Category Archives: U.S.

International, U.S.

Got Swine Flu? You may become Super Immune to other diseases. Vaccines to be replaced by F16 antibodies?

A study published by Science Express, says researchers think the F16 antibody could be the cure for most influenza type A infections.

The Medical Research Council’s National Institute for Medical Research looked at more than 100,000 samples of immune cells from people who had the flu, or flu vaccines. They noticed the F16 antibody, a protein called haemagglutinin, swarmed the surfaces of all influenza A viruses.

The scientists then injected H1N1 (swine flu) infected mice with haemagglutinin.  The result was “full protection” in the mice from the effects of H1N1.

Injection of the F16 antibody is not the same as a vaccination.  More research is being done into the feasibility of using F16 injections to fight infections.

Idaho, International, U.S.

Dengue & West Nile influenced by temperature changes, flooding

“Traditional explanations for the seasonal increase in dengue are not consistent with my experience in Thailand, Peru, and Puerto Rico.”-Doctor Thomas Scott

A recent study shows that long hot seasonal temperatures help the spread of Dengue.  The areas of the world, where Dengue is becoming more prevalent, are areas that are not cooling off as they used to, and are subject to radical swings in warmer temps.

The study, “Impact of Daily Temperature Fluctuations on Dengue Virus Transmission by Aedes aegypti”, shows that without the usual cold seasons the mosquitoes, that spread the disease, stay alive much longer increasing their chances of catching Dengue from humans, and spreading it.

The study also showed that mosquitoes are less likely to spread disease during cooler temperatures, and more likely during hot weather: “…whereas transmission probability is estimated to be 0.11 at a constant mean temperature of 14 °C, it shows a 2.7-fold increase with a DTR [diurnal temperature range] of 20 °C.”

While many parts of the World are experiencing warmer than normal weather, here in Idaho our weather is much cooler than normal.  That is keeping cases of West Nile virus way down, so far.

The big concern in Idaho is protecting horses.  Horses are more susceptible to dieing from West Nile, than humans.

Local mosquito eradication officials are reporting that, so far, there’s a drop in West Nile infected mosquitoes, possibly due to the cooler weather.  However, they pointed out that mosquitoes with West Nile usually show up in the later half of Idaho summers.

Another factor in favor of mosquitoes is flooding.  Parts of Idaho have been hit with increased seasonal flooding, and the cooler weather (resulting in less evaporation) means there are large areas of standing water, perfect for mosquitoes.

Officials are already taking action by spraying insecticides on ponds, and asking property owners to drain standing water.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Idaho, Oregon and Washington state are free of any West Nile cases (as of 26 July 2011).  It could be due to the cooler than normal weather.

The CDC reports human cases of West Nile in the following U.S. states: Arizona, California, Georgia, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.

According to the most recent CDC Dengue HealthMap, there are no cases of domestically acquired Dengue fever within the United States.

Business/Economics, Opinion, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. GDP continues to stagnate, leaders continue to sell it as “growth”

U.S. GDP for the second quarter of 2011 is stagnating at 1.3%.   U.S. leaders and main stream media continue to call it “growth”.  What’s really sad is that the “experts” expected the GDP to be higher.

On top of that, the first quarter results were revised, no surprise, downward from 1.9% to 0.4%!  It’s amazing how for the past few years economic reports have been revised downward a month or more after they’ve been released.  So is the second quarter GDP of 1.3% going to be revised downward?  I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s revised downward to a negative percent.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Property owners put U.S. land up for auction in China, offers immigrant applications to high bidders

According to the Chinese media, 73 Chinese have won internet auctions for land in Florida.

United Solutions of America auctioned off land belonging to a bankrupt company in Florida.  The auction specifically targeted Chinese buyers, as it was a Chinese auction host, Zhuang Nuo, who ran the auction.

1,000 square kilometers of land was split into 100 sections.  Bidders were also enticed with 30 immigration applications if the total bids went over $200,000.

All 100 sections sold on July 22.  73 Chinese won the auctions, with one of them snatching up 20 of the 100 sections.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Nissan boosting production…in China

Nissan is going to invest $7.7 billion into the world’s largest car market…no not the United States…China!

Nissan entered into a joint venture with China’s Dongfeng Motor, and together they’re investing billions to boost car production in China.  They expect to produce 2.3 million vehicles per year by 2015.

Nissan’s U.S. sales mirror that of Toyota, up at the beginning of the year, but down by the end of May.

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

No Economic Recovery for U.S.: Toyota doubles production…in India

Toyota announced that demand is up so much that they’re doubling production…in India.

Toyota will invest $220 million into its Indian operations, with the goal of increasing production to 310,000 vehicles per year by 2013.  Toyota added that it’s all types of vehicles that are enjoying increased demands, from economy cars to SUVs and mini vans.

