If you wear earbuds for hours at a time, your ears could be taking in more than your favorite tunes. Dermatologists say constant earbud use creates the perfect environment for irritation and even a germ party in your ears.
If you wear earbuds for hours at a time, your ears could be taking in more than your favorite tunes. Dermatologists say constant earbud use creates the perfect environment for irritation and even a germ party in your ears.
“Wearing them for hours creates occlusion that can trap sweat, dead skin cells and bacteria under the skin,” said Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
“When you plug the ear canal for long stretches, you create a warm, moist microenvironment — basically almost a hot tub for inflammation,” he said.
That cozy space can lead to clogged pores and pimples called “acne mechanica,” along with allergic reactions and bacterial or fungal infections, Friedman said.
Sweat can even erode protective coatings on earbuds, exposing skin to irritants.
“The longer the earbud is in, the sweat can erode away the protective coating, allowing for those potential allergens or irritants to get out and irritate the skin in your ear canal,” Friedman said.
Earbuds made of plastic, rubber or metal can also trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to those materials, especially if they have eczema. And while buying from reputable brands with quality assurance can help, Friedman said the bigger issue is chronic use.
“That irritation, pain, itching is your skin telling you it needs that break,” he said.
So what can you do? Friedman’s advice is simple.
The first tip is to give your ears a five-minute break every hour to let your skin breathe. Second, clean your earbuds daily with alcohol or soap and water to remove sweat, oil and bacteria.
“If you are not cleaning them regularly, you are reintroducing that junk right back onto the skin,” Friedman said.
Mixing up your listening gear can help, too. Over-the-ear headphones or alternating between styles can reduce friction. And if you notice pain, itching or irritation, that’s the cue that it is time to take a break.
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You may cringe each time you wring out your dirty, old kitchen sponge, thinking you should replace it. And often, you then forget. But you really should swap it out for a new one – and probably more often than you might think.
At least once a week is the minimum that some health experts generally recommend for replacing sponges. Other recommendations call for cleaning your sponge between each use – even for using a new sponge each day.
Here’s why: Sponges provide the perfect environment for bacteria growth because the smaller chambers appeal to microbes that prefer secluded spaces, and the larger wells cater to bacteria that need each other to survive, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. These researchers recommended people regularly replace sponges and find ways of sanitizing them in between.
Researchers from a 2017 study found kitchen sponges to be among the most dirty household items, right there with door knobs and toilets. They discovered more than 360 kinds of bacteria – even E. coli and Salmonella – on kitchen sponges, concluding that people should replace them once a week.
Another study in 2022 determined that it didn’t really matter how people cleaned their sponges or how often. The researchers concluded that kitchen sponges harbored more bacteria than kitchen brushes because the brushes dried out more quickly.
Experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center even recommend tossing out sponges altogether. Instead, they suggest using a clean dishcloth every day, wringing it out and drying it after each use, and then running it through the washing machine.
If you still can’t part with your sponge, a comparison from 2017 concluded that polyurethane sponges had “several advantages over use of cellulose sponges in reducing exposure to enteric bacteria in the kitchen.” But sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two when shopping for sponges online, because not all brands list their contents.
However, Jennifer Quinlan, a professor with Drexel University’s Nutrition Sciences Department, told NPR after the much-cited 2017 study came out, that perhaps a more measured approach to sponge use was appropriate: keep sponges away from raw meat and poultry and using paper towels instead, frequently clean sponges, and replace them on a regular basis.
How to sanitize a kitchen sponge
For those who want to hang onto their sponges, here are some sanitizing tips to keep them as bacteria-free as possible:
• Good Housekeepingrecommends mixing 3/4 cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Soak the sponge in the mixture for five minutes, then rinse. The magazine alsosuggestszapping your sponge in the microwave. Make sure it’s saturated with water, then heat it on high for one minute. Remember not to put sponges containing metal in the microwave.
• Marthasterwart.comsays to fully submerge and soak your sponge in a bowl of white vinegar for 5 to 7 minutes. Then rinse it in hot water, wring it out and let it air dry.
• Forbesexplains that you can put a sponge in 2 cups of boiling water for five minutes. Let it cool in the water, and then wring it out and let it air dry.
• Better Housekeeping says to place your sponge in the top rack of the dishwasher, running it on the hottest, most-extended cycle available.
The paradox of exposing children to germs, also called hygiene hypothesis, is a captivating discussion in child development. It challenges conventional wisdom that emphasizes absolute cleanliness and hygiene.
Controlled exposure to environmental microorganisms can help strengthen a child’s immune system. The immune system, much like a muscle, requires regular exercise to develop and function optimally.
