Scientist invents 'robot' that kills ebola virus

RECENTLY, in effort to eliminate Ebola at the source, through use of innovative disinfection technology, two “germ-killing robots” were deployed from the US to the JFK Hospital and ELWA Hospital both in Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, both hotspots of the Ebola disease outbreak.
The robots, technically known as TRU-D SmartUVC, were used to disinfect health care environments where Ebola patients are being treated. Good Health Weekly gathered that TRU-D is the only portable UV disinfection device on the market with Sensor360 technology, which calculates the time needed to react to room variables such as size, geometry, surface reflectivity and the amount and location of equipment in the room and effectively deliver a lethal dose of UV-C light during a single cycle from a single, central location in the room.
Ultraviolet light
“It works by generating ultraviolet light energy that modifies the DNA structure of viral pathogens, like Ebola, so that they cannot reproduce. Viruses that cannot reproduce cannot colonise and harm patients,” the inventor, a tropical disease expert and medical anthropologist Dr. Jeffery L. Deal noted in an interview.
Deal and his colleague, Chuck Dunn, President and CEO of TRU-D LLC, respectively, spoke about the importance of TRU-D to environmental disinfection in
“TRU-D has been validated by more than 10 studies to be 99.99 percent effective in eliminating the most common pathogens that can use health care-associated infections.
After deploying germ-killing robots to Liberia to aid in battle against the Ebola Virus Disease, TRU-D SmartUVC inventor traveled to the Ebola hotspots with UV disinfection devices
TRU-D guarantees a pathogen-free environment for patients and health care staff. Deal, a Fellow in the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, has been training hospital staff to operate the devices in a number of hospital environments and monitor progress for successful disinfection.

• TRU-D SmartUVC ultraviolet disinfection device on display

“We developed TRU-D SmartUVC technology to combat the devastating effects ofhospital acquired infections,” Deal said.
“Unlike many diseases, Ebola strikes hospital workers more than any other group, making it the ultimate hospital acquired infection.”
With TRU-D, health care leaders in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Saudi Arabia are eliminating pathogens like Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS, influenza, norovirus, Clostridium difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, etc., in all types of health care settings, including isolation wards, patient rooms, operating rooms, surgical suites, intensive care units, emergency rooms, public areas and ambulances.
“We know through extensive CDC-funded research specific to TRU-D conducted by thought leaders in epidemiology and infection prevention that TRU-D is effective at eliminating anypathogen by delivering a precisely measured UVC dose.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/scientist-invents-robot-kills-ebola-virus/#sthash.LdS9ZPrU.dpuf

Bodies of Ebola Victims cremated in Lagos, Nigeria

Bodies of the four Nigerians, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, have been cremated in line with World Health Organisation, WHO, requirements for disposal of such corpses. The body of the index (first) case, Patrick Sawyer was the first to be cremated on July 25, 2014.
The decision to cremate the bodies, it was gathered, may not be unconnected with the deadly nature of the Ebola Virus which is known to be easily transmissible from human to human during handling of corpses of victims.
A health official at the Emergency Operation Centre, EOC, of the Mainland Hospital, Lagos, who confirmed the development, said the Lagos State Government in following strict guidelines for disposal of the bodies, authorised cremation of all the bodies.
The official who pleaded anonymity said the decision to cremate all bodies was to ensure appropriate containment measures and guarantee proper handling of the bodies.
“All the bodies of those who died of Ebola from this centre have been cremated. None was allowed to undergo traditional burial because extreme care is being taken to prevent further infections,” the official noted.
The WHO in recommending that people who die from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried, notes that cremation, which is the application of high temperature to reduce bodies to basic chemical components (ashes), is ideal for safe disposal of bodies of such persons in order to minimise further transmission.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/bodies-ebola-victims-cremated-lagos/#sthash.YcAYc04R.dpuf

Ebola: Dr. Adadevoh Dies

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu has announced the death, of Dr. Adadevoh, the firts doctor who attended to Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer.
With her death, Nigeria has recorded five Ebola deaths, of which one was the index (first) case, Patrick Sawyer, one medical doctor, two nurses and the ECOWAS staff. Nigeria also has five Ebola survivors and three more expected to be discharged later this week.
Dr. Adadevoh, an experienced consultant physician and endocrinologist was Lead Consultant with First Consultants Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, Nigeria, came into the limelight shortly after the dramatic visit of Sawyer, and will be remembered as the first Nigerian confirmed to test positive to the Ebola virus

Culled from Vanguard Nigeria.

