Business tech bytes for Jan. 8

Two researchers at the Dean McGee Eye Institute have earned a grant to continue developing a treatment to prevent scar tissue from forming on the cornea after a traumatic injury. Researchers Michael Elliott and Alex Cohen received a $110,000 grant from the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research to study how limbal stem cells aid in the body's recovery from cornea injuries. Such injuries, which are common, currently are treated with lasers or transplants. “Our research team is first trying to understand how these stem cells are activated after injury,” institute CEO Dr. Gregory Skuta said. “They have identified a protein in the eye called caveolin-1, which appears to slow the wound healing process and increase the chances that scar formation will occur.” Elliott and Cohen are assistant professors in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Oklahoma.

Panasonic unveils headphones

LAS VEGAS — People who don't want to disturb sleeping family members could use a new product from Panasonic that doesn't need speakers or even your own ears: wireless bone-conduction headphones. The headphones connect to a TV via the Bluetooth wireless standard and attach to your head like a normal set of headphones. But instead of using your ears, the headphones work like hearing aids by transmitting sound waves through your skull. They are one of several innovations Panasonic unveiled at the International CES show in Las Vegas. It also showed off a new user interface for its “Smart Viera” TVs, featuring a TV-mounted camera that recognizes the user and sets viewing preferences accordingly. The Japanese electronics maker also showed off an easy way to send YouTube videos from smartphones to the TV.

Monster touts new line at show

LAS VEGAS — Headphone maker Monster's gadget show event was expectedly monstrously cheesy with a healthy dose of hype. Head monster and founder Noel Lee skirted around a stage on a two-wheel Segway scooter at the International CES gadget show Monday, as celebrities, athletes and models touted the company's upcoming line of headphones to about a hundred journalists. Taking the stage with him were New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees, rapper Nick Cannon, drummer Sheila E, model Tyson Beckford and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. Lee frequently urged the gathering to “give it up” for new products. Introduced at the show for the first time was a line called “Inspiration,” which sported metal spikes on the headband. “Oh, that's too kinky for me,” Lee said. “Don't sit on your headphones.”