Current Events in November 2016

Mortgage applications surged last week following a sharp decline the week before.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), applications rose 5.5% in the week ending November 18, driven largely by purchase applications, which were up 13%.

“The increase in purchase activity was driven by borrowers seeking larger loans and that drove up the average loan amount on home purchase applications to $310 thousand, the highest in the survey, which dates back to 1990,” said Michael Fratantoni, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research & Technology at the MBA.

The Refinance Index fell 3% to its lowest level since January, with the refinance share of mortgage activity dropping to 58.2% of total applications from 61.9% the previous week.

The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 5.2% of total applications, the FHA share dipped to 11.7% from 12.2% a week earlier, the VA share was 12.5%, and the USDA share of total applications increased to 0.8% from 0.6% the week before.

Contract interest rates

• The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) with conforming loan balances ($417,000 or less) shot up 21 basis points -- from 3.95% to 4.16% -- its highest level since January, with points unchanged at 0.39 (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) surged to its highest level since January -- 4.04%, from 3.89% -- with points increasing to 0.37 from 0.26 (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 rose 17 basis points to 3.90%, its highest level since January, with points increasing to 0.36 from 0.28 (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 to its highest level since January -- 3.35%, from 3.15% -- with points increasing to 0.32 from 0.29 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs rose 13 basis points to 3.24%, its highest level since last December, with points decreasing to 0.28 from 0.42 (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.

Omni Custom Meats of Bowling Green, Ky., is recalling approximately 191,695 pounds of marinated roasted chicken quarters.

The product contains soy, an allergen not declared on the label.

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

The following item, produced from January 12 through November 15, 2016, is being recalled:

• 5,477 cases of 35-lb. heat sealed bags containing 52 pieces of “Roasted Chicken Quarters – Sea Salt, Cane Juice, Chicken Broth Powder, Canola Powder, Spices.”

The recalled product, bearing establishment number P-2199 inside the USDA mark of inspection, was shipped to distributors in Georgia and Missouri.

What to do

Consumers with questions may contact Curt Sullivan, plant owner at (270) 796-666.

BRP U.S. of Sturtevant, Wis., is recalling about 2,380 side-by-side off-road vehicles.

The steering rack and pinion assembly can have an improper amount of grease and result in a loss of steering control, posing a crash hazard.

The firm has received 33 incident reports, including reports of intermittent or complete steering lock. No injuries are reported.

This recall involves model year 2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicles. The vehicles came in various colors. The model name and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is printed on a label under the glove box.

To determine if your vehicle is included in the recall, have your VIN (Vehicle identification Number) ready and contact your authorized Can-Am side-by-side dealer or BRP.

Recalled models include:

The vehicles, manufactured in Mexico, were sold at Can-Am dealers nationwide from August 2016, through November 2016, for between $23,000 and $27,000.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled vehicles and contact a BRP Can-Am side-by-side dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair. BRP is notifying registered consumers directly about this recall.

Consumers may contact BRP toll-free at 888-272-9222 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Sunday or online at www.can-am.brp.com and click on “Owner Center” and then “Recall Information” for more information.

Chipotle has taken its fair share of lumps over the past year or so. After its catastrophic connection to an E. coli outbreak late last year, the chain was accused of wage theft in August by a thousands of employees who said they were required to stay and work after their shifts officially ended.

And now, another class action suit is being filed by consumers over false calorie information in the company’s menu labeling. Complainants say that the “Chorizo Burrito” menu item is listed to have a total of 300 calories on the menu but actually can have many times that number.

According to Fortune, the claimants are seeking damages and an injunction against Chipotle from labeling its food products with misleading nutritional information. If successful, the suit could apply to anyone who has purchased food from Chipotle in the four years before the complaint was made.

Misleading nutritional information

The lawsuit may not come as much of a surprise. Customers have been suspicious about the 300-calorie claim for some time now, and many have gone to Twitter to ask the company about it. In one post, Chipotle answers a Twitter user by saying that the calorie information only applies to the chorizo and not the entire burrito.