Ebola virus has spread in almost West African Counries whereby 800 people were confirmed dead.  This virus is very contagious and kills the affected victim within a week.  Can anyone proffer solutions to this deadly virus?

11 money moves to make before you turn 40

1. Create a solid emergency savings fund.

Creating an emergency savings fund can prevent you from relying on a credit card and going into debt when unexpected costs strike, says "Today" show financial editor Jean Chatzky. "You've got to watch it with the debt," she warns, adding that half of Americans lack emergency funds. "Lack of savings and debt go hand in hand ... an emergency cushion is insurance against debt," she says.

2. Take out insurance policies.
"Insurance is always that thing that we don't think about that we should," Chatzky says. Rental insurance and disability insurance both tend to be "chronically under-bought," but taking out policies can end up saving you from financial catastrophe, she adds. She recommends looking into policies offered through work because they can be more affordable.
3. Automate your retirement savings.
Automating your retirement savings -- having money taken out of your paycheck and put into a tax-advantaged retirement account -- makes it easier to save without thinking too much about it, Chatzky says. Since many companies' automatic opt-in programs start at 3 percent of income, you might need to scale it up yourself, and Chatzky says if you do it in 2 percent increments, you might not even notice the difference.
4. Meet with a financial advisor.
While some people prefer to manage their money on their own, others benefit from a professional's help. "It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the competing expenses," says Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial. "Sitting down with a financial advisor can help you understand where your expenses are and what is discretionary versus essential, and then you can create the right kind of budgeting and savings plan for you."
5. Clean up your credit.
Kathleen Grace, a certified financial planner and author of "Prince Not So Charming," says maintaining excellent credit is important as you progress through your 30s, particularly because your credit report can play a big role when it comes to determining how much you will pay to borrow money for big expenses like a mortgage. She suggests reviewing your credit report once a year to check for errors and paying off your credit card balance in full each month.
6. Become a tax expert.
Learning the ins and outs of income taxes, including any tax deductions and credits that might apply to you, can help you save a few hundred, or even a few thousand, dollars each year, says certified financial planner Nancy L. Anderson. Those amounts can add up over a lifetime, she adds.
7. Buy a house.
This move isn't right for everyone, but it is a smart investment for many 30-somethings, says Bart Astor, author of "AARP Roadmap for the Rest of Your Life." Despite the flux in the real estate market, "it's still a good idea for a young person or family. It brings stability," he says. And over time, the investment should grow.
8. Maximize your company benefits.
Many companies provide an additional 30 percent of pay in terms of employee benefits, Anderson says. Those benefits include retirement, tuition reimbursement, pretax transportation benefits, health savings accounts, employee assistance programs, wellness programs, financial planning and more. Since your company is already paying for those benefits, you can take advantage of them to help boost your own wealth.
9. Write a will.
"The single most important financial move you can make in your 30s if you have minor children is to put the time, effort and money necessary into drafting solid estate planning documents," says Tim Maurer, director of personal finance for the BAM Alliance of independent advisors. They should be written by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and include advance directives, a durable power of attorney and most importantly, a will.
10. Teach yourself investing basics.

You don't need to become a financial professional, but knowing your way around the stock market will help you make the right decisions for your own long-term savings and investments. Money and retirement expert Kerry Hannon recommends smartaboutmoney.org, by the National Endowment for Financial Education, for free guides on stocks, bonds and mutual funds. She also suggests taking a personal finance course at a local community college.

11. Pay off debt.

This decade is also the time to make slow and steady progress toward paying off any remaining student loan debts, as well as unloading any expensive credit card and other types of debt. Hannon even opted to cash in her 401(k) plan at age 30 to help pay off her credit card debt, which isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone. Still, becoming debt-free by age 40 is definitely something to celebrate.

Sourced from Yahoo News.

