Union leader: an electronic gadget strapped to my belt keeps me alive

The leader of one of Britain's biggest trade unions, Mark Serwotka, has spoken publicly for the first time about how he is being kept alive by an electronic device strapped to a belt around his waist.

The head of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), the biggest civil service union, suffered a mysterious heart failure in 2010 that eventually starved his internal organs of blood. He is hoping to get a heart transplant, but meanwhile has been fitted with an electronic gadget, called a ventricular assist device (Vad), which pumps blood around his body. Between 140 and 150 people in the entire UK have one. Each installation costs in the region of £130,000. Serwotka refers to the Vad as his 'new heart'.

Previously one of the foremost opponents of David Cameron's austerity, Serwotka has been all but invisible in the past few months. The reason why is made public for the first time in an interview with the Guardian: he went to Papworth hospital outside Cambridge last autumn, where surgeons advised him that while he needed a heart transplant, the pressure being exerted by his lungs was so great that any new organ would fail.

Instead, as an interim measure, he was fitted this spring with a Vad. The six-hour operation left him with a pump next to his left heart ventricle, from which a cable runs under his ribs and comes out through his stomach into a controller that sits in a bumbag beside spare batteries on his belt.

Serwotka is believed to have picked up a virus while walking his dog in 2010.

The recovery from the operation has taken months, but he plans to return to work this month. The Vad imposes big restrictions: he cannot bathe or shower, and the weight of the pack and the risk of cables getting snagged means he wants to avoid public transport.

His consultant cardiologist at Papworth, Dr Jayan Parameshwar, said the Vad gives Serwotka 'an OK life, but not a normal life'. But he feels better than he has done for months: able to walk miles and sleep again. At his worst, he reveals, he could barely walk 50 metres and was retching 20 times a day.

The return of Serwotka to the helm of PCS paves the way for trade unions to get far more active this autumn. On the eve of the TUC conference in Liverpool, he lambasts fellow trade union leaders: 'They haven't been up to the task'. He also lays into Ed Miliband: 'He's missing the opportunity of a lifetime. If you haven't got the policies or the ability to take people with you, you're on the floor.'

In the interview, he calls for another mass strike this October, followed by a string of targeted industrial action at key parts of the public sector, such as tax offices, borders agency and meat-hygiene inspectors. 'The unions have got millions and millions in their strike funds: let's use them.'

X Prize selects 10 finalists to develop medical Star Trek

Contest hopes to inspire a wireless device that can detect 16 diseases These include anaemia, tuberculosis, stroke, sleep apnea and diabetes Finalists include a team backed by Nasa and the Bill Gates Foundation They will have to demonstrate prototype devices on humans next year Three winners will be announced in 2016 with a top prize of £4.3 million

By Ellie Zolfagharifard for MailOnline

Dr Spock's tricorder could soon be 'fact, not science fiction', allowing people all over the world diagnose their own illnesses.

This is according to a group of engineers who have set up a £6 million ($10 million) competition to develop a real-life version of the Star Trek gadget.

The Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize, launched last year, hopes to inspire a wireless device capable of detecting a range of diseases, including anaemia, tuberculosis and diabetes.

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Now ten finalists have been chosen from a diverse range of backgrounds including a team backed by Nasa and the Bill Gates Foundation, and others who come from university departments.

According to the rules, finalists must demonstrate their devices on humans next year and three winners will be announced in 2016, with a top prize of £4.3 million ($7 million).

To win the cash prize, the device has to monitor vital signs as well as diagnose 16 different conditions.

One of the finalists, the Silicon Valley-based group Scanadu, revealed a handheld scanner at the CES conference earlier year.

WHAT IS A STAR TREK TRICORDER?

The technology was developed by Scandu's chief executive Walter De Brouwer, 56, at Nasa's Ames Research Centre in California.

It contains a variety of different sensors, alongside a microphone on the top of the gadget, that can read five vital signs.

