Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Ten times more hurricane surges in future, new research predicts

Mar. 18, 2013 ? By examining the frequency of extreme storm surges in the past, previous research has shown that there was an increasing tendency for storm hurricane surges when the climate was warmer. But how much worse will it get as temperatures rise in the future? How many extreme storm surges like that from Hurricane Katrina, which hit the U.S. coast in 2005, will there be as a result of global warming? New research from the Niels Bohr Institute show that there will be a tenfold increase in frequency if the climate becomes two degrees Celcius warmer.

The results are published in the scientific journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, PNAS.

Tropical cyclones arise over warm ocean surfaces with strong evaporation and warming of the air. The typically form in the Atlantic Ocean and move towards the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. If you want to try to calculate the frequency of tropical cyclones in a future with a warmer global climate, researchers have developed various models. One is based on the regional sea temperatures, while another is based on differences between the regional sea temperatures and the average temperatures in the tropical oceans. There is considerable disagreement among researchers about which is best.

New model for predicting cyclones

"Instead of choosing between the two methods, I have chosen to use temperatures from all around the world and combine them into a single model," explains climate scientist Aslak Grinsted, Centre for Ice and Climate at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen.

He takes into account the individual statistical models and weights them according to how good they are at explaining past storm surges. In this way, he sees that the model reflects the known physical relationships, for example, how the El Ni?o phenomenon affects the formation of cyclones. The research was performed in collaboration with colleagues from China and England.

The statistical models are used to predict the number of hurricane surges 100 years into the future. How much worse will it be per degree of global warming? How many 'Katrinas' will there be per decade?

Since 1923, there has been a 'Katrina' magnitude storm surge every 20 years.

10 times as many 'Katrinas'

"We find that 0.4 degrees Celcius warming of the climate corresponds to a doubling of the frequency of extreme storm surges like the one following Hurricane Katrina. With the global warming we have had during the 20th century, we have already crossed the threshold where more than half of all 'Katrinas' are due to global warming," explains Aslak Grinsted.

"If the temperature rises an additional degree, the frequency will increase by 3-4 times and if the global climate becomes two degrees warmer, there will be about 10 times as many extreme storm surges. This means that there will be a 'Katrina' magnitude storm surge every other year," says Aslak Grinsted and he points out that in addition to there being more extreme storm surges, the sea will also rise due to global warming. As a result, the storm surges will become worse and potentially more destructive.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Copenhagen, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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


Journal Reference:

  1. Aslak Grinsted, John C. Moore, and Svetlana Jevrejeva. Projected Atlantic hurricane surge threat from rising temperatures. PNAS, March 18, 2013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1209980110

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

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/AfEO8-MMsyM/130318151519.htm

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Staunton Senior Center Exercises with Augusta Health ...

Experts from the Outpatient Physical Therapy and Fitness Center of Augusta Health (Ashley Kane and Sharon Stiteler) worked together to provide an exercise session at Staunton Senior Center earlier this week. Ten members took advantage of the new program which will be presented once a month by staff from these two branches of AH.

The group exercises aim to help keep seniors better balanced and stronger and will incorporate methods such as Tai Chi for variety and cross-training benefits. Classes will last approximately forty minutes and include warm-up, exercise focused on standing balance and resistance training, and cool-down. The ultimate goal is to train staff at the Center to be able to lead these group exercises, adding to already existing programs at SSC so that the Center can offer a more diverse exercise regimen! The next Augusta Health group class will take place on Tuesday, 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Posted on March 19, 2013 ? Leave a Comment?

Source: http://www.stauntonseniorcenter.org/2013/03/19/staunton-senior-center-exercises-with-augusta-health/

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Affiliate Marketing Tips And Tricks To Increase Your Online Revenue ...

TIP! A lot of affiliate communication happens through emails, but the inbox makes an inefficient place to store important information. As a time saver, take the most important points from the emails and put them in a Word document.

Affiliate promotion can prove to be quite profitable for those who learn a great deal about it and implement what they learn. You are going to have to learn as much as possible to make the profits that you hope to make through internet marketing. By reading this article, you will have everything you need for a good start.

TIP! One thing to remember when entering the world of affiliate marketing is to use deadlines for purchasing products religiously. Deadlines can help encourage visitors to make their purchase more quickly.

You always want to leave opportunities open for your customers to be affiliates, themselves. Customers who regularly buy your products are more likely to become successful affiliates. When a customer joins you as an affiliate, you?ve made one sale turn into possible hundreds. You can make larger profits and grow your network.

TIP! Only promote products that you personally endorse. When you recommend a product, it is a reflection on your business and on yourself.

Funnel your advertising through like minded affiliate sites that are targeting your preferred customer niche. You can provide your visitors a variety of places to go if they have plenty of links.

TIP! There is great inequality in the design of affiliate websites. Some can be difficult or frustrating to navigate.

It can be incredibly challenging to obtain a lifetime commission from an web marketing program. While you should still keep an eye out for them because the rewards are wonderful, just keep in mind that they are hard to come by. In affiliate programs, webmasters refer customers to vendors, who then pay commissions to webmasters for products that the referred clients purchase. Affiliate vendors earn commissions on every product they sell for a partner.

Affiliate vendors usually earn commission on products purchased in a specific time frame. This makes them extremely popular in the industry.

TIP! Affiliate marketers should understand that those pay-per-sale marketing plans are very risky. If it does go well, there is a lot of money to be made.

A good tip for some affiliate marketers is to not become complacent once you?ve started to make money. Push yourself to always reach for that next level of success with your online marketing. You can make more money by publishing a new blog or starting a new website. The important thing is to always keep working.

TIP! Once you have brought in a good deal of money, contact the program you joined and ask them for more money. If you make enough money for them, they will want you to stay.

Affiliating with niche markets can help you turn a profit. Specialty niches have less competitive keywords, meaning you can rank higher in search results faster, and make mroe money sooner than you would with products that everybody is trying to sell.

TIP! Affiliate marketing is great for businesses that have a strategy. It is best to have your site rank as high as possible with the search engines.

100 percent commission programs are not always a scam as you might assume. You may think it looks like a scam, but read more closely before you dismiss it entirely. Many offer that much because you pay upfront costs while they get the subscription profits. These can be lucrative offers, so make sure you look closely to determine whether or not they interest you.

