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This Implantable Artificial Kidney Could Eliminate Need For Dialysis

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Dr. William Fissell has created an artificial kidney that uses cellphone technology and lightweight plastic. Fissell, a medical researcher at Vanderbilt University, says the device shows true hope for the many people suffering and dying from kidney disease.

Artificial Kidney

WBIR

Facing Grim Choices

The development could have incredible implications for the more than 700,000 people who suffer from kidney disease.

In most cases, their choices are grim. They can get on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, which can take years, or they can face the pain, inconvenience and expense of dialysis treatments.

Artificial Kidney

WBIR

The Holy Grail of Medical Research

Medical researchers have long tried to develop a usable artificial kidney that would replace both of those options. Developing a kidney transplant that was lightweight, usable and workable was their Holy Grail.

At a 2019 medical conference, researchers from the University of California announced that they had been able to implant an artificial kidney into a pig.

Turning the Corner

The successful transplant was the first time a large mammal successfully used a fake kidney. At the time, they predicted that a true artificial kidney was just around the corner.

Fissell’s prototype is part of his work at Vanderbilt University’s Kidney Project. It will still have to go through clinical trials and human testing.

Eyes On the Future

Fissell’s research team recently won an international prize that gave his research a major financial boost.

“We still have our eyes on the prize,” Fissell said.

Artificial Kidney

Dr. William Fissell / WBIR

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

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Just when you thought there was no new way of looking at your pets, a team of photographers called Underlook has developed a special way of photographing cats, dogs, rabbits and horses from underneath.

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Wait, how does that work?

As you can see in this video, the team at Underlook uses a clear glass table to hold the dogs or cats. Once the pet stands on the glass, photography equipment in the lower level takes the picture.

Catching Totally Natural Poses

Some pets are caught standing still, some are caught squirming around and others are snapped while leaping or running. The unplanned, totally natural poses make the pictures fun and guarantee that no two look the same.

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Success From the Start

The whole thing started when Andrius Burba, a photographer from Lithuania, started taking pictures of cats from underneath. The photos were a hit, and a German publisher issued a collection called Under-Katzen (Under Cats).

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

The Underlook photographs gained almost instant popularity for their unique way of seeing animals in a new light.

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Get Your Own Underlook Art

The team’s photographs have appeared in art exhibitions and won several awards. At the same time, they’re still available to regular people who want their own samples of these unique pieces.

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Since 2017, their team has made it possible for individuals to get their own “underlook” pet photographs. Customers can contact them or attend an Underlook photo shoot.

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Photographer Captures Images Of Cats and Dogs From Underneath

Underlook

Man Plays Classical Piano To Comfort Blind And Elderly Elephants

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Paul Barton is a gifted musician who plays for a highly select audience. He sits at a piano in the middle of an elephant sanctuary and plays classical music to elderly, blind elephants.

Barton has also done special concerts of Christmas music and music for baby elephants, but his special emphasis is on the old, blind and rescued elephants.

Man Plays Classical Piano To Comfort Blind And Elderly Elephants

Here’s How It All Began

Barton is a professional pianist and artist from the UK. In 1996, he traveled to Thailand. He intended to stay only three months, but his plans changed when he met and married his wife Khwan.

Barton’s wife is a noted animal welfare activist in Thailand, and she got him interested in helping Thailand’s elephants. He became enchanted with the elephants at Elephant World, many of whom had formerly been abused or neglected.

Man Plays Classical Piano To Comfort Blind And Elderly Elephants

Inspired to Serenade Elephants

Barton knew that some classical music can be peaceful and comforting, and he also knew that elephants are highly sensitive. He thought it might be worth trying a little musical experiment.

One of his first audience members was Ampan, an 80-year-old elephant who is blind in one eye. Barton says he will never forget her powerful reaction to his performance.

Spreading Love Through His Music

Since then, Barton’s life has totally changed. He has earned some well-deserved fame. He has a YouTube channel where he posts his professional work along with videos of his elephant concerts.

Barton’s decision to share his musical gifts with these abused, gentle and sensitive beasts has earned him a place in millions of hearts. Long may he play piano in the jungle.

 

People Are Turning Broken Flower Pots Into The Cutest Fairy Gardens

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Spring will be here before you know it, and that means planting flowers and making fairy gardens. If you’ve never made a fairy garden, what are you waiting for? If you need a little inspiration, look no further than that old, broken flower pot on your lawn.

 

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Broken Pots Make Gorgeous Gardens

The trend seems to have started on the Emerald Isle.

Rachel and Adrian Allkin are Ireland’s experts in all things fairy-related.

Rachel’s most recent creations include broken planters that she turns into imaginative, illuminated fairy gardens. These colorful, enchanting pieces will transport you far, far away to a magical land.

