E-Borne Newsletter : Spring, 2003
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S., Editor Roger@iAwareables.comDear friends and colleagues,
Welcome to the SPRING, 2003 edition of the IA E-Borne Newsletter, our way of keeping you informed of IA's latest activities along with items of general interest for the Awareably curious. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. No cuss words, please.
Note: We mail this newsletter to friends, colleagues, and customers of record. If we have mistakenly included you in this mailing, and you wish to be removed from our subscriber list, please refer to end of newsletter for instructions. We'll miss you, but we promise to honor your request.
Here's what lies in wait should you venture further:
- 2002 Wrap
- Incubating...
- On the Shelf, or...who needs Oprah!
- TripStixx: A new IA product for the savvy traveler
- Conference Schedule
- Awarelets: Tongues. Blecchh! SARS. Are they kidding? HEP C. Barber-ism Food borne-agains In Hands We Trust?
1. 2002 Whatta Yeer! HOLIDAY de-briefing...
Remember Xmas? Considering recent events, probably not. Something about good cheer, we recall....? Anyway, 2002 was very good to IA, establishing new world records for sales of the Awareables. Topping the bestsellers list: Neurons (thanx to Discover Mag feature) and perennial champ, TB. Worry not, H. pylori wasn't far behind. Should proudly point out that we passed the landmark "you'll never make it" five-year mark. Thanks to you and yours.
2. INCUBATI
**** ALL DUE SOON, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREVIEW AT: http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/index.cfm?CategoryID=0
VACCINIA TIES & SCARVES: Thanks to some eminent contributors, a great design, bifurcated needles and all. Dedicated to the public health warriors who gave the world generations of safety.
STREP PNEUMONIA TIES: Strep pneumo, the pediatrician's annuity, besides being an increasingly stubborn, nosocomial nasty.
NEURON SCARVES: In response to the oft-heard refrain, (spoken with whine)..."Why don't you have more for us women!?" Available Now.
ANTHRAX (BIOHAZARD) SCARVES: New color combos. Available now.
ESTROGEN SCARVES (The true HRT!): Another, uh..., flash of IA creativity! This is our most complex design yet. See, we are sensitive here on Mars. HIV TIES AND SCARVES: Brand new, sensational design. Perspective check: 5 years ago, we could not "give away" the HIV design that originated with the collection BU(before us). Today, HIV is the most requested issue, second only to smallpox. Goes to show, talking about stuff does make for collateral spread. BIONOTEs: Science-themed notecards for the ultimate route of transmission. "Awareness IS the occasion!" Includes neurons, e.coli, h.pylori, staph, rhinovirus and biohazard (anthrax). Stem cells available, too.
Keep special surveillance on iAwareables.com for breaking-out party.
3. ON THE BOOKSHELF: The Barbary Plague
Recommend new book by Marilyn Chase, a Wall Street Journal senior special writer. Her work is often featured in the Journal, covering a wide range of science subjects. This book centers on the public health crisis in the Plague epidemic, turn of 20th century San Francisco. It highlights the challenges isolating root sources of epidemic events. Do we hear "topical," or what?! Rat and flea advocacy-groups may wish to abstain.
The Barbary Plague. Marilyn Chase. Random House, 276 pages.
4. TRIPSTIXX. The World's Most Unique Chopsticks
IA launches its patented new travel aid for the traveler to Asia. Born out of our personal dining experiences (not good) in parts of Asia, we proudly introduce TripStixx, an ingenious pocket sized, self-contained set of washable, hygienic, detachable chopsticks. For personal use at either banquet or sushi bar, international or domestic. Rejoice...the bite marks will be all yours! At $14.95, consider TripStixx your own personal insurance policy. Rest assured that no one else on your block (or the world) has a pair of these very cool foodbearing forceps. Yet! Check them out at
"3000 years in the making and worth the wait!"
5. CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2003
Percolating Infecto-gigs:
- ASM (Microbiology): Washington D.C. May 2003
- ICAAC (Chemotherapy) Chicago: September 2003
- IDSA (Infectious Disease) San Diego: October 2003
- APHA (Public Health) San Francisco: November 2003
Not to mention the several smaller regional meetings in which we collaborate with the locals. Let us know if you've got a red-hot suggestion for the Awareables Special Ops team.
6. AWARELETS: Interesting, but not NECESSARILY valuable info...
A - 1. TONGUES ARE US. Considering the billions of bacteria in our mouths, have you ever wondered why we don't get severe infections when we bite our tongue? Me, either, and I'm a D.D.S! But in case you ARE curious, a recent study shows it may have to do with factors such as ".. innate host defenses of mucosal epithelia, including antimicrobial peptides of the defensin and cathelicidin families,...including IgA, lysozyme and lactoferrin..and BPA." Translation: we like ourselves best!
A - 2. SARS COVER UP: Our understanding is that regular, non-hepa masks filter about 10% of aerosol buggery, and that after short use, they become virtually ineffective. Which is why OSHA protocol demands changing masks between patients, or after wearing for some time. Seeing recent news photos of a panicked Asian public, however, does get us thinking that maybe we should have listened to the many suggestions to translate our designs onto masks. Oh well,...always tough to figure the next big thing!
A - 3. HEP C BARBER-ism: The World Health Org figures that Hep C infects about 3% of the world population. Notwithstanding reused and non-sterile needles, route of transmission for 40-50% of the cases remains unknown. Now a study in Pakistan indicates that shaves by BARBERS overseas - faces or armpits - considerably raise the risk for Hep C. Armpits? We're stunned. Definitely in need of need some cultural awareness training here in Encino.
A - 4. FOODBORNE DECLINE: CDC data indicates major reduction in incidence of seven bacterial foodborne illnesses since 1996. The four biggies - Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli 0157 - posted a cumulative 21-percent decline. Lots of reasons, not least of which is dedicated government efforts in education and monitoring. Or maybe it's just because everything we eat these days looks like a wallet.
A - 5: HANDWASHING AMONG FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS: UMM,UMM,UMM! A recent small study at a small, private mid-Atlantic college uncovered some interesting Venetian bathroom habits: 63% washed their hands, 38% used soap and only 2% washed with soap for the recommended 20 seconds. Oh, and 45% left without washing at all when they thought no one was watching! Whatever happened to trust?
WELCOME TO SPRING
It's just gotta be better than this past winter. Don't forget Mom and Dad's Day. You've got the problem -we've got the solution! Stay healthy and spread it around.
Awareably yours,
RPF
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S., and THE IA TEAM
