When we're suffering from serious illnesses, the last thing we need is to go to the doctor's office only to stew in the waiting room for hours. Is it possible for doctors to monitor patients while the latter are in their own homes? Well, unless you're ready to pay a premium for house calls, it's quite possible with the latest technology being developed. Check out the evolved band-aid and how it monitors a patient's vital signs in the full article.

Let's say you're using your laptop when it explodes on your lap because of bad batteries. You've got no first-aid kit, so what do you do? Would you rub butter on it?

If you agreed with that last statement, disagree right now, because you could just be making it worse.

Over at the Ririan Project blog, the author's decided to cite 10 of basic first aid myths for a variety of situations. You may not get into those kind of scrapes, but it's better for you to know that peeing on someone who's been stung by a jellyfish really isn't as helpful as you'd think. There are probably a ton of useful alternative remedies out there, but just remember to keep a first-aid kit handy and you'll have less to worry about in the long run.

1. Sucking venom from a snakebite
Movies will sometimes remind you that the method for treating snakebites is to cut the affected portion open and suck the venom out. However, doing so can actually contaminate the wound and damage the victim's nerves. Your best bet is to get the victim to a hospital ASAP. The article suggests getting a helicopter, but that's not always an option.

2. Peeing on a jellyfish sting
It's not only useless, it's kinky too. For beachgoers out there, your best bet is to douse the affected part with vinegar. Since you're probably going to be near some place that sells food at the beach, your best bet would be to have someone get it instead of dropping your swimming trunks and peeing on a friend. Besides, what would you do if he got stung in the face, eh?

More first aid myths after the jump!