In fact, after using the nutrition calculator on Chipotle’s website, ConsumerAffairs found that a Chorizo burrito on a flour tortilla with black beans comes out to 600 calories. Adding other ingredients, like cheese, guacamole, and black beans, pushes the calorie count to 1,050.

The suit rails against Chipotle’s labeling practices, saying that by “providing false nutritional information for the menu items, consumers are lulled into a false belief that the items they are eating are healthier than they really are.”

In response, Chipotle has attempted to reaffirm that it has always strived to be clear with its menu labeling practices. However, it stops short of giving the suit legitimacy.

“I will note that we work very hard to maintain transparency as to what is in our food, including our practices for disclosing nutrition information. I’d also note that a lawsuit is purely allegation and is proof of absolutely nothing,” said Chris Arnold, Chipotle’s communications director. 

There may be some supermarket customers who enjoy self-service checkout, but the Albertsons chain is bucking the trend and removing self-service checkout lanes in most of its stores, as well as in the Safeway and A&P stores it has acquired recently.

“We prefer face-to-face interactions with our customers,” said Susan Morris, Albertsons executive vice president, Supermarket News reports.

In exchange for the self-service lanes, Albertsons is boosting the number of express lanes and expanding its "Three's a Crowd" program, which calls for opening additional lanes when more than three customers are waiting to check out.

Albertsons has also been experimenting with a single queue in some of its stores. Instead of customers lining up at individual registers, there is a single line feeding into the check-out stations. 

Some surveys have found that customers have positive feelings about self-service checkout, but Albertsons is operating on the principle that having human contact with each customer makes up for any loss of efficiency. 

There's also the little matter of expense. While check-out clerks are expensive, so is all the complex gear needed to make self-service check-out work properly. "Shrinkage," the polite term for theft, also tends to be higher in self-service environments, retail experts say.

Albertsons has also been challenging conventional wisdom by scrapping its loyalty card programs in recent years. It saves money and ensures that all customers get the best available price on each item, in Albertsons view.

The big day is almost here. Friday is the official kickoff to the 2016 holiday shopping season.

But it's almost anti-climactic since retailers have been rolling out Black Friday bargains since Halloween. Still, millions of consumers will crowd stores and go online over the long holiday weekend because there will, in fact, be some pretty spectacular deals.

But be warned. Not everything you can buy on Black Friday is going to be the best price. Personal finance site WalletHub has studied retail prices and found that 78% of items will have a lower price on Black Friday. But 17.3% will actually be more expensive on that day.

If you know what categories are likely to have the most deals you will be less likely to make a costly error. According to WalletHub, you'll do best shopping for video games, appliances, furniture, and computers on Black Friday. You are less likely to save if you buy jewelry, clothing, and consumer electronics.

Retailers with the best deals

When it comes to retailers, Ace Hardware, Big Lots, BJ's, Harbor Freight, and True Value have the largest percentage of low prices, when compared to the same item priced on Amazon prior to Black Friday.

William Joyce, a marketing professor at the Stern School of Business, told WalletHub that consumers should be sure to read the fine print on Black Friday deals, to make sure they understand what they're buying.

Among the best Black Friday deals it's seen so far, WalletHub suggests these may be worth checking out:

• Samsung refrigerator, 24.5 cubic feet, $899, marked down from $1,347, at AAFES
• Denon Soundbar with wireless subwoofer; $350, marked down from $557, at Best Buy
• 15 foot arena trampoline, with basketball hoop, football game, basketball, and football; $250, marked down from $500, at BJ's
• Kirkland Signature 42-inch mobile 16 drawer tool chest; $499, marked down from $900, at Costco.

A survey by Deloitte shows 79% of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday, but an increasing number plan to do their shopping online. In fact, shoppers this year said they plan to spend 51% of the holiday budget online.

Consumers estimate they will spend $400 during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, up from $369 last year.

Sales of previously-owned homes rose in October for the second month in a row and are now at their highest level since February 2007.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports total sales -- completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops -- were up 2.0% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.60 million.

Sales were higher in all major regions saw monthly.

