Thursday, September 15, 2016
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Viruses are more dangerous when they infect their victims in the morning, a University of Cambridge study suggests.
Viruses are more dangerous when they infect their victims in the morning, a University of Cambridge study suggests.
The findings, published in PNAS, showed viruses were 10 times more successful if the infection started in the morning.
And the animal studies found that a disrupted body clock - caused by shift-work or jet lag - was always vulnerable to infection.
The researchers say the findings could lead to new ways of stopping pandemics.
Viruses - unlike bacteria or parasites - are completely dependent on hijacking the machinery inside cells in order to replicate.
But those cells change dramatically as part of a 24-hour pattern known as the body clock.
In the study, mice were infected with either influenza, which causes flu, or herpes virus, which can cause a range of diseases including cold sores.
The mice infected in the morning had 10 times the viral levels of those infected in the evening.
The late viruses were failing after essentially trying to hijack a factory after all the workers had gone home.
Prof Akhilesh Reddy, one of the researchers, told the BBC News website: "It's a big difference.
"The virus needs all the apparatus available at the right time, otherwise it might not ever get off the ground, but a tiny infection in the morning might perpetuate faster and take over the body."
He believes the findings could help control outbreaks of disease.
Prof Reddy said: "In a pandemic, staying in during the daytime could be quite important and save people's lives, it could have a big impact if trials bear it out."
Further tests showed that disrupting the animal's body clock meant they were "locked in" to a state that allowed the viruses to thrive.
Dr Rachel Edgar, the first author, said: "This indicates that shift workers, who work some nights and rest some nights and so have a disrupted body clock, will be more susceptible to viral diseases.
"If so, then they could be prime candidates for receiving the annual flu vaccines."
The researchers used only two viruses in the study.
However, the pair were very distinct (one was a DNA virus the other an RNA virus), which leads the research team to suspect the morning risk may be a broad principle that applies across a wide number of viruses.
About 10% of genes, the instructions for running the human body, change activity throughout the day, and this is controlled by the internal clock.
The research focused on one clock gene called Bmal1, which has its peak activity in the afternoon in both mice and people.
Prof Reddy added: "It's the link with Bmal1 that's important, since when that's low (in the early morning), you're more susceptible to infection."
Curiously, Bmal1 becomes less active in people during the winter months - suggesting it may have a role in the greater risk of infections at that time of the year.
The body clock has been implicated in our susceptibility to infections before, flu jabs appear more effective in morning and jet lag affects the malaria parasite.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Report: Apple to add 10.5-inch iPad Pro next year
NEW YORK — With new iPhones, Apple Watches and MacBook Pros expected in the coming months, you'd be forgiven for forgetting about the iPad.
There may be good reason. Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities says Apple may be waiting on upgrading its tablet line until next year.
In his latest report, first spotted by MacRumors, Kuo says Apple plans to launch three new iPads next year. This will include a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro as well as a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad and 10.5-inch iPad Pro. The new 10.5-inch model is said to be better suited for education, a particular area of interest to Apple as it seeks to build out the iPad market.
Kuo, who studies Apple's supply chain, has a solid track record on gleaning the company's plans. Most recently, he accurately predicted the launch of the iPhone SE and was among the first to speculate that Apple will upgrade the MacBook Pro with a fingerprint sensor and touchscreen display bar, a rumor which picked up steam last week.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Google aiming for drones with projectors for virtual meetings
Heard of "virtual meetings"? With a new drone with a projector, this will soon be possible. US tech giant Google has been granted a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for an "unmanned aerial vehicle for collaboration" called mobile telepresence system.
The objective of a telepresence system is to present interactive video and audio between users in geographically-dispersed locations.
"Many drones come with cameras but Google thinks a drone with a projector could be the answer to mobile telepresence conferencing," technology website zdnet.com reported on Friday.
Google thinks that its unmanned drone could provide significant improvements in speed, maneuverability, energy consumption and facilitate access to cramped spaces.
For stability reasons, Google's quadcopter design is shaped like the letter 'H' with a propeller at the ends of each of the longer strokes, the report said.
In one embodiment, a screen dangles off the front end of the drone while a projector perches at the rear of the vehicle.
The display area of the screen is being described as semi-translucent so that images projected from the rear can be viewed from the front-facing surface of the screen.
"The smartphone may receive images from the user at the remote location, and may project the received images through a projector included with the smartphone," the report added.
The setup could use two mirrors where one bounces an image from the phone to a screen, and a second is used to capture an image from a room and reflect that to the camera of a smartphone.
Telepresence systems sold by companies like HP and Cisco may offer a virtual meeting space but the right equipment needs to be at both ends usually at a fixed location, noted Google.
According to Google, it can solve this with the help of drones equipped with everything that a telepresence system features, including cameras, microphones, projectors, speakers and a display.
What Is a Duplex? Potentially, 2 Homes for the Price of 1
Homes come in many shapes and configurations, and one type that's popular with extended families or budding landlords is a duplex. But just what is a duplex? It's not just one home, but two. They may be stacked one atop the other on separate floors, or they may be side by side with a shared wall. A duplex may also be called a " multifamily dwelling," because more than one family can live in it.
