Pairing masks and hand washing could drastically slow spread of a pandemic flu

ScienceDaily (Jan. 31, 2012) ? Masks and hand hygiene could cut the spread of flu-like symptoms up to 75 percent, a University of Michigan study found.

A new report shows the second-year results (2007-2008) of the ground-breaking U-M M-Flu study found up to a 75 percent reduction in flu-like illness over the study period when using hand hygiene and wearing surgical masks in residence halls, said Allison Aiello, associate professor of epidemiology in the U-M School of Public Health. Aiello and Dr. Arnold Monto, SPH professor of epidemiology, are co-principal investigators of the M-Flu study.

While the study also showed a 43 percent reduction in the rate of flu, it wasn't statistically significant. Students were more likely to report influenza-like symptoms than to provide laboratory samples for confirmed cases, Aiello said. "This might have impacted our power for detecting significant differences in confirmed flu," she said.

The results from both years found no significant reduction in symptoms in mask use alone, which suggests masks and hand hygiene should be used together, she said.

At the beginning of a pandemic, vaccines probably won't be available immediately so one of the first lines of defense to stop the spread of illness will be non-pharmaceutical interventions like hand hygiene and face masks. The M-Flu results bode well for these types of non-pharmaceutical interventions in the community setting for pandemic preparedness, Aiello said.

"This means masks and hand hygiene may be a good measure for preventing transmissions in crowded living quarters," said Aiello. "In a pandemic situation where compliance may be significantly higher than in controlled studies, masks and hand hygiene together may have even higher preventative implications."

The M-Flu study was the first of its kind and received international exposure when launched in 2006. The team of M-Flu researchers recruited more than 1,000 students in U-M residence halls. The students were assigned to groups who wore masks, wore masks and practiced hand hygiene, or did neither. They were monitored for the presence of flu symptoms or the flu.

The study was the first to test the effectiveness of these measures for primary prevention before people become sick or exhibited symptoms in the university setting, Monto said.

"Ultimately, this research could help the development of national policies for pandemic preparedness," Monto said.

The goal of M-Flu was to estimate the reduction in rate of flu infection and illness attributed to masks and hand sanitizers, and masks alone during two flu seasons. The results in year two were similar to year one with substantial reductions in flu-like symptoms. Students in both studies were asked to wear masks in the residence halls for six hours per day and clean their hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer in addition to soap and water hand washing.

The group is planning another study involving campus residence halls, this time to evaluate the effect of voluntary sequestration on the flu in residence halls. Details and a timeline for that study are not available yet.

The M-Flu study was a collaboration among the School of Public Health, University of Michigan Housing and the University Health Service. In addition to Aiello and Monto, authors include current students or graduates of the U-M SPH: Rebecca Coulborn, Brian Davis, and Vanessa Perez; and a colleague at Wayne State University, Monica Uddin.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Michigan.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Allison E. Aiello, Vanessa Perez, Rebecca M. Coulborn, Brian M. Davis, Monica Uddin, Arnold S. Monto. Facemasks, Hand Hygiene, and Influenza among Young Adults: A Randomized Intervention Trial. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (1): e29744 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029744

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120131175729.htm

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Protect Your iPhone's Glass Display With... More Glass? [Video]

Most screen protectors are just a thin layer of flexible plastic that do an adequate job at shrugging off scratches. But they're no where near as tough as Spigen's new GLAS.t which adds another layer of glass for maximum protection. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/T4zf3V366yw/protect-your-iphones-glass-display-with-more-glass

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Money Management: Benefits of investing in emerging markets

By Marijoyce Ryan
Posted: 5:37 pm Tue, January 31, 2012

Marijoyce Ryan

Over the course of many years, the concept of investing in emerging markets seemed, well, foreign to many. Terms such as exotic, risky, third-world, etc. were associated with it. Now, emerging markets are popular with investors seeking wealth preservation and growth. Let?s take a look at what are emerging markets.

The term emerging markets was coined by the World Bank?s International Finance Corporation in the early 1980s. Typically, emerging markets are countries in the process of industrialization, with the potential of higher gross domestic product growth per capita than more developed countries.

Generally speaking, emerging markets are identified by a growing population experiencing a substantial increase in living standards and income, solid economic growth and a relatively stable currency. Some examples of emerging markets include China, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Russia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Brazil and Chile, among others.

