THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008
---
NEWS
5A
HEALTH
Germ infestations take over household appliances
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Someone in your house have the sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door handle. The TV remote, too. A new study finds that cold sufferers often leave their germs there, where they can live for two days or longer.
Scientists at the University of Virginia, long known for its virology research, tested surfaces in
the homes of people with colds and reported the results Tuesday at the nation's premier conference on infectious diseases.
Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study.
Two years ago, she and other
doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in.
For the new study, researchers started with 30 adults showing early symptoms of colds. Sixteen tested positive for rhinovirus, which causes about half of all colds. They were asked to name 10 places in their homes they had touched in the preceding 18 hours,
and researchers used DNA tests to hunt for rhinovirus.
"We found that commonly touched areas like refrigerator doors and handles were positive about 40 percent of the time" for cold germs, Winther said.
All three of the salt and pepper shakers they tested were contaminated. Other spots found to harbor the germ: 6 out of 18 doorknobs; 8 of 14 refrigerator handles; 3 of 13
light switches; 6 of 10 remote controls; 8 of 10 bathroom faucets; 4 of 7 phones, and 3 of 4 dishwasher handles.
Next, the researchers deliberately contaminated surfaces with participants' mucus and then tested to see whether rhinovirus stuck to their fingers when they turned on lights, answered the phone or did other common tasks. More than half of the participants
got the virus on their fingertips 48 hours after the mucus was smeared.
In a separate study, the University's Drs. Diane Pappas and Owen Hendley went germ-hunting on toys in the offices of five pediatricians in Fairfax, Va.
Tests showed fragments of cold viruses on 20 percent of all toys tested - 20 percent of those in the "sick child" waiting room.
CRIME
Convicted killer not sentenced to jail
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A cross with a photo of 7-year-old Julian King, nephew of singer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, stands at a makeshift memorial Tuesday outside the home of Darnell Donerson, Hudson's mother, in Chicago. King was found shot to death inside an SUV on Monday. Donerson and her son, Jason Hudson, were found shot to death inside the home Friday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The convicted felon suspected in the Chicago slaying of Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew was arrested on a drug charge in June, but authorities declined to return him to prison on a parole violation, internal parole records show.
Corrections Department spokesman Derek Schnapp said officials who reviewed the cocaine-possession case against William Balfour determined "the evidence that was presented during that time wouldn't have necessarily warranted a violation."
A judge dismissed the charge for lack of probable cause in July, but under the strict rules of the state's parole program, Balfour could have gone back to prison just for the arrest.
No one has been charged in the shooting deaths of Hudson's mother, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, her brother, 29-year-old Jason Hudson, and 7-year-old nephew Julian King.
The older victims were found in the family's home Friday afternoon. Julian's body was found in the back of an SUV on Chicago's
West Side on Monday; authorities declared his death a homicide Tuesday.
Around the time the first bodies were found, Balfour's parole agent had reached him by phone after Balfour missed a meeting with him that day.
Balfour told the agent he was "baby-sitting on the West Side of Chicago," according to the documents, obtained by The Associated Press.
The agent said he thought he heard a child in the background during the call.
Balfour was taken into custody later Friday.
Balfour, Julian's stepfather and the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, served seven years for attempted murder and vehicular hijacking.
The Illinois Department of Corrections issued a warrant for Balfour on Saturday for violating terms of his parole by possessing a weapon and failing to attend anger management counseling and a substance abuse program, according to his parole history report.
Schnapp, the corrections spokesman, said the evidence again wasn't sufficient to warrant revoking parole.
FINAL WEEK
CLINIQUE FREE GIFT
YOUR BONUS WITH ANY CLINIQUE PURCHASE OF 21.50 OR MORE.
Your Free 7-pc. Gift includes:
- Different Lipstick (CHOICE) - Full Size
- Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo Soft Matte (CHOICE) • Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion • High Impact Mascara in Black
- Clinique Foldover Mirror • Cosmetic Bag
Clinique. Allergy Tested 100% Fragrance Free.
*Quantities are limited. While supplies last.
Weaver's 9th & Massachusetts·843-6360
Proven Leadership
Barbara Ballard
State Representative Forty Fourth
Shop 'Till 6:00...Thursday 'Till 8:00pm
This November someone has the power to change your life.
Someone who can influence the way you're treated in the workplace.
Someone who will decide whether your children get the education they deserve.
Someone who will have an impact on health care, crime, drugs, pollution poverty, and the homeless.
YOU!
vote
Campaign Treasurer: Chuck Fisher - political advertisement