Dec. 19 - Disaster aid tech; strike settlement news
Section 1
A Northern mockingbird perches atop a nopal at the UCI Ecological Preserve. Photo by Ian Parker
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
From left, UCI team leaders Julie Rousseau, Nalini Venkatasubramanian and Dr. Lisa Gibbs coordinate the Oct. 20 disaster drill.
UCI develops technology to aid disaster response for older adults
UCI researchers have developed and successfully tested a new data exchange system to provide first responders with real-time, critical health information about senior care center residents, who are at greatest risk during disasters. Called CareDEX (Enabling Disaster Resilience in Aging Communities via a secure Data Exchange), the system enabled first responders to locate, rescue and treat elderly residents in a successful test during this year’s Great California Shakeout earthquake drill on Oct. 20. The smart-platform technology is the result of a multiyear, multidisciplinary collaboration between UCI geriatric medicine and computer science experts, a nationwide provider of senior care services and federal and local first responders.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
UAW strike update: Tentative contract agreements reached
The University of California announced tentative contract agreements with the United Auto Workers for UC academic student employees and graduate student researchers. Under the deal, the University would provide minimum salary scales, as well as multiyear pay increases, paid dependent access to university healthcare and enhanced paid family leave. If approved by union members, the contracts will be effective through May 31, 2025. FAQs and updates are available on the provost's continuity webpage. Systemwide information is available on UC’s strike page.
Abnormally early flu season peaking early
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released numbers on Friday showing that this year’s early flu season may be peaking early. The percentage of outpatient visits to healthcare providers that were for respiratory illnesses declined for a second week in a row, according to CDC’s weekly influenza report, FluView. The number of people hospitalized for the flu also declined in the week ending Dec. 10, as compared to the previous week. So far this year, about 15 million people have been ill with the flu, and 150,000 of them have needed to be hospitalized, per the CDC, which estimates there have been roughly 9,300 flu deaths. In the pre-COVID-19 era, CDC estimated that between 12,000 and 52,000 Americans died of flu per year.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
Best Life: New multiple sclerosis therapy gives hope
Action News 5, Dec. 16
Cited: Dr. Michael Sy, UCI Health neurologist
Sara Mednick, PhD, Shares a New Perspective of Sleep Health
HCPLive, Dec. 15
Cited: Sara Mednick, professor of cognitive science
The Long Feminist Struggle In Iran With Catherine Sameh
WORT-FM, Dec. 15
Cited: Catherine Sameh, associate professor of gender and sexuality studies
#UCICONNECTED
Two coyotes are spotted in University Hills. Photo by Dan Cooper
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