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Kaiser Health News: When the Eye on Older Patients Is a Camera
Passive surveillance systems are replacing the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” medical alert buttons. Using artificial intelligence, the new devices can automatically detect something is wrong and make an emergency call unasked. They also can monitor pill dispensers and kitchen appliances using motion sensors. Some systems include wearable watches for fall detectionor can track GPS location. Others are video cameras that record. People use surveillance systems like Ring inside the home. They also can monitor pill dispensers and kitchen appliances using motion sensors. Some systems include wearable watches for fall detection or can track GPS location. Others are video cameras that record. People use surveillance systems inside the home. more »
National Severe Storm Laboratory; NSSL Research: Flooding the Number One Hazardous Weather Killer In the US
Flash floods are a worldwide hazard, and are the number one hazardous weather related killer in the United States. They occur when heavy rainfall in a short period of time causes water to rapidly rise. NSSL researchers include hydrologists and hydrometeorologists to address the complicated problem of forecasting and warning for these events. NSSL researchers investigate the meteorological causes of flash flooding and develop tools to improve the science and forecasting behind heavy rainfall and flash flooding. more »
Ferida Wolff's Backyard: Lots and Lots of Boxelders
Ferida writes: "They aren’t harmful to humans, yet having so many insects meet us at our door is not exactly a welcome greeting. They take winter refuge on boxelder and ash trees, which we don’t have, and maple trees, which we do. So we have started spraying them with diluted dish soap which was suggested instead of pesticides and we’ve noticed a slowing down of their invasion. I hope they will be gone soon." more »
The US Housing and Mortgage Market, Risks and Resilience: Federal Reserve Governor Michelle W. Bowman
"In total, home prices in September were 21 percent higher than in June 2020. Home price increases are also widespread. In September, about 90 percent of American cities had experienced rising home prices over the past three months, and the home price increases were substantial in most of these cities... The demand for housing has risen for several reasons. Interest rates are low, families have accumulated savings, and income growth in the past 18 months has been quite strong. Families are also reconsidering where, and in what kind of home, they want to live. Purchases of second homes, for example, have been somewhat high in the past 18 months. Meanwhile, the supply of new homes has been held back by shortages of materials, labor, and developed lots." more »