Could a Contact Lens Save Your Vision?

Soon contact lenses won't just correct eyesight; they could save your vision.

By applying electrically conductive, antibiotic nanosilver particles to contact lenses, researchers at the University of California, Davis, can continuously map the pressure inside a human eye while administering medication directly and painlessly into it.

The new lenses promise to advance understanding of diseases like glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, and could save the eyesight of millions, say the researchers.

"It would be really helpful to measure the pressure inside the eye continuously," said Tingrui Pan, a professor at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of a paper describing the lenses in Advanced Functional Materials.

Pressure inside the eye, the leading indication of glaucoma, can vary widely from day to day, even minute to minute. Currently, doctors only measure pressure every few months (depending on the patient), said James Brandt, a physician at UC Davis who is involved in the research.

"Compare that to another chronic disease like diabetes, where we can have blood sugar measurements several times a day," he added.

Right now the contact lenses, made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are a close cousin to modern-day contact lenses. They have an eight-by-eight grid nanosilver lines that provide 64 pressure points. Each point independently monitors eye pressure and relays information to a computer that records the pressure inside the eye.

Future models could have thousands of points with invisible nanosilver lines.

Medicine to lower the pressure inside the eye could also be loaded into the contact lens. A mild electrical charge, unnoticeable to the wearer, would push the medication into the eye and monitor its effect -- or lack thereof.

Putting medication directly into something that many people have to wear every day could ensure that patients are taking their medication, said Jack Cioffi, editor of the Journal of Glaucoma, who was not involved in the UC Davis research.

"Roughly one-third of all kidney transplant patients go off drugs that could save their lives in less than a year," said Cioffi. "You trust that people are taking the medication, but we would like to ensure that they are compliant, and then see if the drugs are working."

Cioffi notes that other available devices can monitor internal eye pressure, but they require implantation surgery, a risk that the new contact lenses would avoid.

"Overall, this device has good promise because it's clear, can be made into a contact lens, is bio-compatable... and would make for a non-invasive intraocular pressure measuring device," said Cioffi.

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Tooth Lasers Could Make Drilling a Thing of the Past

For some people, just the sound of a dental drill is enough to cause panic—but the good news is that this barbaric procedure may be a thing of the past. UK researchers have developed a technology that is based on Raman spectroscopy (a method that is currently used to identify chemicals) to spot tooth decay before it begins. A new study has determined that harmful bacteria can be detected by analyzing how light is scattered when a laser is fired at the tooth. This method would make it possible to detect damage much faster than X-rays, nipping the problem in the bud before drilling is necessary. The testing is ongoing, but the researchers hope that the lasers could be available commercially within the next five years. Of course, you would have to actually go to the dentist on a regular basis to benefit from the procedure, so my guess is that drilling won't disappear anytime soon.

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Cosmo's Most Creative Sex Positions Ever

Want to turn tonight's amorous encounter into an erotic adventure? Give your mattress a rest and attempt our new, superhot pleasure poses.

Chances are, when you and your guy are about to get it on, you make a beeline for the bed. Now we're not knocking between-the-sheets sex, but you can make your intimate encounters even more intoxicating by moving them beyond the boudoir.

"Shaking it up by doing it in an innovative location will create a new, exciting dynamic in your sexual relationship," says Kimberly Flemke, PhD, therapist at the Institute for Sex Therapy and assistant professor in the couple and family therapy graduate program at Drexel University. "Having sex somewhere unexpected or where you're not 'supposed to' often releases brain hormones that increase desire and passion."

With the benefits of novel nooky in mind, we've mapped out some daring and innovative sex positions to try in every nook and cranny of your home. Let the room christening begin.

Kitchen Encounter

Sit on the edge of the counter, pull your knees up to your chest, and place your feet flat on the counter. Have your guy stand facing you between your legs, then scoot your bum far enough forward (it may have to hang over the edge or even hover a few inches above the surface) so he can enter you. If you're too high up for him to reach you comfortably, he can stand on a phone book or sturdy crate.

Hold on to his shoulders for support, and have him grab your butt to help propel you back and forth. "This is a twist on an ancient position in the Kama Sutra where both thighs are raised in the air, which allows for very deep penetration," says Alex Williams, author of the upcoming Kitchen Kama Sutra: 50 Ways to Seduce Each Other Outside the Bedroom.

Erotic extras: The kitchen offers you easy access to homemade passion props. "You can tease him with the sink sprayer or even use it on yourself as you sit in the sink," points out Joan Elizabeth Lloyd, author of Naughtier Bedtime Stories. "You're also right by the fridge, so you can find creative uses for ice, fruit, whipped cream, and other fun lickables."

Doorway Play

Standing-up sex can be a challenge, unless there's some solid structure for support...like a door frame. For this pose, have your guy squat with his back against one side of a doorway. His thighs should be parallel to the floor, and he can put his hands behind his lower back for cushioning. Stand facing away from him, spread your legs so they're on either side of his, and then back up onto his member.

Once you're positioned, bend forward and push against the opposite door frame with your palms. This helps you balance and allows you to control your gyrations and vary the speed and depth of penetration. You're in the driver's seat, so mix up your moves — swivel your hips back and forth in a circular pattern or figure eights — and experiment to see what feels best. Every time you switch direction, you'll both experience new pleasurable sensations.