These include body temperature, heart rate, oximetry (blood oxygen levels), heart rate variability and pulse wave transit time (PWTT) - the time it takes for a heartbeat to reach somewhere else in a person's body. PWTT is related to blood pressure.

Its makers claim the device is 99 per cent accurate in less than 10 seconds.

This information is then stored on a smartphone app that patients can use to monitor their health, or can be shared with doctors .

The tricorder uses a micro-USB adapter that can be hooked into a USB port, and it takes less than an hour to charge the battery.

When it is being used a few times every day, the battery lasts for about a week, the firm says.

Another device by London-based, ScanNurse, uses computer-vision techniques to analyse images taken with a camera.

They hope their system will make observations of the inside of the ears or throat, say - in the same way a doctor would - and then feed it into a computer for analysis.

Other teams are using blood and urine samples to test for key markers. The tiny microfluidic devices will, they claim, work in a similar way to hospital-lab tests.

DMI, for instance, has teamed teamed up with Nasa to create a device that astronauts could use to monitor their health on long trips and in zero gravity.

Doctors and medical engineers point out that much of the technology is already proven available to use separately.

For instance, light sensors can now track blow flow and oxygen levels within the human body. Other sensors can be used to detect gases in breath that may indicate certain diseases.

A real-life tricorder may not be as far away as people think. The challenge, now, will be to bring all of these elements together into one device.

THE 10 FINALISTS FOR THE 2014 QUALCOMM TRICORDER XPRIZE

Hot new devices from IFA 2014 gadget show

More than 1,400 of the world's leading technology companies descended on the International Congress Center in Berlin for the 2014 IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin) Trade Fair.

Read More IFAconsumer electronics show: What to expect

Now in its 54th year, the show is a chance for leading consumer electronics and home appliances firms to show off their latest wares ahead of the most crucial sales period of the year.

The main trends this time, according to organizers, are large curved TV sets, wearables offering a raft of new applications, and 3D printers with amazing capabilities. That's without mentioning the plethora of mobile phone releases that the event also attracts.

With 80 different rooms and space for nearly 10,000 people, the show could be described as gadget heaven. CNBC highlights the major products that are drawing the crowds at this year's event.

- By CNBC.com's Matt Clinch

TOBIAS SCHWARZ | Getty Images

Leaked Sony QX1 Gadget Is A Mirrorless Lens Mount For Smartphones ...

Sony's QX100 and QX10 lenses are add-on gadgets that purport to give your phone DSLR-quality imaging capabilities. While the concept of those devices is more interesting than their execution, it looks like Sony is set to change the game with its next version. Photos of the 'ILCE-QX1' leaked by Sony Alpha Rumors show what's basically an independent E-mount module, which might just support any of the various Sony E-mount lenses already on the market.

A little context: Sony has been selling high-end mirrorless cameras for years. They're basically tiny versions of DSLR cameras, made more compact by a system that exposes the digital camera sensor to direct light from the lens. It's a combination of DSLR and point-and-shoot technology that's proven very popular both with low-end camera enthusiasts and more dedicated photographers alike. There are several competing standards for mirrorless dominance, including the Micro 4/3 system, proprietary cameras from Nikon and Canon, and many more. Sony's system is called the E-mount, and the company offers a variety of interchangeable prime and zoom lenses for its cameras, ranging from a couple hundred bucks for basic models to over a thousand for an 18-200mm superzoom.

Oh. My. God. Becky LOOK AT HER LENS

The device shown in these photos includes the same clamp-on mount from the previous lenses and a built-in flash module. According to the leak (which we can't verify), the QX1 will cost 300 Euro (just shy of $400) with the mount alone, and 450 Euro with a basic 16-50mm 'kit' lens. Other specs aren't known, but they're guessing that it uses a 24-megapixel sensor. Whether or not the next version cam improve on the last, particularly in the areas of shutter speed and setup time, will be an important differentiator. The QX1 is reportedly set for an official announcement tomorrow at a pre-IFA event in Berlin.

