Based on sophisticated computer modelling of reproductive physiology data, SDM identifies the 12-day "fertile window" of a woman’s menstrual cycle. These 12 days take into account the life span of the woman’s egg (about 24 hours) and the viable life of sperm (about five days) as well as the variation in the actual timing of ovulation from one cycle to the next. The study found the efficacy of the SDM to be comparable to or better than a number of other widely-used methods of family planning, such as the diaphragm and the condom.
"For millions of women worldwide who rely on periodic abstinence as their primary form of family planning but do not have a clear understanding of which days in their cycle they should avoid unprotected sex, SDM is a useful option," say the researchers.To keep track of which days to avoid unprotected intercourse, the women used a string of 32 colour-coded beads with each bead representing a day of the menstrual cycle. Beginning with the red bead, which represents the first day of her menstrual period, the woman moves a small rubber ring one bead each day. The brown beads are the days when pregnancy is very unlikely, and the glow-in-the-dark white beads (beads 8-19) represent her fertile days. The method works best for women whose cycles are usually between 26 and 32 days long.
SDM differs from the rhythm method in that the woman need not perform monthly calculations to reckon which days in the current cycle she is most likely to get pregnant.SDM is currently in use in 14 countries. Plans to manufacture and distribute CycleBeads in numerous countries, including the United States, are under way. More information about SDM and CycleBeads can be found at www.irh.org.
The Good News
An artificial cornea developed in Australia is now ready for production and commercial release throughout the world. Called AlphaCor and developed by researchers at the Lions Eye Institute of Western Australia and Argus Biomedical Pty Ltd, the corneal implant is a circular disc made of polymer—the same used in contact lenses—that is inserted into the eye. The cells of the eye grow into that rim and hold the device in place, eliminating the need to suture it into place. The disc acts as a barrier to shield the inside of the eye from germs, dust and other harmful matter.
The cornea provides about 65 per cent of the eye’s power to bend light. The area becomes opaque in people who have a diseased or damaged cornea thereby preventing light from getting through. It’s mostly the elderly, numbering 10 million worldwide, who experience corneal blindness, although damage can be sustained from injury or acid burns. Until now the only way to treat the problem has been with corneal transplants from donors. For many patients, such tissue transplants are unsuitable because of the high risk of donor graft failure resulting from underlying eye diseases.
