making us conscious of the nutritional value of the foods we eat.▲ Image from: The EaterSuperfoods are not often found in the diet we're used to, and with a slightly middle-class quality, they're something many people think about after they've had enough to eat and drink, outside of a cup of tea and coffee. If you want to try them, sure, but if you're not interested, they're not irreplaceable.Seed foods such as pumpkin seeds where Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found are not the only chia seeds to be taken for supplementation; spinach, like kale same dark green leafy vegetables.In addition, nutritionist Gu Zhongyi pointed out, although the avocado is really special in the fruit, using avocado instead of fatty meat or more sugar and salt sauce, is not a healthy choice, but everyday more soy products, fruits, nuts can completely replace avocado's nutrition, there is no need to over-promote a single food, a diverse diet is more worthy of promotion.Whether eating superfoods or not, the ideal diet should be plant-based and include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy animal products.Health is a marketing label and a real and present need"You are what you eat" is a popular saying in the West. In the 1960s, it was embraced by hippies and was used as a slogan for healthy eating; we have also had the idea of "medicine and food in one place" since ancient times.Sometimes, people's beliefs about eating are so strong. The most common act of "eating" is no longer just for the sake of food and taste, but also a relentless pursuit of health.As early as 1936, Fortune magazine wrote, "Eating not for pleasure but for health no doubt stems from a fundamental American trait: the fear of getting sick. People are so anxious to believe that by eating a certain way, they can achieve a pleasant and energetic life." These words are also in use today.According to the 2020 Generation Z Nutrition Consumption Trends Report, not many Gen Zs are "satisfied with their But the Z generation is willing to invest in health. The average urban resident spends more than $1,000 a year on health and wellness, with 83.7% of the population aged 18 to 35.Whole wheat bread, rough biscuits, sugar-free drinks, ginseng simmering water ...... More 'made for health' foods have been discovered or invented, superfoods are one of them, only some are fish out of water and some are as good as fake.According to Huaying Capital, new packaged food brands that have been established in recent years can't get away from the labels high protein, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low carb. In almost all categories, the industry is facing a healthier upgrade.At the same time, the demand for food is escalating, from weight loss and slimming, to improving sleep, boosting mood, preventing chronic diseases and boosting immunity, 'food therapy' is always an approach that is easy to follow and requires persistence.▲ Image from: gafei.comHealth is a marketing label and a real need, and the two are as intertwined and cyclical as the chicken begets the egg. But what does the grand concept of health really mean?According to TaoTao, there are 2 key points to achieving health: firstly, a balanced nutrition, consuming all types of nutrients; and secondly, finding the right way to eat for you.It is customary to eat rice in this country, but not everyone is adapted to eating this way. You can try to keep track of your body, such as what you eat every day, what foods are acceptable and what foods are uncomfortable to eat, and then listen to your body's reaction and choose what works for you; we no longer eat rice like we used to, where everyone ate rice and I ate rice, or everyone ate bread and I ate bread.▲ Image from: The EaterFor TaoTao, breakfast might be avocado with oatmeal or millet porridge with chia seeds, while Chinese food and dinner are basically home cooked, with a preference for lighter flavors and frequent consumption of deep-sea fish. On a hot summer day, she used to whip up a fruit shake with a good mix of oats, bran and protein powder.There is no shortage of people who are as happy sticking to a healthy diet as they are drinking milky tea, but for the most part, junk food is a major reward recognized by the nervous system, and eating healthy is a habit that takes a long time to develop, and it comes with more control and self-restraint, reminiscent of the line from The Narrow Gate, 'So great are the temptations that we can only restrain them with good virtue'.▲ Image from: nytimesHowever, physical health is not only affected by dietary habits and it is not possible to get high on certain foods alone.Dr. Dylan MacKay, a human nutritionist, believes that people often overestimate the immediate effects of what they eat while underestimating their long-term effects. Also, there are many factors that affect health, and diet is only one of them. The environment, physical activity and genes all play an important role in this.Keep your mouth shut and your legs open, the only six words of truth are worth mentioning again.So-called health is such a hands-on thing to do. https://techlife.app/archives/to-get-children-out-of-pill-difficulty-mit-develops-a-special-pill.html 2022-05-31T16:27:00+08:00 For many people, taking medication is not an easy task, and medications that get stuck in the throat and can't go up and down often add to the pain of an already uncomfortable body, especially for children whose physiology makes it more difficult to swallow pharmaceuticals. However, oral medication has become an indispensable mode of drug delivery and now accounts for approximately 90% of the drugs produced for human use.▲Image from: Find a PharmacySo it seems unlikely that you can do without medication, so you'll have to find a way to make the whole medication thing easier. A team of scientists at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an oil-based gel for drug delivery (the results of which have been published in the journal Science Advances).While studying other types of ingestible drug delivery systems about 10 years ago, the research team began thinking about new ways to make it easier for children to take drugs that are usually provided in pill form.