When children encounter germs in a controlled manner, their immune systems learn to recognize and respond to potential threats. This builds resilience over time.
This controlled exposure is not advocating for unsanitary conditions, but rather for an environment that allows them to interact with a variety of microorganisms in a way that stimulates their immune systems without causing harm.
Studies suggest that children who grow up in excessively sterile environments may have higher rates of allergies, asthma, and other immune-related issues.
Changes of lifestyle in industrialized countries have led to a decrease of the infectious burden and are associated with the rise of allergic and autoimmune diseases, according to the ‘hygiene hypothesis’.
A robust immune system is the cornerstone of child health. Exposure to a variety of germs in the environment allows the immune system to develop a diverse range of defenses> This automatically allows the body to become resilient to potential illnesses.
The hygiene hypothesis proposes that limited early exposure to microbes hinders the development of a well-balanced immune system, increasing susceptibility to various health issues.
Instead of shielding children from every microbe, it is vital to let them navigate the microbial world. Nature serves as a rich playground for diverse microbes. Encourage outdoor activities, to allow children to interact with soil, plants, and even animals in a controlled environment.
Embracing a more relaxed approach to cleanliness may pave the way for healthier outcomes.
But balancing exposure to germs doesn’t necessarily mean that personal hygiene is not important. Encouraging regular hand washing and basic cleanliness habits is just as important.
Make sure to teach your child the difference between good and harmful germs to empower them to make informed choices about their health.
Examples as to Why Germs are Good
Photo by Michael Morse: (Pexels)
Germs are microorganisms. -They can be found everywhere – in the air, soil, and water. Many germs live in and on our bodies without causing harm.
The main types of germs are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Here are some specific examples of how exposing children to germs can be beneficial:
Building a Strong Immune System: Controlled exposure to germs helps train the immune system, allowing it to recognize and defend against harmful pathogens. For example, allowing children to play outdoors exposes them to a variety of microbes, contributing to the development of a robust immune response.
Enhancing Natural Immunity: Mild exposure to certain infections can contribute to the development of natural immunity. For example, contracting common childhood illnesses, like chickenpox, can provide lifelong immunity and reduce the risk of severe cases in adulthood.
Microbiome Development: Exposure to diverse microbes helps establish a balanced microbiome, the community of microorganisms living in and on the body. For example, encouraging children to interact with pets or spend time in nature introduces them to different microbes that contribute to a healthy microbiome.
Exposure to germs can help protect children from allergies. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that children who were exposed to more germs in their early childhood were less likely to develop allergies later in life.
Exposure to germs can help protect children from asthma. A study published in the journal Thorax found that children who were exposed to more germs in their early childhood were less likely to develop asthma later in life.
Exposure to germs can help protect children from autoimmune diseases. A study published in the journal Gut found that children who were exposed to more germs in their early childhood were less likely to develop autoimmune diseases later in life.
Infants exposed to rodent and pet dander, roach allergens and a wide variety of household bacteria in the first year of life appear less likely to suffer from allergies, wheezing and asthma,
Of course, there are also some risks associated with exposing children to germs. For example, children who are exposed to more germs are more likely to get sick in the short term. However, the long-term benefits of exposure to germs often outweigh the short-term risks.
How to Build Resilience from Day One through Controlled Exposure
Controlled exposure doesn’t mean throwing children into unsanitary environments. Instead, it involves a gradual and measured introduction to various microbes.
Implementing a step-by-step approach ensures a balanced and safe experience for your child.
Here are tips for safe exposure:
Let children play outdoors. This is a great way for them to be exposed to a variety of germs. Let them roll around and mix with the environment!
Gardening: Involve children in gardening activities, like planting, weeding, and harvesting. Contact with soil exposes them to beneficial microbes that can support a healthy immune system.
Don’t be afraid to let children get dirty. Dirt is not always a bad thing. It can actually help them build their immune systems in many ways.
Limited Use of Antibacterial Products: Avoid overusing antibacterial soaps and cleaning products. Allowing some exposure to everyday germs helps the immune system develop a balanced response.
Pet Companionship: Growing up with pets can expose children to a myriad of microbes in a joyful and controlled setting. Having a family pet, such as a dog or cat, provides an opportunity for regular, low-risk microbial exposure, fostering a positive impact on immune development.
Social Interaction: Allow interaction with other children, friends, and family members. Socializing exposes children to different microbes and helps develop social skills.
Teach children good hygiene habits. This includes washing their hands often, covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and not sharing food or drinks.
Don’t Forget to Address Safety Concerns
It is also important to remember that not all germs are created equal. Some are more harmful than others. It is important to teach children to avoid contact with germs that can cause serious illnesses.
