Once reserved for sailors and rock stars, tattoos have become so mainstream, you may soon be seeing them in hospitals.
Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created high-tech temporary tattoos that can measure heartbeats, brainwaves and muscle activity with the goal of transmitting the information wirelessly to health-care practitioners. The key breakthrough is the development of ultrathin flexible microchips that cling to the skin so naturally that they feel invisible, says lead researcher John Rogers. Premature babies will be among the first beneficiaries once the technology is approved, Rogers says, since they are often too small for the bulky electrodes and wires currently needed to monitor their vital signs. The tattoos will also allow for less intrusive monitoring of sleeping patients. The team is currently fine-tuning prototypes to enable fully wireless data transmission.
Though the project is exciting, the long-term goal is grander: "It's really to blur the distinction between man-made electronics and the body," Rogers says. "We think that's the future."
Looking for more great advice? Sign up to our newsletter for more useful tips, delivered straight to your inbox.
Research suggests that at least 64 per cent of people now spend up to 4 hours daily of leisure time on a computer. Just as TV watching has been linked to higher rates of obesity and diabetes, this extra sedentary computer time is bad news for the nation’s health. Here a few easy tips to help kick the habit.
You had a stressful day and you unleashed your tension by grinding your teeth at night. You can get temporary relief from over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or acetaminophen, but that doesn't get to the root of the problem. For that you'll want to consult with your dentist. In the meantime, here are some ways to minimize the daily (or nightly) grind.
We talked to Dr. Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association in Ottawa, about eating strategies that dentists use to keep their teeth in tip-top shape.
One supreme pleasure in life is laughter. No matter your age, wealth, race or lifestyle, things are good and life is healthier when laughter is frequent. Here are a few ways to get more healthy laughter into your life.
Havens for coffee lovers, specializing in sweet drinks to wash down irresistible pastries and cakes, have become a staple all over the world. What’s worrying is that they’re a major, often hidden, source of fat and calories. Read on to find out how to make coffee shop visits healthier.
While the midday fatigue is common, it’s not inevitable, especially not if you follow these tips.
Forget the juice fasts and the kooky cleanses this spring. Instead, lighten your diet the healthy way by following our simple detox plan.
Do you think you may know someone battling drug addiction? Learn more about the warning signs of addiction and find out what you can do to help.
The advice here is not to avoid crowds. Rather, be sure to follow these tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy while you're out living life to the fullest.
You many not realize it, but your house is hazardous to your health. Insect droppings, dust mites, bacteria-laden sponges, spoiled food – all contribute to a plethora of health problems ranging from allergies and asthma to gastrointestinal upsets. Plus, many cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOLs), which pose a number of health risks. There is a solution. Here’s what the leading green cleaners recommend.
A few simple measures taken at the start of the day can make all the difference to how productive and how calm you are by the end of it. Here are some tips to help you get your workday off on the right foot.
Too tired or unprepared to cook after 10 or 12 hours of perpetual busyness, we often take the easy path: a pizza or other takeaway food, a frozen meal. Yet such pre-prepared dishes are loaded with salt, sugar and fat. There is a better way. Here are simple, realistic, easy tips to get you eating healthily at dinner again.
Many misconceptions surround the causes and treatments of allergies. Here are a few facts about common queries and perceptions:
Advertisement
Enter the "Spring Into Health" contest for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes!
Enter for a chance to win a 4-night stay for two at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Enter for a chance to win a Hallmark prize pack worth $500, and be featured in a future issue of Our Canada magazine!
Get expert advice on all your health matters
Advertisement
© 1996-2013, Reader's Digest Magazines Canada Limited - © 1996-2013, The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) ULC - All rights reserved.
Post a comment