▲Image from: MIT NewsConsidering the scenario of use and stability of the drug, the research team decided to focus on oil-based gels. These gels consist of gelling agents, solubilizers and oils and can be used in the food industry to change the texture of oily foods and also to increase the melting point of chocolate and ice cream.After exploring several vegetable oils including sesame, cottonseed and flaxseed oils, researchers combined these oils with edible gelling agents like beeswax and rice bran wax and found that they could take on different textures depending on the concentration and type of oil and gelling agent. The texture can be like a thick drink like a protein shake, or like yogurt or pudding.▲Image from: Science AdvancesIn addition to the different textures that can be made, the research team worked with a team of professionally trained tasters at Sensory Spectrum, a consultancy specialising in consumer sensory experiences, to investigate the taste of the gels, and after much experimentation found that the most appealing gels included those made from oils with a neutral flavour (such as cottonseed oil) or a slightly nutty flavour (such as sesame oil).The researchers then chose to test the effects of the gel-delivered drugs with three drugs on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines for children that are insoluble in water: praziquantel, used to treat parasitic infections; benfluralin, used to treat malaria; and azithromycin, used to treat bacterial infections.▲ Image from: Science AdvancesIn animal experiments researchers found that for each of these essential drugs, the oil-based gel delivered doses equal to or higher than the amount that could be absorbed from the pills. There is also an antibiotic called moxifloxacin hydrochloride, which is a water-soluble drug but can also be successfully delivered through an oil-based gel.For better storage and delivery of the drugs, they can be kept in a stable state at 40 degrees Celsius for several weeks, thanks to the researchers' design. This way, they can be used in areas where refrigeration equipment is available. The researchers also designed a dispenser similar to a squeezable yogurt package with dividers that can be used to dispense doses, making it easier to deliver the correct dose to children of different weights.▲Image from: Science AdvancesOf course, there are still some issues to be understood from this study, such as whether the solubility of the drug in the formulation ensures that the drug does not precipitate in the physiological fluid, or whether the solubility of the drug in the formulation is the sole determinant of drug absorption, and the oleogels may also need to be optimized for different drugs.But from today's results, it appears that this oil-based gel is made with ingredients that are safe, can remain stable at high temperatures for long periods of time, and can deliver drugs at levels comparable to or better than commercial tablets ......▲Image from: MIT NewsNot only has the original research aim of trying to develop drug formulations that can be easily used in children been achieved. It has also overcome the limitations of administering drugs to children in resource-limited settings, the fact that children may not be able to swallow solid dosage forms, the fact that drugs may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, the fact that budgets for paediatric drugs may not be sufficient, and so on.The research team has now received FDA approval for a Phase I clinical trial of an oil-based gel formulation of azithromycin, and is also planning to begin clinical trials in the coming months. Perhaps soon, taking the drug will no longer be a difficult task. https://techlife.app/archives/absorbable-wireless-temporary-pacemaker-allows-doctors-to-monitor-and-dissolve-after-use-at-all-times.html 2022-05-30T01:20:00+08:00 In some movies and TV shows it is sometimes shown that temporary pacemaker pacemakers need to be installed after certain heart surgeries to help keep the heart maintaining function. However, those temporary pacemakers usually require a wire to connect to an external generator that stimulates the heart, and after symptoms have improved, they need to be removed as appropriate, and these processes may add additional risk.▲Image from: WIREDTo this end, researchers at Northwestern University and George Washington University (GW) have developed a wireless implantable device that can provide temporary pacing in 2021. Only 250 micrometers thick and weighing less than half a gram, it is soft and flexible, encasing electrodes that are softly laminated to the surface of the heart to deliver electrical impulses.▲ Photo from: Northwestern UniversityThis lightweight device can be used for patients who need temporary pacing after cardiac surgery or who are waiting for a permanent pacemaker. The device collects energy wirelessly from an external remote antenna using a near-field communication protocol and does not require an external wire.What's more, all components of this pacemaker dissolve harmlessly in the body after they are not needed for use and are naturally absorbed into the body's biological fluids within about five to seven weeks, eliminating the need to perform surgery for extraction.▲Image from: Northwestern UniversityNow, a team of researchers at Northwestern University led by John A. Rogers, Igor R. Efimov and Rishi Arora have refined the device again, developing a smart new version integrated into a wearable sensor. The new absorbable wireless pacemaker joins four other skin-interfaced devices to form a 'body domain network'.▲ Photo from: Northwestern UniversityA battery-free bioresorbable pacemaker for temporarily pacing the heart; a cardiac module located in the chest powers the implanted pacemaker and controls the stimulation parameters and senses the electrical activity and sound of the heart.