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MEDIA RELEASE: More than potholes: The annual CAA Worst Roads campaign includes poor design, unsafe conditions

Voting is now open to all Manitobans – including pedestrians, transit users and cyclists - to have their say on the province’s “worst road.” As CAA’s annual Worst Roads campaign begins, the safety-oriented organization encourages Manitobans to vote on more than just potholes. “Potholes make a road bad; however, our Worst Roads campaign is about so much more,” says Tim Scott, president CAA Manitoba. Voters who head to the website can vote for a road based on a lack of sidewalks and bike paths, congestion, poor traffic signal timing and more. “Fixing potholes and regular road maintenance is important,” says Scott. “No matter how Manitobans use their roads, they should be able to do it safely, meaning we need to consider all road infrastructure and traffic issues.” With that in mind, CAA Manitoba is launching its largest awareness campaign around the issue of poor infrastructure. Voting for the province’s “Worst Road” opens to all Manitobans today. “Provincial Road 307 in Whiteshell Provincial Park was voted the worst road in 2022. It earned the top spot due to constant winter heaving, poor patching and its tendency to flood nearly every spring. The road was underwater for weeks last year, including when it was announced the ‘winner.’” While potholes are still top of mind for most CAA Manitoba Members, a new survey shows that 82 per cent of Members believe not enough is being done to maintain roads in their area in general, and 64 per cent believe the roads in their area have become worse over time. The survey also showed that 53 per cent of Member respondents believe there is a lack of pedestrian access on roads, and 57 per cent cited that a lack of cycling infrastructure is also a significant concern. However, there have been some notable success stories: Taylor Avenue and Empress Street Both streets were constants on CAA Manitoba’s Worst Roads list but have since fallen off. In the past few years, extensive rehabilitation, as well as repairs and replacements for the roads, have been completed. Empress Street is now home to some of the best-in-city bicycle and active transportation paths that are separated from the road and protect cyclists and drivers alike from harm. Saskatchewan Avenue, Winnipeg Taking the second-place spot in the Worst Roads list in 2022, a large part of Saskatchewan Avenue, from Route 90 to Midland Avenue, was recently replaced. The improvements included new sidewalks and accessibility features. However, the westernmost part of Saskatchewan Avenue is still in considerable disrepair. For more than a decade, CAA’s Worst Roads campaign has given decision-makers a snapshot of the public’s perception of the roads in their communities. Last year’s “winners” included: 1. Provincial Road 307 2. Saskatchewan Avenue, Wpg 3. Waller Avenue, Wpg 4. Provincial Trunk Hwy 34, Pilot Mound 5. 18th Street, Brandon 6. Provincial Trunk Hwy 44, Lockport to Whiteshell 7. Leila Avenue, Wpg 8. Kenaston Boulevard, Wpg 9. Dawson Road North, Wpg 10. Goulet Street, Wpg If you want to see your worst road make the list, visit www.caaworstroads.com to cast your vote. Voting is open to all residents of Manitoba, and you can vote daily.

How is Peer Learning Solving Multiple Challenges for Radiologists at Hamilton Health Sciences?

Have you got answers to all your challenges? Hear the thoughts of Dr. Karen Finlay on challenges faced by radiologists and how she and her team at Hamilton Health Sciences are responding. Learn about how the team at Hamilton Health Sciences has solved multiple Radiology challenges with improved peer learning. Watch our interview with Dr. Karen Finlay, Chief of Radiology, Hamilton Health Sciences, to see how they created a safe, constructive environment for their Radiologists to improve patient care, quality and collaboration. Find the full interview here: https://youtu.be/in0BBxYWj-I Visit our website: www.realtimemedical.com #Peerlearning #Radiology #QualityofCare #radiologyreimagined #radiologyproductivity #workloadbalancing #diagnosticimaging #patientcare #radiologysolutions

How AI Impacts Radiology Work at Grand River & St. Mary’s General Hospital?