A convincing autumn revival

"October's strong sales gain was widespread throughout the country and can be attributed to the release of the unrealized pent-up demand that held back many would-be buyers over the summer because of tight supply," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Buyers are having more success lately despite low inventory and prices that continue to swiftly rise above incomes."

The median existing-home price for all housing types was $232,200, up 6.0% from a year earlier, marking the 56th consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

Sales by region

• Existing-home sales in the Northeast climbed 1.4% in October to an annual rate of 750,000 and are now 1.4% above a year ago. The median price was up 2.9% from a year earlier to $255,500.
• In the Midwest, sales grew to an annual rate of 1.6 million, up 2.3 %, and are now 6.3% above a year ago. The median price of $181,500 is a gain of 5.8% from October 2015.
• Sales in the South jumped 2.8% to an annual rate of 2.22 million, a year-over-year advance of 4.7%. The median price was $202,300, up 7.4% from a year ago.
• Previously-owned homes in the West sold at an annual rate of 1.27 million, up 0.8% from September and 10.4% higher than the same time a year previous. The median price rose 7.8% from October 2015 to $345,800.

Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency put out a notice that appeared to strike fear in the agricultural pesticide industry, or the crop-protection industry, as they like to call themselves.

Reviewing glyphosate's cancer-causing potential would be the responsibility of nearly a dozen scientists handpicked by the EPA, including Dr. Peter Infante, an epidemiologist, environmental health researcher, and consultant who spent over two decades working for the federal government in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Infante, according to the EPA's glowing descriptions of him, "played a major role in determining cancer and other risks to workers during the development of standards for a number of toxic substances, including asbestos, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, lead and MDA."

Whether or not glyphosate is a carcinogen is still debated among researchers and agencies. In the past year, separate panels working for the World Health Organization issued two different opinions on the matter. 

Industry objects to government scientist

While federal regulators praised Infante for his role in determining the cancer-causing potential of toxic chemicals, the pesticide industry was singing a different tune. CropLifeAmerica is the trade group that represents Monsanto and other pesticide-makers. It describes its members in rosier terms, as "distributors of crop protection chemicals and plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States."

In October, CropLifeAmerica wrote a letter to the EPA, publicly complaining about Infante's inclusion on the panel evaluating glyphosate. In the past, Infante "has taken radical anti-pesticide positions," the members wrote, and has also testified as an expert witness in lawsuits against Monsanto, which they argued caused him to be biased.

Among the other concerns they list about Infante are his apparent distrust of industry-funded studies, the type of research that the pesticide industry naturally sees no problem with. According to CropLifeAmerica's letter, Infante once made the following statement in open court: “How does industry find scientists to do this kind of task? It buys them, that’s all!  Let’s be clear—it’s what I call ‘prostituted science.'"

It is probably to be expected that the pesticide industry does not appreciate its industry-funded researchers being referred to as prostitutes. But what took some food safety advocates by surprise was the EPA's reaction to CropLifeAmerica's demands.

Several days before the planned October 18 date the panel was scheduled to convene, the EPA delayed its review of glyphosate. Now, the panel is scheduled to meet in mid-December, two months later than originally planned. And according to a list of experts provided by the EPA, Infante is no longer one of the researchers who will review glyphosate’s cancer-causing potential.

“He [Infante] is a good scientist but the pesticide industry doesn’t like him,” Bill Freese, science policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety, tells ConsumerAffairs. "I think the evidence that glyphosate is carcinogenic is very strong and the EPA just refuses to acknowledge it.”

“This is outrageous. The industry wants to say that our own government scientists, the top ones in their fields, aren’t good enough for these panels,” Michael Hansen, senior staff scientist at the Consumers Union, said in a statement last month to the Huffington Post.

Defending credentials

In response to an interview request, EPA spokesman Cathy Milbourn sent ConsumerAffairs an online statement, in which the EPA blamed scheduling issues and experts' availability for delaying the panel.

Milbourn would not comment on the new list of researchers, in which Infante is no longer included. "EPA does not comment on personnel matters," Milbourn said via email.

