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Infectious Awareables eBorne Newsletter

[Note: We mail this E-Borne newsletter 4x/year +/- to friends, colleagues and suspecting customers of record. If we have mistakenly included you in this mailing, or you wish to be removed from our subscriber list, please refer to end of the newsletter for instructions. We'll miss you, but we promise to honor your request.]
 November 2008
www.iAwareables.com

Dear friends and colleagues,

BugBoyImageStart your brining, stop your whining - the annual homage to big-bird ugly is upon us.  Is there anything better than Thanksgiving sup, and all the fowl frolic fixin's?  It's been a bumpy year for everyone - time to let it go for a few days, and enjoy the good stuff - feast, family, friends, laughs.    On the other hand, if you're a turkey, now might be the time to use those frequent-flyer miles to the Caymans.  Balance those food groups, have fun!
THE GIBLETS
1. JUST IN! "BE SAFE" BOXERS AND CAPS
2. CERVICAL CANCER VACCINATION RATE AT 25%
3. SMART MOUTH (Nothing Personal)
4. CREATIVE GIFTING
5. IG NOBEL PRIZES
6. COLD MEDICINE ALERT FOR PARENTS WITH KIDS UNDER 4
7. MEETINGS 2008
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1. JUST IN!  "BE SAFE" BOXERS AND CAPS
"ARE YOU GETTING' IT!?"

Take a close look at this logo.  Can you make out "Be Safe?"  We're old. . . ,  so we couldn't, although we loved the message.  So we modified the design, originated for the California Family Health Council by an inner city teen, and turned it into something for the rest of us.  The result: the comfiest boxers and coolest caps on the block, and a must have for family and friends.  Sitting on these pups will perk up your day, and are sure to remind your pals and loved ones how much you care.

OriginalDesignImageModified Design ImageBe Safe Boxer ImageBe Safe Cap Image
"Be Safe" Boxers                            "Be Safe" Caps
2. CERVICAL CANCER VACCINATION RATE AT 25%
FIRST FULL YEAR OF DISTRIBUTION

HPV Scarf ImageHPV Detail ImageAbout 2.5 million of the nation's 10 million girls, ages 13-17, have received at least the first of three doses of the new HPV vaccine, according to data recently published in CDC's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.   The vaccine protects against several strains of the virus accounting for about 70% of all U.S. cervical cancer cases.   The 25% rate indicates only moderate success in the efforts to reach all teenage girls - and the challenge will be to maintain the rate for several years if full compliance is to be achieved.  The vaccine has been controversial for reasons both scientific and ethical.  But it does seem to us that the benefits here greatly outweigh the risks.
 
Whatever your thoughts may be on the issue, how can you not admire this chic and colorful 100% silk scarf - a dazzling reminder to at least "Have the Conversation?"

HPV Scarf
3. SMART MOUTH   (Nothing Personal)
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU!!
 
Always having our customers best interests at heart, we checked out this mouthwash that claims to solve your multi-billion-bacteria breath issues for up to 12 hours.  By combining active ingredients of sodium chlorite and zinc chloride, both of which tend to neutralize sulfurous compounds, SmartMouth promises a mistletoe-secure future for you and your closest friends.   The product comes with two pump bottles, which when activated, release zinc ions frantic to attach to any pesky bacteria threatening your social life.
 
Eureka! We found the putrescine, cadavarine and sulfurous-seeking stuff to actually work. (Not that we were aware of any problems, mind you).  One wee downside: a 30 second swish may stir up a dry-mouth mistral akin to an intraoral o-rama lasts only for about an hour, but you'll not want to socially securitize with this potion just before that marathon.
 
And if you'd like to bribe your hygienist or periodontist to lighten up on those sharp, pointy things next visit, you might try laying one of these on them. 

P.S.  It works best if you gift Anno-Scrapeo!

DentalPlaqueScarf
DentalPlaqueScarfDetailDentalPlaqueTieImage







Dental Plaque Scarf             Dental Plaque Tie  
4. CREATIVE GIFTING
INFLUENZA DRESSES UP THE WEDDING RECEPTION

Flu Tie on Brides Dad ImageOccasionally, an out-of-touch civilian will ask us . . ."just who wears these scientific designs of yours?"  Here's a perfect example!  Thanks to S.G. for sharing this picture of her father, dancing with the happy bride, and fashionably sporting his Awareables Influenza A necktie.  S. thoughtfully purchased this historic design while still in grad school - especially meaningful because influenza was the focus of her PhD dissertation in epidemiology.  Now, in her current position, she conducts surveillance for influenza vaccine safety at a big time U.  Don't know about you - but we feel better about those yearly vaccinations knowing S. and Dad are looking out for us!! 

P.S. Dad's color way is "in remission" (sold out). . .but here are other flu-able gift options!


Flu Scarf

Flu Scarf Detail ImageImmunization Flu Tie ImageFlue Tie Image









Immunization Flu Scarf       Immunization Flu Tie                       Influenza A Tie Silver/Red                  



AvianFluScarfAvianFluScarfDetail AvianFluTie

Avian Flu Scarf        Avian Flu Tie
5. IG NOBEL PRIZES
YOU JUST GOTTA WONDER. . .

Check out the 2008 awards, bestowed by the "Annals of Improbable Research" magazine, to qualifying wacky and wackier scientific discoveries.  Here's a sampling of winners announced at the recent ceremonies held at Harvard University, and presented by real-deal Nobel laureates.  And they surely do qualify!
 
Right to life?  A Boston U. researcher corroborated the urban legend that Coca-Cola - actually Diet Coke works best -as an effective spermicide.     (We don't want to even think about methodology.)
 
Biology:  Fleas that live on a dog can jump higher than fleas that live on a cat. (Huh?)
 
Cognitive science:  Slime molds can solve puzzles.  (Politicians take note.)
 
Peace:  A Swiss Ethics committee won for adopting the legal principle that plants have dignity. (We know some lawyers that must be related to geraniums.)
 
Physics: A Scripps Institution scientist proved that heaps of string or hairs inevitably tangle. (Bulletins are where you find them!)
6. COLD MEDICINE ALERT FOR PARENTS OF KIDS UNDER 4
DRUG COMPANIES CONCEDE TO PEDIATRICIANS

After long debate with the Food and Drug administration, and pressured by a petition by the pediatric community, drug companies are now formally warning parents to avoid over-the-counter cold remedies for children under the age of 4.  Problems with cough and cold medications send about 7000 children to emergency rooms each year, with symptoms including hives, drowsiness and unsteady walking.
 
Doctors doubt these medications work much, anyway, so. . .a spoonful of caution.
7. FINAL MEETING, 2008
APHA American Public Health Association; San Diego, CA; Oct 25-29 

WE'RE BACK AT YOU IN DECEMBER, 11TH HOUR, FOR THE KRINGLE FEST. . .BUT DON'T WAIT UNTIL THEN TO AWAREABLE-IZE.  CLINICALLY, VERY RISKY.  ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING, AND REMEMBER. . .

STUFFING HAS CONSEQUENCES

Awareably yours,

RPF
Roger P. Freeman, D.D.S. and the IA Team

Copyright 2008 Infectious Awareables, Inc.
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Email: roger@iawareables.com
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