Photo by Sasha Kim: (Pexels)
It is essential to differentiate between harmful pathogens and the beneficial microbes essential for immune system development. Consulting with pediatricians can provide valuable insights into age-appropriate strategies for controlled exposure.
Secondly, introduce probiotic-rich foods in your child’s diet. Probiotics, often referred to as “good bacteria,” play a pivotal role in gut health. Incorporate probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables into your child’s diet.
These foods contribute to a healthy microbial balance, supporting digestion and immune function.
And Finally …
The age-old adage “a little dirt won’t hurt” holds profound wisdom when it comes to raising resilient and healthy children.
Controlled exposure to germs, when approached thoughtfully, contributes to the development of a robust immune system. By fostering a balance between hygiene and microbial exploration, parents can empower their children to navigate the world with confidence and vigor.
Encouraging activities like playing outdoors or interacting with pets, can contribute to the development of a robust immune system. However, it is important to do so in a safe and responsible way.
It happens, you are in hurry, you get distracted, the phone rings and before you know it, the food you were excited about it on the floor. But there is the 5 second rule right?
The Fresh Toast – Most people have done it, mainly in secret, but does the food on for floor 5 second rule work?
High school senior Jillian Clarke during a six-week internship in the food science and nutrition department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign decided to see what we do (whether it is right or wrong). Meredith Agle, then a doctoral candidate, supervised the study. Well. She also conducted a survey in which 70% of women and 56% of men said they were familiar with the rule. Women were more likely to invoke it. Not surprisingly, people are inclined to eat dropped cookies and candy more often than dropped broccoli and cauliflower.
The urban food myth contends that if food spends just a few seconds on the floor, dirt and germs won’t have much of a chance to contaminate it. Research in my lab has focused on how food and food contact surfaces become contaminated, and we’ve done some work on this particular piece of wisdom.
While the “five-second rule” might not seem like the most pressing issue for food scientists to get to the bottom of, it’s still worth investigating food myths like this one because they shape our beliefs about when food is safe to eat.
Turns out fallen food does pick up germs immediately upon making contact with the floor, and the amount of bacteria transferred can be enough to make you sick, according to Paul Dawson, PhD, a food science professor at Clemson University.
So is five seconds on the floor the critical threshold that separates an edible morsel from a case of food poisoning? It’s a bit a more complicated than that. It depends on just how much bacteria can make it from floor to food in a few seconds and just how dirty the floor is.
A well-known, but inaccurate, story about Julia Child may have contributed to this food myth. Some viewers of her cooking show, The French Chef, insist they saw Child drop lamb (or a chicken or a turkey, depending on the version of the tale) on the floor and pick it up, with the advice that if they were alone in the kitchen, their guests would never know.
In fact it was a potato pancake, and it fell on the stovetop, not on the floor. Child put it back in the pan, saying “But you can always pick it up and if you are alone in the kitchen, who is going to see?” But the misremembered story persists.
So what does science tell us about what a few moments on the floor means for the safety of your food?
Paul Dawson, Professor of Food Science at Clemson University published a study – the only peer-reviewed journal paper on this topic – in the Journal of Applied Microbiology. The goal was to know if the length of time food is in contact with a contaminated surface affected the rate of transfer of bacteria to the food.
To find out, they inoculated squares of tile, carpet or wood with Salmonella. Five minutes later, bologna or bread was laced on the surface for five, 30 or 60 seconds. Then they measured the amount of bacteria transferred to the food. They repeated this exact protocol after the bacteria had been on the surface for two, four, eight and 24 hours.
We found that the amount of bacteria transferred to either kind of food didn’t depend much on how long the food was in contact with the contaminated surface – whether for a few seconds or for a whole minute. The overall amount of bacteria on the surface mattered more, and this decreased over time after the initial inoculation. It looks like what’s at issue is less how long your food languishes on the floor and much more how infested with bacteria is thepatch of floor.
They also found that the kind of surface made a difference as well. Carpets, for instance, seem to be slightly better places to drop your food than wood or tile. When carpet was inoculated with Salmonella, less than 1 percent of the bacteria were transferred. But when the food was in contact with tile or wood, 48 percent to 70 percent of bacteria transferred.
A study from from Aston University in the UK used nearly identical parameters and found similar results testing contact times of three and 30 seconds on similar surfaces. They also reported that 87 percent of people asked either would eat or have eaten food dropped on the floor.
Should You Eat Food That’s Fallen On The Floor?
