Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Science Future

A fall had a friend and I discussing changes in science in our life times. I mentioned my Dad who has trouble walking now has one of those buttons you wear around your neck. He has used it once when he fell and couldn't get back up. Think it was a case of most things in the bathroom are very smooth and he kept slipping. An ambulance was sent and they got him up and checked he hadn't injured himself.

We have all heard the expression " Help I've fallen and I can't get up " it's most often used as joke by people drinking. However not many know why the saying is well known. It was the first works spoken on the first 911 call. Back then you had to give your address etc. Now it appears on their screen before they can even answer. if you use a Cell phone even if you don't use gps the gps chip activates when you dial 911 and sends them your location. Don't worry if you can't speak keep the line open as an open line with no voice is top priority even ahead of someone who mentions murder. They assume you can't speak for any of a variety of good reasons.

However we spoke of what is to come. Many things which were science fiction when we were kids are not only common today but more advance then dreamed of then. I predict as the population ages and medical monitoring improves we may wear something like a watch which will monitor vital functions. Something goes wrong they may call you to tell you say blood sugar has gone high or low. Heart is too fast etc but if you hit a button or can't answer help may be sent. The funny looking belt buckles in the first Star Trek movie were supposed to serve that function you only know if you read the book they left it out of the movie but later series episodes had away team vitals monitored and beamed back if something happened. It's also in the new movie. At the start when the Captain beams to the Romulan ship the monitor his vitals.

The aging population is likely going to have devices we don't have now. A blood test can tell you sugar levels for months or if you have ever had a heart attack even if you didn't realize it. A device can measure antioxidant levels in your system a good indicator of Cancer risk. At the hospital blood oxygen levels are tracked with a laser led on your finger. I'm sure much more is to come and in time it will become first things we can track at home as I do my Heart rate and Blood pressure and blood sugar but something which will track them constantly. First something we can tell the doctor in time something which tracks us all the time and tells us something is wrong and what.

Just my view of some of the writ ting I see on the wall

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Male Potpourri

The other day a friend and I came back from walking the dog and had picked up some dog treats. Coming in winter you tend to notice changes in scents more, my Mom always had a potpourri going. They tend to be floral but while nice isn't very masculine. When we opened the pack to give the dog a treat instantly the whole room was filled with the smell of bacon. It gave the two of us an idea. Aside from walking into a bakery one of the nicest smells is to walk in on the smell of home cooking. Now bacon treats at low levels are property of the dog. If something falls on the floor it's property of the dog. I think most folks with dogs tend to follow that custom. So how would one create a home cooking smell?

A tack and hanging a bacon scented dog treat like mistletoe does the trick lasts a few days which is longer than potpourri and when you take it down the dog still wants it. Only problem is so far Bacon is the only smell I have come up with. Have no desire for Tuna but if other ways to imitate home cooking or even better fresh baking can be done I'd love to hear your suggestions.