Infante has not returned messages, but he defended his credentials and his work in a public letter that he fired back to the EPA in response to CropLifeAmerica. Infante acknowledged that he has testified in cases in which Monsanto was a defendant, but he said all of those cases concerned the chemical vinyl chloride (VC), not glyphosate.

"I was asked to opine whether there was a connection between VC and these rare liver cancers. My testimony was not for or 'against Monsanto,'" Infante wrote. "I have no special interest in regard to glyphosate. I have not been involved in any litigation involving glyphosate nor have I formed any opinion on this issue....I have also not worked on behalf of industry regarding glyphosate."

SAP Glyphosate Cancer - Infante-1 (1) by Amy Cranks on Scribd

CropLife finds another target

In its letter criticizing Infante as being radically anti-pesticide, CropLife also singled out another panelist, Dr. Kenneth Portier, who is the Vice President of the Statistics & Evaluation Center at the American Cancer Society. According to CropLife,  Portier "has expressed opinions about glyphosate that suggest he may already have pre-formed conclusions as to glyphosate’s safety.”

CropLife additionally criticizes Portier for being the sibling of Christopher Portier, the Associate Director of the  National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and a supposed  "noted and vehement antiglyphosate activist," according to the pesticide trade group.

While CropLife America apparently has no concerns that industry funding may cause a bias among researchers, they are concerned that being a sibling to Christopher Portier could cause a problem.  "CLA requests that EPA confirm that his brother’s views will not affect Dr. Portier’s ability to evaluate the relevant evidence objectively and that he has not already formed a conclusion regarding the carcinogenicity of glyphosate," the trade group’s letter says.

Dr. Kenneth Portier is still included on the upcoming panel, and he directed an interview request back to the EPA.

If you take a good look at the living conditions of the average American turkey, chances are you'll want to grab your Thanksgiving bird and give it a good scrubbing before you throw it in the oven or fryer.

Don't do it. Yes, turkeys can carry really nasty pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter. But washing the bird in the sink won't get rid of the germs, it will just spread them around so that you, the sink and everything else within three feet or so will be infested with deadly pathogens.

You're going to cook the bird, after all. That will kill the germs, assuming of course that you cook it thoroughly and use a thermometer to be sure you heat it to 165 degrees in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing, and the thickest part of the breast. Don't just rely on the little pop-up thing -- use a meat thermometer.

If you're frying the turkey, be sure to check out the exploding turkey warning from the American Chemical Society. Thanksgiving is not only a day for overeating but also the busiest day of the year for house fires.

Here are some other safety tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Defrost your frozen turkey safely. There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave oven. Thawing food in the refrigerator is the safest method because the turkey will defrost at a consistent, safe temperature. It will take 24 hours for every 5 pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator.

To thaw in cold water, submerge the bird in its original wrapper in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes.Keep it in its wrapper to avoid spreading germs around your kitchen.

Don't store food outside, even if it's cold. Storing food outside is not food safe for two reasons. The first is obvious -- animals can gnaw on it or even carry it off. The second is temperature variation. Just like your car gets warm in the summer, a plastic food storage container in the sun can heat up and climb into the danger zone (above 40°F). If your refrigerator is hopelessly full, use a cooler with ice to store the spillover.

Easy on the leftovers. Leftovers are good in the refrigerator for up to four days. Cut the turkey off the bone and refrigerate it as soon as you can, within two hours of the turkey coming out of the oven. Leftovers will last for four days in the refrigerator, so if you know you won't use them right away, pack them into freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze.

For years, pet owners have been claiming that Nestle Purina's Beneful dog food killed their dogs. But a federal judge last week granted summary judgment to Purina, throwing out a class action case for lack of evidence.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen said there was not sufficient evidence that the pet food, rather than some other factor, was responsible for the dogs' illnesses and deaths, Courthouse News Service reported.

Purina said the ruling "confirms what millions of pet owners already know – that Beneful is a safe, healthy, and nutritious dog food that millions of dogs enjoy every day.” 

