Latest news with #Gore-Tex
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Common fabric could save lives from most deadly disease
Turning silk like fairy floss into artificial blood vessels will provide a lifeline for cardiovascular patients, scientists say. Cardiovascular disease is Australia's top killer, contributing to one in four deaths. But after almost a decade of developing silk artificial blood vessels, researchers are confident they have found a solution to lower the numbers. In a world-first test, Australians scientists were able to successfully put a silk blood vessel into a sheep in December. Now they are turning their focus to using one of nature's strongest materials in humans. "We're the first to bring this natural biomaterial this far along the translational pathway," University of Sydney cardiovascular bioengineering professor Steven Wise told AAP on Wednesday. "Now we're at a place where we're in sheep and pigs, which are quite like a human." The vessel starts as a silk cocoon plucked from a farm where it is cut, dried and washed to form a liquid. It is then spat through a minuscule tube onto a cylindrical roll, where it forms a fluff similar to fairy floss. Once the fairy-floss solution solidifies, it can be used in bypass surgery as a long-term artery or vein. The technology will replace current artificial blood vessels, which are made from Gore-Tex, the same material as rain jackets. "(The plastic is) really bad for you," Professor Wise said. "They cause blood to clot, so our strategy is to build with a natural material that does belong in your body." The scientific discovery comes as shovels dig into the ground at the University of Sydney to build a new biomedical centre. Planned to be completed by 2028, the $780 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator aims to find solutions to complicated health issues such as cancer and deadly diseases. NSW is now in the box seat to advance medical technology, according to state Health Minister Ryan Park. "It's been said for a long time that Victoria is the heart of medical research in this country," he said. "This puts us back in front of centre in this race. "This is putting money in our mouth of where we need to go ... (so) our communities can live the most healthy lives possible." The research hub will play a key role in reducing cardiovascular disease worldwide, Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deb Willcox said. The disease kills almost 18 million people per year globally, the World Health Organisation says. "It's an enormous burden across the globe," Ms Willcox said. "The work that this building bring us will bring treatments forward, provide new medication and procedures, and reduce the burden on people's lives." The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is expected to house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists once opened.
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Common fabric could save lives from most deadly disease
Turning silk like fairy floss into artificial blood vessels will provide a lifeline for cardiovascular patients, scientists say. Cardiovascular disease is Australia's top killer, contributing to one in four deaths. But after almost a decade of developing silk artificial blood vessels, researchers are confident they have found a solution to lower the numbers. In a world-first test, Australians scientists were able to successfully put a silk blood vessel into a sheep in December. Now they are turning their focus to using one of nature's strongest materials in humans. "We're the first to bring this natural biomaterial this far along the translational pathway," University of Sydney cardiovascular bioengineering professor Steven Wise told AAP on Wednesday. "Now we're at a place where we're in sheep and pigs, which are quite like a human." The vessel starts as a silk cocoon plucked from a farm where it is cut, dried and washed to form a liquid. It is then spat through a minuscule tube onto a cylindrical roll, where it forms a fluff similar to fairy floss. Once the fairy-floss solution solidifies, it can be used in bypass surgery as a long-term artery or vein. The technology will replace current artificial blood vessels, which are made from Gore-Tex, the same material as rain jackets. "(The plastic is) really bad for you," Professor Wise said. "They cause blood to clot, so our strategy is to build with a natural material that does belong in your body." The scientific discovery comes as shovels dig into the ground at the University of Sydney to build a new biomedical centre. Planned to be completed by 2028, the $780 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator aims to find solutions to complicated health issues such as cancer and deadly diseases. NSW is now in the box seat to advance medical technology, according to state Health Minister Ryan Park. "It's been said for a long time that Victoria is the heart of medical research in this country," he said. "This puts us back in front of centre in this race. "This is putting money in our mouth of where we need to go ... (so) our communities can live the most healthy lives possible." The research hub will play a key role in reducing cardiovascular disease worldwide, Sydney Local Health District chief executive Deb Willcox said. The disease kills almost 18 million people per year globally, the World Health Organisation says. "It's an enormous burden across the globe," Ms Willcox said. "The work that this building bring us will bring treatments forward, provide new medication and procedures, and reduce the burden on people's lives." The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is expected to house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists once opened.
