Current Events in September 2016

Polio was all but eradicated in the U.S. 60 years ago but new cases of a rare disease, very similar to polio, have begun popping up around the U.S. and health officials are worried.

It's called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and like polio, it strikes mostly children. Through July of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented 32 new cases. More worrisome, the rate increased sharply from May through July.

AFM strikes suddenly. Patients report weakness in one or more arms or legs. The weakness spreads until the patient is often paralyzed. MRI scans show inflammation of nerve cells in the spinal cord.

2014 surge

Previously, the condition was rare, affecting only a handful of people in the U.S. each year. But in 2014, from August through December, the CDC confirmed reports of 120 children in 34 states who developed AFM. The median age of the victim was seven years old.

According to the CDC data, almost all of the victims were admitted to hospitals and some required ventilators, which were common for polio victims in the past. Most of the patients reported developing a fever or respiratory illness before losing control of their limbs.

As doctors worked to find common threads, they discovered that 80% of the children who developed AFM had elevated white blood cell counts, usually with higher than normal protein levels, in their spinal fluid.

Odds are against a full recovery

About 85% of the children who developed AFM showed some improvement in their conditions over time, but only three children have fully recovered. Fifteen percent have shown no improvement at all.

“You hate to be an alarmist, but there’s reason to have some concern,” Avindra Nath, of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, told the Washington Post. “What we don't know is where are these cases. Are they clustered? Do they all look alike? Getting more information on these cases would be helpful.”

The CDC, meanwhile, is trying to get at the root cause of the mysterious disease. The agency so far has tested several specimens from patients, looking for a pathogen that could be the trigger. So far, no pathogen has shown up.

The CDC is also taking a closer look at what was happening health-wise in 2014 when the surge in AFM cases occurred. It discovered that the surge in AFM cases coincided with a national outbreak of severe respiratory illness among children caused by enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). While it is an interesting lead, the CDC says it has so far been unable to confirm any connection.

The nation's real estate market apparently hit the summer doldrums, because sales have declined two months in a row.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports sales of existing homes fell 0.9% from July to August. Sales for the month were up slightly from August 2015.

What to make of these numbers? NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun says with the job market showing increasing health and mortgage rates near record lows over the summer, he would have expected more sales.

Not enough homes for sale

“There's no question that after peaking in June, sales in a majority of the country have inched backwards because inventory isn't picking up to tame price growth and replace what's being quickly sold," Yun said.

With fewer homes for sale, there naturally will be fewer homes sold. Also, the homes that are for sale might not be what active buyers are looking for, and they decide to wait until they find exactly what they want.

The report shows that the homes that did sell in August sold for more. The median sale price was $240,200, up over 5% from August 2015.

Yun says many U.S. markets continue to suffer from a lack of available homes. Total housing inventory at the end of August was down 3.3% from July and more than 10% lower than a year ago.

Hitting first-time buyers hard

That's having a disproportionate impact on first-time buyers, who made up a slightly smaller percentage of buyers than in July. Yun says that isn't a healthy sign.

"It's very concerning to see that inventory conditions not only show no signs of improving but have actually worsened in recent months from their already suppressed levels a year ago," Yun said.

Part of the problem, he concedes, is home prices are outpacing the growth in income, which finally showed some strength last year. And it all gets back to low inventory, he says. The supply and demand imbalance is driving up prices.

“Without more supply, the U.S. homeownership rate will remain near 50-year lows," Yun said.

Texting is oh so dull and drab and who has time for Facetime or Hangouts? That seems to be the thinking behind Google's latest messaging entry, dubbed Allo, an emoji-infested app powered by Google Assistant, which seems to be sort of a smarter Siri.

As far as we can tell, Allo sort of takes the thinking out of texting. "Google Allo can help you make plans, find information, and express yourself more easily in chat. And the more you use it, the more it improves over time,” according to Google.

To hear Google tell it, Allo is intended to be a market-entry strategy for Google Assistant. But marketers were quick to pick up on its potential for such ad-related features as recommendations, reviews, reservations, and so forth.

“You can easily move from discussing dinner with friends to making plans for the night, right in your chat. Just add the Assistant to your group chat and ask for movie times, local restaurants and more. You can also research travel destinations, flights and hotels together with friends,” as Google put it in a blog posting.