From a food safety standpoint, if you have millions or more cells on a surface, 0.1 percent is still enough to make you sick. Also, certain types of bacteria are extremely virulent, and it takes only a small amount to make you sick. For example, 10 cells or less of an especially virulent strain of E. coli can cause severe illness and death in people with compromised immune systems. But the chance of these bacteria being on most surfaces is very low.
And it’s not just dropping food on the floor that can lead to bacterial contamination. Bacteria are carried by various “media,” which can include raw food, moist surfaces where bacteria has been left, our hands or skin and from coughing or sneezing.
Hands, foods and utensils can carry individual bacterial cells, colonies of cells or cells living in communities contained within a protective film that provide protection. These microscopic layers of deposits containing bacteria are known as biofilms and they are found on most surfaces and objects.
Biofilm communities can harbor bacteria longer and are very difficult to clean. Bacteria in these communities also have an enhanced resistance to sanitizers and antibiotics compared to bacteria living on their own.
So the next time you consider eating dropped food, the odds are in your favor that you can eat that morsel and not get sick. But in the rare chance that there is a microorganism that can make you sick on the exact spot where the food dropped, you can be fairly sure the bug is on the food you are about to put in your mouth.
Research (and common sense) tell us that the best thing to do is to keep your hands, utensils and other surfaces clean.
It’s no coincidence that back-to-school season is immediately followed by cold and flu season. As we are all now well aware, hanging out in enclosed spaces with groups of people breathing the same air is a surefire way to spread respiratory viruses. While, luckily, such infections are usually mild, most people would prefer to avoid the discomfort of getting sick and potentially missing work.
This holds especially true for teachers, who rely on being able to project their voices and have 20, 30 or more young people relying on their presence. There’s pressure to be “on” all day, every day.
HuffPost asked teachers what they do to try to keep themselves healthy at the start of the school year. Here are their tips:
Know that you won’t be able to avoid every virus, and stay prepared.
Maurice (“Coach”) Smith, who has been an educator since 2007 and is currently teaching in Los Angeles, told HuffPost, “I usually catch a cold/flu early to late September and it’s like clockwork.”
This wasn’t the case before he began teaching, however. “I may have caught a cold here and there before I started teaching, but catching the flu or stomach flu was rare until I set foot in a classroom. I absolutely believe that there is a direct correlation between the two.”
Other teachers also experience illness on a predictable schedule. “I tend to catch a cold at the beginning of the school year and again in the winter,” Matteo Enna, who is about to enter his 19th year of teaching kindergarten in California, told HuffPost.
This has changed since Enna’s first years in the classroom, when he experienced frequent illness, often as soon as school let out for a break. “It was as though my body was fighting against being sick while I was in class, however when there was any downtime in the school year, my exhausted body and mind would succumb to the illness.”
When the inevitable occurs, Smith said, he tries “to arm myself to be able to handle the illness once it gets to me” with nutritious foods, drinks and supplements.
Keep classroom air and surfaces as clean as possible.
A regular high school classroom can house 150-200 students every day; college classrooms sometimes have even more. It’s impossible to keep all germs at bay, but there are a few things that can be done to minimize their spread.
“In the classroom, we keep sanitizers and Clorox wipes. The students are pretty good with keeping their desk areas clean if we bring it to their attention,” Smith said. “We also keep air purifiers going in our classrooms at all times. It just helps with reducing the sneezing and coughing in general.”
Tracy Ramage is an assistant teacher in a high school special education classroom in Delaware. She will be “masking as the school year begins and students are coming back together.”
“I usually find my chances of getting sick are much higher at the beginning of the school year than at the end,” Ramage added.
Teach and model good hygiene habits.
As always, kids need to hear you say it and then see you do it. This applies to coughing or sneezing into your elbow.
Ramage does “a lesson on germs and hygiene at the beginning of the year” to give students explicit instruction in classroom expectations.
For elementary teachers, handwashing can be worked into daily classroom routines. Teachers can show students how to properly cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough. Smith mentioned one such technique: “dab when you sneeze.”
skynesher via Getty Images
Good hygiene habits and air filtration systems can help mitigate the spread of germs in classrooms.
Try to get enough sleep and exercise.
Getting the grading done and clocking seven to nine hours of shut-eye every night are often mutually exclusive for teachers. Being on top of things always seems to mean feeling exhausted. But adding even 30 minutes of sleep to your night (by, for example, not taking your phone to bed with you) can help you feel more rested and ward off illness.
“It is important to make sure you get enough sleep. Also, meal planning is important so you don’t end up skipping meals or eating unhealthy,” Latoya Rowlette, a high school English teacher in Maryland, told HuffPost.
Exercise in moderate doses has been found to prevent respiratory illness —though, again, it can be hard to make time for it without sacrificing some sleep.
