aids

Benjamin Franklin once advised a friend to take older women to bed because, figuratively speaking, "in the dark all cats are gray." Well, not these kittehs.

Researchers in the U.S. and Japan have developed green-glowing kittens with resistance to the feline version of AIDS, which may help work on AIDS research in humans.

In a study published in Nature Methods, researchers from the Mayo Clinic and Yamaguchi University took a genome approach to producing cats that are apparently resistant to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a deadly condition that attacks infection-fighting T-cells as AIDS does.

The researchers including Mayo Clinic molecular biologist Eric Poeschla inserted genes into feline eggs before sperm fertilization. They added a gene for a rhesus macaque protein, known as a "restriction factor," that can prevent infection by FIV, and a jellyfish gene for tracking the cells that also makes the kitties glow a spooky green.

When cells were taken from the cats and exposed to FIV, they were found to be resistant; the animals themselves will also be exposed to the virus in the future. … Read more

Some kitchen appliances just can't stand up to the rigors of...the kitchen. To be fair, it's is not always plastic parts or shoddy manufacturing that causes these breakdowns; sometimes it is just a matter of pushing an appliance past its limits. Anybody who has ever tried to use a blender as a food processor understands this. The right tool for the job can make all the difference in the world--especially when in need of big batches.

The KitchenAid 7-quart stand mixer is a workhorse for the kitchen. Literally. Featuring a 1.3-horsepower motor and an oversize work … Read more

The Bible is a complex document, and studying it can be a lifelong endeavor for clergy and laypeople alike. Bible Analyzer is a tool that can help you with your Bible studies, whether you're preparing a sermon or just trying to deepen your understanding for your own benefit.

At first glance, Bible Analyzer's interface is a little overwhelming, with six different modules containing all sorts of different information. Take a little time to familiarize yourself, though, and it starts to make sense pretty quickly. A narrow module on the left lists all of the Bible's books in … Read more

Kitchens are noisy places. Meal preparation being what it is, the sounds of pots and pans clanging together mixed with the sear and sizzle of cooking foods are comfortable noises. It means real, hopefully delicious, food is on the way. Given the anticipation of a meal, a few noises can be easily viewed as a good thing. However, there is a flip side to the process where some might not find the associated clatter all that appetizing: the cleaning.

The KitchenAid KUDE70FXSS Superba Series EQ Dishwasher--part of an upgraded line--operates at forty decibels. According to KitchenAid, the noise level … Read more

Many of us know at least one person who has a hearing aid that sits on a shelf somewhere, collecting dust. The usual complaint: The thing just doesn't work right.

A professor at the University of Essex in the U.K. says these aren't just excuses, but legitimate complaints. "Today's hearing aids don't help to separate sounds--they just amplify them," said Ray Meddis, who has led work on a new kind of hearing aid. "They often make everything too noisy for the wearer, especially in social situations like parties, and some wearers still can't make out what people are saying to them. They find the whole experience so uncomfortable that they end up taking their hearing aids out," Meddis said in a statement released today.

Meddis and his team at Essex have been working on a new kind of aid they say could revolutionize what is now an antiquated approach to treating hearing impairments. The key, they say, is to use unique computer models (what they call "hearing dummies") that treat the root causes, not just the symptoms, of the user's unique condition.

"In the same way that a tailor's dummy is used to measure and fit a garment for a particular person, our software dummy is used to gauge a patient's hearing requirements so that their hearing aid can then be programmed to suit their needs," Meddis said.… Read more

Siemens is unveiling a suite of new products at the American Academy of Audiology 2011 conference in Chicago this week, including what it claims is the world's first fully waterproof (and dustproof, and shock-resistant) digital hearing aid.

Called Aquaris, the aid's housing is made of one solid piece, so the only opening is to the battery compartment, which is fitted with a membrane designed to let air in but keep water out.

Siemens lists a whole range of activities that have until now been difficult for those wearing hearing aids that can be ruined by not just water but sweat and dust: sailing, swimming, kayaking, golfing, gardening, cycling, and jogging.

Because the device can be fully submerged in water up to 3 feet deep for 30 minutes (rendering it more than merely water-resistant), shallow snorkeling should be added to the list. Whether we will ever be able to scuba dive with hearing aids remains to be seen.

Aquaris also features a non-slip, textured surface that holds the Aquaris behind the ear; a "sport clip" to further secure the device during intense activities; and a water-resistant Aquapac for added protection.

Siemens has yet to release pricing or availability details.… Read more

This week, Donald and Eric explore the idea of hearing with your mouth, seeing in 12 dimensions, and shooting lightening with a wave of your arm. Yes, it's wizard tech week, apparently. To that end, we show off an illuminated staff that can divine the strength of your Wi-Fi signal and a DIY project for all you pinball wizards out there.

Subscribe in iTunes SD Video | Subscribe in RSS SD Video… Read more

Body device developer IntriCon is now selling its tiny new hearing aid, which manages to pack a few punches into a gadget that's smaller than a dime.

Called APT, the hearing aid can be reconfigured to fit the left or right ear quickly and easily (this feature is patent-pending) and comes with a wax guard system that is replaceable, so if you fall into a fountain while texting and damage the shell, you can just swap it out for a new one.

The hearing aid is small enough to not obstruct the ear canal (these are called "open-ear" hearing aids), so the user doesn't suffer through that blocked-up feeling so common in bulkier ones. It also includes what the company calls the AcousTAP Switch, which lets the user toggle between settings by patting the ear instead of the hearing aid.… Read more

Today's cars so are full to the brim with high-tech gizmos and gadgets that it's easy to see how some users can get overwhelmed with the sheer complexity of it all. We receive e-mails and comments regularly asking what features should one look for in a new car and why.

With that in mind, we've assembled a list of the must-have car tech features for your perusal. From dashboard technologies to safety features to power train and handling considerations, there's something for everyone in this list. And while you may not check every single box with … Read more