June 11th, 2009 by Paul Auerbach, M.D. in Better Health Network
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At Beneath the Sea I had the opportunity to walk the show floor and check out some new products intended for divers. One that immediately caught my eye was the Aqua Pencil, which is an innovative underwater pencil designed for divers, kayakers, boaters and researchers who will be underwater or wet. Because of its properties, it can be used when one needs to write in the rain, sleet or snow, such as out in the field or during a rescue. I tested it and it performs as advertised.
The Starter Kit includes an Aqua Pencil, Tether, Lead Pack (writing leads) and Eraser. The tethers are available in different colors, and the pencil is advertised to work well with any slate and to write well on waterproof paper.
According to the company, which is named Xit 404, it was formed to fulfill the need for specialized products and to develop ideas that are overlooked by other companies.
The Aqua Pencil Kit retails for $21.95.
This post, Aqua Pencil, was originally published on
Healthine.com by Paul Auerbach, M.D..
May 5th, 2009 by Medgadget in Better Health Network
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A team from Arizona State University decided to redesign the toilet, brazenly removing the seat and forcing the user to apply yoga techniques while flexing a variety of muscles. Perhaps the old fashioned among us, can choose to multitask on the commode with a bit of some light reading. No doubt some of our readers can do that, some yoga, and chew gum at the same time.
ASU reports:
The Flo toilet is an ergonomic, sustainable design concept for baby boomers that functions like a squat toilet. Designers maintain that using the Flo toilet is akin to yoga – by building and strengthening abdominal and back muscles. Only one-half to one gallon of water is used for flushing and The Flo reuses water from hand washing. To flush water from the tanks to the toilet, the Flo employs an electromagnetic ball valve. Go With the Flo also is free of mechanical parts. The toilet is fully self-sustaining and independent of electric power.
ASU press release:Industrial product design wastes away the competition …
(hat tip: Gizmodo via Core77)