Tag: life-saving
Elon Musk just shut down potentially life-saving public safety Twitter accounts
Since acquiring Twitter, Elon Musk maintained that one of his major objectives was to eliminate the bots.
Last night, Twitter did just that. One problem, though: The bots blocked are the good ones.
Numerous public service Twitter accounts have lost their ability to automatically post breaking news and events. Twitter has been removing API access, which allows many of these accounts to post in an authorized way by the platform, as it switches to Musk’s new high-priced paid API system.
Many of these affected Twitter accounts have automated updates, but aren’t the type of hands-off bot accounts that some may think of when they hear the term “bot.”
For example, numerous National Weather Service accounts that provide consistent updates, both automated and manually posted by humans, shared that they could no longer provide their up-to-the-minute, potentially life-saving updates.
“Twitter is now limiting automated tweets and as a result this account can no longer auto post warnings as we have done so in the past,” tweeted the National Weather Service (NWS) Wilmington, OH account this morning. “We will continue to provide general updates, but always ensure that you have multiple means for receiving weather information & alerts.”
“@Twitter is now limiting automated tweets and as a result, this account can no longer post all #Tsunami Warnings, Advisories, Watches, and Information Statements as they are issued,” tweeted the NWS Tsunami Alerts account. “We will make every effort to continue manual posts.”
Other important services like the official account for the MTA, which runs New York City’s public transit, and BART, which services San Francisco, shared similar issues with their access to Twitter’s API.
Automated accounts, like @RabbitEveryHour and @SteamStatus, while not essential to public safety, also announced that they would no longer be able to post their entertaining or helpful content due to losing Twitter API access.
Some of these accounts could potentially run off of Twitter’s new basic $100 per month API plan. However, this plan has very limited access and may not provide what some of these services require, especially when considering they use to be able to get everything they needed to basically provide Twitter with more content for free. After the $100 plan, Twitter’s new API tiers start at a whopping $42,000 per month.
Many indie developers were affected by these changes over the past few weeks. Some have had to close their Twitter-based apps due to the starting price for Enterprise API access being priced at $42,000 per month. Even services that wanted to pay, lost the ability to serve their customers as Twitter removed their API access without providing them any warning.
When Twitter introduced its new API plans, the company maintained it was to go after the bots. However, according to many developers, Twitter has refused to offer any lower-priced tiers somewhere between the $100 and $42,000 range. It appears that Musk’s Twitter would like to broadly eliminate the vast majority of the Twitter third-party ecosystem.
But, why? That’s still unclear.
Widow says coroner should resign after not recommending life-saving changes to smart motorways
Thousands of Brits to get life-saving devices to help monitor silent killer condition
THOUSANDS of Brits are set to receive life-saving devices to help monitor diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of Brits, causing an imbalance in blood sugar levels, the NHS says.
A new deal has meant that more Brits will have better tools to manage their diabetes. Pictured above the Dexcom ONE Real Time-Continuous Glucose Monitoring system which has been made available to Brits[/caption]
It’s often referred to as a ‘silent killer’ as most people don’t recognise the signs of the illness – brushing it off as something else.
Around 4.9 million people in the UK have diabetes – with a further 13.6 million also at risk.
While most people are able to manage their condition, diabetes can be deadly if left untreated and if treated incorrectly.
Diabetics have to monitor their blood sugar levels as this will determine what they can eat and may also influence insulin intake.
Now, around eight in ten people with the condition will have access to life-changing technology thanks to the rollout that was first announced in August.
Over 200,000 people are using the non-invasive glucose monitoring devices.
These allow people to check their glucose levels more easily and regularly – which is key for diabetics.
The new wearable arm gadget sends information automatically to a mobile app and allows diabetes patients to always keep track of their glucose levels without having to scan or take a finger prick test.
The Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RTCGM), uses a sensor no bigger than a bottle cap that attaches to the arm for up to 10 days and measures glucose levels from just under the skin.
What are the diabetes signs you need to look out for?
Common signs you may have diabetes include:
- going to the toilet a lot, especially at night
- being really thirsty
- feeling more tired than usual
- losing weight without trying to
- genital itching or thrush
- cuts and wounds that take longer to heal
- blurred vision
The symptoms are caused by high levels of glucose remaining in the blood, where it cannot be used as energy.
These signs are common in children and adults alike.
But adults suffering with type 1 diabetes can find it harder to recognise their symptoms.
Diabetes UK’s four Ts campaign – Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner – aims to raise awareness of the key signs.
Professor Partha Kar, National Specialty Advisor for Diabetes said the NHS has revolutionised diabetes care over the past five years.
“We’ve seen people living with type 1 diabetes go from having almost no practical way to manage their condition in real-time, to having the option of a lifechanging device that automatically alerts patients to potentially dangerous changes to their blood sugar levels.
“As a diabetes clinician, I’ve seen first-hand how liberating this device is for my patients, giving them the confidence to go about their days knowing they are safe and able to enjoy themselves.