Michael Jackson new album release date unveils

The King of Pop will come alive on May 13, as Epic Records announces that it will release ‘Xscape’, an album featuring eight brand new, previously unheard tracks by the late pop king.
The world will hear the new tunes due to the efforts of Epic Records chairman and X Factor judge L.A. Reid, who was granted unlimited access to Jackson’s archives by his estate. In the archives, Reid uncovered what a press release calls “four decades of material on which Jackson had completed his vocals.”

Reid selected eight tracks for the album and then sent them out to be retooled by producers, including recent Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake hitmaker Timbaland, in a process Reid calls “contemporizing.” Reid only chose producers who had “the gravitas, depth and range” to maintain the “essence and integrity” of Jackson’s work.

Sourced from Vanguard News.

5 ways to get promoted faster

If you want to rise through the ranks of an organisation quickly, you need to take a strategic approach. Doing a great job is vital - but just as important is making sure your achievements are visible. We asked the career experts for the top tips that will fast track your promotion.

1. Know thyself
Some people plug away in the same role for years, while others advance through an organisation and land senior roles with seeming ease. The difference isn't "who you know" but "knowing yourself", according to David Shindler, performance coach and author of Learning To Leap.
'Without self awareness of what you can offer, you will struggle to persuade others that you're ready for the next step. Identify what you have going for you that is unique and ask how you can bring that to the company in a way that meets both your needs.'
If this is something you struggle with, David suggests seeking out a mentor in the company or hiring a career coach. 'We all have ideas about ourselves and how we come across but these don't always align with others' perceptions. A new perspective and some well-judged insight could be all that stands between you and success.'

2. Stay ahead of the game
To rise up the ranks quickly, you need to adopt a strategic approach and that means thinking well ahead of the game.
'Think about your career two or threes roles ahead and then identify what you can do to develop in your current position to get there,' suggests David. 'That might mean developing new skills or taking a role outside of the company - career progression is often not a linear process'.
David suggests reaching out to people in the role you want - to see how they got there and what skills and qualities you'll need to succeed in the same position.
'If you can identify the pressures that concern people at a higher level you can use those insights to demonstrate you have the skills, knowledge and attitude to succeed at a similar level.'

3. Make your boss love you
Of course, having a good relationship with your immediate line manager will make it that much easier to get promoted.
'Establish a strong relationship with your boss where you are clear about their expectations of you and they know your expectations of them,' says Peter Fennah, a Chartered Psychologist and accredited executive career coach at careersynergy.com.
It can be a good idea to support your boss - by taking on tasks they find difficult or dislike, for example - but you don't want to become irreplaceable. A manager who leans on you is less likely to back your promotion if it means undermining their own position.

4. Make your achievements visible
If you want to get promoted to the same level as your boss, and even leapfrog them in a few years, you need to appear on the radar of senior management.
David suggests putting yourself forward for projects and being part of initiatives outside of your immediate role, as this will 'get you noticed for your can-do attitude'.
'Managers often focus on their department. If you want to progress, you need to get a good overall view of the business. Spend time getting to know managers and senior people in other departments to understand how the whole company works.'

To ensure your achievements are visible, Peter suggests choosing your projects with care. After all, there's no sense in working hard on a project that only your boss knows about.
'You can build trust fast by delivering value to the business but don't be overly busy - instead seek out the strategic contribution that will make the biggest difference.'
If your manager doesn't give you credit for your work, cc senior managers on emails with important project updates and put your name on every document.

5. Advance your network
Visibility isn't just about being highly regarded in your own company. People who are seen as valued professionals in their industry will find it easier to move up the career ladder.
'Get on the front foot with your personal brand and professional identity. Your network = your net worth,' says David.
'Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and highlights your achievements. Attend industry networking events, join online groups and discussions and submit papers or features to industry-related journals and sites.
'Raise your profile in the industry and headhunters are more likely to notice you - even if you want to stay put, having an offer from elsewhere is a good bit of bargaining power.'

6. Be aware of politics
You can be highly skilled at your job and get results, but if people don't like or trust you, you're unlikely to be promoted.
'Be alert to the politics and alliances already in place and secure a mentor who will champion you in addition to your line manager,' suggests Peter.
David agrees adding: 'It goes back to knowing yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from others on how you come across. A strong mentor or career coach can help you see what you need to do more, or less of, in order to secure that next promotion.'

Sourced from MSN News.