Thermoregulation

• Today, heating is still the most successful application of e-textiles, accounting for over 80% of the market value in 2023.
• From motorcycle riders to outdoor workers to people enjoying snow sports, heated clothing provides much-needed warmth in cold winter conditions.
• Heated blankets have also been popular for several decades, and interest has been spurred on in recent years by drastic rises in energy costs.
• IDTechEx also offers access to the full portfolio of wearables-related research through bespoke subscription services – visit www.IDTechEx.com/Subscriptions to learn more.

• Their Waterproof Socks changed the market with a thinner, moisture-wicking design that also keeps feet warm in freezing conditions.
• Drymile is excited about their latest revolution: HYLA Waterproof Gloves.
• Drymile's HYLA Waterproof Glove is The Swiss Army Knife of gloves, a seamless (literally, they're seamless!)
• And, as the name suggests, HYLA Gloves are 100% waterproof unlike regular knit gloves, making HYLA a line of defense against wetness-induced skin blistering and yes, hypothermia.

• For me, some of the most fascinating are reptiles and amphibians.
• Collectively called herpetofauna, reptiles and amphibians are ectotherms; they rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature.
• I didn’t even know you could make a career out of working with reptiles.

Learning about snakes

• There are over 4,000 species of snakes around the world.
• Some snakes, like puff adders, are scentless as a way to camouflage themselves from predators.
• Others, like southern African pythons, show maternal care, which is very unusual for snakes and much more common in mammals and birds.
• Read more:
  The ultimate in stealth, puff adders employ camouflage at every level

  These unique adaptations have allowed snakes to thrive in different environments.

My research

• I completed my MSc in 2017 and my research focused on the evolution of diet in a group of snakes called lamprophiids.
• For my PhD, I wanted my research to have a real-world application, so I waited until 2021 to start after getting some work experience in conservation.
• I am also fortunate to work for a non-profit organisation, Save The Snakes, which allows me to educate people about snakes and do my part to conserve them by applying my research.

The circle of life

• Learning about the world of snakes has allowed me to appreciate the natural world in a unique way.
• As predators and prey, snakes are an emblem of the circle of life.
• One of my favourite activities is going out at night looking for them (called “herping”) and watching them display different behaviours.

Hiral Naik has received funding from the National Research Foundation. She is affiliated with Save The Snakes.

• The DeRUCCI Group https://www.derucci.com , a leading public company and sleep technology brand, launched today the DeRUCCI T11 Pro Smart Mattress, an Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) intelligent sleep solution.
• Based on extensive sleep/health research conducted by DeRUCCI with international universities and institutions, the DeRUCCI T11 Pro Smart Mattress is the first smart mattress that instantly adjusts to the individual’s health for optimal sleep; actually warning the user about potential health issues before they are aware of them.
• The DeRUCCI smart mattress employs big data based on 1.08 billion pieces of sleep data, AI software algorithms, smart software/hardware adjustments, and sleep monitoring; and connects to other AIoT home appliances to control the bedroom’s smart thermostat, air conditioner, aromatherapy, air purifier, sleep-enhancing lighting, meditation products, sleep aids, and other IoT devices.
• The DeRUCCI T11 Pro AIoT Smart Mattress is available immediately in China and in the U.S. in Q3 2024, priced at $8,250.