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Wacky Technology Wednesday: Izhar Gafni creates a bike from cardboard
A few weeks ago, Gizmag (http://www.gizmag.com/cardboard-bike/24573/) covered the story of Izhar Gafhi, who recently designed and prototyped a bicycle built from cardboard. In its current design, it cots US $12 to build, can withstand moisture/water/humidity, and can support riders weighing up to 485 pounds. Additionally, Gafhi uses recycled car tiers for the tires and repurposes a car timing belt as the bike chain. In Integral Accounting terms, Ganfi has done a spectacular job repurposing the abundance in his environment. His background video is worth a watch: http://vimeo.com/37584656#
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Dabkowski Featured in Nourishing The Planet
Ken Dabkowski has been apart of the Global Innovation Commons for about 3 years. Dabkowski works by expanding the threads of knowledge through the GIC and connecting creative collaborators, assisting people to bring viability to an idea. We applaud all of Ken's hard work with the Global Innovation Commons! To read the entire interview: http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/saturday-series-an-interview-with-ken-dabkowski/
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From Monterey, VA to Mongolia- A Felting Journey
A few months back, we posted about our friend Lisa Jacenich and her husband James who were going to be heading to Mongolia to set up felting cooperatives in an effort to help employ women in several rural provinces. They were asking for pledges of anything to help their trip ranging from frequent flyer miles to shipping discounts. After reaching their goals, they set off for Mongolia. While in Mongolia they visited the Arkhangai Province meeting various people. You can read more about their journey: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/606939232/mongolia-asks-assistance-from-rural-virginia-felt/posts
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Coconut Oil Combats Tooth Decay
The Athlone Institute of Technology, examined the effects of natural and digested coconut oil on common strains of bacteria in a human mouth. They found that coconut oil effectively inhibited a majority of the bacteria strains and that the oil was harmful to candida albicans, an type of yeast created by a poor diet consisting of processed foods.
A candida infection, when the candida albicans are overgrown in your mouth, can lead to chronic tiredness, and digestive issues. The researchers found that instead of a curing the infection with anti-fungal medications, coconut oil can be an alternative solution with far less side effects and concerns. They also found that coconut oil can be used in most dental hygiene products as an alternative to chemical additives.
For more on the study completed by Athlone Institute:http://www.activistpost.com/2012/09/coconut-oil-hailed-as-miracle-dental...
For more on our Coconut Oil Processing Global Innovation Commons Sets: http://www.globalinnovationcommons.org/discover/special-report/coconut-processing
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Fascioliasis
Fascioliasis is a disease that is caused by trematodes that belongs to the genus Fasciola. Fascioliasis is identified as a zoonis, this means that it is a disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans. In years prior this harmful disease was only thought to be located in certain areas, but it is now spread throughout the world. Infections usually come from livestock, however, there is now evidence suggesting that human-to-human transfer could also occur. Infections can arise from drinking contaminated water or ingesting metacercariae that is attached to kitchen utensils that have been washed in contaminated water. Triclabendazole 10mg/kg body weight single dose is the recommended treatment to cure this disease. This drug will fight both immature and adult parasites.
For more on Fascioliasis: http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/fascioliasis/en/index.html
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Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a fever that is caused by viruses that are transmitted from mosquitoes to humans. As shown in its name Dengue fever causes high fever, skin rash, headaches, and tremendous joint and muscle pains. Some of the fevers can get as high as 104 or 105 degrees. This illness is found in different tropical and also subtropical areas. The World Health Organization estimates that the fever causes roughly 50-100 million infections per year. Dengue fever has the possibility to become present in Florida and south Texas due to people stating infections in those areas. This disease is spreading with the help of infectious people traveling to different areas that have never experienced this illness.
Check out our Global Innovation Commons Set on Dengue Fever HERE
Learn more on Dengue Fever HERE
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Malaria- An Open Source Cure?
Malaria is a popular disease that is common in tropical as well as sub-tropical regions of the world. The disease is most commonly found in children living in Sub-Saharan Africa. To a recipients dismay malaria can become very serious. The most serious form of Malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The parasites that infect the body multiply within red blood cells. This causes fever, anemia, chills and flu symptoms. The way for a person to prevent Malaria is to decrease the amount of mosquito bites they receive. They can do this by using mosquito nets, and insect repellents. It is also important to get rid of any standing water within a house or shed etc. because mosquitos lay their eggs there.
Lets look into the Common's Sets and see what we can do to help those with Malaria. http://www.globalinnovationcommons.org/discover/subcategory/malaria
For more on Malaria: http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/m/malaria.htm
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Guinea Worm Disease
One of the most devastating diseases around the world is Dracunculiasis (also known as Guinea Worm Disease). Although this disease can be very devastating, people who obtain it go almost a year with no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they can range from a slight fever to nausea and rashes. A blister starts to form as well when a person is infected. The blister is located on the lower body in 80%-90% of all cases. Although removing the worm may be a solution, it is actually a very painful process. However, if the worm breaks in the removal process severe inflammation can emerge as the dead worm degrades inside the person.
For more on Guinea Wormd Disease: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/guineaworm/disease.html
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Reverse Osmosis In The Home
Many households are starting to use reverse osmosis systems so that they might consume the freshest water possible from the tap. Reverse osmosis is simply a system of filtration that eliminates different molecules and ions out of the water. This removal of unwanted particles happens when the water passes through a permeable membrane that has small holes. This permeable membrane helps to stop particles like chlorine, metals, and fluoride from getting into the water we consume, thus creating a purer taste. Under the sink reverse osmosis systems are the most popular osmosis systems there are. All that is required is that the system is to be placed under the sink so that the tap water can pass through a three step filtration system before it hits your glass. Reverse osmosis helps to turn tap water into a healthy alternative. For more on reverse osmosis: http://www.ionizeroasis.com/pages/reverse-osmosis-information-and-articles.html
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Water Pumps Supply Villages
Water pumps are becoming more of a necessity for developing countries so that they might have a large enough water supply for the entire village. Water pumps are used to pump different amounts of water for drinking, washing, or irrigation purposes. The water used in the pumps comes from a variety of different sources such as rivers, underground aquifers etc. In countries that are developed water pumps are mostly driven by electric motors. Two popular pumps used in less developed countries are the treadle pump and the ram pump. The treadle pump is foot-operated, while the ram pump uses the power given off by the water flowing down in order to lift a small amount of water to a greater height. Water pumps are a great way for a country to increase its water supply although it does take some manual labor.
Take a look at how a windmill attached to a water pump in Papua New Guinea supplies an entire village. http://www.globalinnovationcommons.org/discover/challenge/papua-new-guinea-water-project
More on water pumps: http://www.ashden.org/water_pumps
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