Why think?

Carried to its logical extension, Allo is like having a speechwriter and an appointments secretary right in your pocket. This is only logical; why should you have to wrack your brain when a friend asks what you want to do tonight? Now you can let Allo figure it out.

All of this might suggest that Allo does the thinking for those unable to do it for themselves, but a more generous view is that it frees us up to think great thoughts and ponder issues of global significance instead of obsessing over which Starbucks to go to.

For a more animated description, check out this video from Google:

Sometimes, you just can’t help falling in love with a new dog or cat. But if you’ve already got a pet at home, you may be feeling a bit anxious about bringing home a new four-legged family member.

While they may soon become fast friends, your new pet and your original pet may not hit it off right away. Cats can be territorial, and dogs may find it difficult to cope with the presence of a new dog vying for your affection.

However, there are a few things pet owners can do to smooth the transition and promote household harmony between pets.

Introduction tips

Nearly 80 million homes in America have a pet, and 42% of those households have multiple pets. If you plan to become a multi-pet household, there will inevitably be a time in which you must introduce your new pet to an existing pet.

Whether you’ll be introducing a dog to a cat, a dog to a dog, or a cat to a cat, the experts at Healthy Paws Pet Insurance say there are right and wrong ways to go about welcoming a new pet into your home.

Here’s what pet parents can do to snuff out early animosity in favor of a friendship between pets.

• Dog meeting dog. Don’t bring your new pup into your home right away. Instead, go for a walk in a neutral area with your dog and bring a friend along to walk your new dog. Walking is a great way for dogs to bond and gather information about one another.
• Cat meeting cat. Avoid putting your new cat in a room with your existing cat right off the bat. Instead, keep your new cat separated and let the cats smell each other first. Additionally, cat owners should make sure to have new toys and beds for their new cat. Cats who previously ruled the roost solo may not take kindly to having their belongings taken over by a new member of the family.
• Cat meeting dog. Cats and dogs may be different, but they are capable of happily sharing a home. To ensure cats and dogs start off on the right foot, keep them separated for a few days and allow them to become familiar with each other’s scent. Once they seem relaxed and calm, allow them to be in the same room but keep the dog leashed. This can be repeated until both pets are calm and the dog ignores the cat.

Household dust is a lot more than just an annoyance. A new study finds that it exposes people to a wide range of toxic chemicals from everyday products, including phthalates, phenols and flame retardants.

"Our study is the first comprehensive analysis of consumer product chemicals found in household dust," says lead author Ami Zota, ScD, MS, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University. "The findings suggest that people, and especially children, are exposed on a daily basis to multiple chemicals in dust that are linked to serious health problems."

Zota's team conducted a first-of-its-kind meta-analysis, compiling data from dust samples collected throughout the United States to identify the top ten toxic chemicals commonly found in dust. They found that DEHP, a chemical belonging to a hazardous class called phthalates, was number one on that list. 

There's nothing mysterious about the process. Chemicals from consumer products are released into the air and get into dust, which can settle on household items or on the floor. People can inhale or ingest small particles of dust or even absorb them through the skin.

Children at risk

Infants and young children are particularly at risk for exposure to the chemicals found in dust because they crawl, play on dusty floors, and put their hands in their mouths, the authors say.

Zota and colleagues pooled data from 26 peer-reviewed papers and one unpublished dataset that analyzed dust samples taken from homes in 14 states. They found 45 potentially toxic chemicals that are used in many consumer and household products such as vinyl flooring, personal care and cleaning products, building materials, and home furnishings.

Ten harmful chemicals are found in ninety percent of the dust samples across multiple studies, including a known cancer-causing agent called TDCIPP. This flame retardant is frequently found in furniture, baby products, and other household items.

What to do

Consumers can take a few simple steps to protect themselves, such as keeping dust levels low by using a strong vacuum with a HEPA filter; washing hands frequently; and avoiding personal care and household products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals.

"Consumers have the power to make healthier choices and protect themselves from harmful chemicals in everyday products," said Robin Dodson, an environmental exposure scientist at Silent Spring Institute. "These things can make a real difference not only in their health but also in shifting the market toward safer products."

The study was published in Environmental Science & Technology

The Chrysler Pacifica, which replaces the Town & Country, is the first minivan to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.