Tom's Guide
15-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 review: These beginner-friendly running shoes are just $85
The Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are some of the best running shoes for beginners. At just $85/£80, they're budget-friendly, so an ideal amount of investment for someone just starting. If you're running on a treadmill or just on the road, these could be the best beginner-friendly shoes on the market right now. I loved how comfortable these running shoes were. The 1½-inch foam heel provided excellent bounce and cushioning during road running. On top of that, Skechers' GogaMat sole foam is cooling, which helped me on runs in 70°F weather (hot for the U.K., trust me). While the sneakers aren't waterproof, they performed excellently in dry weather on the road and during sprint training. I'd get another pair for trail running as I doubt the Go Run Elevate 2.0 would perform as well on rugged or muddy terrain. I'll discuss everything in detail in this Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 review. Price $85 / £80 Size availability US: 6-13 / UK: 2-13 Weight 8.2 ounces (women's size 6) Colors Various Materials Vegan synthetic Waterproofing No Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are $85 from Amazon U.S. (women), $85 from Amazon U.S. (men), £80 from Amazon U.K. (women) and £80 from Amazon U.K. (men). They're available in both men's and women's styles and sizes. This is a very good price for cushioned running shoes; my personal running shoes are the $175 Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX, which, granted, have Gore-Tex, but are still more than double the price of the Skechers. Our best running shoes, the Ascis Novablast 5, are $139 from Amazon U.S. I think if you're just starting out and unsure if you want to spend over a hundred dollars on some running shoes, then the Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are a perfect option. The Go Run Elevate 2.0 are available in the following colors: Black, Bluish Pink, and Fuschia Pink, sizes 6-11 (U.K. 2-8). I tested the bright pink version, but I probably would have chosen the black. In the men's style, they're available in: Black, Gray/Orange, and Red, from sizes 9-13 (U.K. 7-9.5). Right off the bat, I'm going to say it's amazing that the Go Run Elevates are completely vegan, so anyone can use these regardless of lifestyle choice. I'm not vegan, but I only buy vegan clothing and footwear so this gets a big thumbs up from me. The upper is made from a synthetic knit fabric with no waterproofing, but very breathable. The shoes are laced and the laces stay tied up even on one knot, which is more than I can say for the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTXs, which love to come untied. Unfortunately, there's no physical support around the heel or the Achilles. In no way did I feel unsupported during testing, but it's worth noting that if you need extra support from your running shoes, you'd be better off looking somewhere else. I can recommend the Saucony Hurricane 24. I also loved the padded tongue, which was super protective of my foot bridge and made the shoes even more comfortable. The midsole has ultra-light cushioning, which is effectively just a foam sole. Given the price point, this is a basic sole and doesn't live up to Brooks Glycerin or Puma's DNA Loft V3, but I found the shoes gave decent arch support and cushioning without being heavy. Even when I was landing quite hard, the shoes absorbed a lot of the shock. My ankles and knees didn't hurt at all after running. The soles have Skechers' trademark GogaMat foam. Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 shoes have a 9mm drop, which provides a lot of heel support and bounce during use. The soles are 1½ inches high at the heel and I found this cushioned my feet during runs well. I ran in around 68°F weather (very hot for the U.K., trust me) and my feet never overheated or got sweaty. The shoes did well to combat the outside heat. The breathable materials paired with the cooling foam really did the trick. Perhaps the only complaint I have with the Go Run Elevates is that they're pretty roomy around the toe box and the ball of my foot. While this is good for those with wide feet, it's worth noting for narrower-footed people. Right now, these shoes are only available in standard width. I have narrow feet, but it also meant that the shoes creased easily when I was running. When I tried to tie the laces tighter to prevent this roominess around my toes, the shoes were too tight on my bridge. Obviously performance is very subjective: what I like may not equal what you like. I loved the Go Run Elevate's bouncy, airy soles and the 1½-inch height. This enabled me to run with ease, and my legs felt supported and comfortable during sprinting. I have a neutral gait, so my feet and ankles don't tend to roll. If yours do, it's worth looking at shoes with more support such as the Saucony 24 Hurricane I mentioned earlier. Thanks to the rockered ride and bouncy foam, I felt comfortable and assisted on runs when my legs were getting tired. The bouncy soles were