“At the start of the school year I take steps to boost my immune system by getting adequate sleep, eating healthy and managing stress,” Ramage said.
Sleep and exercise are part of Smith’s prevention, too. “I usually go to bed around 9 p.m. and I’m up at 5 a.m. to start my school day. I play basketball regularly for cardio and I do pushups and box for strength training,” he said.
Over the summer, Enna adopted the habit of rising early to go to the gym and setting an earlier bedtime to allow for it. “Going to bed earlier has helped sustain my energy throughout the day,” he said, adding, “I leave my phone out of reach so I am not tempted to scroll aimlessly until I fall asleep.”
Take measures to prevent burnout.
If you’re a first-year teacher, you’ll be exposed to more germs than ever before — but your stress level may actually be the thing that brings you down.
Burnout “is actually more of a pressing issue for a new teacher,” Smith said, and “can lead to getting sick as well.”
“I find that I start getting sick around the middle of the school year. That’s when teachers start getting fatigued,” said Rowlette.
Smith recommended starting the year with the right mindset to avoid both burnout and illness. “Back to school season is the time to get organized both physically in the classroom and mentally. We must be fully prepared because even the smallest issues can lead to burnout by spring,” he said.
For teachers, self-care can actually be a form of caring for students, too. Enna has been learning jiu-jitsu, which he describes as “a humbling experience” in which “you have to embrace the fact that you will struggle.”
“Having this new perspective has strengthened my ability to teach,” he said.
On a smaller scale, Enna said, “one thing that has helped over the years is using a few minutes after class to sit in my chair and rest my eyes. This form of mindfulness allows me to relax and reflect so that I can proceed in my day with more energy and focus. I also tend to play music (hip-hop instrumentals), which creates a chill environment as I prep for the next day.”
Taking time to re-center and rest doesn’t mean neglecting students. “Students need us to be fully present in our daily interactions with them. Being tired or ill will impact those moments, the same goes for being healthy and mindful,” Enna said.
When teachers burn out, that impact spreads throughout the school community. “A lot of teachers who don’t practice self-care don’t last long,” Rowlette said.
Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. CNN is showcasing the work of The Conversation, a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The content is produced solely by The Conversation.
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Wild swimming has grown massively in popularity in recent times. Not only is swimming outdoors a pleasant way to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and green leafy surroundings, it can also help to relieve stress and elevate our endorphins. This creates a sense of wellbeing as well as burning calories and exercising muscles.
But along with the joys of outdoor swimming come some dangers. Not only are wild swimmers more at risk from tides, currents and swells, there can also be nasty bugs and bacteria lurking in the water. And with untreated sewage regularly flowing into seas, rivers and lakesin my home country of the UK, it can be hard to find a safe spot for a paddle.
Of course, swimming in a pool comes with its own set of risks. Urinary tract infections, ear infections and tummy bugs are the most common illnesses caught here. Dirty pools can also cause your eyes to sting and harbor all sorts of bacteria and germs – including urine, faeces and sweat. In many ways, swimming pools are like a big bath filled with lots of strangers.
But while it’s clear that swimming in outdoor waters carries different risks from swimming in a pool, the question of where’s safest to swim may not seem immediately obvious. So where’s cleanest for a dip: swimming pools, or rivers, lakes, canals and the sea? Let’s look at the evidence.
Unlike swimming pools where waters are carefully monitored, outdoor waters are constantly changing in composition. This means that chemicals can leach into wild waters from nearby farms or industrial areas, animals can defecate in water, and in certain areas human sewage may be legally or otherwise dumped into the water (if you can see pipes, do not get in).
There may not be signposts warning of local dangers, and the presence of toxic agents might not be obvious. When in doubt about the chemical safety of outdoor waters, it’s better to not enter them. If the water doesn’t look or smell right, trust your instinct.
There are also natural hazards to outdoor waters compared with pools, especially in the summer. Blue-green algae is a type of bacteria naturally found in lake ecosystems. In warm summers, the algae tends to multiply and form a powdery green scum (known as a bloom) on the surface of the lake. This blue-green algae bloom can release toxins which are harmful to humans and occasionally lethal to pets.
Swimming in or swallowing water containing toxin-releasing algal blooms can lead to skin rashes, eye irritation, severe gastrointestinal upset, fever, and muscle and joint pain.
Diarrhea is the most common illness linked to open-water swimming, often due to sewage contamination. You become ill if you swallow contaminated water, which can contain bacteria and viruses such as E.coli and Norovirus.
Rats living in sewers adjacent to freshwater rivers or canals can also carry in their urine the bacterial pathogen Leptospira, which causes Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease). The infection occurs if soil or water from a lake, river or canal that contains urine from infected animals is swallowed, gets in a swimmer’s eyes or a cut.