The suit was filed in February 2015 by pet owner Frank Lucido, whose English bulldog died and tests found his death "consistent with poisoning." (Later tests, however, determined he died of a heart tumor but Lucido remained a plaintiff in the case).

The suit claimed that an analysis of 28 samples revealed three types of toxins: propylene glycol; mycotoxins, a fungal mold on grain; and the heavy metals arsenic and lead. 

"Poorly designed"

The level of toxins did not exceed limits permitted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an expert witness called by the plaintiffs said. Animal toxicologist Dr. John Tegzes said the FDA limits are "poorly designed." He said they are based on short-term exposure and do not consider the effects of long-term usage.

Tegzes said that chronic exposure to the mycotoxins, heavy metals, and glycols found in the food posed a “significant health risk” to dogs and could adversely affect their health over time.

But Judge Chen rejected that conclusion, saying there was insufficient evidence to support it. 

“Dr. Tegzes’s opinion is not reliable because the scientific literature he invokes is either too speculative or too imprecise,” Chen wrote in his 24-page ruling. “Simply put, Dr. Tegzes cites no epidemiological evidence that long-term exposure to mycotoxins at levels below the limits set by the FDA leads to serious health risks for dogs.”

Last week, we reported that hundreds of low-wage workers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago were poised to go on strike this week. Nearly 2,000 employees – ranging from baggage handlers to security guards and cleaning staff – had voted on a walk-out over low wages, unpaid overtime, and retaliation against union organizers.

Many worried that the strike would affect consumers looking to fly for Thanksgiving, but now it seems that holiday air travelers won’t have to worry. ABC7 in Chicago reports that workers have decided to begin their protest the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, November 29.

Workers stated that they didn’t want to complicate plans for the nearly 22 million fliers looking to travel for the holidays. However, when the strike does finally start, they say that O’Hare won’t be the only airport affected. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has now said that almost 20 other airports will be joining in the strike, including big hubs like Newark International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

“Workers will send a message to the major airlines that it’s time they take responsibility for their standards of service and care for the nearly two million passengers who travel through those major airports each day and for the workers whose dedication and hard work help to generate $36 billion in profits for the aviation industry,” SEIU officials said. 

Will you be shopping for children this holiday season? If so, it’s important to make sure that the gifts you purchase are both safe and appropriate for the children to whom they’ll be given.

It’s critical for gift-givers with kids on their holiday shopping list to scrutinize toy labels, use common sense, and make sure that gifts are age-appropriate. Before purchasing a toy, Purnima Unni, MPH, CHES, Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Program manager at Children’s Hospital, recommends first doing some research. 

Safety tips

In addition to making sure the child’s age falls within the product’s suggested ages, adults should look for quality construction and make sure labels on art supplies specify that the product is non-toxic.

To help those shopping for children this holiday season, the experts at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt released a few safety tips. Here’s what to do if you’ll be buying any of the following items for a child on your list.

• Bike. If you’ll be buying a new bike for a child, don’t forget the helmet. A helmet should also accompany other riding toys, such as scooters or skateboards.
• Electronics. Electronics often require button batteries, which are swallowed by more than 2,800 children every year. Keep lithium battery-controlled devices, such as remote controls, musical greeting cards, flashing holiday jewelry, and watches out of reach of children.
• Television. Buying a new TV? Don’t forget the wall mount. TV tip-over fatalities happen more often than they should. Every three weeks, a child dies from an accident involving a tipped-over television. Keep kids safe by mounting heavy TVs.
• Magnets. Avoid giving a child under 6 a building set with small magnets. If the child were to swallow these small magnets, serious injury or death could occur.
• Marbles and balls. Avoid marbles and balls with a diameter of less than 1.75 inches. 
• Projectile toys. Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and slingshots aren’t recommended for any age. But if you do choose to purchase them, they should be given to older children only.
• BB guns. BB guns shouldn’t be considered toys. Children require proper training and supervision while using a BB gun.