The newly introduced vehicle has good ratings in the IIHS five crashworthiness tests. However, the good rating in the small overlap front test applies only to Pacificas manufactured after August, when changes were made to prevent the driver door from opening during a small overlap crash. Before those improvements were made, the door was torn from its hinges and came open at the front.

Major improvements

Fiat Chrysler strengthened the upper hinge and reinforced the joint between the door hinge pillar and inner body panel in front of the pillar. When the vehicle was tested a second time, the door remained attached and closed -- resulting in a good rating. In contrast, the Town & Country was rated poor for small overlap protection, due to severe intrusion into the driver space.

The Pacifica is available with an optional front crash prevention system, which earns a superior rating. In IIHS track tests at 25 mph and 12 mph, the vehicle avoided collisions. The system also gets credit for a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

To qualify for a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests.

It also must have an available front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating.

After three advances in as many weeks, applications for mortgages have done an about face.

Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s weekly survey shows that applications plunged 7.3% in the week ending September 16, which included an adjustment for the Labor Day holiday.

It was even worse for refinance applications, which were down 8% to the lowest level since June, although the refinance share of mortgage activity inched up to 63.1% of total applications from 62.9% the previous week.

The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity decreased to 4.4% of total applications, the FHA share was down 10.2%, the VA share dipped to 11.6% from 12.0%, and the USDA share of total applications was unchanged at 0.7%.

Contract interest rates

• The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) with conforming loan balances ($417,000 or less) rose three basis points -- from 3.67% to 3.70% -- its highest level since June 2016, with points increasing to 0.38 from 0.36 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 30-year FRMs with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,000) went to 3.69% from 3.64%, with points decreasing to 0.29 from 0.36 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 30-year FRMs backed by the FHA jumped six basis points to 3.56%, with points decreasing to 0.23 from 0.27 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 15-year FRMs moved from 2.97% to 2.99%, with points increasing to 0.35 from 0.34 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs shot up nine basis points to 2.96%, with points decreasing to 0.26 from 0.37 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.

The survey covers over 75% of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications.

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling 602 model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016.

The vehicles have a driver-side front air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 14, 2016.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.

Big 5 Sporting Goods of El Segundo, Calif., is recalling about 4,100 bungee chairs manufactured by Nanjing Kekang Outdoor Products.

The chair rivets can break, posing a fall hazard to the user.

The firm has received three reports of chair rivets breaking, including two reports of injuries from falls.

This recall involves Captiva Designs bungee chairs with model number AC098 printed on the header cards of the product packages. The collapsible chair has a navy blue and teal nylon and bungee seat and black metal legs. The chair’s bungee cords are laced through the seat frame.

The chairs, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at Big 5 Sporting Goods stores nationwide from May 2016 through July 2016 for about $30.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bungee chairs and return them to any Big 5 Sporting Goods store for a full refund.

Consumers may contact Nanjing Kekang Outdoor Products toll-free at 866-283-4412 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday, or online at www.big5sportinggoods.com and click on “Product Recall” at the bottom of the homepage for more information.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 17,985 model year 2017 Ford Escape Titanium and SE vehicles manufactured October 5, 2015, to May 12, 2016.

The settings for the closing-force of the power-operated windows may allow the windows to close on an object -- such as a body part -- and injure it before the windows auto-reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

What to do

Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the power window operating system software, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2016.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C12.

Evenflo Company is recalling 29,742 Evolve 3-in-1 Combination Booster Seats, model number 34411700 manufactured February 26, 2015, to February 9, 2016 and model number 34411741 manufactured May 27, 2015, to February 9, 2016.

The seats have a button for adjusting the harness tightness. The child in the seat can access this button and loosen the harness without the caregiver's knowledge.

If the child is able to loosen the harness, he may not be properly secured in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Evenflo will notify the registered owners, and will provide a remedy kit with a replacement harness adjustment button, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 26, 2016.

Owners may contact Evenflo at www.evolve.evenflo.com or 1-800-233-5921.

Federal safety regulators are shifting gears, requiring automakers to achieve what the Department of Transportation (DOT) is calling a "robust design" to ensure that self-driving cars are safe before they can be sold or operated on public roads.

That's a significant shift in what has been more of a laissez-faire approach that let automakers and companies like Google and Uber put just about any kind of autonomous car on the road as long as there was a licensed driver on board.