Leptospirosis can cause liver and kidney damage, and may be fatal if left untreated. If you develop flu or jaundice symptoms up to two weeks after swimming in a river or canal, it may be a good idea to ask your doctor for a Leptospirosis test.
As for the sea, a 2018 study found that people swimming in seawater were more likely to experience infections of the ear, nose, throat and gastrointestinal system than those who stayed on the beach. So it’s a good idea to wash after swimming in any outdoor waters, and certainly before eating food.
When you add it all up, even with the possibility of people peeing and pooping in the pool, a managed swimming pool will always be a safer environment for a swim. Especially when you consider things like jellyfish stings and the additional risks that come with swimming in cold water.
Compared with a pool, wild swimmers are more likely to become unwell from swimming in outdoor water as there will always be potentially disease-causing microbes present.
Swimming pool water, with adequate chlorine disinfection levels and pH maintenance, is much less likely to contain infectious microorganisms and so represents a much safer environment for recreational swimming. Injuries and drowning are also much less likely in pools where trained lifeguards and safety equipment are present.
Perhaps, then, an outdoor managed swimming pool offers the best of both worlds – a swim with the sun on your back in a sanitary environment.
Bone conduction headphones, TV streaming devices and Bluetooth speakers are among the tech gadgets topping holiday wish lists this year. Other notable products – ahem, the new 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max – are near impossible to find.
But as the year comes to an end, the staff at CNN is reflecting on the most essential devices, services and apps we leaned on in 2022— not just the most sought out products.
It was a busy and tumultuous year, filled with news of of international conflicts, rising inflation, a possible recession and a lingering pandemic.Here are the products that our anchors, correspondents, editors and reporters relied on most to get through the year and also findsome comfort.
My sleep schedule turned upside down in 2022 when I went from covering the White House until late at night to waking up at 3 a.m. to anchor CNN’s new morning show. One of my favorite devices this year has been my Oura Ring (starts at $299),which tracks my sleep but I imagine [it] has been pretty disturbed that I went from regularly getting 7-8 hours a night to an average of 5 hours. Seeing my vital signs and how my sleep patterns developed has actually encouraged me to walk around more or get in bed earlier without that extra glass of wine. – Kaitlan Collins, co-host of “CNN This Morning”
BeReal – a photo sharing app where users are notified once a day at different times to share a photo of whatever they’re doing within a two-minute window – is a fun respite from all those filters and annoying videos on other platforms. Plus it’s comforting to see the mundane lives we all actually have. – Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business writer
My favorite piece of technology of the year is one I don’t own yet. I spend a lot of time on planes for work and have always thought it could be great if airplane TVs could be hooked up to your AirPods. Lo and behold the AirFly ($55). I’m ordering myself one for Christmas and suspect it’ll become one of my most used devices in 2023. – Donie O’Sullivan, CNN correspondent
I’m deliberate about patronizing black-owned businesses. Since my move to New York, I’ve had to find all new favorite spots for good food and drinks. EatOkra is like the Yelp for black-owned restaurants, bars, food trucks and the rest. I’ve hit up EatOkra plenty in 2022. – Victor Blackwell, co-anchor of CNN Newsroom
Now that I commute home at the ungodly hour of 1 a.m., I lean heavily on my HBO Max app (starts at $9.99 a month). At the risk of sounding like a giant suck-up to our parent company,“White Lotus” has been great company in the wee hours of the night when few other people are awake. Those characters became my companions and I was so sad when the season ended. But hey, there’s always Bill Maher! – Alisyn Camerota, co-host of “CNN Newsroom”
Between work and shuttling various children to basketball, guitar and taekwondo practice, finding time to make dinner is a constant struggle. Whisk lets me look in my fridge, type in what ingredients I have, select a 30-minute recipe max, and it will spit out dozens of recipes I can make quickly. It also lets me save my favorite recipes – whether I found it in Whisk or around the web. Whisk pulls out the ingredients list, lets you create a shopping list, and easily adjusts the recipe if you want to make more or less. It’s easily the app I use the most every week. Well, next to CNN, of course. – David Goldman, CNN Business executive editor
I’d like to say I spent $70 on a digital camera for my toddler because I believe in encouraging her hobbies and fostering her creative expression. Mostly, though, I bought it because I was tired of her stealing my phone and filling it up with dozens of pictures of pillows and feet. (Whoever invented burst mode on the iPhone, I’d like to have a word with you.) Yes, the Kidamento cameras are adorable and thoughtfully designed for young hands and minds. But really, it just buys me a few minutes of peace that I would otherwise spend deleting images from my phone. – Seth Fiegerman, CNN tech editor