▲ Photo from: Northwestern UniversityA hemodynamic module located in the forehead for sensing pulse oximetry, vascular tone, etc.; a respiratory module located at the base of the throat for monitoring coughing and respiratory activity; and a multi-touch feedback module that communicates with the patient in various patterns of vibrations and pulses. Photo from: Northwestern UniversityThe sensors continuously monitor various physiological functions in the body such as body temperature, oxygen levels, breathing and the electrical activity of the heart. The system then uses algorithms to analyze these activities in order to autonomously detect abnormal heart rhythms and determine when and at what rate to pace the heart.This information is also transmitted to a smartphone or tablet, and the doctor can then monitor the patient's physical condition remotely. The haptic device will vibrate in a specific pattern to alert the wearer when the sensors detect problems such as incorrect device placement or a faulty pacemaker.▲Image from: Northwestern UniversityWhile the previous device was flexible, the new device is flexible and resilient, better adapting to the changing heartbeat and releasing an anti-inflammatory drug in the process to prevent foreign body reactions as the pacemaker slowly and harmlessly dissolves.What's more, the new device is able to provide on-demand pacing based on the patient's condition, and a chest-mounted heart module records ECGs in real time to monitor heart activity. In this study, the researchers compared this wireless technology to the gold standard ECG and found it to be as accurate and precise as the clinical-grade system.▲Image from: Northwestern UniversityThis also means that this simple and self-contained pacing system can automatically detect disease and administer treatment. It allows patients who need temporary pacing to recover without being limited by the equipment in the hospital and can be monitored remotely by a doctor, reducing healthcare costs while freeing up resources for other patients.▲ Photo from: Northwestern UniversityThe researchers also mentioned that this pacing system is most beneficial for fragile patients such as infants. Tens of thousands of babies are born with heart disorders every year, and many of these cases are life-threatening and require immediate surgery, after which they almost always require temporary pacemaker implants.In about five to seven days, the pacemaker will no longer be needed once the heart has regained the ability to stimulate itself. Although the probability of complications during pacemaker removal is currently low, the availability of these absorbable wireless pacemakers will save the infant from a second surgery. https://techlife.app/archives/microsoft-announces-new-mouse.html 2022-05-27T04:32:00+08:00 If you just look at the picture, can you guess what the squares are?Rocker, crosshair, or PPT remote pen?These black cubes - the whole black cube set, to be precise - are actually a new set of mice recently released by Microsoft.Yes, compared to the classic IE 3.0, this set of black squares is nothing like the traditional mouse look.The combination of big buttons and big joystick looks more like the cockpit of an airplane than the familiar little mouse in the palm of your hand.The reason it looks so stylized is because it's an adaptive mouse component designed by Microsoft for people with disabilities to reduce the barriers people face when using a keyboard and mouse.I'm sure you've seen the term "Adaptive (Adaptive) Design" in quite a few places before this mouse, and you may be wondering what exactly is the so-called Adaptive?Adaptive is not 'perfect'In her book Mismatch, Kat Holmes, former director of design for Windows, mentions that 'adaptation' is really about the interaction between the user and the product.Most products in our lives are designed to fit the user.For example, when you hold the phone, the power button is exactly where your fingers can most easily reach; the elevator button should be in a waist-level position that is easy for everyone to press; the more important the message the larger the font should be ......Generally, users dynamically adjust to the product within their capabilities, but when they are not capable enough to interact with the product, a 'mismatch' occurs.This happens in our lives from time to time, like the presbyopic elder who can't read too slim a font or the short child who can't press the button on the top floor of the elevator.This is where the product needs to be reversed to accommodate users with different abilities.So adaptive design is essentially about eliminating the mismatch that occurs when a person interacts with a product.The definition of adaptive design doesn't sound too complicated, but applying it to actual product design reveals that nothing is as simple as it seems.Taking the basic move cursor operation as an example, using a traditional mouse operation is not friendly to some people with disabilities.Whether it is a gripping position requiring some hand strength or a small range of movement requiring some precision, it can pose a barrier to use for people with disabilities.It is by no means easy to clear these obstacles, because 'obstacles' itself is only a general reference.The 'mismatch' encountered by each individual may vary due to the vast differences between individuals.For example, some users may not be able to grasp the mouse, others may not be able to press buttons, and still others may not be able to accurately position the cursor because of twitching.Finding a 'maximum convention' among so many issues is a huge, if not impossible, challenge for any designer.Even when a designer finds such a universal 'answer', it will inevitably leave out a small percentage of people's problems.So don't think of adaptive design as synonymous with perfect design; it's just a guiding thought that drives design to keep getting better.At this point, let's go back to this adaptive mouse component from Microsoft, and you should be able to better understand the design of it.The seemingly assortment of mouse components can be divided into mouse, buttons and hubs (hubs), so let's start by looking at the more