Archive for May, 2008

Engineering and Toy Making

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

Dear Parents, have you noticed all the cool toys lately on the shelves at Wal-Mart? Isn’t amazing the level of sophistication and engineering? I means some of these toys are very high-tech, especially the remote control, flying toys; which hover, have rocket engines or fly with such ease? It almost appears if a whole bunch of engineers got fed up with the boom and bust cycles of the aerospace industry and chucked it all to do something totally fun; make toys.

Why is this so intriguing? Well for one if you think of the cost of all the other stuff we buy and the cost of modern technology, you have to laugh, because you can buy a toy scale model which works better per scale the real latest model fighter planes, UAVs, submarines and military ships? Well, then why not put some of these toy making engineers back to work building stuff a lot cheaper than the cost to build them now.

You see I have been watching battlespace Unmanned Aerial Vehicles get smaller and smaller and eventually they will be the size of insects? Well why pay so much for something so small when a toy designer hot shot, who has been designing toys for the last 10-years already has worked out through trial and error all the stability and control issues? Why not hear what I am saying in an abstract sense and well, consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

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Researching and Treating Diabetes

Friday, May 30th, 2008

Diabetes is a problem that affects so many people, both in the U.S. and worldwide, surprisingly, however, very little is known about the disease.

There are a number of organizations that are researching exactly what causes diabetes, as well new and better methods for controlling it, monitoring blood sugar levels, getting insulin into the blood, newer medicines to correct the problems and even how to stop it before it starts.

There are numerous groups and organizations involved in research such as the FDA, the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, or DAREF, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Diabetes Research Institute and the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation and many, many others, in the United States, Great Britain, Australia and many other countries.

Some of the research being done includes;

A vaccination against the autoimmune response that causes type 1 diabetes. Testing is currently being carried out on animals.

Genetic engineering to make liver cells that produce insulin. Although insulin is produced there is no internal control mechanism as there is with the pancreas, so the insulin levels from such cells remains constant regardless of the body’s requirement for this hormone.

Stem cells are the very basic building blocks of the human body and have the ability to develop into any kind of cell. It is possible that researchers will find a way to use stem cells to make insulin producing cells to replace those that have been damaged by the autoimmune problem that causes type 1 diabetes.

Immunoassay for type 1 diabetes.

The impact of exercise training for those with diabetes.

A recent report that transplanted pig cells have been successful in reversing diabetes in test monkeys.

Arterial issues.

Enhancing the cell survival of important agents in diabetes.

A type 1 diabetes medication that helps the beta cells in the pancreas to live longer, the loss of the beta cells is one thoughts of causes of type 1 diabetes, is currently underway by the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation (DAREF) that may prove to help patients create insulin on their own, thus reducing the dependence on outside sources of insulin

Other research currently underway is the use of cinnamon to lower blood sugar levels. Dr. Richard Anderson at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Resource Center has been able to effectively isolate a compound in cinnamon that causes lowered blood sugar.

The reason that cinnamon is so helpful to someone with diabetes is the way that it inhibits enzymes in the body that may be responsible to insulin resistance. This is especially noteworthy to those who are afflicted with Type II diabetes and have insulin resistance problems. Cinnamon also was shown to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin causing insulin to be used more efficiently.

If you or someone you know is afflicted with this chronic illness, funding a research team may allow you to benefit immediately and enable you to play a role in research and the treatment of the millions of other diabetes sufferers in the world.

A couple of the more recent treatments currently in trials are -

A medicine that is based on the saliva of a venomous lizard - the Gila Monster. The drug containing this new treatment is delivered by injection in much the same way as insulin, however the early trials have seen many participants withdraw because of an increase in side effects when compared to those caused by insulin. All research so far undertaken has been sponsored by the pharmaceutical company that produces this drug.

Another new treatment going through trials is the delivery of insulin through inhalation. The insulin is prepared in a dry micro fine powder form which is inhaled directly into the lungs from where it is absorbed into the blood stream.

This would have obvious advantages when treating children in particular, as the use of needles to deliver the essential insulin shots can make the condition doubly distressing for the patient and for the parents who often have to administer the injections. There are concerns about the long term problems that may be caused by this method of delivery and it is thought not to be suitable for smokers or asthma sufferers.

All new treatments offer hope for the future but the effectiveness of any of them will not be fully appreciated until they have been tested over time.

Come Get More Life Improving Information About Diabetes Including Symptoms, Signs, Dietary Information and Treatments

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Medical Equipment Repair Schools

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

If you are mechanically inclined and looking for a new career, perhaps you should look into Medical Equipment Repair Schools. Medical equipment technicians make huge contributions to the success and effectiveness of healthcare, one of the fastest-growing and largest industries in the U.S., and there is a huge demand for qualified professionals.

Medical Equipment Repair courses are generally offered at community colleges, vocational schools or trade schools. They teach students to understand the purposes and operation of various medical equipment and machinery and the technical skills necessary to keep medical equipment in good working condition. Students learn to follow manufacture guidelines for use and repair, and to calibrate equipment, troubleshoot, and perform procedures for preventive maintenance.

Associate of Science (AS) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, as well as certificates and diplomas, are available in Medical Equipment Repair. Some schools require that students have electronics or medical technology training in their backgrounds prior to admission. An associate or a bachelor degree in medical technology or engineering and certification may be required of students studying for repair of critical equipment, such as CAT scanners and defibrillators.

Medical Equipment Repair Schools provide a comprehensive education so that students understand the design, the uses, and various types of repair needed by medical patient monitoring equipment. Equipment can include blood pressure monitors, EKG machines, telemetry devices, neonatal monitors, IV pumps, x ray machines, CAT scanners, defibrillators, and MRI machines, among others. Students learn to use the full set of metric and standard hand tools, digital multi-meters, and biomedical test instruments that equip technicians use to perform preventive maintenance, troubleshoot, and repair a wide range of medical equipment.

Programs in Medical Equipment Repair prepare students as professional technicians with courses in biomedical equipment, specialized computer technology, and analog and digital electronics. Students learn medical terminology, biomedical instrumentation, foundations of electricity and electronics, and integration of high-tech microcomputer-controlled medical equipment with computer network technology. Future medical equipment repair technicians also receive on-the-job training under the supervision of an instructor.

Graduates can find employment as Biomedical Equipment Technicians, Biomedical Support Technicians, Computer Technicians, Electronics Technicians, and Industrial Electronics Technicians. They may work for hospitals, private biomedical equipment repair companies, and biomedical equipment manufacturing companies.

recent graduates will generally begin by observing and assisting experienced workers for a period of time, gradually moving into working independently under close supervision. Medical equipment repair technicians will continue to learn new technologies and equipment through self-study, seminars, and certification examinations. Entry-level medical equipment repair technicians can expect to earn about $35,000 to $45,000 annually.

If you would like to learn more about Medical Equipment Repair Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

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Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our School Directory and find Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Distance Learning Opportunities at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

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