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Cancer-catching clothing to save lives?
Last year, a design student at Cornell University designed a garment that can prevent colds and flu and, crucially, never needs washing, CNN reports.
Meanwhile, Textronics, a Delaware-based company, has developed a sports bra which monitors the heart rate and motion of runners. The company has patented stretchy textile electrodes that can be incorporated into the garments.
Perhaps one of the most exciting developments in this field is ongoing work on a breast screening smart bra which could allow wearers to detect breast cancer at the earliest stage.
Professor Elias Siores, of the University of Bolton, England, says the bra can detect cancer before the tumor can develop and spread into surrounding areas. Crucially, Professor Siores says the bra can also monitor the effectiveness of any breast cancer treatment the wearer is undergoing.
The smart bra works using a microwave antennae system device which is woven into the fabric of the bra. The antennae picks up any abnormal temperature changes in the breast tissue, which are often associated with cancer cells.
It is hoped the bra will be on sale in stores in a couple of years.
However, some remain doubtful as to whether the science behind the bra is achievable. There are also doubts whether the bra could replace traditional screening methods, such as a mammogram.
This is because the idea behind the bra supposes that as tumors grow, there will be a higher demand for blood flow. The increased blood flow then produces elevated temperatures around the affected area of the breast, sending a warning to the wearer.
Critics say blood flow rates could be increased for any number of reasons.
There are benign growths and nonmalignant inflammatory changes, which might also increase blood flow," said Anne Rosenberg, a breast surgeon at Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Despite the reticence from some quarters, work in this burgeoning field forges ahead.
Scientists in Europe are at at an advanced stage of developing outfits which they say will be able to monitor the body's vital signs and detect illnesses and infections at their earliest stages.
Would you wear health-check garments like this? Can you really rely on them? Is it better to go to the doctor for a check-up once in a while, or are garments like this necessary in a world where seeing a good doctor and getting decent care feels increasingly difficult? Is the development of this kind of clothing just evidence that we've become paranoid about our health, or a sensible step to looking after ourselves? Last year, a design student at Cornell University designed a garment that can prevent colds and flu and, crucially, never needs washin... more -
Considerable cleavage? Then you'll have to pay
If you're a lady of considerable cleavage (DD or bigger, to be exact) and you buy bras from M&S's new and actually pretty damn good lingerie range, expect to pay a 'tit tax' of £2 per bra.
Marks & Spencer has defended its a policy of charging extra on some of its bigger than size DD bras, the BBC reports, claiming that it is standard industry practice to charge more for bigger sizes as they require more work in production.
But well-endowed women are not happy, and more than 900 people have joined a 'Busts 4 Justice' protest group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18589103563
Its founders argue it is unfair that smaller bras are cheaper, because this logic does not apply to other clothes.
Should all larger clothes (that logically probably require more materials) be more expensive? Or would this simply be a further attack on the plus sized among us? Is it fair to ask customers to pay more if they are bigger breasted (and this isn't usually something you have a lot of influence over!)? Have you ever paid more for a bigger bra? Did you even notice the price difference? And do you even care? If you're a lady of considerable cleavage (DD or bigger, to be exact) and you buy bras from M&S's new and actually prett... more -
Breast Behaviour
Searches are up for Wonderbra after the specialists in all things push-up have launched a new campaign to create Britains biggest underwear shoot. Searches are up for Wonderbra after the specialists in all things push-up have launched a new campaign to create Britains biggest u... more
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Toothpicks, bras, and seven other bizarre ways to die
"As Grandpa Simpson of The Simpsons will tell you, “Death stalks you at every turn!” And it’s not just through heart disease, cancer, and those other oft-quoted causes. Did you know you could also die by wearing the wrong bra in a lightning storm? Read on for tragic, bizarre, and downright stupid fatal tales." "As Grandpa Simpson of The Simpsons will tell you, “Death stalks you at every turn!” And it’s not just through heart disease, can... more
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Solar bra brings conservation closer to the heart
Ladies, take your battle for the environment a little closer to your heart with a solar-powered bra that can generate enough electric energy to charge a mobile phone or an iPod.
Lingerie maker Triumph International Japan Ltd unveiled its environmentally friendly, and green colored, "Solar Power Bra" on Wednesday in Tokyo which features a solar panel worn around the stomach.
The panel requires light to generate electricity and the concept bra will not be in stores anytime soon, said Triumph spokeswoman Yoshiko Masuda, as "people usually can not go outside without wearing clothes over it".
But it does send the message of how lingerie could possibly save the planet, Masuda said, adding that the bra should not be washed or sunned on a rainy day to avoid damaging it.
Being eco-friendly is now fashionable in Japan, and the "Solar Energy Bra" follows the company's other green-themed undergarments that include a bra that turns into a reusable shopping bag and one that featured metal chopsticks to promote the use of reusable chopsticks.
"It is very comfortable and I can really feel involved in eco-friendly efforts as well," model Yuko Ishida said. Ladies, take your battle for the environment a little closer to your heart with a solar-powered bra that can generate enough electric ... more -
Smart Bra
Working out today takes gear: sweat-wicking shirts, GPS monitors, online training coaches that remind you why you were cut from JV football. Turns out, this is just the beginning. New tools under development will soon make sure there's no missed step, poor form, or lagging pace you don't know about in real time.
Smart Bra
Even small breasts can bounce up to 3 inches during exercise, causing significant discomfort. Researchers in Australia are using motion capture to design a bra that dynamically adjusts cup and strap stiffness as a woman moves around.
Ear Sensor
The e-AR from Sensixa is a cufflink-sized device that tucks behind a runner's ear like a Bluetooth headset to measure shockwaves through the skeleton. It calculates stats like step frequency, acceleration, and stride.
Cooling Shoe
Avacore is developing a cooling shoe based on the company's CoreControl glove currently used on NFL sidelines. Why? Rapidly cooling hands and feet is a safer and more efficient way to prevent overheating than water buckets or mist fans. Working out today takes gear: sweat-wicking shirts, GPS monitors, online training coaches that remind you why you were cut from JV foo... more -
Bacon bra
love the concept, question the execution. nothing enticing about raw bacon. agreed?
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What are you waiting for get your self a Coconut Bra
It is cheap, it is protective, it is stiff, it is in fashion! and it is in Amazon.com
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Take the jiggling out of jogging
HEY!!! forget about Global Warming!!! Scientists have figured our a way to stop breasts from bouncing around!!!!//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
scientists claim to have found a way to make the perfect scaffolding for every woman's set. Fitted with tiny sensors, the bra fabric will monitor and measure even the smallest movement in the breast. HEY!!! forget about Global Warming!!! Scientists have figured our a way to stop breasts from bouncing around!!!!///////////////////... more -
Bra 'o Food
Somehow, i don't see me being able to convince my girlfriend to wear this under any circumstances. But i might try anyway.
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