familiar mouse accessories.Like a traditional mouse, the Adaptive Mouse Accessory has left and right buttons and a center scroll wheel, and is used in almost the same way as a traditional mouse - move, aim, then click.The difference is that it's a size smaller than normal and can be moved and manipulated with just two fingers.What makes it special is its rich expandability, if the user needs a similar palm rest as a traditional mouse, the mouse body can be attached to the back with different parts to accommodate different gripping positions such as grasping, lying down, left-handed and right-handed.These parts can all be printed by 3D printing provider Shapeways, on which users can also customize the shape of the palm rest in their own hand size to find the best position for them.Microsoft says that with 3D printing, users can get customized accessories in a more convenient way.If these parts were to be officially molded and sold, people with disabilities would have to bear the expensive production costs, making it difficult for some parts to be popularized, which is clearly contrary to the idea of "eliminating barriers".And for users who have difficulty holding or clicking the mouse, Microsoft offers an alternative operating scheme consisting of buttons and hubs.The logic of its use is not complicated, the hub is connected first to a device such as a computer and then to up to 4 buttons.This allows the user to manipulate the computer's cursor via buttons.Like the mouse accessories, the buttons are also very expandable, allowing functions such as moving the cursor or clicking by replacing the rocker, cross button or double button on the head of the button.Users can also 3D print additional accessories, such as an elliptical ring-shaped rocker with a larger force area instead of a column rocker, for easier operation.In addition, each button also supports custom editing shortcut commands, users can press different keys to achieve copy, paste, open applications and other common operations, which is convenient for users to replace relatively complex shortcut keys and improve the efficiency of daily operations.If these buttons introduced by Microsoft are not enough for some users, the hub also leaves a 3.5mm connector to connect more third-party accessories for users to expand upon.If you remember Microsoft's Adaptive Xbox Handle accessory that was released in 2018, you'll notice that the two work similarly.Once you've sorted out the 'complex', everything will be simpleStylistically, the Adaptive Xbox Handle Kit also looks less like a joystick and more like an arcade operating panel, with a four-square flat panel holding the cross keys and two giant A and B buttons.Although it looks rather oddly shaped, this is actually designed so that players can press the buttons with parts including elbows, feet, and heads for operational input.The big buttons aren't all there is to the Adaptive Xbox Grip, there are 19 3.5mm ports on the top of the tablet, each corresponding to an operation including ABXY, Up, Down, Left, Right, RBRT and more, and users can combine them to best suit their grip scheme with different external buttons.Youtube blogger Bradley has posted a video on his account All Access Life demonstrating how he plays games with the Adaptive Xbox Joystick Kit.Bradley was born with spastic quadriplegia and has lived most of his life in a wheelchair.His life assistant, Daniel O'Connor, installed four buttons on the head of his wheelchair, corresponding to the up, down, left, and right of the control handle, while the attack and jump buttons were installed on the sides of the wheelchair so that Bradley could control the character by hitting the buttons with his head and arms.Since then, gaming has become a major part of the All Access Life channel updates, with Bradley playing popular games like Rocket League and COD by tweaking the different buttons, and in a way, the Adaptive Xbox Handle Kit has freed Bradley's soul that was shackled inside his body.In 2019, Time magazine named the Adaptive Xbox Handle one of the "10 most influential tech products of the decade."Designed for gamers with mobility issues, this joystick really focuses on the gamer experience that has long been ignored by the gaming industry, and is perhaps the most lovingly crafted gadget in 10 years and one of the most important developments in the gaming industry today, says Time magazine.The success of the Adaptive Xbox Handle design lies in its highly customizable expandability, and happily, this has been carried over to the newly launched Adaptive Mouse Kit.As stated earlier, adaptive design is not a perfect answer that adapts to everyone; it is supposed to adapt to the actual situation each person encounters, empowering each person to remove obstacles that are relevant to each individual human being.According to the World Health Organization in 2020, more than 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability, accounting for 15 per cent of the world's population.As we age, the 6.4 billion people who are temporarily able-bodied also lose some of their physical abilities to disease and aging, meaning that over the course of a long life, everyone encounters a design that is 'mismatched' with their physical abilities.When a solution is designed only for those with specific abilities, it naturally becomes a barrier for another segment of the population.To change the rules of the game, designers need to consider adaptive or inclusive design early on before designing products, which will not only increase the efficiency of product development but also reduce the cost of development.This means that manufacturers invest a lot of time and manpower into product research before product development, but put another way, if designers with the ability to change the world in their hands can't break the cycle, how can we expect the world to become a friendlier place in the future?It's an ongoing effort, and tomorrow's design will be simpler only when the potential complexity of the present is understood, and 'simplicity' and 'complexity' are supposed to go hand in hand.