function applyTransparencyHack(element) {
        //create the background container
        var backContainer = $new('DIV');
 
        //apply the same location, dimension and background properties of the element
        backContainer.style.width = element.style.width;
        backContainer.style.height = element.style.height;
        backContainer.style.background = element.style.background;
        backContainer.style.opacity = element.style.opacity;
        backContainer.style.position = 'absolute';
        backContainer.style.top = element.style.top;
        backContainer.style.left = element.style.left;
 
        //remove background definitions from the element
        element.style.background = ''; 
        element.style.opacity = 1;
 
        //now append the background container before the element
        element.appendBefore(backContainer);
}