“The majority of the NHS has already rolled out these new devices, but the NHS rollout will continue at pace to ensure both devices are available to every patient across the country by the end of next year.”
Patients will receive their starter pack once they have been prescribed the device by their GP.
This will include information on the product, usage, and a sensor and transmitter.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Hundreds of thousands of patients now have access to this cutting-edge technology – helping them to better manage their diabetes whether they’re at home or on the move.
“It’s another example of how we’re using technology to improve outcomes for patients, while reducing pressure on frontline services and this will help reduce hospitalisations and diabetic illnesses.
“The NHS has rolled out these devices at pace, and even more patients stand to benefit from this life-saving technology from the spring.”
iPhone’s Life-Saving Satellite Feature Launching in Additional Countries Next Year
Emergency SOS via Satellite first launched in November in the U.S. and Canada and requires an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 16.1 or later. The service became available in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK earlier this week, with iOS 16.2 required for some local emergency service numbers. The service is free for two years starting at the time of activation of an iPhone 14 model.
From an Apple support document about using Emergency SOS via Satellite:
In the U.S. and Canada, call or text 911. In France, call or text 112, 15, 17, 18, 114, 119, 191, and 196. In Germany, text 112 and 110. In Ireland and the U.K., call or text 999 or 112.
You need iOS 16.2 to connect to emergency services via satellite when you call or text 15, 17, 18, 114, 119, 191, and 196 in France, 110 in Germany, and 999 in Ireland. The availability of these additional emergency numbers might also depend on your cellular carrier.
The feature allows iPhone 14 models to connect to a Globalstar satellite, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Apple says a text message might take 15 seconds to send via satellite in “ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon,” but foliage or other obstructions can result in messages taking longer to send or failing to send. Apple says satellite connectivity also might not work in places above 62° latitude, such as northern parts of Alaska and Canada.
Already, there have been reports of Emergency SOS via Satellite helping first responders rescue people in places like Alaska and California.
iPhone users should consult Apple’s support document for important details about the feature.
This article, “iPhone’s Life-Saving Satellite Feature Launching in Additional Countries Next Year” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Apple’s life-saving satellite feature could arrive in your iPhone 14’s next update
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Life-saving gene test for seriously ill children in England
Brits urged to get life-saving jabs as cases of deadly illnesses set to rise
HEALTH chiefs have urged people to come forward and get jabbed against a handful of life-threatening diseases in preparation for a potential explosion of cases.
University students have been told to make sure they are up to date with three life-saving vaccines ahead of the winter term – which is when many illnesses tend to circulate most.
This comes as cases of meningococcal disease have reportedly risen since the easing of Covid-19 social restrictions in July 2021[/caption]
These vaccines include MenACWY, MMR and for female students HPV (for female students).
These jabs protect against meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella and human papilloma virus respectively.
This comes as cases of a particular strain on meningococcal disease — known as MenB — have reportedly risen since the easing of Covid-19 social restrictions in July 2021.
Meningococcal disease is life-threatening blood infection. While most people recover, some can die.
Read more on vaccines
All children would have been offered the general meningitis vaccine, MenACWY, at school,
However, many current university students will not have received the meningitis vaccine designed to fight the MenB strain of the virus.
This is because the UK began only began offering routine vaccination against MenB to infants in 2015.
It is “very important” that teens and university students who have not received the jab are “aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia“, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
Septicaemia, or sepsis as it often called, is another term used to describe blood poisoning. Like meningitis it can also be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Some of the symptoms include high temperature, extreme tiredness violent shivering and chills.
Other symptoms include faintness, pale and clammy skin and rapid and shallow breathing,
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Dr Shamez Ladhani, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “We know that colleges and universities can be hotspots for the spread of diseases such as meningitis and measles.
“At the top of any list of essential things to get for college should be any missed vaccines – it could save your life. If unsure, check with your GP to make sure that you are up to date with the vaccinations before term starts,” she explained.
“And all students need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Don’t assume it’s just a hangover or freshers’ flu,” she added.
“If you’re poorly make sure a friend knows and stay in touch regularly with friends who are ill. These diseases can progress rapidly so urgent action in getting medical attention is critical – call NHS 111 straight away.”
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
The symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and include:
- A high fever over 37.5 degrees – the average human temperature
- being sick
- a headache
- a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
- stiffness, especially in the neck
- sensitivity to bright lights
- drowsiness, irritability or lack of energy
- cold hands and feet
- seizures
Claire Wright, head of evidence and policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “Meningitis can kill healthy people within hours and is difficult to distinguish from a bad hangover or more common milder illnesses in the early stages”.
Read More on The Sun
She added: “By taking up the free MenACWY vaccine, school leavers are not only protecting themselves but also protecting others by stopping the bacteria from being passed on.
“For those who have already been vaccinated it remains important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis because the free vaccine does not protect against MenB, which is the most common cause of life-threatening meningitis amongst this age group.”