truly a lifesaver when I didn't want to go any further, as the shoes almost did all the work for me. The Go Run Elevate 2.0 are plate-free running shoes. Plate-free basically means there's no carbon plating between the sole and cushioning. This means they're lighter and more breathable, but might not be ideal for longer or more intense runs. As a result, I'd recommend these shoes for beginner runners or those who tend to do 5ks rather than marathons. Given the 8.2-ounce weight, these shoes are incredibly versatile and lightweight. I could barely notice any weight on my foot whatsoever. The Go Run Elevates are lighter than the Saucony Ride 18 ($140) and the Brooks Glycerin 21 ($160). More seasoned runners may want to look elsewhere: I recommend the Brooks Glycerin Max ($200, which has a nitrogen-infused sole for supreme bounce) or the carbon-plated Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 ($275). The Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 running shoes are ideal for beginners. I say beginners because they're pretty cheap — just $85. Runners who need a carbon plate shoe (for racing or speedwork) should look elsewhere. Considering they're just $85, it's not surprising that they don't have waterproofing. I'd recommend these for use on a treadmill or casual road running. If you're a trail runner, you might want to look at Gore-Tex sneakers like the Hoka Speedgoat range. For me, though, these running shoes are ideal. They're very comfortable and the 1½-inch thick foam provided extra help on runs where I needed a little extra help. If you're a beginner, I can't recommend these enough.
Time Business News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How Many Types of Fabric are There in Textiles?
Fabric – Textiles is a generic and heterogeneous industry with a vast array of materials, each with its characteristics, touch, and usage differently available. Ranging from natural cotton and silk to man-made polyester and nylon, the choice is unlimited. Weaved and sourced-based, textiles are classified in a way that they are utilised in different industries such as fashion, interior design, and technical textiles. With such differences, it is possible to select the most suitable material for specific purposes. Among the top performers in the industry, T & A textiles and hosiery UK is especially noteworthy due to its imagination and skills. This study enumerates the different types of fabrics, their properties, and applications in our day-to-day life. Usually made from petrochemicals, synthetic fabrics produced by people provide flexibility and robustness. Polyester, frequently used in activewear and home design, is a prevalent synthetic fabric resistant to shrinking and creases. Popular fabric for clothes and athletic wear, nylon is renowned for its resilience and adaptability. Typically seen in blankets and knitwear, warm and inexpensive acrylic imitates wool. Since it offers great stretch, spandex, also known as Lycra, is critical for fitted clothes and sportswear. Due to its absorbent qualities, ultra-soft synthetic microfiber finds use in cleaning rags and upholstery. Though sturdy, synthetic materials' environmental effects are becoming more worrisome, so guiding new concepts, including recycled fibres. Mixed textiles combine natural and synthetic fibres to improve comfort and performance. Since it blends the softness of cotton with the durability of polyester, poly-cotton—a combination of polyester and cotton—has become a sought-after choice for everyday usage. Semi-synthetic cellulose-based rayon, sometimes employed in linings and gowns, imitates silk and cotton. A sustainable blend of fibre noted for its breathability and moisture-wicking qualities, Tencel is a type of lyocell. Including acrylic or nylon, wool blends raise fabric durability and lower pilling. These mixes economically meet several textile demands without compromising quality. Thanks to continuous developments in fabric blending technology, today's consumers have sustainable, high-performance alternatives. Speciality fabrics are designe for particular applications such as waterproofing, flame resistance, or UV protection. Widely employed in outdoor equipment and sportswear, waterproof yet breathable fabric Gore-Tex is used in protective clothes and bulletproof vests made of the high-strength synthetic fibre Kevlar. A rubber-based insulating fabric discovered often found in wetsuits and laptop covers, is neoprene. Because of its strength, non-woven felt is used in technical and decorative textiles, including metallic fabrics created from metal threads, industry, caps, and crafts. These fabrics serve niche markets by providing sophisticated qualities that regular textiles cannot deliver, hence they are essential in certain sectors. Offering stretch and mobility, knitted fabrics are made by interlocking yarn loops. T-shirts and informal wear frequently include the lightweight, soft fabric Jersey knit. With its raised vertical lines, rib knit offers great elasticity, so it is perfect for collars and cuffs. Often used in sweaters for a more textured appearance, cable knit has a