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COVID-19: FDA Authorizes Test That Detects Virus In Breath COVID-19: FDA Authorizes Test That Detects Virus In Breath
Covid-19: FDA Authorizes Test That Detects Virus In Breath Federal authorities have authorized the first device that can detect COVID-19 in breath samples. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, which can be used in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and mobile testing sites to quickly identify the virus. According to officials, the device is 91.2 percent accurate at identifying positive test samples and 99.3 percent accurate at diagnosing negative samples. The FDA said that the instrument is approximately the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, and the test can be performed…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Toyota Recalls 460,000 Vehicles Due To Stability Control Glitch Toyota Recalls 460,000 Vehicles Due To Stability Control Glitch
Toyota Recalls 460,000 Vehicles Due To Stability Control Glitch Toyota announced a recall of nearly 500,000 vehicles due to a software error that can impact the vehicle stability control system. The dealer announced that certain models of Toyota Venza, Mirai, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Sienna HV, Highlander HV and Lexus LS500h, LX600, NX350h, and NX450h+ vehicles are subject to the recall. In total, approximately 460,000 vehicles produced between 2020 and 2022 are being recalled in the US to fix the issue. According to Toyota, when the vehicles are restarted, in some cases, the software may not automatically switch the system into the “on” mode, potentia…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Here's Why Walmart Is Suing Competitor BJ's Wholesale For Theft Here's Why Walmart Is Suing Competitor BJ's Wholesale For Theft
Here's Why Walmart Is Suing Competitor BJ's Wholesale For Theft A battle is brewing between two of the country's largest big-box franchises. Walmart is suing rival BJ’s Wholesale Club claiming that the retail giant stole technology to launch a self-checkout feature similar to the ones used at the company’s subsidiary Sam's Club, which boasts nearly 600 locations in the US. Walmart alleges that the company worked for years to develop a “Scan & Go” feature that allowed Sam’s Club customers to ring up purchases on smartphones while shopping, eliminating the need for a long checkout line. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court, alleges that inn…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Stealth Omicron Now Labeled 'Subvariant Of Concern' COVID-19: Stealth Omicron Now Labeled 'Subvariant Of Concern'
Covid-19: Stealth Omicron Now Labeled 'Subvariant Of Concern' With the number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations ticking up across the country, some are cautioning that the new “stealth” subvariant of the virus could become a strain of concern. Health officials in the US are calling the BA.2 a “subvariant of concern" as countries overseas have seen the number of new cases spiking in China and parts of Europe. Earlier story - COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US With the BA.2 variant beginning to spread in Europe and Asia, prompting another new rise in infections and new hospitalization…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Ford Recalls 215,000 Pickup Trucks, SUVs Ford Recalls 215,000 Pickup Trucks, SUVs
Ford Recalls 215,000 Pickup Trucks, SUVs Ford is recalling upwards of 215,000 pickup trucks and large SUVs sold in the US and Canada that could have leaking brake fluid that impacts stopping distances for drivers. The recall includes Ford F-150 pickup trucks produced between 2016 and 2018, and Ford Expedition Navigator SUV models from 2016 and 2017. All recalled vehicles have a 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, according to the motor company. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fluid can leak from the brake master cylinder, which can increase brake pedal travel, requiring greater …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Pfizer Recalls Blood Pressure Medicines Over Carcinogen Pfizer Recalls Blood Pressure Medicines Over Carcinogen
Pfizer Recalls Blood Pressure Medicines Over Carcinogen Pfizer announced a nationwide recall of blood pressure medication that could potentially contain cancer-causing carcinogens. The pharmaceutical giant announced that it was recalling certain lots of the blood pressure drug Accuretic and two authorized cheaper versions of the drug due to the presence of elevated levels of a nitrosamine, an impurity that could cause cancer. “Nitrosamines are common in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables,” Pfizer officials announced. “Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines. These impurities may increase …

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Will There Be More Snow Even Though Spring Has Sprung? Forecasters Say It's Possible Will There Be More Snow Even Though Spring Has Sprung? Forecasters Say It's Possible
Will There Be More Snow Even Though Spring Has Sprung? Forecasters Say It's Possible Spring has sprung, but we could see still some snowfall in the coming weeks, forecasters say. In fact, snowfall is possible for about two-thirds of the US during that, according to AccuWeather.com. Those areas, including this region, are shown in blue in the image above. Spring officially arrives at 11:33 a.m. on Sunday, March 20. The high temperature will be around 60 degrees Sunday as clouds increase during the day, according to the National Weather Service. There will be a slight chance of a shower in the evening. Monday, March 21 will be sunny with a high temperature in the upper 50s. …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US COVID-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US
Covid-19: This Key Factor Could Indicate Whether Stealth Omicron Will Cause New Surge In US With the new “stealth” COVID-19 sub-variant emerging from the shadows in the US and overseas, researchers are concerned that one subset of Americans could potentially lead to a possible new surge of infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Omicron, which is known as B.1.1.529, has three sub-variants: the original BA.1 that remains the dominant strain, the “stealth” BA.2, which is picking up steam, and the more elusive BA.3. The new “stealth” variant - named for its difficulty to identify due to a lack of certain genetic characteristics - has been becoming more of a co…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time
Covid-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time A new hybrid COVID-19 strain combining the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus has been confirmed for the first time and is being tracked by the World Health Organization (WHO). Researchers reported that they now have solid evidence regarding the first confirmed case of “Deltacron,” though it is not believed to be considered a cause of concern as the number of vaccines and people with natural immunity continue to rise across the globe. The “Deltacron” variant had previously been suspected in several countries, but scientists in Paris submitted a full genomic sequence on Tuesday, March 8…

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by Zak Failla
News
Venomous 'Parachuting' Spider Species From Asia Headed To East Coast Venomous 'Parachuting' Spider Species From Asia Headed To East Coast
Venomous 'Parachuting' Spider Species From Asia Headed To East Coast A hoard of new eight-legged neighbors will soon be parachuting toward the East Coast as the Joro spider begins making its march toward the region. The invasive species - dubbed “parachuting” for its distinct look and mode of transportation - has already begun making its mark in the south, is expected to begin migrating north, according to a newly released study. Joro spiders have two ways of travel, by hitching a ride on humans or cargo, or by “ballooning up
“ and generating silk threads that can be used as “parachutes” to use the wind to traverse the environment. Joro spider.Wikimedia…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing COVID-19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing
Covid-19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance to permit most healthy Americans to ditch their masks indoors, including students. On Friday, Feb. 25, the CDC announced it was altering its metrics that are used to determine which communities can begin lifting their mask mandates with a focus less on positive test results and more on virus-related hospitalization numbers. Previously, the CDC’s prevention guidance for local communities focused on the rate of new COVID-19 cases and the seven-day average positive infection rate; however, as the ongoing fight aga…

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by Zak Failla
News
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams While Valentine's Day is a time for romantic gestures, the FBI has issued an alert to the public about romance scams.  The agency said in an alert on Monday, Feb. 14, that the scams take place when a criminal adopts a fake identity online to get the victim's trust and uses the close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. "The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable," the FBI said. "Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites." The FBI said eventually the scammer will ask the vic…

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by Nicole Valinote