Top 10 new species

Only the coolest, weirdest — and deadliest — made the list

  

Top 10 new species Thousands of new plant and animal species were discovered in 2007. We give you the coolest, weirdest and deadliest.

The 10-year census is scheduled for final publication in 2010

msnbc.com  19 sept 08

Introduction

Each year the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University announces a list of the Top 10 New Species for the preceding calendar year. The 2007 list includes some really strange creatures. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25215673/from/ET/?pg=1#TOPspecies_science  

  

13+ Germy Items That Will Gross You Out

By Lisa Zamosky, Special to LifeScript

Monday, October 13, 2008

With 80% of all infections transmitted by direct and indirect human contact, it’s no wonder experts implore us to wash our hands before eating or touching our eyes, nose or mouth. Germs and viruses can and do set up shop on the objects we come into contact with daily. LifeScript talked with a few germ experts to find out what’s lurking on 12 everyday items and the steps we can take to keep them clean and protect our health…  Item #1: Sponges This kitchen “essential” is the germiest object you’ll ever touch, says University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba, Ph.D. The kitchen sponge commonly carries E. coli and fecal bacteria as well as many other microbes. “In a lot of the homes we looked at, the cleaner they were [on the surface] the more germs we found because people were spreading them around [with their sponge]. Usually, we found fewer [bacteria] in the homes of bachelors because they never cleaned the place. If you don’t use a disinfectant cleaner, you’re just giving a free ride to germs,” Gerba says. Protective Step: Zapping sponges in the microwave for one to two minutes on a weekly basis, or running them through the dishwasher will kill off any organisms growing inside. You should also replace your sponges at least monthly.

Item #2: Women’s purses The inside of your purse may be cluttered, but it’s the bottom that’s crawling with tens of thousands of germs, such as E. coli and salmonella. Women innocently place their purses on germ-infested public floors and surfaces, only to have these bacteria attach themselves to the bottom of their “it” bag.  Protective Step: Never set your purse down on the floor in a public place, especially the bathroom. According to Gerba, public commodes are teaming with microbes. Hang your bag on a hook whenever possible.  Item #3: Men’s wallets Even germier than women’s handbags, the inside of a man’s wallet seems to be a breeding ground for microbes. Gerba says the wallet likely functions as an incubator. “You’re sitting on it and you’re keeping all your money and anything that’s degradable nice and warm and there is higher moisture content.” Protective Step: Don’t load your wallet up with papers, and if you can, keep your dollar bills in a separate compartment. Whenever possible, pull your wallet out of your back pocket and let it breathe.