Source: Sony Alpha Rumors

Gadget makers reveal all at technology fair

Samsung among manufacturers to make announcements REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won

The world's biggest technology manufacturers are set to reveal their latest gadgets, phones, tablets, televisions and audio equipment at Europe's largest technology fair.

The annual IFA electronics consumer show is expected to see companies such as Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Nokia and others unleash their newest products ahead of the Christmas shopping season.]

The Berlin showcase event will see 200,000 people come to see the latest from the high tech world.

Samsung is expected to kick off the announcements with the unveiling of its latest smartphone, the Galaxy Note 4, later today. The 'phablet' handset is expected to have a screen of between 5.7 inches and 5.9 inches, making it closer in size to a mini tablet than an iPhone-sized mobile device.

Sony also looks set to make announcements around its phone and tablet lineup, while Panasonic could announce new television, camera and audio products.

This year's show comes a week ahead of Apple's iPhone 6 launch, which is due to happen next Tuesday. The company is also expected to launch a smartwatch, while a new mobile payments ecosystem could also be announced.

Check back with Independent.ie for regular updates on the latest gadget launches from IFA.

This Stress

As any Yoga practitioner will tell you, developing proper breathing practices is integral to a healthy life. According to the Daily Mail, proper breathing can reduce stress levels, improve workouts and boost a person's immune system. But developing good habits can be tough, unless you can get your hands on the new Puck.

The Arizona-based startup Zenytime created this Android and iOS accessory that allows players to play mobile games in the company's app with their breath. This little sensor, which picks up heart rate, blood oxygen levels and controlled breathing, is meant to be breathed on and held to take readings. Then it can be dropped in a bag or pocket. The $79 puck talks to your phone via Bluetooth 4.0, and the app will be available in the App Store and Google Play Store. And while pre-ordering is available now, units aren't expected to be delivered until Winter 2015.

MORE: Best Fitness Trackers of 2014

The goal is to use the games as a breathing coach. Each game is designed to use breathing methods to win. The company claims that controlled and conscious breathing can lead to higher cardiovascular health, improved cognitive function, lower stress levels and an stronger immune system, among other things.

'Our games have been designed to promote deep, rhythmic breathing to bring more oxygen into your cells and to trigger the many short-term rewards of controlled breathing,' said co-founder Celine Vignal in a statement. 'Zenytime games are adapted to people of any age, as well as exercise enthusiasts and professional athletes.'

Zenytime claims to have consulted a number of qualified advisors on the project, including pathologist Dr. Melissa Conrad Stoppler, who is the chief medical editor for eMedicineHealth.com; psychologists Dr. Jim Taylor, who is an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco; and Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes. Zenytime says they are still working with leaders in the yoga, fitness and health community to make the best games that serve their needs. Using games to teach people to breathe properly is an intriguing concept. After all, games have been shown to be useful tools for teaching habits and skills. However, we're unsure about whether the games Zenytime is developing will actually be fun or worth playing. We'll be keeping our eye on this.

Now, let your gadget choose your dress code

You know how people usually buy accessories to suit the outfits in their wardrobe? Well, technology's changing that.

If you are one of those counting down to the iPhone 6 launch on September 9 (or already own a smartphone the size of a portable TV), we suggest you go for a closet overhaul to accommodate the 5.5 inch plus sized gadget. Go for cargo pants and jackets with larger-than-usual pockets.

Calvin Klein Jeans Wool jacket

Price @ Rs 30,000 onwards

French Connection Cargo pants

Price @ Rs 4999

Anita Dongre Men's Jodhpur pants

Price @ Rs 5,990

Numero Uno Sleeveless jacket

Price @ Rs 2,699

Gas Camouflage track pants

Price @ Rs 4,990

Tom Ford Jacket

Price on request

Lacoste Hooded puffer jacket

Price @ Rs 15,000