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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NewsUSA) - All parents are faced with the frightening possibility that their infant could stop breathing during the night -; a common result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 7 percent of infants in the United States die yearly from SIDS.
But the future may hold a different outcome for parents, thanks to a new invention, still in the prototype stages, by students at the University of Idaho who have invented the Sleep Sound -; an embedded indicator in an infant's sleepwear that triggers an alarm should the child stop breathing.
Innovations such as the Sleep Sound are being made possible everyday by scientists and engineers.
However, lack of proper technology and funding have threatened to curb the growth of this industry, leading to the adoption of a new act by the federal government and applauded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a non-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of engineering and allied sciences.
The America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science Act, also known as America COMPETES, aims to strengthen U.S. innovation and competitiveness through investments in technology development and education.
"Funding increases are a vital investment in the future prosperity and security of our nation, and support for fundamental research at the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy Office of Science and National Institute of Standards and Technology puts us on the right path," according to ASME.
The new act authorizes the spending of $33.6 billion dollars over the next three years for research and education programs. In addition to the America COMPETES Act, organizations like ASME promote innovative thinking with programs like the Innovation Showcase, or I-Show, which recognizes inventive skill demonstrated in groundbreaking creations like the Sleep Sound.
With the adoption of this critical legislation and the help of ASME, the evolution of America's science and technology programs will continue to help us live better, more efficient and healthier lives. For more information, visit www.asme.org.
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