braided design. A soft knitted fabric, fleece provides warmth and is widely use in blankets and cold-weather clothing. With its open weave, mesh knit is use in lingerie and sportswear for ventilation. Eco-friendly fabrics are becoming more well-known as people become more aware of their surroundings. Grown free of pesticides, organic cotton preserves quality and lowers ecological damage. Derived from bamboo pulp, bamboo fabric is soft, antibacterial, biodegradable, and natural. Made from plastic bottles, recycled polyester helps cut waste and energy use. Requiring little water and no pesticides, hemp is a sustainable substitute for traditional textiles. Fashion items made from pineapple leaves provide a cruelty-free alternative. These materials satisfy consumer need for ethical and environmentally friendly textiles while also supporting the worldwide move toward sustainability. The textile industry provides a wide selection of materials with special qualities suited for various purposes. From natural and artificial to blended and speciality textiles, the options are limitless. Knowing these differences enables one to make wise decisions for clothes, home design, or industrial application. As sustainability takes front stage, creative eco-friendly fabrics are steering the direction. In order to guarantee a mix of tradition and modernity in the always changing world of fabrics, companies are essential suppliers of high-quality textiles. Visit timebusinessnews for more informative blogs. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Get out and about with our step-by-step National Walking Month beginner's guide
Think better, feel better, sleep better. The benefits of walking are proven and the joy of being in the great outdoors with friends and family or by yourself for some 'me-time' is undeniable. So now you want to do more than boost your daily phone stats and step out on a walking holiday? You are not alone – more and more Brits are choosing to lace up and hit the paths and trails at home and abroad. But where do you start? What gear do you need for something more than a stroll round your local park or woods? We've teamed up with the experts at Glasgow-based self-guided walking holiday brand Macs Adventure to help set you on your way. And there's no better time than now, as May is the UK's National Walking Month – an annual campaign that promotes the physical and mental health benefits of walking. And the nation is blessed with a network of excellent signposted and maintained paths. Step this way for our top tips for first-time walking holidays… Your feet are your friends on a walking holiday – make sure you treat them well. Comfy boots are non-negotiable but they don't have to break the bank. Go for three-season boots with durable, water-resistant materials such as Gore-Tex or leather and make sure the soles have excellent grip for various terrains. Don't wait until your holiday to wear new boots. Break them in with short walks to make sure they're well worn-in and to avoid blisters later. Did you know that the way you lace your boots can make all the difference when tackling different comfort issues? Here are some quick and easy techniques to try... Pick moisture-wicking materials such as merino wool to keep feet dry and snug. Ensure a good fit that complements your boots, avoiding socks that bunch up or rub uncomfortably. Layering is key for unpredictable weather so it's worth packing in layers rather than anything too bulky. You can get a selection of the most interesting, important and fun travel stories sent to your inbox every week by subscribing to the Mirror Travel newsletter. It's completely free and takes minutes to do. Other ESSENTIALS Pack smart and pack safe. Here are some must-have items to include in your rucksack... Download the route before heading off as service can be a bit hit and miss in remote areas. Macs also recommends printing off the documents and guides as a back up. Otherwise, you should consider buying (or borrowing) a GPS handheld satellite tracker. Even the best-planned walking holiday requires some physical preparation and it's worth putting in some effort before you hit the trail. Picking the right trip for your first walking holiday is really important. With self-guided tours you are able to walk at your own pace, take breaks whenever you want, and enjoy the freedom of independent travel without having to wait for anyone else to catch up. Macs Adventure categorises all its trips by difficulty levels, so beginners can start with routes graded Easy or Easy to Moderate. Macs founder Neil Lapping said: 'Walking holidays are in great demand, with more and more people looking to turn a leisurely pastime into a great holiday. 'We have a huge range of itineraries to suit everyone, whether you're looking for a slower, more relaxed trip, or something more challenging. One of the best things about doing it self-guided is there is no rush – you can take a break when you want, linger over a long lunch, or just soak up the views. You get to set your own pace.' Here are a few beginner-friendly options to consider: To book a walking holiday see