We associate some holidays with certain risks -- fireworks on the 4th of July, heavy traffic on Memorial Day, and so forth. And now Thanksgiving has its very own hazard -- cooking fires caused by turkey fryers.

Year-round, cooking fires are the most common cause of house fires and Thanksgiving sees more such fires than any other day of the year, thanks to the growing popularity of turkey fryers.

The American Chemical Society and the District of Columbia Fire Department offer some valuable safety tips in this video:

A federal regulator has revoked its earlier position and will increase its oversight of Wells Fargo, adding to the fallout from the bank's fake accounts scandal.

The Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a brief statement, saying the bank must now get OCC approval for any changes to its board of directors and senior leadership. Specifically, the OCC said it must approve any senior executive severance packages, known in the business as “golden parachutes.”

In early September, Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $100 million fine for secretly opening checking and credit card accounts in customers' names without their knowledge. Federal regulators who brought the enforcement action claimed the bank did that so it could meet its sales quota for new accounts.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said the bank employees, under pressure to meet targets and earn sales incentives, opened more than two million unauthorized deposit and credit card accounts.

Largest CFPB fine ever

“Wells Fargo employees secretly opened unauthorized accounts to hit sales targets and receive bonuses,” CFPB Director Richard Cordray said at the time. “Because of the severity of these violations, Wells Fargo is paying the largest penalty the CFPB has ever imposed.”

The bank responded by firing 5,300 employees it said were responsible for the fake accounts, but lawmakers and regulators began looking more closely at the executive suite.

The heat fell squarely on Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf, who was hauled before several Congressional committees to endure tongue lashings from a number of outraged lawmakers. Stumpf eventually announced his early retirement in an effort to quell the furor. The OCC announcement suggests the furor still has room to run.

Meanwhile, business at Wells Fargo has fallen dramatically. Fortune reported late last week that new accounting openings “fell off a cliff” in October. Checking account openings were down 44% from October 2015. New credit card accounts were down 50%. New CEO Tim Sloan said the decline in new accounts was expected.

For couples looking to start a family, receiving the news that you or your loved one is pregnant is happy news. Unfortunately, there are some women for whom this goal is elusive. Whether it’s genetics, age, or some aspect of health, the reasons for infertility are varied and sometimes uncertain.

However, new research from the University of Southampton suggests that one chronic condition may be the reason that some women have trouble becoming pregnant. Endometriosis, which affects nearly 10% of all women, is a condition where tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, irregular periods, and lowered fertility.

Previously, experts believed that endometriosis had no effect on the health of an egg before it was released from the ovaries, but researchers have found that this isn’t the case. They posit that endometriosis causes a very hostile uterine environment that can affect an egg’s ability to mature properly. With this new information, researchers believe that steps can be taken to increase fertility in women suffering from the condition.

"Endometriosis is strongly associated with infertility and up to 50 per cent of women who require infertility treatment have it. Struggling to have a baby can be terribly upsetting for a couple, so this new research gives some hope to people.”

Blocking egg maturation

The researchers made their discovery after experimenting with immature eggs in mouse models. They found that eggs that were incubated in the follicular fluid of women who have endometriosis had higher levels of free-radical chemicals called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

These chemicals were found to block the maturation process, leaving the egg immature and unable to be fertilized. Dr. Simon Lane, leader of the study, says this could provide an explanation for the infertility associated with endometriosis.

"We believe these results could have clinical implications for many women struggling to fall pregnant. . . More research is now needed to investigate whether the damage caused by endometriosis is treatable or preventable," he said

Antioxidants prevent damage

While there is no surefire way to treat endometriosis, the researchers believe that antioxidants could be beneficial. During the course of their study, they analyzed two antioxidants – Resveratrol and Melatonin – and found that adding them to follicular fluid helped reverse negative fertility effects. In some cases, ROS levels decreased and eggs were able to mature.

“It is very encouraging to see the possibility of the damage being prevented by antioxidants but more work is needed before we can put our results into practice," said researcher Ying Cheong.

The full study has been published in Scientific Reports.