A duplex is sometimes confused with a "twin home," but they're not the same thing. A twin home may look like a duplex: two separate homes sharing a wall. But with a twin home, the lot line actually runs through the common wall -- so on each side you have an individual home on an individual lot, even though they're connected.
A duplex is different: Rather than owning just one home, you own two. As such, duplexes will likely cost more than a single-family home at the outset. However, if you rent out the other half, this revenue can drastically offset your expenses and potentially make duplex living cheaper than what you'd pay for a freestanding house. It's a popular option for people who want to keep family members nearby or who want a steady income from a place that's not too far away to manage.
The upsides of a duplex
A lower cost: On average, living in one side of a duplex (while renting out the other side) is more affordable than living in a single-family home with a similar number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage, according to Duplex.net.
Help with mortgage payments: Let's say your monthly mortgage payment is $1,700, and you rent out the other half of your duplex for $900. You'll need to come up with only $800 each month to make the payment. Or you could pay off your mortgage even faster by making extra payments on the principal.
Tax deductions: Unlike with a single-family residence, with a duplex you can deduct certain home expenses for maintenance and yardwork because it's an income property. That can make upkeep easier to afford. Just to be sure, check with a tax pro before you make an offer on a particular property, because specifics always vary.
You can keep family close: If your family includes someone who is elderly, has special needs, or is just starting a new career, he or she can stay in the other half of the unit. The family member can maintain a degree of independence while not going too far from the nest.
Security: There's always someone nearby in case you need help, or to watch over your place while you're gone.
You set all the rules: The advantages of being a landlord include getting to set all the rules when it comes to pets, smoking, and landscaping. Note, however, that being a landlord also has its downsides.
The downsides of a duplex
Your tenants live right next to you: This could potentially be awkward if they're knocking on your door at all hours with requests or complaints.
You're responsible for all maintenance: Anything that breaks, the way the yard looks, utility issues -- you have to take care of it all. Being a landlord may not be easy.
Renters are not guaranteed: If the rental market is soft, it can take time to find ideal tenants. If you don't have renters lined up, you'll have to make the entire mortgage payment yourself.
Privacy may be an issue: You could be sharing a floor, ceiling, or wall with another person. You'll have to deal with all the noise, smell, aesthetic, and parking issues that come from living so close to someone else.
You'll have to deal with damage: No matter how carefully you've selected your renters, no one ever takes care of someone else's property as well as they take care of their own. Stuff happens, and you'll have to sort it out.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Wendy's sales hit by cheaper US grocery prices
Burger chain Wendy's has reported lower-than-expected sales as more consumers decided to eat at home.
Sales at stores open for at least 15 months rose by 0.4%. Analysts had expected 1.9% growth.
Lower food prices helped Wendy's cut costs, but cheaper groceries were also encouraging more people to cook.
Profits for the second quarter fell $13.7m to $26.5m (£20.3m) compared with the same period last year.Total sales at Wendy's restaurants fell 22% to $382.7m.
Todd Penegor, the chain's chief executive, said: "The most notable driver behind the sales slowdown appears to be the continued gap between cost of eating at home and cost of dining out, which is now at its widest point since the recession."
The slide in sales at Wendy's reflects broader problems in the fast food industry, which is increasingly regarded by consumers as unhealthy.
McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks have all posted lower sales in recent quarters.
'Fast casual' competition
New competitors in the fast food market and consumers' growing desire for healthier options have also caused problems for many in the industry.
When people do eat out they are increasing turning to "fast casual" chains that offer a more upmarket experience.
Stephen Dutton, consumer foodservice analyst at Euromonitor, said: "Consumers have a little more disposable income and they are willing to trade up for more premium option, which has driven a demand for new players like Shake Shack and Chipotle."
Newer operators such as Shake Shack and bakery chain Panera are offering what many customers regard as a better choice, despite their higher prices.
Shake Shack reported a lower than expected 4.5% rise in like-for-like quarterly sales on Wednesday, although total revenue rose 37% to $66.5m. Profits rose $2.2m to $3.3m.
Shares sank 9% in after-hours trading to $40.87, bringing the decline over the past 12 months to almost 43%. Shake Shack listed in January 2015 at $21 a share and briefly topped $100 in May last year.
Fast food restaurants are also feeling pressure from increases in the minimum wage which have been introduced in several US cities.
A growing number of chains are trying out new menu items and discounts in a bid to attract customers.Wendy's has been pushing its "four items for $4" menu option, while McDonald's has brought in all-day breakfast and may introduce more fresh ingredients.
Burger King now sells hot dogs in the US and next week introduces the Whopperito - a twist on the Whopper burger that is wrapped like a burrito.
According to Mr Dutton, new offerings can generate a buzz and build brand recognition. However, he warns some consumers are seeking for a better overall experience at the restaurants, which can be costly to introduce.
"There are two ways of dealing with new players," Mr Dutton said. "McDonald's is trying to compete directly against them by making improvements to stores, but they run the risk of alienating a consumer base that is just interested in low prices.