Stories can come in at any time or I might just need to voice a report while I’m at home or out and about. A good mic is essential but they can be large and come with various cables and adapters. I started using these small cordless Rode mics ($299) for social videos on my phone and then realized the quality was as good as my big mic. Now I can just carry the cordless one in my pocket and can be ready to file at any point. I long for a cable-free future. – Max Foster, CNN International anchor
As a mom with a busy work schedule, I love being able to watch my kids play from my phone [via the corresponding smart home camera], while I get ready to anchor my show. It fills me with so much gratitude. – Zain Asher, CNN International anchor
I used to read books via the Kindle app on my iPad but recently switched back to a standalone e-reader. Amazon’s new Kindle Paperwhite ($139) holds thousands of books and features a longer-lasting battery, an adjustable backlit display and is as light as ever. (Plus, you can use the free Libby app to download e-books from your local library.) It’s a reminder of the beauty and simplicity of single-use digital devices, free from the distractions of the internet. it also shows how technology can disappear when you’re fully immersed in a good book. – Samantha Kelly, CNN senior tech writer
I remember being an intern over a decade ago logging half hour long interviews for producers. It was tedious and took double the time of the interview to log every word. Today, as a correspondent, I still log my own interviews but in record time. Rev.com – an automated transcription service that allows you to record interviews on the spot, or upload interview audio – spits out a transcription in minutes. I can see and hear what the subjects are saying and bounce to different points in the interview as I craft my story. It’s a modern marvel that has saved me so much time and has helped me become more accurate in my reporting. – Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Business and Politics correspondent
A clear iPhone screen cover that prevents cracks has been my savior since having kids. Given how much my kids pick up my phone and throw it around, it has saved me! – Poppy Harlow, co-host “CNN This Morning”
I recently discovered She’s Birdie ($30), a personal safety alarm on a keychain made by women for women. It makes me feel much safer whenever I’m out and about running errands or headed to work. I’ve been so impressed by the alarm’s loud siren and strobe light that I bought one for all of the women in my life this year for Christmas. – Chloe Melas, CNN Entertainment correspondent
Is this the sexiest item on our list? Definitely not. Did I expect to spend a few hundred American dollars on air purifiers this year? Also no. But with the trifecta threat of Covid-RSV-flu looming via school germs, work germs, public transportation germs and germ-germs, I finally picked up my beloved Wirecutter’s top purifier pick. Thanks to great Black Friday deals I’ve outfitted most rooms in my home with a Coway Mighty (as low as $156 right now)or other model. While the jury’s still out about whether it’ll keep us healthy this winter, I do feel I’ve purchased some peace of mind — and whether it’s real or imagined, I’ll take it. – Julianne Pepitone, CNN Business senior desk editor
THURSDAY, Nov. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) — That smartphone in your hand could be triggering your allergies, a new study by an 18-year-old high school student suggests.
A science fair project by Hana Ruran, of Hopkinton, Mass., found that cellphones are often loaded with cat and dog allergens, bacteria and fungi.
“I have my phone always with me. It’s always in my hand. I never put it down for anything,” said study author Hana Ruran, a senior at Hopkinton High School. “And I have a lot of allergies. I just got interested in doing something that affects me.”
The bottom line: It’s a good idea to wipe down the surface of your phone, especially if you have allergies.
The research is being presented Thursday at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) annual meeting in Louisville, Ky.
“The study demonstrates exposure to inhalant allergens and molecules that trigger innate immune reactions from a source most people haven’t considered,” study co-author Peter Thorne, Ruran’s mentor, said in an ACAAI news release.
“If you have allergies or asthma, you may want to think about cleaning your smartphone more often to minimize exposure to these allergens and asthma triggers,” said Thorne, a professor in the University of Iowa College of Public Health, in Iowa City.
For the study, the researchers created phone models that simulated the size and surface of a real phone and worked with 15 volunteers. Each participant used electrostatic wipes, running them across the models. The volunteers repeated this several times a day for a week.
Thorne’s lab tested the wipes to see what was captured.
The investigators found elevated and variable levels of what are called β-D glucans (BDG). These are a marker for mold and can impact airways. Ruran and Thorne also found variable levels of endotoxin, a type of bacteria.
“They were different on different phones, but they were very highly prevalent,” Ruran said.
The phones of pet owners contained a lot of cat and dog allergens, but the phones of people who did not report household pets also tested positive for pet allergens, Ruran said.
She also tested products to try to determine what might clean the allergens, bacteria and fungi off the phone.
