Of all of the sophisticated technology powering the International Space Station, nothing brings the frustration of modern living back home to those of us on Earth more than a report of a broken toilet. Only the astronauts can't make an after-work run to the home repair store; they have to devise creative solutions while they wait for Saturday's launch of the space shuttle Discovery to bring them repair parts.

The paper toilet-seat cover can be a guardian angel for the backside, but only if the seat is dry to begin with. When the cover is placed onto a seat that´s wet, it ferries bacteria and viruses from the toilet seat up to your bare skin.

The good news is that you´re unlikely to contract a disease merely by sitting on a pathogen-covered toilet.

� Sterling Rockton� Caroma Caravelle One Piece� Mansfield EcoQuantum� Vortens Vienna DF