TIP! Try pop-under ads as a low-profile, less annoying alternative to pop-ups. In addition, because of pop-up blockers, some readers never see pop-up ads.

Be sure to stay current with the most recent information in your industry. If you don?t keep up with your competition, they will most likely get the business, while you get nothing.

One terrific way to promote your products is to run a giveaway or contest. Contests and prizes keep customers returning to your website and attract a new customer base.

TIP! Gaining maximum benefits from affiliate marketing needs to encompass sales on the front end as well as the back end. When customers return to an affiliate company to purchase another product because of the original purchase from your recommendation, this should also be your commission.

Don?t limit your affiliates to just a few. That could make your business too dependent on a limited number of links. Spread your affiliate product line a bit wider. When you have many affiliate partners, letting one go will not hurt your profit too much. Start marketing products from yet another affiliate program as soon as you feel comfortably.

TIP! If you can, give customers alternate uses for your products in your affiliate program. If a reader realizes more than one use for the product, they are more likely to buy it for alternative uses that you may influence them to.

If you take the time to plan your next move and keep these tips in mind, you are going to see the positive outcome that you were hoping for when you decided to get involved. So make a action plan ? including these tips ? and get to work!

Source: http://www.empowernetwork.com/workwithluke/blog/affiliate-marketing-tips-and-tricks-to-increase-your-online-revenue/

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The A+ Certification Exam

a+certificationHow A+ Certification Turns IT Specialists Into Cyber Saviors.

Today, our capacity to perform tasks and remember large amounts of data is directly related to our increasing dependence on computers. This has clear advantages as we use computers as extensions of our own human capabilities, but with this increasing dependence comes new risks. In case of computer malfunctions, we run the risk of losing important data or being inhibited from continuing doing business for periods of time. For this reason, today?s IT specialist is an important person, resource, and all around cyber savoir.

To guarantee that those we entrust with the maintenance and health of our digital and virtual worlds of information and processing power have the right kind of qualifications, we have set up internationally-agreed upon standards of education for IT specialists. This certification is known as the A+ certification, and passing these comprehensive exams is necessary to gain this certification and to guarantee that not only the IT specialist can get a good job, but that we who rely on IT specialists can rest assured that their educational level is held to the highest standards.

Begun in the 1980s, the Association of Better Computer Dealers evolved over the next few decades into the Computing Technology Industry Association which today administrates the A+ certification exam. As the amounts and levels of sophistication of various operating systems have grown to include Microsoft Windows, Apple OS, Unix and Linux systems, A+ certification courses became a necessary standard for prospective IT people ready to work across these various operating platforms.

In order to qualify to take the exam, one must have completed 500 hours of practical experience working in information technology. The exam itself is administered in two parts: the A+ Essentials exam, and then one special elective, for example, IT tech, remote support, or depot tech.

- IT Technician Specialty ? This specialist often goes on site to work. They can work in-house within one company or for an IT firm. They can come to your place of business or home to maintain your computers or network.

- Remote Support Technician ? This is a customer service role that operates from a facility and is often helping people over the phone or through internet-based computer chatting software. They can also access your computers and networks remotely and fix things through a virtual mirroring of your OS at their own location.

- Depot Technician ? These specialists work within a single location, not unlike a servicing or repair shop. One would bring their computers or servers to them for both software and hardware repairs that are too complex to be performed on site.

One could take their A+ certification training beyond the essentials and practical applications for further certification and more career opportunities. The Computing Technology Industry Association offers certification exams in network systems, including hardware installations, and software management, and in security, focusing on encryption, and data recovery. In every case, these exams and certifications keep the bar high for those managing and maintaining some of our most valuable tools and resources in today?s technologically-orientated world.

Visit the Academy Of Learning for information on A+ Certification.

Michael Zunenshine is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other Web marketing services and tools.

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Poachers kill at least 86 elephants in central Africa

By Jean Rovys Dabany, Reuters

LIBREVILLE, Chad - Poachers killed at least 86 elephants in Chad last week, including 33 pregnant females and 15 calves, conservation groups said on Tuesday, warning that elephants in Central Africa risked being wiped out by such slaughters.

The killing was the worst in the region since more than 300 elephants were slaughtered in Cameroon early last year. Both raids took place during the dry season when poachers armed with automatic weapons launch coordinated attacks on herds of elephants in the region.

Conservationists warn that organised criminal gangs are illegally trafficking huge quantities of tusks to cash in on soaring demand for ivory in Asia.

Wildlife activists are calling for Interpol and the World Customs Association to work together to crackdown on the trade in ivory, issuing heavier penalties for those caught illegally dealing. Poaching has increased recently, fueled by a demand in Asia for jewelry and ornaments. ITV's Paul Davies reports.

The attack was reported to have taken place on March 14-15 in southern Chad, near the border with Cameroon.

"This tragedy shows once again the existential threat faced by Central Africa's elephants," Bas Huijbregts, head of the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) campaign against illegal wildlife trade in Central Africa, said in a statement.

Citing local officials, WWF said the poachers were on horseback and spoke Arabic, suggesting that they were the same group who had been involved in the March 2012 attack that killed more than 300 elephants in northern Cameroon.

Faced with mobile and heavily armed poaching teams, Cameroon has deployed military helicopters and hundreds of troops to some national parks to protect the animals.

Callous brutality
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) confirmed the attack, saying the elephants' tusks had been hacked out. It said elephant populations in the region risked being wiped out.

"The killing of 86 elephants, including pregnant cows, is evidence of the callous brutality demanded to feed the appetite of the ivory trade," said Celine Sissler-Bienvenu, head of IFAW in France and Francophone Africa.

Demand for ivory for use in jewellery and ornamental items is rising fast in Asia. Conservationists say growing Chinese influence and investment in Africa has opened the door wider for the illicit trade in elephant tusks.

"Cross-border cooperation and intelligence-led enforcement are the only ways we can bring these ivory traffickers to justice. It is too big a problem for any one country to tackle," said Kelvin Alie, director of IFAW's Wildlife Crime and Consumer Awareness Programme.