Coming up at the end of the week is the official kickoff to the 2016 holiday shopping season. But chances are consumers have already done some of their shopping. And even for those who plan to shop the day after Thanksgiving, there's less and less need to get up early and wait for a store to open.

Jeff Fagel, chief marketing officer (CMO) at Eyeview, calls Black Friday “buy nothing day,” saying doorbuster deals are no longer grabbing consumers' attention. He suggests consumers should stay home Friday morning.

Phil Dengler, principal at shopping site BestBlackFriday.com, agrees that there are plenty of deals available right now, saying consumers need to stay alert. He notes that Amazon, Kohl's, Toys R Us, and other retailers have already started their online sales, so the deals are available right now.

But Dengler says consumers will have to wait until Wednesday night or Thanksgiving to find the biggest bargains.

“One thing we highly recommend is for everyone to download the apps for their favorite store,” Dengler told ConsumerAffairs. “While this was important last year, its value is growing even more for 2016. In addition to early access for some stores, the apps are a great way to get alerted when deals go live. Since online doorbusters are so competitive, time is of the essence for every online Black Friday deal. We recommend the apps from Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.”

For shoppers going the brick-and-mortar route, Dengler says Thanksgiving will be the biggest day for deals. He says Walmart and other retailers will hand out wristbands for some of their top doorbusters, which will encourage consumers to arrive at stores before the doors open. Here's the site's pick for the top 25 Black Friday deals.

Not everything's cheap on Black Friday

It's long been known that, while there are some pretty good deals on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is not the best day to shop for everything. For example, if the item isn't included in the advertised specials, it's probably selling at its regular retail price on Black Friday.

The Washington Post reports an analysis of price data shows the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the best time to shop for clothes and the best deals on electronics will be found on Thanksgiving, either at stores that are open or online. Shopping for toys? You might be better off waiting until Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday, after all, is threatening to eclipse Black Friday as a shopping day. In the days of dial-up internet service, many consumers would wait until they returned to work on Monday to make purchases, using their employers' broadband connections. As more holiday spending has moved online, retailers have used Cyber Monday as a time to roll out some of their best promotions.

Not deterred by cyber threats

Even people who have had a bad experience with cyber thieves will not be deterred from shopping online, according to a survey by TransUnion. The survey found 76% of shoppers who were victims of a holiday season hack might be fearful of the risks, but 94% said they still plan to shop for Cyber Monday deals.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) projects more than 137 million consumers will shop in one way or the other during the long Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday weekend. No doubt more sales will come online this year than last, driven largely by young people.

“For many millennials, every Thanksgiving weekend they can remember has involved hopping online to find the best deals,” said Prosper Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow. “For this group, it’s more than just a weekend of good deals, it’s a holiday tradition.”

Not all travel rewards credit cards are alike. In addition to the variety of perks they offer, they tend to also reward different kinds of travel.

An airline card rewards frequent flying. A gasoline card provides extra cash back when you fill up. And a hotel credit card can give you a free night's stay here and there. Sometimes, it can give you a lot more.

When it comes to hotel credit cards, the card comparison site CreditCards.com singles out the Starwood Preferred Guest card as number one in its class. It sets itself apart with its flexibility.

It not only provides hotel perks, its points can be transferred to more than 30 airline loyalty programs, usually without any loss of points. And because Starwood points are generally worth more than other card points, cardholders usually get more bang for their buck.

All about flexibility

"To me, a good rewards card is all about flexibility," says CreditCards.com senior industry analyst Matt Schulz. "While the Starwood card doesn't have the flashiest sign-up bonus in the bunch, it does give cardholders plenty of options beyond just free hotel nights."

Starwood Hotels is owned by Marriott and operates more than 1,200 hotels under 11 brands, including Westin, Sheraton, and St. Regis.

New cardholders earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 during the first three months the account is active. There's a $95 annual fee that is waived the first year.

Other options

CreditCards.com also likes the Hilton HHonors Reserve credit card from Citi. New cardholders get rewarded with two free weekend nights at a Hilton hotel after spending $2,500 in the card's first four months.

