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K-12 schools should act as new net neutrality era arrives

Bambi Majumdar Education

In May, the U.S. Senate voted to restore net neutrality rules, and school districts are hopeful that the bill will eventually become law, overturning the Federal Communication Commission’s December 2017 vote. The possibility of an open internet ensures access to high-quality educational resources. If the bill dies in the House, or on President Trump’s desk, then K-12 schools should brace themselves for the new era of no net neutrality, which officially began on June 11.

GIS plays expanding role at the Centers for Disease Control

Bill Becken Medical & Allied Healthcare

In the last few years, geographic information systems (GIS), geography, geospatial science and visualization have been applied much more often in the public health work of the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A major operating component of the federal, cabinet-level Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDC is the principal government agency charged with conducting and maintaining a wide range of critical public health activities.

Study: Nanomaterials may create algae outbreaks, kill off waterways

Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & Environmental

We’ve been here before. Nanoparticles getting into the environment and fouling things up. This time, though, we’re not talking about plastic, but something potentially more dangerous: chemicals. According to a new study by Duke University, during the last decade, there has been a surge in the use of tiny substances — nanomaterials — in agrochemicals like pesticides and fungicides. However, when combined with nutrient runoff from fertilized cropland and manure-filled pastures, these nanopesticides could also mean more "toxic algae outbreaks for nearby streams, lakes and wetlands."

Older mothers and the risk of heart disease in their children

Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied Healthcare

The average age of first-time mothers is increasing because more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to start having children, and fewer women are having their first child during their teens and 20s. The vast majority of all births are still to women under 35 (about 85 percent). However, rates for all births, not just of a first child, to women over 35 have been rising over the past 20 years, while birth rates for younger women are stable or declining, especially in developed countries. However, waiting until one’s 30s to have children may pose health risks to both mother and child.

4 themes from HITEC Houston 2018

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Were you in Houston last week for HITEC 2018? The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) is hosted and organized by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), and has become the world’s largest hospitality technology event. I spent a day walking through the exposition, where I experienced the latest tech products available in the hospitality industry. Through my observations, I was able to identify four themes from this year’s trade show.

Skin cancer study improves use of sun protection measures in transplant…

Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied Healthcare

Long-term immunosuppressive therapy can significantly increase the risk and mortality of skin cancer in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). Previous research shows that specific educational interventions can boost the use of sunscreen and other sun protection measures in OTRs. A new research letter shows that merely participating in a skin cancer research study for at least a year — even one without specific educational interventions — can increase the practice of multiple sun protection behaviors in recipients.

Automotive lightweighting technologies from NAIAS 2018

Don Rosato Engineering

The North American International Automotive Show (NAIAS) is an annual, 6-day automotive trade show in Detroit focusing on the latest mobility innovations, including industry-shaping announcements, global reveals, and policy and industry conversation on an autonomous future. Many plastics technologies build forward and evolve out of this annual, early-year event. Let’s take a look and highlight some emerging plastics and related competitive to plastics technologies from the recent NAIAS 2018.

Instagram aims to change the video game with IGTV

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

Instagram recently launched IGTV, which will allow content creators to upload hourlong videos. Though, over time, that limit may increase or go away. Because IGTV is built for mobile, all videos air vertically and fill the entire phone screen. "It’s time for video to move forward, and evolve," said Instagram’s CEO and co-founder, Kevin Systrom, at a press event. "IGTV is for watching long-form videos from your favorite creators."

Research finds e-cigarette flavorings are harmful to vascular system

Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied Healthcare

There is ever-increasing evidence that the harm from electronic cigarettes far exceeds the benefits of their use as an aid to stop smoking nicotine cigarettes. The latest adverse health effects reported are to the delicate tissues of the vascular system from the use of flavorings in e-cigarettes. The new study looked at how nine different flavors impacted vascular endothelial cell function.

How food choices impact the environment

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

There is a growing, worldwide consensus focused on reducing the use of nonrecyclable materials for environmental purposes. A new study conducted by a Swiss research institute and Oxford University says that our food choices can help, too. The researchers calculated the impacts of foods around the globe, and studied the food production chain from the farm to the fork. This extensive study found that switching to a plant-based diet will not only have positive health impacts, but could have a significant impact on the climate as well.

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