?We need range states, transit countries, and destination countries to share their law enforcement resources, including intelligence, or we'll never be in a position to shut down the kingpins of the international ivory trade," Alie said.

Data collected by conservationists shows that killing rates for elephants in Africa have risen dramatically in recent years.

From about 11,500 elephants illegally killed in 2010 in areas observed by the Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants programme, estimates for 2011 and 2012 rose to around 17,000.?

Related:

Family of 12 elephants slain by poachers in Kenya

Cursed creature: India battles rhino poachers

Rhino slaughter in South Africa sets savage pace

?

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/19/17372329-poachers-kill-dozens-of-elephants-including-33-pregnant-females-in-chad?lite

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Spam Boom Prompts Call for Businesses to Ditch Email

Just when we thought the spam scourge was over, it appears it's making a comeback. After four straight quarters of decline, spam volumes on the Internet rose 92 percent in February, according to security firm Eleven Research Team.Phishing emails jumped 69.8 percent.

Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/29b24d14/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C775540Bhtml/story01.htm

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Sunday, March 17, 2013

The inside story of Lenovo's ThinkPad redesign

The inside story of Lenovo's ThinkPad redesign

"When you talk to end users about ports, they'll tell you how much they need them. They'll talk about the vast number of USB devices that they have. It's easy to hear that and determine that you need five or more ports based on what these people report. When you watch these people work, however, and you're more overt in your methods -- you rarely see that happening.

Sometimes, there's a conflict between what someone reports they need and what they require."

So begins the backstory of the latest ThinkPad overhaul as told by Corinna Proctor, the senior research manager at Lenovo's User Research Center. Clearly versed in the art of separating whimsical wishes from bona fide requirements, she spoke to me in a phone interview alongside two of her colleagues in the run-up to today's unveiling of the redesigned ThinkPad T431s Ultrabook. The machine itself is still very much a ThinkPad -- it's black, it's understated and it's tough as nails -- but those who appreciate the evolution of technology will no doubt recognize some changes. Changes that began as mere notions some 18 months ago.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/rRxXoyZuJX4/

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Team USA ousted from WBC _ a journeyman jolts 'em

USA Shane Victorino reacts after striking out during the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic second round Pool 2 elimination game between Puerto Rico and the United States at Marlins Park in Miami on Friday, March 15, 2013. Puerto Rico defeated the U.S. 4-3. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT

USA Shane Victorino reacts after striking out during the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic second round Pool 2 elimination game between Puerto Rico and the United States at Marlins Park in Miami on Friday, March 15, 2013. Puerto Rico defeated the U.S. 4-3. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT

USA manager Joe Torre, left, pulls out pitcher Vinnie Pestano during the sixth inning of the World Baseball Classic second round Pool 2 elimination game between Puerto Rico and the United States at Marlins Park in Miami on Friday, March 15, 2013. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT

Puerto Rico catcher Yadier Molina ,left, pitching coach Rick Bones,center, and pitcher Nelson Figueroa celebrate after defeating the USA 4-3 in the World Baseball Classic second round Pool 2 elimination game between Puerto Rico and the United States at Marlins Park in Miami on Friday, March 15, 2013. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT

Puerto Rico pitcher Nelson Figueroa holds up his flag as he celebrates after Puerto Rico defeated the United States 4-3 during a second-round elimination game of the World Baseball Classic, Friday, March 15, 2013, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

USA shortstop Jimmy Rollins throws from the ground during the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic second round Pool 2 elimination game between Puerto Rico and the United States at Marlins Park in Miami on Friday, March 15, 2013. Puerto Rico defeated the U.S. 4-3. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) ? Ryan Braun and Ryan Vogelsong are out, Team USA is ruined.

Either that, or a much simpler reason a club loaded with big league All-Stars got jettisoned in the World Baseball Classic: For one night, a pitcher who is the very definition of a journeyman became the best pitcher in the universe.

"As an American, I wanted them to win. It's surprising," Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce said. "They had a great team out there, but that's baseball."

A day after Joe Mauer, Brandon Phillips and this latest U.S. team again failed to reach the championship game, there was plenty of talk around the sport about what Friday night's 4-3 loss to Puerto Rico meant.

Some wondered whether the United States should put together an even more packed roster next time. Others say the U.S. has lost its hold on the game it invented. Many suggest the format of the tournament needs to be tweaked.

"It was a bit of an upset," said Milwaukee infielder Taylor Green, who played for Canada in the WBC. "Both teams were good. But with one game in baseball, you just never know. It might have been different if it had been in the regular season."

Whatever, there was only one thing for sure ? Nelson Figueroa, who was born in Brooklyn and has pitched all over the globe, threw a fastball that never topped 88 mph and still put his team into the semifinals while eliminating manager Joe Torre's side.

Defeated by the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in Miami, the U.S. team watched those two clubs advance to the finals. They'll join two-time Japan, which doesn't have a single major leaguer on its roster, and a surprising squad from the Netherlands starting Sunday in San Francisco.

For Team USA, it was a semi-familiar result ? the club didn't reach the semifinals for the initial WBC in 2006, then lost to Japan in the 2009 semis.

Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler was back at spring camp Saturday, having pitched well earlier in the WBC.

"It was kind of cool getting my first-ever save, but it wasn't enough to get to the championship round and that was the ultimate goal," he said.

Vogelsong, the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the World Series last October, dismissed talk that his U.S. teammates treat these matchups merely as an extension of spring training.

"These games are intense. They mean a lot. There's a lot of pride at stake. Being in the postseason and being here is very similar. It's quite honestly the same. For people to think this is just an exhibition, that's just false."

Plus, the U.S. team had beaten Puerto Rico 7-1 three days earlier behind Gio Gonzalez.

It piques some fans that many top names were not on the roster. Justin Verlander, David Price and Jered Weaver were among the best pitchers absent, while Mike Trout, Buster Posey and Josh Hamilton weren't in the lineup.

That's led many fans to say the timing of the tourney should be changed to somehow make it convenient for every star to take part.

But, the U.S. lineup against Figueroa featured three former MVPs ? Mauer, Braun and Jimmy Rollins. The lone player in the starting nine who wasn't an All-Star was Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer.