“Automated vehicles have the potential to save thousands of lives, driving the single biggest leap in road safety that our country has ever taken,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a prepared statement. “This policy is an unprecedented step by the federal government to harness the benefits of transformative technology by providing a framework for how to do it safely.”

The DOT said it may also ask Congress to require that automakers get approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before introducing new models -- similar to the way the Federal Aviation Administration now grants airworthiness certificates to airplanes.

"Long overdue"

Safety advocates said the change was long overdue.

"We are pleased that DOT is planning to address these issues and seeking public comment for this new system of transportation but it must not shy away from assuring public safety with minimum federal vehicle safety standards," said Joan Claybrook, former NHTSA administrator.

"It should not rely instead on mere guidance, including for the initial elements of automatic vehicle operation such as Automatic Emergency Brakes (AEB) that currently is only guided with a useless industry voluntary standard (it was the key element that failed in the Tesla fatal crashes)," Claybrook said. 

Currently, vehicles must meet a long roster of safety requirements that govern everything from airbags to tail lights, but they do not have to submit their designs in advance of starting production.

Most of the new design requirements will take effect today when they are officially published, and NHTSA expects to begin asking automakers for their designs later this year, according to DOT officials. 

Strong enforcement needed

“Ninety-four percent of crashes on U.S. roadways are caused by a human choice or error,” said NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind. “We are moving forward on the safe deployment of automated technologies because of the enormous promise they hold to address the overwhelming majority of crashes and save lives.”

Jacqueline Gillan, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, said the announcement "should not be seen as an alternative to comprehensive safety standards, thorough oversight and strong enforcement."

"The promising benefits of AVs are great, but the potential problems are too serious and the public safety risks are too momentous to be left to industry alone," Gillan said in an email. "Recent incidents involving the recall of tens of millions of vehicles and needless deaths and injuries due to faulty General Motors’ ignition switches, dangerous Takata airbags and cheating emissions systems in Volkswagen vehicles highlight how the industry easily conceals problems from both the public and the government."

Michael Harley, an analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said the new policy "should help standardize the unregulated Wild West chaos that the rapidly advancing field of autonomous technology currently operates under."

"The new rules and guidelines will spell out design and operation specifics that will increase uniformity across the industry, improve safety for passengers and pedestrians and educate drivers on the current engineering limits of automated vehicles," Kelley said. "The DOT and NHTSA have committed to reviewing and updating the policy annually, which is rational considering that automated vehicles will be the biggest challenge each will face over the next decade.”

DOT officials say the "safety assessment" will require automakers to provide documentation covering 15 specific topics, such as how automated systems detect objects on the road, how information is displayed to drivers, what cybersecurity measures are in place, and the testing and validation methods used to develop the system.

Public comments 

The DOT is soliciting public comments for the next 60 days on the policy, which is published at www.transportation.gov/AV. Through a series of next steps and in response to public comments, DOT intends to update the policy annually.

“Public input has been essential to getting this right. There has been a strong call from state and local governments, industry, safety experts, mobility advocates, and average Americans to establish a clear policy for the deployment of automated vehicles on our roads,” said Foxx. “There are huge upsides and significant challenges that come with automated vehicle technology, and we will continue the conversation with the pubic over the coming months and years as this technology develops.”

“New technologies developed in the 20th century, like seat belts and air bags, were once controversial but have now saved hundreds of thousands of American lives,” Foxx said. “This is the first in a series of proactive approaches, including the release of a rule on Vehicle to Vehicle communications, which will bring lifesaving technologies to the roads safely and quickly while leaving innovators to dream up new safety solutions.”

Black Friday 2016 is still a little more than two months away, but already there are predictions about what shoppers can expect.

BestBlackFriday.com has posted its predictions after analyzing 150 Black Friday ads from 2015, saying deals on electronics will be among the most appealing. For example, it predicts 50-inch HDTV sets will be available from multiple sources for as low as $175. A 50-inch 4K set, it predicts, could go for as little as $300.

Philip Dengler, a principal at Jones-Denger Marketing, which operates the site, says the biggest change this year may be the fact that more of the best deals will be available online.