 

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Now They’re Everywhere

Since then, the idea has been popping up everywhere. Many gardeners are posting their own version of the broken pot fairy garden on Instagram.

 

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Make Your Own Magical Garden

Better Homes and Gardens provides a simple, four-step guide to creating your own magical garden from a broken pot.

 

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Where to Buy Everything Fairy-Related

You can buy Rachel’s creations at the Galway Market in Galway, Ireland, or on the Allkins’ website, Away With the Fairies.

You can also buy everything you need from the website, including fairy figurines, houses, furniture, lighting, animals, doors and landscaping for miniature fairy gardens. You’ll also find helpful tips, how-to videos and tons of inspiration.

Have you been inspired to create your own little garden? If you have, share those pictures far and wide.

 

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People Are Turning Broken Flower Pots Into The Cutest Fairy Gardens

Artist Turns Old CDs Into Amazing Lifelike Animal Sculptures

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We all talk about recycling and repurposing, but one young artist is walking the talk by transforming broken, discarded CDs and DVDs into gorgeous animal sculptures.

Sean Avery is an art teacher in Western Australia who began experimenting with CD and DVD art while he was still at university. He has created dozens of the brightly colored, sparkling sculptures since then.

A Sparkling Collection

They include gorgeously detailed bunnies, bluebirds, hummingbirds. monkeys, raccoons, dogs and snakes.

The pieces are amazingly lifelike and intensely glittery. Some of them veer into the fantastic with their bright, dazzling colors. A platypus with purple scales, a kangaroo with a baby in her pouch, a hedgehog with a brilliant blue coat and a silvery koala are all part of Avery’s menagerie.

Precise Details

Seeing them up close really gives you a sense of the painstaking level of work that goes into each one. Avery says it can take more than a week to create each one.

Avery begins by creating a frame out of chicken wire. He then breaks the CDs and DVDs into dozens of tiny, sharp shards. He glues the shards onto the chicken wire frame. It can take up to 50 CDs to make one animal.

Where to See More Animal Sculptures

You can keep up with Avery’s’s work on his website. Even if you can’t afford to buy one of his magical sculptures, looking at them will bring a smile to your face.

Artist Turns Old CDs Into Amazing Lifelike Animal Sculptures

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

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Nothing is too luxurious for a beloved pet. Now, you can buy a handmade bed fit for the most spoiled furballs in the world.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

Wild Beauties

A mother and daughter who live on the ruggedly beautiful Shetland Islands north of Scotland are responsible for the gorgeous handmade beds. They make them by repurposing and refurbishing old dressers.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

Kaylee and Tricia call their dresser beds “sheltie shacks,” but any breed of dog would find these beds the perfect place to snooze. Every self-respecting cat would also love one of these beds.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

Doing It Shetland Style

Appropriately enough, they each own Shetland sheepdogs, which are affectionately known as shelties. Between the two, they own more than six dogs. Their love of their dogs inspired them to create these great-looking, cozy beds.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

Their gorgeous, clever dogs have become local celebrities for traveling around in a much-photographed pack together.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

The Doggone Details

Kaylee and Tricia said they started transforming old dressers into beds as a way to stay out of trouble, “but it didn’t work.”

Each dresser features hand painting and a thick cushion with a hand-sewn cover. No two dresser beds are alike.

Repurposed for a Purpose

Some of their company’s profits go to support worthy causes. One is the Humanimal Trust for human and animal medicine, and the other is the US-based Shetland Sheepdog Placement Services of New Jersey.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

Get Your Own Sheltie Shack

When a dresser bed is ready, Kaylee and Tricia place it for sale on their Etsy shop. They’re happy to ship overseas.

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Sheltie Shacks

Sheltie Shacks

 

Mother-Daughter Duo Turn Old Dressers Into Personalized Dog Beds

Eleanor the Echidna Is So Chonky She Survived A Car Hit

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Echidnas have lots of ways to defend themselves. One lucky echidna even used her extra fat as padding when she was hit by a car. Her hefty size helped her survive unscathed.

Eleanor the Echidna Is So Chonky She Survived A Car Hit

Eleanor the Echidna / Image Credit: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Get to Know Echidnas

Native to Australia, echidnas are part anteater, part platypus and part porcupine. These endearingly odd creatures have long, sticky tongues that are perfect for pulling ants from anthills. They also use their long noses as crowbars to dig up grubs and worms.

Eleanor the Echidna Is So Chonky She Survived A Car Hit

A video from the Smithsonian shows how this “waddling pincushion” uses her needles as defense. Even a dingo won’t touch a rolled-up echidna.