Hosmer grounded out with the bases loaded to end the eighth. Royals manager Ned Yost was glad Hosmer and other young players got to participate in the tournament.

"It gives them a chance to experience a high level of competition that you can't get in a spring training or regular-season game," Yost said.

Hosmer was a late replacement for Yankees star Mark Teixeira, who injured his wrist swinging a weighted bat. Mets third baseman David Wright also pulled out with a strain in his rib cage.

Despite worries about injuries in the WBC, what happened to Teixeira and Wright could've happened as easily in camp with their New York teams.

Instead, the final defeat had more to do with Figueroa.

The 38-year-old righty is 20-35 for six major league teams, and is currently in camp with Arizona on a minor league contract for his 19th pro season. He's pitched in Mexico, Venezuela, Taiwan, the Dominican and Puerto Rico, has played in independent ball and has spent plenty of time on the waiver wire.

Figueroa's last big league season was 2011, when he had an 8.69 ERA in a brief stint with Houston. He played last season in the minors with the Boston and Yankees systems.

Yet for one night at Marlins Park, he was virtually untouchable, pitching two-hit ball for six scoreless innings. Until this win, his best game had been a four-hit shutout for the Mets on the final day of the 2009 season.

Funny thing, too, about that shutout Figueroa threw against Houston at Citi Field. The final out was a flyball caught by Angel Pagan ? it was Pagan who also gathered in Jimmy Rollins' fly for the last out Friday to seal a win Figueroa will cherish forever.

___

AP freelance writers Carl Kotala, Jim Richards and Jason Skoda contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-03-16-WBC-USA%20Out/id-3fec60eb283b40f8b558e46d796238bb

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

AM RADIO HEADING IN DIRECTION OF BUGGY WHIPS | Bottom ...

JohnLandsberg
March 15th, 2013

There?s a reason why so many AM radio stations have been creating stations on the FM side of the dial.

It?s because the younger generation considers AM stations irrelevant to them.

According to a story in Inside Radio, a new survey reaffirms consumer demand for FM radio in cars and virtually no interest in AM stations.

Kelly Music Research asked 500 18-54 year-olds which types of radio would be important if they were buying a car in the next week. FM came in first with 99% saying it was very or somewhat important, followed by satellite radio, Internet radio and HD radio.

AM came in last, with more than half of respondents calling it ?not important at all.?

Source: http://www.bottomlinecom.com/am-radio-heading-in-direction-of-buggy-whips/

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iPhone 4S: Screen and loud speaker issues!

I replaced the broken plates on my iPhone, front and back. I've got two issues:

1-The screen now has a white glow around the edges, not terrible but noticeable. How do I resolve this?

2-Prior to installing, the loud speaker stopped working, for use with speaker phone and listening to music (without earphones). I thought replacing the faceplate would correct this but it did not. The original damaged portion was at the ear speaker next to front facing camera, which is why I replaced the front plate. I'm thinking the issue is the speakers at bottom, is there any way to troubleshoot?

Thanks all!

Source: http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/122399/Screen+and+loud+speaker+issues!

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Digg to build a Google Reader replacement with same API, new features

The news of Google Reader's upcoming demise has put the spotlight on several alternatives that RSS fans can only hope will fill the gap. The latest to vie for our attention doesn't even exist yet: Digg just announced that it will be creating a reader of its own. According to its blog, the aggregation service was apparently already planning to build such a reader, but upon hearing that Google's version will bite the dust, the company is kicking into gear to develop a suitable replacement. Digg's reader will maintain what it calls the best of Google Reader's features, including its API, while incorporating changes that reflect the relevance of social networks and other popular Internet communities.

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Digg Blog

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/35mF2I_TdlY/

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Friday, March 15, 2013

Earth's largest telescope gets to work in Chile after 30 years of planning

Earth's largest telescope opens after 30 years of planning, powered by a Fujitsu supercomputer

Nestled within the Chilean Andes, the new Atacama Large Millimeter-submillimeter Array (ALMA) is now open for space-staring business. The biggest, most complex telescope project to date, ALMA will be able to peer into the deeper reaches of space with "unprecedented power", according to astronomer Chris Hadfield. Covering around half of the universe's light spectrum, between infrared and radio waves, the new telescope should be able to detect distant planets, black holes and other intergalactic notables.

The Chilean desert's lack of humidity was a big reason for the telescope's placement, 16,400 feet above sea-level, aiding precision of the scope. But it's a global project, with the US contributing $500 million and making it the NSF's biggest investment ever. From Japan, Fujitsu's contribution to exploring the final frontier consists of 35 PRIMERGY x86 servers, tied together with a dedicated (astronomy-centric) computational unit. The supercomputer will process 512 billion telescope samples per second, which ought to be more than enough to unlock a few more secrets of the cosmos.

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Via: PopSci

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/14/earths-largest-telescope-supercomputer/

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Witnessing starbursts in young galaxies

Witnessing starbursts in young galaxies [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 14-Mar-2013
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Contact: James Cohen
cohen@kavlifoundation.org
The Kavli Foundation

Researchers discuss their findings that the universe was producing stars much earlier than expected and at a rate 1,000 times greater than today's Milky Way

On March 13, it was announced the most vigorous bursts of star birth in the cosmos took place much earlier than previously thought - results now published in a set of papers in Nature and the Astrophysical Journal.

As these findings are published, three of the scientists at the forefront of this research - including the lead researcher of the latest findings offered their insights about what this reveals about the history of our universe, and how the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is providing a "zoom lens" into the early universe. This includes their surprise at finding so many star-producing "dusty galaxies" at such a young time in the universe's development. "They were not in line with what you would expect from the well known population of radio sources," said John Carlstrom, Deputy Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago and leader of the 10-meter South Pole Telescope project. "This was the first clue we were onto something interesting. ...It meant that they had escaped detection in the infrared surveys. No one had predicted that we would see such a luminous population of dusty galaxies so far back."

Dan P. Marrone, Assistant Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Arizona, also noted the results were possible even though ALMA itself is still incomplete. "With little more than a dozen antennas at ALMA, we were able to make very detailed images of these galaxies - and that was after just two minutes of observations per galaxy." He added, "When ALMA is completed, the observations we obtained for this first study are just going to be trivial."