Erotic extra: Leave on a pair of sexy stiletto heels...and nothing else. The shoes' shape will help keep you pitched forward on your toes for maximum maneuverability, and the mere sight of them will drive him wild.

Bathing Booty

Taking a bath à deux can be incredibly seductive: "Just lathering up each other with bare hands is sensual and exciting," says Flemke. So next time you're having a sexy suds-fest with your man, have him lie back, resting his head on the edge of the tub. Facing him, kneel over one of his legs (his thigh should be sandwiched between your thighs), and lower yourself onto him.

When he's inside you, wrap your ankles around his calf so you're fully entwined. Then lean forward and hold on to the edge of the tub behind his head to support yourself as you glide back and forth over his body, rather than up and down. The zero gravity of the water gives you a wider range of motion than you'd usually have and lets you experience new sensations every time you alter your movements.

"This position creates a slower buildup, which can ultimately lead to an exciting climax," says Susan Crain Bakos, author of The Sex Bible: The Complete Guide to Sexual Love. Don't worry about taking too long; you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it. "Your man is getting less friction than he's used to, so it can delay his orgasm," she adds.

Erotic extras: Make the most of being submerged by tweaking the temperature. Periodically turn on the faucet and carefully alternate between short blasts of cold and hot water. "The anticipation of wondering what is coming next will keep your man on high alert, adding to his excitement," says Bakos.

Thigh High

Kneel on the floor in front of an ottoman (or use a couple of cushions), then lean forward so your stomach is flat against it, palms on the floor. Have your guy kneel between your legs and hold on to your hips as he penetrates you.

With him firmly inside you, straighten your legs and have him hold on to your highs. "He can lift your legs to create a better G-spotting angle," says Lloyd — just let him know how high he should go. Another bonus of this from-behind position for you: Not being able to see him lets you fully focus on the tingly sensations.

Erotic extra: If you have the flexibility to pull it off, start by sitting crosslegged, each foot on the opposite thigh. Then when you lean forward, keep your legs folded during intercourse. They will form a triangle with your butt for a sexy sight like he's never seen before, and your locked limbs will create an incredibly snug fit for his member.

On the Level

This is a perfect position if there's a big height difference between you and your man...but it's pretty hot even if there's not. Stand with your back to the wall, either at the bottom of the staircase or one or two steps up if your guy is taller than you are. (If you're taller, do the reverse.) He stands facing you so your pelvises are at the same level.

Get yourselves situated, then lift one of your legs and rest it on the banister that's across from you to help support yourself. Hold on to his shoulders for balance as he enters you. (You both might have to twist your torsos a little to meld the right way.) The angle created by your raised leg will give him a tighter fit, making it more pleasurable for both of you.

Erotic extras: By slightly bending your outstretched knee, you'll have more leverage to rub against him, giving your clitoris some extra feel-good friction and boosting your orgasm. "Try flexing your knee and PC muscles — the ones you use to stop urine flow — in sync," suggests Bakos. "He'll feel even tighter inside you, and the subtle rocking motion created by bending your knee lets you control the speed and rhythm."

The Couching Tiger

Sit on your guy's lap while he's on the couch, and tuck your feet into the crease where the back and seat connect. When he's inside you, hold on to each other's forearms for support, and slowly lean back until you're lying on his thighs. Straighten your legs slightly and push back your hips to ride your guy; he can use your arms to help propel you back and forth.

"This position is visually hot," says Bakos. "He can look at you spread out before him, and you get to see the action as well." It also angles your clitoris for direct contact and makes it easy for him to give you manual stimulation.

Erotic extra: Place a pillow underneath his thighs (up by his knees) to allow for even deeper entry.

Good Vibrations

Sit on top of a washing machine, with your legs dangling over the side. You can place the soles of your feet against it to steady yourself. Have your guy stand facing you, between your legs, and tighten your thighs around him after he's inside you. For deeper penetration, grab his butt and pull him in close.

Once you're going at it, turn on the machine. The vibrations will feel delicious against your bare body. And every time the machine changes cycles, you'll experience a different sensation. "In addition to the shaking, the surface of the washer will create a scintillating heat from below," says Williams.

Erotic extra: Have him lean forward so his thighs are against the machine, suggests Bakos. The vibrations will rock through his entire body.

Flooring It

Finally, a ground position with no rug-burn risk (at least for you). Have your guy kneel (he can cushion his knees with a towel or pillow), face away from him, and slowly lower yourself onto his member. You can tease him with some sweet eye candy by slooowly inching your way down.

Stay squatted without fully sitting so you'll be able to thrust with abandon. Your guy can lean back on one hand and use the other to stimulate your pleasure zones. "This is one of the best positions for him to bring you to orgasm manually," says Flemke. Another bonus: If you lean back, you get the naughty thrill of not looking into each other's eyes but the intimacy of having your faces so close.

Erotic extra: Have your guy spread his thighs wide, then kneel on the floor in front of him. Keep your legs together and you'll be able to feel every inch of him as he slides in and out of you.

Find this article at: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/sex/most-creative-sex-positions-ever

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