Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Home fly
Home fly may trams fir a disease but with that disease it may provide medicine also. The prophet Mohammed PBUH said It the home fly falls in your drink then dip the whole fly into the drink pull it out because on one of its wings there may be a...

Lasers - The New Mythical Gift Of Fire
Copyright 2005 by Doug Smith In Greek mythology, the Titan Prometheus gave the gift of fire to Humanity. It provided warmth, light, and energy. Whether or not you believe that myth, humanity has learned to concentrate that light into beams of...

ML - CHI - Zadok and the Making of Gold
ATOMIC HIGH-SPIN TECHNOLOGY: - In 1950 B.C. there was a priest-king in Salem who understood the 'highward fire-stone' according to Gardner in 'Genesis of the Grail Kings'. His name was Melchizedek, and there is a secret or inner sanctum group of...

Star-Fire Ceremony
The Star-Fire Ceremony: The Templar flag Columbus and da Gama traveled under was the dominant economic (and therefore if for no other reason) force in the three centuries before they set sail. Not just in Europe as we have shown, but in the entire...

Start here...first principles (D)
Start here…first principles (D) Terry Dashner……………Faith Fellowship Church, PO Box 1586 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 What’s the foremost law of science? Norman Geisler and Peter Bocchino raise this question in their book entitled, Unshakable Foundations...

 
Advances in Prosthetic Devices Offer Increased Freedom for Amputees

Strong but lightweight materials and advances in technology have translated into more comfort and higher function for amputees.

In the past artificial limbs were made of wood and existed without moving joints, so that above the joint amputations in particular severely limited the mobility of the individual. In addition, the heavy wooden construction made the use of a prosthesis difficult and uncomfortable. Now, modern lightweight materials increase the comfort level of prosthetic use enormously, and new technology allows much more freedom of movement, even with above the joint amputations.

Prosthetic devices with moveable joints have gone through a number of transformations. Developing from a fairly clumsy mechanical joint to ones with robotic capability, joints have gone from operating using the musculature of the affected limb to being able to directly access electrical impulses from the body of the amputee, or from a computer within the artificial limb itself. In addition, robotic devices using built-in computer technology allow for much more subtle limb movements, allowing for more natural capability.

This new technology has translated into an immense sense of freedom for the amputee. People wearing these modern limbs are running marathons, participating in downhill ski competitions, and engaging in all sorts of sports and other recreational activities that were barred to them in the past. Perhaps even more importantly, they are more easily able to function in the everyday world, meeting work requirements along with


their non-disabled coworkers, and keeping up with family and friends in their free time.

An Increase in Self-Esteem

When a previously able-bodied person is suddenly faced with amputation of one or more limbs, whether because of an accident, war injury, complications of diabetes, or cancer, the trauma of the situation is a blow to the individual's core identity. One's body image is shattered, and a host of fears set in: fear of losing mobility, becoming dependent on others for their basic care, of facing a lifetime of severely limited opportunities.

Being fitted with a modern, functional artificial limb and then learning to use it can seem like a kind of miracle. As people become more proficient and realize the possibilities opening up to them, their self-esteem soars, and they can begin to look forward to a productive, happy and option-filled life.

The Future of Prosthetics

The technology continues to improve in this important area of medicine. Currently, scientific researchers are perfecting a computerized robotic limb which can be directed by neuronal impulses in the brain - in other words by an individual's thoughts. As the science of prosthetics progresses, it promises to further enhance the lives of those maimed by amputation.

About the author:

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.

 

Science/AAAS | Scientific research, news and career information
International weekly science journal, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
www.sciencemag.org
 
Science/AAAS | Table of Contents: 1 December 2006; 314 (5804)
This Week in Science: Editor summaries of this week's papers. Science 1 December 2006: 1349. ... 2006 American Association for the Advancement of Science. ...
www.sciencemag.org
 
Science.gov : FirstGov for Science - Government Science Portal
Science.gov is a gateway to government science information provided by US Government science agencies, including research and development results.
www.science.gov
 
ScienceDaily: Your source for the latest research news and science ...
ScienceDaily -- the Internet's premier online science magazine and science news web site -- brings you the latest discoveries in science, health & medicine, ...
www.sciencedaily.com
 
Science News - New York Times
Find breaking news, science news & multimedia on biology, space, the environment, health, NASA, weather, drugs, heart disease, cancer, AIDS, mental health ...
www.nytimes.com
 
Science News Online
Weekly magazine offers featured articles from the current issue along with special online-only features. Includes photo collection, archives, ...
www.sciencenews.org
 
Science in the Yahoo! Directory
Explore the fields of astronomy, biology, geology, mathematics, and physics and all of their related disciplines with resources designed for professionals, ...
dir.yahoo.com
 
Open Directory - Science
Agriculture (2454); Anomalies and Alternative Science (525); Astronomy (4208); Biology (20593); Chemistry (4852); Computer Science@ (2358) ...
dmoz.org
 
BBC - Science & Nature
The best of BBC Science and Nature, from TV and radio, to the web and beyond. Take a tour from the smallest atoms, to the largest whales and the most ...
www.bbc.co.uk
 
Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sciences versus Science: the plural of the term is often used but is difficult to ... Science education is also a very vibrant field of study and research. ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Popular Science
Monthly magazine about current science and technology.
www.popsci.com
 
Science/AAAS | ScienceNOW: The Latest News Headlines from the ...
AAAS web magazine. Some free sample stories, subscription required for full text.
sciencenow.sciencemag.org
 
ScienceCareers.org | Science Jobs, Funding, Meetings, and Advice ...
Searchable database of jobs, sorted by field specialty. Can post resume and curriculum vitae. Includes tips for improving the workplace for employers and ...
sciencecareers.sciencemag.org
 
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Research news, issue papers. Educational programs, science policy (US and international).
www.aaas.org
 
NASA - Science@NASA
News and features about NASA research, aimed at the general public. Includes sections on astronomy, space science, beyond rocketry, living in space, ...
science.nasa.gov
 
Science NetLinks: Resources for Teaching Science
Resources for K-12 science educators.
www.sciencenetlinks.com
 
Cool Science for Curious Kids
Fun and interactive site to help kids appreciate science. Why are snakes like lizards, and monkeys like moose? Find out here.
www.hhmi.org
 
Welcome to the Science Museum
London museum and library of science. Exhibitions cover all areas of science and technology. Includes online exhibits and a learning area.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
 
New Scientist - International News, Ideas, Innovation
Weekly science and technology news magazine, considered by some to be the world's best, with diverse subject matter. Articles from current issue and ...
www.newscientist.com
 
CNN.com - Science and Space
Offers news stories related environmental issues, archeology, astronomy, technology, geology and other science topics.
www.cnn.com