A man who lost part of his arm in a car crash has been trying it out, after doctors attached it to him using special wires. By the end of the experiment he could wiggle the robotic fingers, make a fist and grab objects with his new hand. It’s called the Life Hand. It has cost £2m and has taken the team five years to build.

Testing the new technology
After losing his forearm in a car crash, 26-year-old Pierpaolo Petruzziello agreed to participate in a one-month medical experiment to test out a robotic hand that can be controlled by a patient’s thoughts. Now, doctors say that the test run was successful, and may open the door for major developments to come.

More progress to come
Unlike most other prosthetics, this robot hand wasn’t implanted directly into Petruzziello, but was connected with a series of electrodes that were attached to the nerve endings on his severed arm.
The Associated Press reports that, at a press conference, the medical team played video footage of the patient controlling the hand’s actions with his mind as the device sat next to him. During the experiment, he learned to wiggle his fingers, make a fist, and grab objects. Said Petruzziello, “It felt almost the same as a real hand… you can’t imagine what they did to me.” Neurologist Paolo Maria Rossini jokingly added, “Some of the gestures cannot be disclosed because they were quite vulgar.” (Awesome.)

See the video here

This experience is very helpful for patients who have suffered only partial loss of a hand or arm
Other similar thought-controlled prosthetic experiments have been successful in the past, but all of those only worked when a limb was completely severed. Scientists hope that this development may offer solutions for patients who have suffered only partial loss of a hand or arm. Although the project lasted only a month, it was still the longest that electrodes had remained connected to a patient’s nervous system.

Further challenges ahead
Doctors acknowledge that the next challenge is to develop a more durable device that can function for years on end. It’s clear, though, that the significance of this particular success shouldn’t be downplayed. There may still be barriers to overcome, but if prosthetic science progresses as rapidly as it has, it should only be a matter of time before someone smashes through them — with a robotic fist or otherwise.

Our own behaviours will influence the quality of our sleep, review this if you can’t find sleep !

Work stress
Work stress comes in many forms – an unfinished report or wanted promotion – and it can leave your mind racing well into the night. ‘Works stress taps into a primitive survival pressure. It tends to boost levels of adrenaline that puts the body in a hyper-alert state,’ says life coach Jason Henry.
Turn things around
Take long deep breaths into your belly to switch on the part of your nervous system that lowers adrenalin and aids relaxation. Do a body scan: pass over your body, starting with your toes. Ask each part to ‘melt to let go of any tension.

Unsolved problem in the day
Negative thoughts before bed are a recipe for tossing and turning all night. It’s near-impossible to sleep if you’re thinking negatively or haven’t reached any kind of resolution. Holding onto strong emotions could prevent your body relaxing for hours.
Turn things around
Don’t dwell on it – solve your issues before you get into bed, even if it is to make plans of actions for tomorrow.

Not enough time
You have too much to do, too little time to do it. The feeling of tiredness can comes from rushing around or feeling you’ve lost control. If you feel life is rushing you it is very likely that your body will feel exhausted.
Turn things around
Make a to-do list before bed because this will give you a feeling of some control. Prioritise half the list for tomorrow, or whatever seems manageable, and make a note to plan for the rest tomorrow. You’ll then feel you’ve done enough so you can switch off. Make sure you keep an hour for relaxation before your usual bedtime.

Doing too much and still feeling disappointed
You’re up past midnight again – having said yes to too many people, you have no idea how you’ll complete all those commitments.
Turn things around
Put a stop to late nights. Even if you’re overstretched, resolve to have your head on the pillow by 11pm. Sleep is essential for emotional health and resilience. It’s better to take on less and do it well than running yourself ragged and doing things badly.

Body temperature
You may want to be warm and cosy, but a room that’s too hot will leave you restless. Snuggle up but make sure the air is cool because heat actually causes the body to wake up.
Turn things around
Open the window for a while before you sleep. If you can, leave it open a little during the night. Choose cotton bedding that allows skin to breathe. Make sure you wash your bed sheet every week.

Sugar and caffeine
Coffee or a sweet treat up to three hours before bed will disrupt your sleep. The caffeine from a single coffee will be swishing around your system for a good four hours, while sugar may keep you energised and awake for up to two hours afterwards.
Turn things around
Skip coffee and sweet treats late in the evening. If you fancy a warming hot drink, opt for herbal tea instead. Avoid eating sugary foods on an empty stomach when they will have a more pronounced effect.

Alcohol
Alcohol has a depressing effect on the nervous system, but when it comes to sleep it acts as a stimulant, boosting blood sugar levels. Once you nod off, you’ll probably be woken in the early hours by the opposite problem: low blood sugar.
Turn things around
Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink if you lie awake after a drinking session. After drinking more than a glass of wine or beer, eat some food to stabilise your blood sugar levels. Alternate soft drinks or water with the glasses of booze. Just before bed, drink plenty of water and eat again, this time choosing a fatty protein food such as cheese.

Irregular sleep hours
Perhaps you’re working shifts or something wakes you up at night. Whatever the case, regular sleep patterns are something that’s out of reach for you.
Turn things around
Grab as much sleep as you can before 11pm. Research indicates that falling asleep before midnight really does lead to deeper, more restorative sleep. If you’re woken during deep REM sleep, you’re likely to feel exhausted the next day. Grab a power nap for at least 30 minutes when you can – it’ll make all the difference.

Energy drinks
These energy bombs do more than work against sleep; they can cause you to feel anxious, jittery, and wired and tired at the same time. If you’re addicted to them, now may be the time to cut back.
Turn things around
Instead of having an energy drink, try a glass of unsweetened iced tea or other tea of your choice – Green thea is fantastic.