"But there are chains that are doubling down on the value products by offering limited time promotions and creating mash-ups of different foods." Source-BBC
Monday, August 8, 2016
Why are so many Olympians covered in large red circles?
A number of Olympians - including the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, Michael Phelps - have been photographed with large red circles on their skin.
What are they, and why is everyone suddenly going dotty over them?
The mark of an Olympic athlete, at least at Rio 2016, seems to be a scattering of perfectly round bruises. Swimmers and gymnasts, particularly from Team USA, are among those seen sporting the mysterious dots.
No, not paintballing misadventures or love bites - they are the result of a practice known as "cupping"; an ancient therapy where heated cups are placed on the skin.
So how is 'cupping' done?
The technique, which is a form of acupuncture, is done by lighting flammable liquid in a glass cup.
Once the flame goes out, the drop in temperature creates suction which sticks the cups to the body.
The suction pulls the skin away from the body and promotes blood flow - and leaves those red spots, which typically last for three or four days.
Why are some Olympians using it?
Athletes say they are using it to ease aches and pains, and to help with recovery from the physical toil of constant training and competing.
There are plenty of other recovery techniques competitors use - including sports massage, sauna, ice baths and compression garments - but US gymnast Alex Naddour told USA Today that cupping was "better than any money I've spent on anything else".
"That's been the secret that I have had through this year that keeps me healthy," Naddour told the paper, adding that it had saved him from "a lot of pain".
His team captain Chris Brooks added that many on the squad had started "do-it-yourself" cupping, with cups that can be suctioned with a pump rather than with a flame.
"You're like, 'OK, I'm sore here,'" said Brooks. "Throw a cup on, and your roommate will help you or you can do it yourself."
The marks visible on Michael Phelps as he competed in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay on Sunday had people on social media speculating what they might be, with some guessing he might have been playing paintball or attacked by a giant octopus.
Who else does this?
It's not only athletes who use cupping. The practice has long proved popular among A-listers in search of the next best therapy.
In 2004, Gwyneth Paltrow appeared at a film premiere revealing the signs of cupping on her back.
Justin Bieber, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Aniston have all been photographed with what look like cupping marks.
And Nicole Richie made her dad, singer Lionel Richie try it - although pictures suggest he might not entirely have enjoyed it.
Cupping has also become an increasingly available and popular treatment in beauty parlours and spas, as well as traditional Chinese medicine shops where it is commonly on offer.
Doesn't it hurt?
The British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) says cupping is not painful, and the red marks left on the skin are caused by blood being drawn to the surface and small capillaries rupturing.
On the other hand, swimmer Michael Phelps was filmed wincing as he underwent the technique in a recent advert, and other Olympians have posted pictures of what look like painful cupping sessions on social media.
US swimmer Natalie Coughlin posted a picture of cups suctioned to her chest - with the words: "Laughing because it hurts so bad" - and a painful looking pictureof the aftermath of the therapy.
Belarusian swimmer Pavel Sankovich also posted a photo of his legs covered in a dozen of the little domes.
esearchers also looked at the theory that a drop in physical activity was the main reason for rising weight gain.
But they say if a reduction in exercise was solely responsible, every single adult nationally would need to have eliminated more than three-and-a-half hours of daily walking since the 1970s to account for the changes.
They suggest policymakers trying to curb obesity should focus more on reducing calorie intake than promoting exercise.
Public health expert Prof Alan Maryon-Davis described the report as an "interesting and very soundly argued analysis".
He added: "This will send a shudder through the junk-food industry.
"Up until now they've been able to point to what was thought to be a decline in the nation's calorie intake and say there's really no need for tougher measures like a sugar tax, fat tax or calorie-labelling on alcoholic drinks.
"But this latest analysis rather pulls the rug from under their feet."
The Behavioural Insights Team, which is jointly owned by the UK government and charity Nesta, applies insights from academic research in behavioural economics and psychology to public policy and services. BBC
Britons under-report calorie intake, study suggests
Britons are under-reporting their daily calorie consumption - potentially misleading policymakers attempting to curb obesity, research suggests.
The Behavioural Insights Team points to scientific and economic data showing people eat 3,000 calories, compared to the 2,000 cited in official surveys.
It says this could explain rising obesity levels, despite decades of surveys saying people are eating less.
Government statisticians say the way calorie data is collated will change.
'Tracking snacks'
Several official surveys, including the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and the Living Costs and Food Survey, suggest the amount of food people eat and buy has gone down in recent decades - while obesity rates continue to rise.
But the researchers from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) say if the calorie counts in these surveys were correct, the UK population would be losing weight overall.
The BIT is an independent company but started its life in 2010 as a government policy group known as the "nudge unit" because it was tasked with encouraging people into making better life choices.
Its study points to scientific studies including chemical analysis of how much energy people burn, that show people are eating about 1,000 more calories a day per person than surveys would suggest.
National spending figures also suggest we are buying more food than we report in surveys, the authors say.
They suggest there could be many reasons people are not accurately reporting what they eat, including snacks being difficult to track, a desire to lose weight making them less likely to be honest about their eating habits, and fewer people taking part in the surveys overall.
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