Item #4: Makeup case Heading out for a night on the town right after work? While you’re freshening up with lipstick, you’re also likely slapping on some extra bacteria. Women’s makeup cases are on Gerba’s list of the top germiest items. “The makeup creates something for the microbes to grow in and stick to,” Gerba says. (See related article: 7 Bad Makeup Practices) Protective Step: Leather cases are easier to wipe down and disinfect than fabric cases. Pull your makeup out and clean the case every week or so with a disinfecting wipe (don’t use an anti-bacterial one because it won’t kill viruses, which are the greatest concern with respect to infection), or spray a germicide, such as Lysol, onto a paper towel and use it to wipe down the surface. Also, replace your makeup in accordance with expiration dates. Anything that touches your eyes, such as mascara, should be ditched every three to six months to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination that can lead to troublesome eye infections. Item #5: Remote control This is one of those items that everybody handles, but few people think about cleaning. Because it’s touched by many hands – those expert transmitters of germs – the remote control is one item worth paying attention to the next time you’re getting ready to clean house.  Protective Step: Regularly wipe down all remote controls with a disinfecting wipe or spray. If you can remember to do so, wash your hands before you sit down to watch TV. Or, keep a bottle of disinfecting hand gel next to the remote or TV. Item #6: Refillable liquid soap dispensers According to Gerba, fecal bacteria grow in refillable soap dispensers. “You can get as many as 10 million bacteria on your hands every time you use one,” he says. “They grow in the soap.” Protective Step: Don’t use them! Buy a new soap dispenser when you run out. Item #7: PDA When examining items in men’s offices, Gerba found that the personal digital assistant (PDA) was among the top items harboring the greatest amount of germs. In fact, it came in just behind the wallet and purse in the race for the germiest. Protective Step: Do your best to keep your hands clean by washing them regularly and/or using alcohol sprays or gels, which Gerba says have been shown to reduce illness by 30%-50%. Tierno suggests cleaning your hands with alcohol wipes. “The alcoholic wipe has the same concentration, but you’re rubbing so you have the [added benefit of] friction.” It’s the friction, according to Tierno, that removes the cells that contain germs. Also, wipe down your PDA regularly with a disinfecting wipe or germicidal spray. Item #8: Phones Of all the items you touch on a daily basis, your phone is the one that’s guaranteed to make direct contact with your face. Frighteningly, the phone was one of the areas where Gerba found methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a drug-resistant form of staph bacteria that can cause serious skin and blood infections, which can turn fatal.  Protective Step: If possible, don’t share phones. Wipe down your office, home and cell phones regularly with disinfecting wipes or a paper towel sprayed with a germicidal agent. (See related article: 10 Ways to Save the World and Your Health) Item #9: Desk drawer bottom The bottom of the desk drawer is the moldiest site Gerba sampled in offices around the country. MRSA was also found in many desk drawer bottoms tested. “Seventy percent of women and about 40 percent of men have food in their desks,” Gerba says. Unfortunately for the fairer sex, the foods women store – apples, bananas, granola bars – tend to be more biodegradable, creating more of an opportunity for mold and other bacteria to develop.  Protective Step: Keep food stored in airtight containers and be diligent about cleaning food out of your desk regularly. Wipe down the surface of the desk drawer bottom with disinfecting wipes or germicidal spray on a regular basis.  Item #10:  Desk Drawer Bottom The bottom of the desk drawer is the moldiest site Gerba sampled in offices around the country.  MRSA was also found in many desk drawer bottoms tested.  "Seventy percent of women and about 40 percent of men have food in their desks," Gerba says.  Unfortunately, for the fairer sex, the foods women store - apples, bananas, granola bars - tend to be more more biodegradable, creating more of an opportunity for mold and other bacteria to develop.  Protective Steps:  Keep food stored in airtight containers and be diligent about cleaning food out of your desk regularly.  Wipe down the surface of the desk drawer bottom with disinfecting wipes or germicidal spray on a regular basis. Item #11A: Computer Mouse Chances are your hand is touching one right now.  Not only is the computer mouse a common breeding ground for the MRSA bug, it also ranks among the top four moldiest spots in the office, and according to Gerba's studies, if yeast and/or mold is somewhere in your office, it's all over your office. Protective Step:  Again, use disinfectant.  People who claim to use disinfectants are found to have only one-quarter the number of bacteria of those who don't. Item #11: Door handle Given that 80% of all infections are transmitted through direct and indirect human contact, we know that our hands play a major role in our overall health. Door handles are a major source of the germs and viruses we acquire. According to Gerba, “When a person is ill and in the office, he’s laying a minefield of viruses behind him while he coughs and sneezes and touches things. You really run a germ gauntlet during the flu and cold season.” Protective Step: “I spray my door knobs, particularly if someone with a hint of a cold walks in,” Gerba says. According to Tierno, germicidal sprays, such as Lysol with alcohol, are excellent remedies because they reduce bptj particulates and the influenza virus. The worst kinds of bacteria were found in cars in humid climates such as in Florida, while molds were rampant in cars in cold places like Chicago. “They act like a refrigerator in Chicago and a sauna in Florida,” Gerba says. Protective Step: Wipe down the surfaces of your car with disinfectant wipes. Minimize eating in your car as much as possible; food is a major cause of bacteria. If you must eat while on the go, vacuum up any particles left on the seats, upholstery and carpet. Item #12: Door handle Given that 80% of all infections are transmitted through direct and indirect human contact, we know that our hands play a major role in our overall health. Door handles are a major source of the germs and viruses we acquire. According to Gerba, “When a person is ill and in the office, he’s laying a minefield of viruses behind him while he coughs and sneezes and touches things. You really run a germ gauntlet during the flu and cold season.” Protective Step: “I spray my door knobs, particularly if someone with a hint of a cold walks in,” Gerba says. According to Tierno, germicidal sprays, such as Lysol with alcohol, are excellent remedies because they reduce bptj particulates and the influenza virus. Items #13: The car Gerba found that dashboards, door handles and cup holders in cars sampled around the country had an average of 10,000 bacteria per four square inches. The bigger the car, the more germs there were, probably because larger numbers of kids tend to travel in these vehicles. And where there are kids, germs will follow.