Technology

Wearable activity trackers could offer early clues on COVID-19 For COVID-19 diagnosis, wearables were accurate 88% of the time. CIDRAP

A new study from researchers at the University of South Australia reveals that wearable activity trackers, such as Apple Watches and Fitbits, show promise in detecting early signals of disease—particularly atrial fibrillation associated with stroke and COVID-19. The study is published in the journal JMIR mHealth and uHealth.

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The CDC’s Test for Bird Flu Works, but It Has Issues - KFF Health News The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promises better tests are being developed, but the episode points to vulnerabilities in the country’s defense against emerging outbreaks. Terry Byrne KFF Health News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a glitch in its bird flu test hasn’t harmed the agency’s outbreak response. But it has ignited scrutiny of its go-it-alone approach in testing for emerging pathogens.

US targets nitrous oxide in new phase of climate fight The Biden administration on Tuesday announced it would seek to curb U.S. emissions of powerful industrial greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide as it enters a new phase in the national strategy to fight climate change under the Paris agreement. Valerie Volcovici Reuters

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Our power grid can’t take the heat — can cooler heads in DC fix the problem? Amid all the horrors of last week’s assassination attempt against former President Trump is a dangerous ongoing heat wave that is engulfing the nation, making temperatures — and tempers — soar. … ckulat The Hill

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The question is, will we lose electricity in the days and years ahead at a faster and more dangerous rate due to factors like climate change? And what can be done about it?