Cardholders also receive an extra weekend night certificate every year when they spend at least $10,000. Other perks include trip cancellation and interruption protection, lost baggage insurance, and other extra insurance benefits.

“The only downside is Hilton points tend to be worth significantly less than the average card rewards point,” CreditCards.com says.

A third alternative is the Club Carlson Rewards Visa Signature card. CreditCards.com is impressed with its initial sign-up bonus – 50,000 points with the first purchase and 35,000 more after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days.

Cardholders can also earn 40,000 points and a free night every year if they spend $10,000 or more. But just like the Hilton HHonors Reserve card, the points provided by the Club Carlson card tend to be valued less than the industry average.

A major software security firm is buying a leading identify theft prevention service. Symantec, which produces Norton anti-virus software, is acquiring LifeLock in a deal valued at $2.3 billion.

The boards of directors of both companies have already signed off but LifeLock shareholders will have the final say. Assuming they approve and other customary closing conditions are met, the deal should close in the first quarter of next year.

The acquisition marks the continued expansion of Symantec beyond the traditional anti-virus software products that fueled its initial growth. In an interview with Reuters, Symantec CEO Greg Clark said sales of Norton products have faced headwinds in recent years because of a decline in the number of personal computers in homes and offices.

Symantec said its acquisition of LifeLock will combine a leader in consumer security with a leading provider of identity protection and remediation services. It says the result will be the world’s largest consumer security business, providing a wide ranges of services and earning over $2.3 billion a year in estimated revenue.

New dimension to protection

“People’s identity and data are prime targets of cybercrime. The security industry must step up and defend through innovation and vigilance,” said Dan Schulman, Symantec Chairman. “With the acquisition of LifeLock, Symantec adds a new dimension to its protection capabilities to address the expanding needs of the consumer marketplace.”

There's little question that protecting against cyber crime is a growth industry. An estimated one-third of U.S. consumer have been victims of some sort of hack. As consumer concern about the threat grows, the industry has expanded its services.

LifeLock offers identify theft services, checking clients' credit for new account openings and credit applications. It also offers services to help consumers recover from an identity theft.

In the previous decade some of its marketing practices ran afoul of federal regulators. As recently as last year the Federal Trade Commission charged that Lifelock violated a 2010 settlement in which it agreed to stop making deceptive claims about its identity theft protection service.

For its part, LifeLock sees a merger with one of the largest computer security firms as a win-win for both companies. LifeLock CEO Hilary Schneider says the combined companies can deploy enhanced technology and analytics to improve services to consumers.

La Quercia of Norwalk, Iowa, is recalling approximately 932 pounds of cured, dried pork loin products.

The products are insufficiently dehydrated, which could lead to an outgrowth of harmful bacteria.

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

The following whole and sliced pork loin items, produced between June 3, 2016, and Nov. 2, 2016, are being recalled:

• 2.65-lb. vacuum-sealed package containing one piece of “LOMO AMERICANO” with a best by date of 11/08/17 and lot #Z16D04V115516.
• 2.65-lb. vacuum-sealed package containing one piece of “LOMO AMERICANO” with a best by date of 10/31/17 and lot #Z16D04V116016.
• 1.5-lb. package containing 20 slices of “SLICED LOMO AMERICANO. 2oz” with a best by date of 02/07/17 and lot #P17B07C128416.
• 1.5-lb. package containing 20 slices of “SLICED LOMO AMERICANO. 2oz” with a best by date of 02/21/17 and lot #P17B21C129816.
• 1.5-lb. package containing 20 slices of “SLICED LOMO AMERICANO. 2oz” with a best by date of 02/18/17 and lot #P17B18C129516.
• 1.5-lb. package containing 20 slices of “SLICED LOMO AMERICANO. 2oz” with a best by date of 03/02/17 and lot # P17C02C130716.
• 1.5-lb. package containing 20 slices of “SLICED LOMO AMERICANO. 2oz” with a best by date of 02/28/17 and lot #P17B28C130516.

The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 31797” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to distributors and retail locations in California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Texas and Virginia.

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 Stephanie Bates at (515) 981-1625.