Over the five-year period ending 2010, the average annual GDP of the United States was 0.9 percent. Compare that to the same data of the following countries:

Russia???? 3.6 %
China????? 11.2 %
India?????? 8.3 %
Brazil????? 4.5 %
Turkey???? 3.1 %
Malaysia? 4.4 %

As a whole, emerging markets as a percent of the world?s GDP went from 32 percent in 2000 to 45 percent in 2010. In contrast, the developed North American economies decreased from 33 percent to 26 percent over the same time frame (according to Bloomberg Finance LP).

As the emerging economies of the world continue to grow, consumption of all goods and services increases ? thereby increasing demand. While these markets have experienced higher volatility in their equity returns, they have also produced better long term returns than have the collective markets of the developed economies (Morningstar data through 2010).

See the equity performance numbers below:

?	Emerging Markets	United States Market
Past 20 Years	12.2%	9.1%
Past 10 Years	16.2%	1.4%
Past 5 Years	13.1%	2.3%

Contributing to the return of emerging market equities is currency translation. As the U.S. dollar decreases versus other currencies, it enhances the return because when gains are taken in emerging markets and converted back to dollars, the investor receives more dollars. The reverse is true as well. Currency is one of many risks. Others include political and social events/problems, taxes, liquidity and other restrictions.

So, what is the message to the average investor? As part of a prudently diversified portfolio, one should have exposure to emerging markets for the long term benefits of wealth preservation and creation. The key is ?long term.? This implies multiple years ? not months. Over the course of many years, the impact of volatility is diminished. As the migration of growth and wealth creation is moving to the emerging markets, so too should investors allocate assets to those markets. Over a 20-year period, emerging market stocks have produced superior returns to not only our stock market but also to the international developed markets. This relationship should continue in the future.

A skilled investment manager can assist you in navigating investment risks and recommending the appropriate level of emerging market allocation for your portfolio.

Marijoyce Ryan, CPP, is vice president of fiduciary services for Karpus Investment Management, a local independent, registered investment advisor managing assets for individuals, corporations, nonprofits and trustees. Offices are located at 183 Sully?s Trail, Pittsford, N.Y. 14534; phone (585) 586-4680.

Source: http://nydailyrecord.com/blog/2012/01/31/money-management-benefits-of-investing-in-emerging-markets/

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Koss revamps Porta Pro headphones with iPhone remote, intros 'interlocking' earbuds

We're baffled that we missed this gem of news during the bustle of CES, but it turns out that Koss has recently announced a new version of its iconic Porta Pro headphones. The Porta Pro KTC (Koss Touch Control), as it's dubbed, is essentially the same piece of retro kit that's been delighting ears and keeping wallets chubby for nearly three decades. The KTC bit in its name refers to the inclusion of an iDevice-certified inline remote / mic, aimed at keeping on-the-go users in sync with their playlists and phone calls. If you prefer earbuds, but hate tangled cords, then the company's interlocking intra-aurals might be to your liking. This lineup features in-ears which snap into each other for easier storage. You'll have a choice between the IL-100 and 200, the latter of which distinguishes itself with the mere addition of an inline remote for iPhones. While there's no word on pricing just yet for any of the aforementioned units, Koss aims to begin ship the new audio-wares once spring is in full bloom. For now, you'll find the press releases and a render of the 'buds after the break.

Continue reading Koss revamps Porta Pro headphones with iPhone remote, intros 'interlocking' earbuds

Koss revamps Porta Pro headphones with iPhone remote, intros 'interlocking' earbuds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/5wVkve-v8p0/

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What if we could predict tornadoes a month out? Scientists make strides.

Scientists have only a fledging ability now, but a new approach to prediction could eventually allow forecasters to identify portions of states facing high risk for tornadoes in an upcoming month.

Scientists have developed a fledgling ability to predict monthly tornado activity in the US up to one month in advance.

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The technique, which uses existing weather-forecasting tools, is not yet ready for prime time. But in initial tests, the approach showed "statistically significant skill" in predicting regional tornado activity during most months of the year, including the peak of the spring tornado season, the researchers say.

If the approach can be honed sufficiently, eventually it could allow forecasters to identify portions of states facing the highest risk for tornadoes in an upcoming month.

In addition, the technique could help scientists explore a potential direct relationship between global warming and tornado activity. So far, such efforts have focused largely on the relationship between global warming and conditions that can spawn severe thunderstorms, which may or may not trigger tornadoes.