India is one of the fastest growing car markets, last year overall sales grew by 34%.  Toyota admitted that it does not expect high sales in Japan, and sales in the U.S. are not good.

For the United States Toyota has reported some confusing sales numbers.  At the beginning of 2011 they reported an increase in sales, yet as of the end of May, Toyota says U.S. sales dropped by 27.9%.  That’s based on “daily sales rate (DSR) basis”, when you look at their raw volume it gets worse, sales down 33.4%.

How about Toyota’s divisions?  Lexus reported a drop of 46.3%, and TMS Hybrids sales dropped 49.2%.

Of course Toyota officials blame the March 11 disasters in Japan for causing part of the sales decrease, by interrupting the production of  parts.  But, I remember reading an article that said there were already dockyards full of Toyotas, both in Japan and the U.S., because there was a lack of orders from U.S. dealers.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

Will spread of Radiation topple Japan’s longest life expectancy claim? Forget Obama Care, U.S. life expectancy keeps dropping

The latest results of life expectancy around the world, puts Japan in number one spot for the 26th year in a row, at least for Japanese women.  Women in Japan average 86.39 years.  Japanese men hold the number four spot at 79.64 years.

Hong Kong women are in second place, while men in Hong Kong take first place.  Men from Switzerland hold second place.  Women from France hold third place, while men from Israel hold third in their category.  Women from Spain hold fourth place.

Where does the United States rank?  Despite spending the most money on health care, of any other country, life expectancy continues to drop.  Last year the U.S. ranked 36th, this year the U.S. ranks 38th.

In a separate study, looking at U.S. counties, it was discovered that some counties had fallen to the level of third world countries back in the 1950s.  So much for corporate/insurance controlled health care systems.

Business/Economics, Technology, U.S.

Mainstream Media Hype: Scooters suck, new Mazda 2 gets just as good MPG as a Scooter, and you can carry four people and groceries

The latest hype by the mainstream media is trying to create a craze for scooters.  One report says they get 70 mpg.  Guess what?  So does the new Mazda 2, and it’s a car.

So what’s more practical?  Getting a scooter that you might be able to squeeze two people onto, or getting a car that can hold at least four people, and groceries, and it gets the same mpg as a scooter?

In Japan, the new gas sipping Mazda 2 is sold under the name Demio (I already posted a story about it in June).  The amazing thing about the Demio is that it’s not a hybrid (no expensive batteries to replace), and it’s not a diesel (you can use the cheaper gasoline).  It uses a 1.3 liter gas engine.

As far as sales in the U.S., Mazda will begin selling a bigger car, the Mazda 3, with a bigger 2.0 liter version of the 1.3, later this year, or the beginning of next year.  The new Mazda 3 will get at least 40 mpg highway (no big deal my 145 hp 2003 KIA Spectra, with 5 speed manual transmission, gets 40 mpg).

They will also offer the 2.0 engine in a new Mazda CX-5.

Unfortunately, Mazda reps in the United States say there are no plans to sell the 70 mpg Demio/Mazda 2 in the U.S.  Maybe if enough people demand the car they will, so get moving everyone, flood Mazda North America with your demands for a 70 mpg car!  Who wants to drive a dangerous scooter all the time?

You can go to www.mazdausa.com, click on “contact us”.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho to see local Post Offices shut down

The United States Postal Service released a list of nearly 3,700 post offices that could be shut down.  Many post offices in Idaho are on the list.

The list of cities where post offices could be shut down are: Ahsahka, Almo, Arbon, Avery, Boise, Calder, Chester, Clayton, Desmet, Ellis, Geneva, Hamer, Harvard, Howe, Monteview, Moscow, Ola, Parker, Pocatello, Swanlake, Tensed, Weston and Yellow Pine.

The USPS says it will also consider replacing some of the post offices with “Village Post Offices”.  These would be contracted offices run by existing local businesses.

The United States Postal Service does not make money off taxpayers, they are solely funded by the postage they charge, and other products they sell.

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

If you want a good credit rating, don’t live in Idaho. Where you live now affects your credit score

Credit scoring companies are getting so nit picky that now they judge you based on where you live.

CardRatings.com now considers the state you live in as part of your credit score.  One of the states that can make your rating go down is Idaho.  Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com, says Idaho scores low because of high unemployment and high bankruptcy/foreclosure rates.

A low credit score for your state doesn’t just affect your rating, but the credit ratings of your local banks.  This makes it harder for local financial institutions to get major loans from national banks, which in turn makes it harder for them to issue local loans.

Which state can make your credit score go up the most?  Oil rich North Dakota.