Ruran found that certain harder-to-access chemicals worked better, depending on whether the person was wiping their phone for an allergen, a fungus or a bacteria. They included combination chlorhexidine/cetylpyridinium for reducing BDG and endotoxin. For reducing cat and dog allergens, combination benzyl benzoate/tannic acid worked best.
Isopropyl alcohol wipes worked, too, but not as well, Ruran said. Wiping with a dry cloth didn’t work.
About 85% of U.S. households have smartphones, according to the 2018 U.S. Census. People view their phones about 14 billion times a day, the study authors noted.
Dr. Payel Gupta, an allergist and medical director for LifeMD in New York City, said allergens are everywhere. But she wondered if the phone cases had different textures, some of which might grab onto particles more easily.
“The important thing to remember is that allergens can stick to our hair. They can stick to our clothing. They can stick to our shoes. And, of course, then it makes sense that they could stick to our phone, phone covers, things like that,” said Gupta, who was not involved in the study.
But allergists don’t want patients to become overly worried about this, Gupta said.
At certain times of year, people with seasonal allergies can help themselves by taking off their shoes when they go inside from outdoors, Gupta said. They can change their clothes and wash their hands.
Noting this study, it may also be helpful to wash your phone cases, Gupta said, and to find out what might be a safe way to clean your phone screen without damaging it.
“If you’re really a severe allergy sufferer, maybe you take a shower as soon as you walk in the house, but definitely before you go to bed so that if the allergens are in your hair, you can wash your hair,” Gupta said.
If you’re allergic to dust mites, which is really an allergy to the mites’ poop, you should dust with a damp cloth rather than a dry rag, Gupta advised. Wash your sheets weekly in hot water to rid them of the dust mite debris.
For those using a smartphone without regularly cleaning it, she suggested trying not to touch your eyes right after you’ve touched your phone.
“Especially if your allergies do affect your eyes,” Gupta said
Ruran, meanwhile, said she’s a little more aware of possible contaminants her phone is picking up.
“I really love science and I’m interested in the environment and how we could maybe improve the environment by developing something novel that could help reduce exposures,” Ruran said. “It makes me think a little bit more about my phone.”
Still, “I don’t know if I’m still good about cleaning my phone,” she admitted.
Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has more on allergens.
SOURCES:Payel Gupta, MD, FACAAI, medical director, LifeMD, New York City; Hana Ruran, high school senior, Massachusetts; American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual scientific meeting, Nov. 10 to 14, 2022, Louisville, Ky.
NEW YORK, September 30, 2020 (Newswire.com)
– Following extensive University research and testing in Japan, a new antimicrobial product called PURAFILM™ was recently made available to the public. According to the makers, PURAFILM™, the transparent, new film deactivates pathogens commonly found on non-porous interior surfaces, such as countertops, desks, door handles, staircase handrails, kitchen islands, TV remotes and more.
Jointly developed by the New Energy and Industry Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and the University of Tokyo, PURAFILM™ is toxic-free, easy-to-apply and reacts to visible light by quickly inactivating pathogens. The company says that PURAFILM™ can be easily cut to fit virtually any household, non-porous surface – from kitchen islands to home office desks – providing a robust layer of antimicrobial protection.
According to the developers, PURAFILM™ has been shown in research studies to quickly inactivate viruses and bacteria. Unlike disinfectant sprays, liquids and wipes, consumers don’t have to worry about PURAFILM™ losing its potency or having to continually reapply it. Once adhered to countertops, door handles and the like, PURAFILM™ adds a permanent layer of antimicrobial protection.
When PURAFILM™ is exposed to light, its antimicrobial components, including solid-state cuprous oxide (Cu2O) or copper oxide, produce an invisible chemical reaction that alters the proteins on the surface of pathogenic viruses and bacteria, rendering them deactivated. In university testing, PURAFILM™ was shown to deactivate 99% of a virus in just two hours.
PURAFILM™ is easy-to-use, toxic-free and SAFE around people of all ages. PURAFILM™ is designed to provide permanent antimicrobial protection year-after-year
Parents in particular are expected to appreciate PURAFILM™. With children running in and out of the house, keeping surfaces disinfected all day with sprays and wipes is virtually impossible. And there’s no guarantee that right after cleaning a surface that more pathogens won’t be taking their place. With PURAFILM™, just apply it once to any high-touch surface and there’s nothing else to do other than occasional cleaning with warm water and soap.
For parents sending their children to school in today’s germ conscious era, PURAFILM™ is expected to play a role. Parents can apply PURAFILM™ on lunch boxes, backpack handles, books, pencils, desks and chairs for added protection and a little more peace of mind.”
For more information or to order PURAFILM™, go to www.purafilm.com.