Joaquin D. Vieira a member of the California Institute of Technology's Observational Cosmology Group, as well as leader of the group studying the galaxies discovered by the South Pole Telescope, looked forward. "[Now] we can dig deeper into the spectra of these galaxies to find out what they're made of; we can do chemistry with them," he said. "Future studies also will help us answer other important questions, such as how they formed. Did they form through mergers, or through the slow accretion of gas? How many stellar generations reside in these galaxies?"

###

Read more at: http://www.kavlifoundation.org/science-spotlights/kipc-hred-starburst-galaxies


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Witnessing starbursts in young galaxies [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 14-Mar-2013
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Contact: James Cohen
cohen@kavlifoundation.org
The Kavli Foundation

Researchers discuss their findings that the universe was producing stars much earlier than expected and at a rate 1,000 times greater than today's Milky Way

On March 13, it was announced the most vigorous bursts of star birth in the cosmos took place much earlier than previously thought - results now published in a set of papers in Nature and the Astrophysical Journal.

As these findings are published, three of the scientists at the forefront of this research - including the lead researcher of the latest findings offered their insights about what this reveals about the history of our universe, and how the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is providing a "zoom lens" into the early universe. This includes their surprise at finding so many star-producing "dusty galaxies" at such a young time in the universe's development. "They were not in line with what you would expect from the well known population of radio sources," said John Carlstrom, Deputy Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago and leader of the 10-meter South Pole Telescope project. "This was the first clue we were onto something interesting. ...It meant that they had escaped detection in the infrared surveys. No one had predicted that we would see such a luminous population of dusty galaxies so far back."

Dan P. Marrone, Assistant Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Arizona, also noted the results were possible even though ALMA itself is still incomplete. "With little more than a dozen antennas at ALMA, we were able to make very detailed images of these galaxies - and that was after just two minutes of observations per galaxy." He added, "When ALMA is completed, the observations we obtained for this first study are just going to be trivial."

Joaquin D. Vieira a member of the California Institute of Technology's Observational Cosmology Group, as well as leader of the group studying the galaxies discovered by the South Pole Telescope, looked forward. "[Now] we can dig deeper into the spectra of these galaxies to find out what they're made of; we can do chemistry with them," he said. "Future studies also will help us answer other important questions, such as how they formed. Did they form through mergers, or through the slow accretion of gas? How many stellar generations reside in these galaxies?"

###

Read more at: http://www.kavlifoundation.org/science-spotlights/kipc-hred-starburst-galaxies


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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/tkf-wsi031413.php

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US clergy sex victims want change from new pope

Plaintiff Michael Duran, left, who received nearly $1 million in a sex abuse settlement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, speaks during a news conference on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Los Angeles. Duran was molested by ex-priest Michael Baker, who is now in jail after pleading guilty to a dozen sex charges. The U.S. church's challenges include recovering from the clergy sexual abuse scandal, which has resulted in the bankruptcies of prominent archdioceses and cost the Church in America an estimated $3 billion in legal settlements. Duran's wife, Margarita, looks on at right. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Plaintiff Michael Duran, left, who received nearly $1 million in a sex abuse settlement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, speaks during a news conference on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Los Angeles. Duran was molested by ex-priest Michael Baker, who is now in jail after pleading guilty to a dozen sex charges. The U.S. church's challenges include recovering from the clergy sexual abuse scandal, which has resulted in the bankruptcies of prominent archdioceses and cost the Church in America an estimated $3 billion in legal settlements. Duran's wife, Margarita, looks on at right. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Michael Duran, a plaintiff in a sex abuse settlement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, holds up pictures of himself when he was a child during a news conference to announce details of a nearly $10 million settlement of their lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Thursday, March 14, 2013. Duran was molested by ex-priest Michael Baker, who is now in jail after pleading guilty pleaded to a dozen sex charges. The U.S. church's challenges include recovering from the clergy sexual abuse scandal, which has resulted in the bankruptcies of prominent archdioceses and cost the Church in America an estimated $3 billion in legal settlements. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Plaintiff Michael Duran, left, who received nearly $1 million in a sex abuse settlement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, speaks during a news conference on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Los Angeles. Duran was molested by ex-priest Michael Baker, who is now in jail after pleading guilty to a dozen sex charges. The U.S. church's challenges include recovering from the clergy sexual abuse scandal, which has resulted in the bankruptcies of prominent archdioceses and cost the Church in America an estimated $3 billion in legal settlements. Duran's wife, Margarita, center, and his attorney John Manly look on. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

(AP) ? The election of a new pope could help heal the wounds left by a Roman Catholic sex abuse crisis that has savaged the church's reputation worldwide. For alleged victims, much depends on whether Pope Francis disciplines the priests and the hierarchy that protected them.

Some hope the Jesuit pontiff's well-known humility and social benevolence will lead to an era of greater transparency and renewed faith. A greater number, however, are calling on the new Roman Catholic leader to defrock U.S. cardinals who covered up for pedophile priests, formally apologize and order the release of all confidential church files from every diocese.

Adding to their distrust are several multimillion dollar settlements the Jesuits paid out in recent years, including $166 million to more than 450 Native Alaskan and Native American abuse victims in 2011 for molestation at Jesuit-run schools across the Pacific Northwest. The settlement bankrupted the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus.

It's unclear how much direct experience Pope Francis, an Argentine cardinal, has had dealing with sexually abusive clergy in Latin America, where the scope of the abuse scandal has been more muted. When the scandal broke, however, he made it harder for people to become priests and now 60 percent are eliminated, his authorized biographer, Sergio Rubin, told the AP.

In contrast, his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI was in charge of the Vatican office that handled clergy abuse cases before becoming pope and was a guiding force behind several sex abuse policies enacted under Pope John Paul II.

Those policies haven't been enough for most victims, who say they will scrutinize the new pope and his actions.

Elsie Boudreau, a Yup'ik Eskimo, was abused for nine years by a Jesuit priest in a tiny village in northern Alaska.

She settled her case in 2005 and now works as a social worker helping 300 other sex abuse victims in Alaska. She has since learned that Vatican officials had been aware of her alleged abuser since before she was born, she said.

