/oss/taxonomy/term/1041/all en /oss/article/technology-history/wrap-your-hair-around-biotechnology <p>What comes to mind when you think of biotechnology? Maybe it’s Dolly the cloned sheep, or GMOs, or stem cell therapy, or DNA profiling, or mRNA vaccines. Rightly so. These are indeed examples of biotechnology, defined as the “manipulation of living organisms, or of substances produced by living organisms, with an aim towards developing useful agricultural, industrial or medical products.” But how about a lotion formulated to repair damaged hair? Probably not something you would connect to biotechnology. Just wait and see. First, though, a quick lesson on the chemistry of hair. </p> Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:19:29 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9560 at /oss /oss/article/health-technology/did-apple-just-put-cardiologists-out-work <p>Given that I’m not someone who is overly fond of new gadgets, the arrival of the new <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/apple-watch-3-review">Apple Watch 3</a> didn’t really make that much of an impression on me. But a new feature of this latest Apple Watch is interesting because, unlike other devices, it can measure the electrical activity of your heart.</p> Mon, 23 Jul 2018 20:50:22 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 7181 at /oss /oss/article/environment-food-health-technology/biotechnology-africa <p>I have never really been hungry. Sure, I’ve had occasions when I could hardly wait to wolf down a slice of pizza or a serving of veggie goulash and I’ll admit to looking forward eagerly to the end of the traditional Yom Kippur fast. But frankly, it isn’t very hard to fast for twenty four hours if you’ve filled your stomach with matzoh ball soup and roast chicken. And the hunger pangs aren’t too bothersome when you know that a superb stuffed cabbage waits to stuff you. I suspect that most of you reading this piece have never felt real hunger either. Sure, we know hunger exists.</p> Fri, 24 May 2013 22:49:50 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1948 at /oss