Echidnas have even been able to survive fires by burrowing underground and slowing down their systems.

Ella the Enchanted

Eleanor surpassed all these survival efforts. While on the hunt for ants or grubs, she was hit by a car.

The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania rescued her. Rescuers noted that she was “quite possibly the fattest echidna we have ever seen!”

Her chubby size, they said, prevented her from being seriously injured when the car hit her.

Good News Was Welcome

The cute story made news in a country that could use some happy news in the wake of devastating bush fires that killed millions of animals.

Ella had only minor bruises, and the sanctuary released her into the wild the next day.

Here’s to hoping for more good animal news from the land down under.

Eleanor the Echidna Is So Chonky She Survived A Car Hit

Here’s The Proposed Route For The 3,700-Mile Continuous Bike Trail Across The United States

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Imagine a network of scenic paths running from one end of the country to the other. Imagine traveling across America by foot or bicycle without ever encountering cars or highways. That’s the goal of the Great American Rail-Trail, which will cover 3700 miles and cross 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Hiking the Train Trails

The organization Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the guiding spirit behind this plan. The conservancy wants to make it possible to walk or bike across the country by traveling on unused rail lines that have been converted to walkable paths.

As the conservancy’s president says, “Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail, its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places.”

Organizers point out that 50 million people live within 50 miles of the proposed trails. That’s a lot of people who might be inspired to put on their hiking shoes or pump their bicycles.

Here's The Proposed Route For The 3,700-Mile Continuous Bike Trail Across The United States

Economic Opportunities

The rail-trail creates travel-related business opportunities for towns and communities along the trails. Outfitters like REI are already getting their customers ready to hit the trails.

The conservancy notes that the project could take more than 10 years to complete. Some states are ready to go with fully linked paths, but others need to add or upgrade existing trails.

Here's The Proposed Route For The 3,700-Mile Continuous Bike Trail Across The United States

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Ready to Ride?

Are you ready to ride across the country? Maybe you just want to know about your local area’s most scenic trails. You can get all this information at the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.

Here's The Proposed Route For The 3,700-Mile Continuous Bike Trail Across The United States

“Canine Campers” Are For Dogs Who Want To Enjoy The RV Lifestyle

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Are you a dedicated road rambler? Do you love the RV lifestyle? If so, you’re going to love these canine campers that recreate the RV life for your favorite dog.

Canine Campers

Big Creek Mercantile

Awesome Vintage Style

Each handcrafted camper is a miniature recreation of the classic campers you’ll recall from vintage postcards. Your pet can slumber in style inside a cozy home that looks like it’s ready to roll.

Each camper has decorative touches including handmade curtains, framed artwork and a back bumper you can personalize with your pet’s name.

Canine Campers

Big Creek Mercantile

Choose Your Size and Style

These adorable campers may look like the real thing, but they’re not actually road-ready. They’re perfect for parking in your garden, covered porch or indoor room.

They come in your choice of three sizes.

Canine Campers

Big Creek Mercantile

Check Out These Special Features

Each camper comes with a built-in feeding station that securely holds your pet’s food and water bowls.

Another nice touch is the universal phone mount that hangs on the top of each camper. You can check on your pet throughout the day or night with the free PRESENCE home security app.

Canine Campers

Big Creek Mercantile

Meet the Canine Campers Craftsman

The artist behind these campers is Steve Johnson of Portland, Tennessee. At his workshop, Big Creek Mercantile, Johnson specializes in unique dog beds, planters and birdhouses.

Canine Campers

Woman Finds Long-Lost Engagement Ring On A Carrot 13 Years Later

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You might not find buried treasure when you dig in your garden, but one woman found something she valued more than any pirate’s booty. She found the engagement ring she’d lost more than a decade earlier.

Woman Finds Long-Lost Engagement Ring On A Carrot 13 Years Later

Digging for Trouble

The story goes back 13 years. Mary Grams, who is now 84, was working on her family’s vegetable farm when her engagement ring slipped off her finger and into the dirt. Although she searched frantically for days, Grams never found the ring.

Grams swore her children to secrecy. She even bought an inexpensive, look-alike ring from a local jeweler to avoid telling her husband about her lost ring. Her husband died about five years later.

Lost and Found

One day, her granddaughter said she’d found a carrot growing around a ring in the same family garden plot. Sure enough, it was the long-lost ring. Grams recognized it immediately.

Carrots and Carats

Grams is not the first woman to find a lost ring in her carrot patch. In 1995, a Swedish woman named Lena Paahlsson found her ring wrapped around a carrot 16 years after she lost it.

So, what’s the moral of the story? It’s a good idea to eat your carrots. You never know what you might find wrapped around them.