"If Pope Francis were to defrock him and all the other perpetrator priests and all those who covered up the crimes and send a clear message to everybody else in the church I would be like, 'Hmm, OK, there could be a change,'" said Boudreau, 45, who now lives in Anchorage. "But I don't believe that will ever happen. There's no track record."

Other alleged victims called on Pope Francis to immediately order the release of all confidential records on pedophile priests in order to cleanse the church and make amends.

Confidential files have been made public through litigation in some cases and have been released under court order in others, including in Los Angeles where a judge ordered more than 10,000 pages of priest personnel files be made public in January after a five-year legal battle over privacy rights.

Still missing, however, are the files for about 80 priests who belonged to various religious orders ? including the Jesuits ? and attorneys are pressing for their release, said Ray Boucher, the lead plaintiff attorney.

In many other dioceses, alleged victims still don't know everything the church knew about their abusers.

"The pope has an opportunity to bring about true justice, change, and transformation in a church torn from scandal and the rape of children," said Billy Kirchen, who is one of 550 plaintiffs fighting to see files from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. "Real change has to come from the pope."

In Boston, clergy sex abuse victim Bernie McDaid expressed dismay that the new pope wasn't Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who reached out to abuse victims and set up a secret 2008 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.

McDaid said the selection of Pope Francis, a cardinal from Latin America where the church is rapidly growing, shows the church is more interested in uniting its hierarchy than confronting its clergy sex scandal.

"They're putting their problems first again, instead of the real problem that's causing the disruption, which is the child sex abuse, which they still haven't worked through," McDaid said.

Other abuse victims said they were disgusted that cardinals who covered up abuse in their own dioceses helped elect the next pope.

Michael Duran, a 40-year-old special education teacher from Los Angeles, said Pope Francis' elevation is tainted because of their presence. Duran and three others settled with the Los Angeles archdiocese earlier this week for nearly $10 million over childhood abuse by the Rev. Michael Baker.

Recently released confidential files show Baker met privately with Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony in 1986 and confessed to molesting children, but he was put back in the ministry for 14 years, where he abused again. Authorities believe Baker, who was convicted in 2007 and paroled in 2011, may have molested more than 20 children in his 26-year career.

Duran was particularly upset that Mahony, who retired in 2011, took to Twitter and a blog to defend himself while in Rome.

In one post, Mahony wrote about praying for sex abuse victims but also for "those in the media who constantly malign me and my motives, attorneys who never focus on context or history in their legal matters, groups which picket me or otherwise object to me, and all those who despise me or even hate me."

"He was tweeting and blogging over there like an innocent man, and it was really offensive to me. He was acting like he was the martyr, like he was the victim in all this," Duran said.

If Pope Francis did take action against any U.S. cardinals, it would be a departure from the way his predecessors addressed the clergy abuse crisis.

In 2001, Pope John Paul II issued a decree saying all clergy abuse cases needed to be funneled through the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith ? then headed by the future Pope Benedict XVI ? for review.

In 2002, in his strongest comments about the unfolding scandal, Pope John Paul II denounced U.S. bishops for the American clergy abuse crisis after summoning them to Rome for a special meeting. He said there was "no place in the priesthood ... for those who would harm the young."

In 2003 and 2004, he approved changes to canon law to allow the Vatican to quickly defrock abusive priests without cumbersome internal trials.

Given the progressive decline in Pope John Paul's health, however, it is widely presumed that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ? the future Pope Benedict XVI ? was the architect of those measures in his role as head of the Vatican department that handled clergy abuse allegations.

Earlier this year, the Vatican's new sex crimes prosecutor, quoting Benedict, said the church must recognize the "grave errors in judgment that were often committed by the church's leadership." He added that bishops must report abusive priests to police where the law requires it.

The comments came days after the release of the Los Angeles confidential files.

Now, with a new pope, victims in the U.S. hope more change is coming ? but they aren't optimistic.

"Most cardinals say he's already won their hearts. Fine, but what about the people in the pews? What about us survivors?" said Esther Miller, who was part of a $660 million settlement in 2007 between more than 500 alleged abuse victims and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. "I think his actions need to speak louder than words."

______

Associated Press Writers Nicole Winfield in Rome; Mike Warren in Buenos Aires; Donna Blankinship in Seattle; Matt Volz in Helena, Mont.; Jay Lindsay in Boston; Dinesh Ramde in Milwaukee, Wis.; and AP photographer Damian Dovarganes in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-03-15-US-Pope-Sex-Abuse/id-306267402096481daa0b3eb31eb0aa17

election results Doug Martin Barack Obama & Joe Biden Am I registered to vote Voter registration Election Election results 2012

Ninja nannies, dog whisperers: Celebrity staff paid well

It's possible to get paid $200,000, or even $500,000, a year to spend all day with a celebrity, but landing such gigs isn?t easy.

Quintessentially People is a recruiting agency that provides staff to royal families, politicians and international executives, as well as high-profile names in music, fashion, film and television?none of whom they are permitted to name. When working with celebrities, the agency is most often looking for a private chef, a bodyguard or a traveling personal assistant. Royals or politicians more often have household-related requests, such as a nanny, an estate manager or a palace manager.

(Read more:10 Celebrity Bachelor Pads)

But the headhunter has also had assignments to find a "ninja nanny" (a nanny trained in martial arts and with experience as a close-protection officer) or a butler with dog-whispering skills who can teach the client's canine how to play the piano, said Quintessentially People co-founder Sam Martin.

Nondisclosure agreements are de rigeur when dealing with celebrities, but despite the discretion, not everything is top secret. A few things have been established about working for the rich and famous.

One: To some extent, it's who you know.

"The majority of our candidates come through word of mouth and recommendations," Martin said.

Ed Majcina, founder of the Praetorian Group, which provides personal protection services, agrees. The former head of security for Lady Gaga, he has also worked with Steve Forbes, Meg Ryan, Lindsay Lohan and Robert DeNiro. After eight years in the military and experience supplying high-risk protection in Iraq for U.S. dignitaries, Majcina transitioned into celebrity services.

"It's kind of a small community, the people I work with," Majcina said. "Usually it's word of mouth, so the management will find you somehow through that or a headhunter, but mostly it's through relationships."