“While it has been trending in that direction for the past few years, we saw more online doorbusters than ever last year,” Jones said in an email to ConsumerAffairs. “This means many of the first page televisions, laptops, and tablets will be available for online shoppers. Previously, they were only available in-store at very limited quantities.”

Spending rapidly shifting online

Dengler also predicts Black Friday spending is rapidly shifting online and this year, he says the shift should be dramatic. Combined Thanksgiving and Black Friday spending is projected to be around $10.78 billion, down around 10% from last year.

But BestBlackFriday.com projects online sales on Black Friday will be up over 13% from last year and Thanksgiving online sales should rise nearly 20%. Combined, they are expected to account for around half of all sales.

“The Black Friday shopping period is also rapidly extending,” Dengler said. “We expect Amazon to open its Black Friday Store on November 1. Many other retailers will offer pre-Black Friday sales throughout the entire month of November. Actual Thanksgiving doorbusters should begin online on Wednesday night.”

Deals

He says laptops should start at $90, with the average doorbuster laptop price at around $150. The iPhone 7 should be available for $99 with a two-year contract. While two-year contracts are being phased out, Dengler says many people will still be eligible if they have Verizon or Sprint. People that aren't will have to pay unsubsidized prices.

As for individual retailers, Dengler predicts JCPenney and Kohl's will have the highest average discount for their promotions, at around around 65% off. Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon will once again be towards the bottom of the range, with average store discounts of around 30%.

If toys are on your holiday list, Denger suggests waiting until the second week of December for the best prices.

For-profit colleges are barred from receiving more than 90% of their revenue from federal financial aid, but following the collapse of ITT, Corinthian, and other for-profit chains, DeVry says it will accept no more than 85% of its revenue from the feds.

“This is a significant pledge that DeVry Group is voluntarily making for the long term and it underscores our commitment to finding solutions to the issues facing higher education today,” said Lisa Wardell, president and CEO of DeVry Education Group. “This is part of a broader effort to improve our policies and demonstrate the quality and value of our programs.”

DeVry is working with "a variety of stakeholders on those commitments," which will be announced later this year, Wardell said, adding: “As we continue to engage with key stakeholders, we look forward to sharing details of the other commitments when they are finalized.” 

Cracking down

Federal and state agencies have been cracking down on for-profit schools, which tend to enroll large numbers of military veterans and students seeking vocational training. Many such students qualify for federal financial aid, meaning that taxpayers wind up paying for programs that critics say do little to prepare the students for careers.

ITT Institute shut down earlier this month after the Education Department cut off its flow of federal funds. Corinthian College closed down in 2015, leaving many students adrift. It was hit with a $1.1 billion judgment in March, some of which may be available to help students retire outstanding loans.

DeVry has had problems of its own. In January, the Federal Trade Commission sued DeVry, charging it used deceptive advertising to lure students. Last year, the school closed 14 campuses, moving students to its online program.

DeVry Education Group operates schools under several names, including  American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Carrington College, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management, Ross University School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Travelers from around the world know what it feels like to be disoriented in a new city. All of the new sights, sounds, and people can be overwhelming, and if you don’t know where to go you may be in for a rough time.

For this reason, most consumers rely on their smartphones to get around in unfamiliar places. But what happens if the battery dies or you hit your data limit? Now, the new Google Trips app can come to your rescue.

Google Trips is an app that allows users to store all of their trip information in one place. Officials say that the app can help you successfully plan your trip day-by-day and take the hassle out of a visit or vacation.

“We wanted to reduce the hassle and help travelers enjoy their hard-earned vacations. So today, we’re introducing a new mobile app to help you instantly plan each day of your trip with just a few taps of your finger: Google Trips,” said the company in a blog post.

Planning your trip

The app provides categories that consumers can input information into, such as day plans, reservations, food and drink options, travel arrangements, and more. After filling in all of the pertinent information, consumers can then tap the “Download” button to save the trip to their device, allowing them to access it without needing to rely on WiFi or data.

For some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Google has provided some day plans so that travelers have an idea of where to visit. For example, those wishing to visit Florence, Italy may be given prompts to visit the Duomo, Uffizi museum, or even the Ponte Vecchio for some shopping.

For those working under strict time constraints, the app also gives the option to search for things to do in areas that you already know you want to visit. After clicking the “+” button in the day plans category, travelers will be provided with a list of attractions that they can see in any given area.