Though the results so far are modest, "this is exciting, because it's a hard problem," says Michael Tippett, a researcher with Columbia University's International Research Institute for Climate and Society, who lead the team.

The effort represents "an important early step" along the road to seasonal forecasts of tornado activity, says Harold Brooks, a researcher at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Okla.

One potential audience for such forecasts would be federal and state emergency managers, Dr. Brooks suggests.

"If you were able to say: 'The second half of April is going to be really, really bad,' " it could provide extra lead time to marshal emergency supplies or ratchet up efforts to ensure more people know how to respond to tornado watches and warnings when they are issued, he explains.

Ordinarily, Dr. Tippett spends his time developing or improving ways to make extended-range forecasts of tropical cyclones, or swings in natural climate cycles such as El Ni?o or the Arctic Oscillation.?But that changed last April, when the US experienced its worst tornado outbreak on record. The three-day outbreak from April 25 to 28 spawned 359 tornadoes in 21 states, including four tornadoes that reached EF5, the most destructive category. The outbreak and the thunderstorms that spawned them inflicted at least $11 billion in damage and killed 322 people.

At the time, Tippett says, he noted that forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., "had identified large regions where they thought there was going to be trouble, maybe four or five days in advance."

That implied the presence of large-scale, predictable features in the atmosphere that favor the formation of severe storms.

Researchers have applied the same general concept to produce seasonal hurricane forecasts. Tippett says it dawned on him that key atmospheric features also may encourage tornado-spawning storms to form.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/rCndxLpet88/What-if-we-could-predict-tornadoes-a-month-out-Scientists-make-strides

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Paul says he has no intention of dropping out (AP)

GORHAM, Maine ? Ron Paul said Saturday the Republican presidential race has "a ways to go" and he doesn't intend to get out or get behind another candidate anytime soon.

The Texas congressman was campaigning Saturday in Maine, which holds caucuses beginning Feb. 4. He spoke to an overflow crowd at the University of Southern Maine and held an outdoor rally outside the famed L.L. Bean store in Freeport. He picked up the endorsement of Linda Bean, the granddaughter of the Bean company founder and a prominent Republican activist in the state.

Paul told reporters that it didn't make sense for him to campaign in Florida, which holds its primary Tuesday and awards all its 50 delegates to the winner. Polling indicates Mitt Romney is leading the field there.

"Some other campaigns have many, many millions of dollars to run a campaign," Paul said. "We maximize the delegates the way we're doing it."

Paul planned to campaign next week in other caucus states, including Nevada, which also holds its caucus on Feb. 4, and Colorado and Minnesota, which hold caucuses Feb. 7.

Paul dismissed suggestions he would back any of his GOP rivals.

"I think that's premature. We have a ways to go," Paul said, adding he was glad they were speaking favorably about some of his libertarian-leaning views.

"I'll work with anybody who wants to come in the direction of Constitutional government," Paul said.

He noted that Newt Gingrich had endorsed his views on monetary policy in a nationally televised debate this week. Paul has called for the Federal Reserve to be audited and ultimately eliminated, and wants the value of the dollar tied to gold.

Paul said he hoped the former House speaker and others would also adopt his noninterventionist foreign policy views, which are far outside the Republican Party mainstream.

"If he says `I agree with Ron Paul, we should bring the troops home from Afghanistan,' my ears would pop up," Paul said.

___

Follow Beth Fouhy on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/bfouhy

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120128/ap_on_el_pr/us_paul

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MasterCard's QkR mobile payment system enters trial in Australia

MasterCard is all over the map when it comes to mobile payments. The credit company will partner with anyone, anywhere, anytime if it means getting new customers and making a buck on the deal. Its latest offering is called QkR, an Australian effort with support from the Hoyts chain of movie theaters and Commonwealth Bank. The initial trial run will be at La Premiere cinemas, where customers will be able to order and pay for food and beverages right from their seat with the QkR app. To initiate the transaction a you scan the QR code or tap the NFC tag attached to the arm rest, and a staff member delivers the trough of popcorn and kiddie pool of coke right to your seat. Now all we need is this sort of high-end treatment in American movie theaters. Check out the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading MasterCard's QkR mobile payment system enters trial in Australia

MasterCard's QkR mobile payment system enters trial in Australia originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/mastercards-qkr-mobile-payment-system-enters-trial-in-australia/

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