Two: Only candidates with spotless records need apply. There will be a rigorous background check, which typically includes criminal and financial checks. Praetorian doesn't take personal references but checks with previous employers.

"It's just one of those markets which attracts a wide range of characters, so we do have to be very careful," Martin said. "Some candidates refuse to sign the nondisclosure agreement, but if they're going to be difficult early on, we don't take it any further."

Education and experience requirements vary by position and client.

"Some may require a first-class degree at a top-five or an Ivy League university, with five different languages and knowledge of Arabic culture," Martin said. On the other hand, he added, some jobs may call for a college education to any level and only two years? experience in the sector.

(Read more:Spotting Fakes - Is This John Lennon's Mug?)

Being a public figure means being vulnerable to threats, however, so not just trustworthiness but loyalty is important.

Clients are subject to "death threats via social media and mail," Majcina said. "You have stalkers, crazy fans that show up, inappropriate behavior." General crowd control during public appearances is a necessity. As a bodyguard, he has to be ready to jump between his client and bullets. Professionals in his field act as first responders so they also need medical training.

"Then it comes down to who you are as a person," Majcina said. "Are you calm and collected when things don't go right? Not just the skill but will. You have to have the will to put your life on the line, if not, find a different job."

Another point: Depending on the visibility of the position, it might also be important to have a certain look and demeanor.

"It's almost like a menu these days," Majcina said. "We have clients asking for white European over 6-feet-2. You're an extension of the client, aren't you? Image is everything, and that includes their staff?especially the ones they're surrounded by constantly."

And those hoping to become best friends with their assigned celebrity have it all wrong.

"You want someone who enjoys that industry and wants to be the 'behind the scenes' person who gets a kick out of making people's lives run seamlessly," Martin said.

Finally, the only reliable way into the field?paying dues?is bound to strike some as unglamorous.

"If you want to work for a high-profile person as their PA, for example, the best thing to do is to try and get a support position working for a well-known business, and stay with the company for as long as you can. Job hoppers are really difficult to place and we don't tend to represent them, regardless of who they have worked for," Martin said.

"If you can get a PA position working for a director, CEO or managing director of the company, then this really will increase your chance of transitioning into the private world," he added. Such executives "often ask their right-hand person to carry out private work for them, such as property renovations, private jet travel, private household staff recruitment, personal financial transactions, etc., and this is the type of experience you must get in order to progress into the private world."

Candidates hoping to be PAs can also get started working in television or film production as a runner on productions.

"Make yourself indispensable to production teams, move on up to be a production assistant and there's always a high chance you can move on to being a PA to the presenter or to other people you meet along the way quite quickly," Martin said. But, he added, "salaries tend to be lower progressing this way in television, and television is notoriously hard to get into."

Salaries for private PAs can range from $60,000 to $150,000, said Martin, adding that he has seen cases of some earning more than $500,000 a year.

Majcina said that bodyguard rates can run from $1,000 for a night like the Grammys to the $500,000 range for a round-the clock presence. Even once you've landed that coveted celebrity job, he cautioned, "You're only as good as your last gig, and if you make a mistake, it's on a world stage. So if I'm walking down the street with Gaga and someone does something to hurt her, my career's over."

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/ninja-nannies-chefs-celebrity-staff-earn-big-bucks-1C8867077

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People with peanut/tree nut allergies can minimize risk of reactions on airplane flights

People with peanut/tree nut allergies can minimize risk of reactions on airplane flights [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 14-Mar-2013
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Mary F. Masson
mfmasson@umich.edu
734-764-2220
University of Michigan Health System

New international study led by University of Michigan identified behaviors that could reduce anxiety, chances of allergic reactions

Ann Arbor, Mich. Few situations can provoke more anxiety for people with peanut or tree-nut allergies than having an allergic reaction while flying on an airplane and being unable to get help.

But in a new study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology-In Practice, researchers found passengers who engaged in eight mitigating factors were less likely to report an allergic reaction.

This is the first study to show that in-flight peanut and tree nut allergy is an international problem, says lead author and pediatrician Matthew Greenhawt, M.D., M.B.A., M.Sc., of the University of Michigan's Food Allergy Center and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Past research has focused on the U.S. and only on those who had reactions, instead of including those who did not.

Greenhawt, and his co-authors from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and the International Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance, asked passengers to answer an online survey about their in-flight experiences. More than 3,200 people from 11 countries completed the survey. Of those, 349 reported having an allergic reaction during an airline flight.

Passengers with peanut/tree nut allergies who reported taking these actions had significantly lower odds of reporting a reaction:

  1. requesting any accommodation
  2. requesting a peanut/tree nut-free meal
  3. wiping their tray table with a commercial wipe
  4. avoiding use of airline pillows
  5. avoiding use of airline blankets
  6. requesting a peanut/tree nut-free buffer zone
  7. requesting other passengers not consume peanut/tree nut-containing products
  8. not consuming airline-provided food

"Flying with a peanut/tree nut allergy is equal parts frustrating and frightening for allergic passengers. These eight passenger-initiated risk-mitigating behaviors may help clinicians wishing to advise concerned patients planning to fly commercially," says Greenhawt, of U-M's Food Allergy Center.

Greenhawt says most airlines still serve peanuts and tree nuts or snacks and meals with peanuts or tree nuts included. Canada is the only country with any formal policy in place, which requires a 3-row buffer zone with advance notification only on Air Canada flights, he says.

"So these behaviors are simple, practical measures which may offer some protection and reduce anxiety until formal policies are implemented."

The study also found that epinephrine, a common and effective treatment, was drastically underused in-flight. Only 13.3 percent of passengers reporting a reaction received epinephrine as treatment. Flight crews were notified regarding 50.1 percent of reactions. In a similar study of US passengers five years ago, Greenhawt noted a similarly low rate of epinephrine use.

"Despite that 98 percent of passengers had a personal source of epinephrine available, epinephrine was underused to treat a reaction. Flight crews were not always readily alerted to reactions when they occurred, but interestingly, when they were notified, it was associated with a higher odds that epinephrine was used to treat the reaction," Greenhawt says.

Interestingly, nationality was not a significant factor influencing the use of epinephrine as treatment.