Users can also specify times for when they’re visiting, so someone who only has time in the morning or afternoon can input that information above the map and the app will generate a day plan for you. If they happen to find a new spot that they like or want to change plans, travelers can also tap the “magic wand” icon to have the app generate a new itinerary on the fly.

Organizing information

Google Trips isn’t just good for planning out your day, though. The app also allows users to store all the information they need on flights, car rentals, hotel and restaurant reservations, and more. The app collects all of the information by gathering it from a connected Gmail account and then organizes it by trip, so users won’t need to dig through their inbox to find what they need.

“Vacations are a chance to recharge and experience new places and cultures. For your next trip, let us help you see all the sights you want to see, without all the work,” concluded the company.

The app is available to download on both the iOS and Android platforms. 

Consumers with high blood pressure spend billions of dollars each year on prescription medication to keep it in check.

But what if there were a medical procedure that made that unnecessary? Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK say there may be.

The scientists have concluded that carotid bodies, a small cluster of nerves and cells next to the carotid artery, are a cause of high blood pressure. This revelation, they say, offers a new target for treatment.

The research team says removing one carotid body from some patients with high blood pressure caused an immediate and sustained drop in blood pressure.

“The falls in blood pressure we have seen are impressive – more than you would see with pharmacological medication – and demonstrate the exciting potential there now is for targeting the carotid body to treat hypertension,” said Dr. Angus Nightingale, of the Bristol Heart Institute.

The theory

The theory goes like this: the carotid bodies monitor levels of oxygen in the blood. When oxygen levels fall they sound the alarm, instructing the brain to step up the level of breathing and blood pressure.

But in some cases, the monitored fall in oxygen level is a false reading. The way the scientists explain it, it's like the thermostat on your furnace being set too high.

Professor Julian Paton, one of the researchers, says it's a novel approach but one that could potentially be a game-changer for the treatment of high blood pressure. Currently, he says, medication only treats the symptoms of high blood pressure. Removing the corotid bodies, he says, gets at the root cause.

Wouldn't help in every case

Nightingale makes clear the procedure would not be the answer for every case, but also says that the research team has developed some tests that would help identify patients for whom it would be effective. But that's not to say there isn't a role for drugs.

“Although this surgical approach to controlling high blood pressure was successful, we don’t think this will be the solution in the long term,” Nightingale said. “We now need to find a drug that dampens down an overactive carotid body and resets the blood pressure thermostat to a normal level.”

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and a major contributor to strokes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 70 million Americans have high blood pressure, the treatment of which cost $46 billion in health care services, medications, and missed days of work in 2011.

New-home construction took a U-turn in August.

The Commerce Department reports housing starts were down 5.8% in August at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,142,000 after rising 2.1% in July. Even with last month's decline, groundbreakings are up 0.9% from the same period a year earlier.

Construction of single-family homes was at a rate of 722,000 from the previous month, a plunge of 6.0%, while the August rate for units in buildings with five units dropped 6.9% to a rate of 403,000.

The decline isn't a big concern for National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist Robert Dietz.

"On a year-over-year basis, single-family starts are up 9%," he notes, adding, "while multifamily construction continues to level off at a solid level as that sector seeks to find a balance between supply and demand."

Building permits

Overall building permits, an indicator of developers plans in the months ahead, came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,139,000 last month -- down 0.4% from July and 2.3% below August 2015.

Permits for single-family homes rose 3.7% from July to a rate of 737,000; authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more, on the other hand, fell 8.4% to a rate of 370,000.

The complete report is available on the Commerce Department website.

Gallo Meats of Colville, Wash., is recalling approximately 82 pounds of various sausage, beef and lamb products.

The products did not undergo federal inspection although a mark of inspection was applied to them.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

The following items, produced on between April 20 and July 27, 2016, are being recalled:

• 12-16 oz. cryovac packages of “HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGE” with a pack date of 04-20-16.
• 12-16 oz. cryovac packages of “GROUND LAMB” with a pack date of 06-07-16.
• 12-16 oz. Cr yovac packages of “BEEF FLANK STEAK” with a pack date of 07-22-16 or 07-27-16.

The recalled products bear establishment number “EST. 09334” inside the USDA mark of inspection and were were sold in Washington state.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Kim Gallo at (509) 684-3448.