"We still think the risk of an in-flight reaction is small, but it's hard to imagine a more helpless situation than having a reaction while you're at 35,000 feet in an airplane," Greenhawt says. "But this study identifies some things passengers can do to reduce their anxiety. We want them to fly. It can help improve their quality of life."

"But more importantly, these findings provide a starting point for airlines to consider in terms of their own policies, where they could work with passengers to mitigate risk. I think that consideration for training crew to identify anaphylaxis is another important potential measure to consider given that crew involvement significantly increased the odds of reported epinephrine use. Poor crew notification of events has been noted in the earlier airline studies, so perhaps the solution is to train crew to be more proactive," Greenhawt says.

Greenhawt adds that future study is necessary to further validate the effectiveness of these passenger-initiated risk-mitigating behaviors and create better educational efforts around the use of epinephrine.

###

Additional authors: Of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Fiona MacGillivray, Geraldine Batty and Maria Said. Of The Global Food Protection Institute in Battle Creek, Mich.: Christopher Weiss, PhD

Funding: Supported in part by the National Center for Research Resources and the University of Michigan Food Allergy Center

Citation: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2013.01.002

About C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in the University of Michigan Health System:

Since 1903, the University of Michigan has led the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children. From leading-edge heart surgery that's performed in the womb to complete emergency care that's there when you need it, families from all over come to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for our pediatric expertise. In 2013, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital was ranked eighth in the nation in Parents Magazine's 10 Best Children's Hospitals ranking. To learn more, go to http://www.mottchildren.org.

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital operates a food allergy clinic, specifically designed to care for patients with food allergies and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.

More information is available here: http://mottchildren.org/our-locations/df-allergy


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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


People with peanut/tree nut allergies can minimize risk of reactions on airplane flights [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 14-Mar-2013
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Mary F. Masson
mfmasson@umich.edu
734-764-2220
University of Michigan Health System

New international study led by University of Michigan identified behaviors that could reduce anxiety, chances of allergic reactions

Ann Arbor, Mich. Few situations can provoke more anxiety for people with peanut or tree-nut allergies than having an allergic reaction while flying on an airplane and being unable to get help.

But in a new study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology-In Practice, researchers found passengers who engaged in eight mitigating factors were less likely to report an allergic reaction.

This is the first study to show that in-flight peanut and tree nut allergy is an international problem, says lead author and pediatrician Matthew Greenhawt, M.D., M.B.A., M.Sc., of the University of Michigan's Food Allergy Center and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Past research has focused on the U.S. and only on those who had reactions, instead of including those who did not.

Greenhawt, and his co-authors from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and the International Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance, asked passengers to answer an online survey about their in-flight experiences. More than 3,200 people from 11 countries completed the survey. Of those, 349 reported having an allergic reaction during an airline flight.

Passengers with peanut/tree nut allergies who reported taking these actions had significantly lower odds of reporting a reaction:

  1. requesting any accommodation
  2. requesting a peanut/tree nut-free meal
  3. wiping their tray table with a commercial wipe
  4. avoiding use of airline pillows
  5. avoiding use of airline blankets
  6. requesting a peanut/tree nut-free buffer zone
  7. requesting other passengers not consume peanut/tree nut-containing products
  8. not consuming airline-provided food

"Flying with a peanut/tree nut allergy is equal parts frustrating and frightening for allergic passengers. These eight passenger-initiated risk-mitigating behaviors may help clinicians wishing to advise concerned patients planning to fly commercially," says Greenhawt, of U-M's Food Allergy Center.

Greenhawt says most airlines still serve peanuts and tree nuts or snacks and meals with peanuts or tree nuts included. Canada is the only country with any formal policy in place, which requires a 3-row buffer zone with advance notification only on Air Canada flights, he says.

"So these behaviors are simple, practical measures which may offer some protection and reduce anxiety until formal policies are implemented."

The study also found that epinephrine, a common and effective treatment, was drastically underused in-flight. Only 13.3 percent of passengers reporting a reaction received epinephrine as treatment. Flight crews were notified regarding 50.1 percent of reactions. In a similar study of US passengers five years ago, Greenhawt noted a similarly low rate of epinephrine use.

"Despite that 98 percent of passengers had a personal source of epinephrine available, epinephrine was underused to treat a reaction. Flight crews were not always readily alerted to reactions when they occurred, but interestingly, when they were notified, it was associated with a higher odds that epinephrine was used to treat the reaction," Greenhawt says.

Interestingly, nationality was not a significant factor influencing the use of epinephrine as treatment.

"We still think the risk of an in-flight reaction is small, but it's hard to imagine a more helpless situation than having a reaction while you're at 35,000 feet in an airplane," Greenhawt says. "But this study identifies some things passengers can do to reduce their anxiety. We want them to fly. It can help improve their quality of life."

"But more importantly, these findings provide a starting point for airlines to consider in terms of their own policies, where they could work with passengers to mitigate risk. I think that consideration for training crew to identify anaphylaxis is another important potential measure to consider given that crew involvement significantly increased the odds of reported epinephrine use. Poor crew notification of events has been noted in the earlier airline studies, so perhaps the solution is to train crew to be more proactive," Greenhawt says.

Greenhawt adds that future study is necessary to further validate the effectiveness of these passenger-initiated risk-mitigating behaviors and create better educational efforts around the use of epinephrine.

###

Additional authors: Of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Fiona MacGillivray, Geraldine Batty and Maria Said. Of The Global Food Protection Institute in Battle Creek, Mich.: Christopher Weiss, PhD

Funding: Supported in part by the National Center for Research Resources and the University of Michigan Food Allergy Center

Citation: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2013.01.002

About C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in the University of Michigan Health System:

Since 1903, the University of Michigan has led the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children. From leading-edge heart surgery that's performed in the womb to complete emergency care that's there when you need it, families from all over come to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for our pediatric expertise. In 2013, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital was ranked eighth in the nation in Parents Magazine's 10 Best Children's Hospitals ranking. To learn more, go to http://www.mottchildren.org.

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital operates a food allergy clinic, specifically designed to care for patients with food allergies and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.

More information is available here: http://mottchildren.org/our-locations/df-allergy


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/uomh-pwp031413.php

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