How do you get the best of both worlds? Dr. Darren Knibutat and the team at Grand River & St. Mary’s General Hospital have improved patient care while managing a demanding workload. Learn how the team is implementing the RealTime Medical Teleradiology collaboration services. Watch our interview with Dr. Darren Knibutat, Staff Radiologist at Grand River & St. Mary's General Hospital, where he provides insights into how AI technology is impacting Radiology and improving patient care. Find the full interview here: https://youtu.be/lScHwliTnXY Visit our website: www.realtimemedical.com #Peerlearning #Radiology #QualityofCare #radiologyreimagined #radiologyproductivity #workloadbalancing #diagnosticimaging #patientcare #radiologysolutions

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA Insurance Company Launches New Brand Identity and Marketing Campaign Focused on Making Things Better

CAA Insurance Company has launched a comprehensive, consumer-facing brand identity for the first time in its 49-year history. This brand identity includes a new tagline, positioning, and brand story that will be supported by a marketing campaign composed of television, radio, online commercials and social media. "Our goal is to keep policyholders safe and continue to build trust with Canadians," says Matthew Turack, group president CAA Insurance. "As we continue to grow in both the direct-to-consumer and broker channels, it's important to showcase what makes CAA Insurance Company different." The new brand identity reflects CAA Insurance's commitment to delivering a better, more human experience in insurance, delivered in a clear and kind way. The new tagline, 'CAA Insurance Company - Making Things Better™,' reflects this approach. "Our brand marketing campaign focuses on relatable everyday moments that deliver information with empathy, reassurance, honesty, and some humour to connect with our target audiences," says Rhonda English, chief marketing CAA Club Group of Companies. "By creating a unique voice that speaks with care and concern, we are able to easily show the CAA Insurance brand's personality." The new brand platform evolved from the CAA Club Group brand platform Driven by Good ™, which was launched last year. CAA Insurance follows the same strategy of being an organization that places the consumer at the centre of everything we do and strives to be a positive force for good because it’s the right thing to do. CAA Insurance offers both home and auto insurance coverage. The company has always made business decisions based on what is best for our policyholders and consumers. The company proactively and unexpectedly finds new ways to do more for its policyholders as a partner, always putting their best interests above all else and delivering unexpected value and unique offerings to our customers and brokers. CAA Insurance's unique offerings include CAA MyPace™, Canada's only pay-as-you-go insurance payment program. "We are focused on modernizing insurance by championing fairness and creating products, programs and discounts that add value to people’s lives," adds Turack. "Our new brand campaign is a testament to our commitment to lead the insurance industry by always doing the right thing.” Watch the brand spots here www.makingthingsbetter.com

What You Need To Know About Cybersecurity From the Director of the Rensselaer Future of Computing Institute

Cyber threats have become one of the leading issues for corporations, governments, and public institutions across America. With ransomware attacks, hackers, and other nefarious threats, the issue is becoming a daily occurrence and leading news story. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s James Hendler, director of the Future of Computing Institute, Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web, and Cognitive Sciences, and director of the RPI-IBM Artificial Intelligence Research Collaboration, weighs in on what we should all know about cybersecurity. Overview Think about cybersecurity the way you think about home security – the more valuables you have, the more security you need. A normal user needs the equivalent of a lock on the door, which most of our computers provide out of the box. However, a user with a fair amount of personal information, who keeps financial records or runs a small business, probably wants a firewall or other additional protection. We used to tell people to protect their computers with firewalls, malware detectors, and the like, but now it is much more important to protect your web access, be wary of external sites, and keep your passwords secure and not easily guessed. Use of a password manager program can be really helpful for people who use a lot of different accounts. Threats The biggest threat facing individuals is identity theft caused by someone getting into an account that you don’t control. Most malware or password stealing comes via a phishing attack (a fake email that convinces you to click a bad link), so if you see an offer that looks too good to be true, don’t believe it. Never give out a password or personal information without confirming that it is legitimate. We also recommend not using major accounts (like Google, Facebook, etc.) to log in to new apps where you aren’t completely sure of the reliability – you’re safer if you use a separate password. It’s also worth noting that these kinds of attacks are now happening on cell phones – if you get a text saying your Amazon, Netflix, or other services have been shut off, be very careful. These companies almost never send out such messages, and if they do, they come via email, not text. For businesses, ransomware is becoming an increasing challenge. Frequent backups and dual authentication are absolute musts for small businesses. Large businesses, and especially those with cyber-physical connections such as a manufacturing device, must have someone on the team who understands internet technology. Outside audits done annually, at least, are also highly recommended. The biggest danger in cybersecurity is that people, especially in businesses, think that the software industry will fix things and that they don’t have to worry. That’s like expecting auto manufacturers to stop car theft, or the government to prevent all crime – these organizations certainly need to help, but they cannot be perfect. So while there definitely needs to be a role for manufacturers and government, people need to understand that the threats are now coming from social interactions such as phishing, or serious criminal enterprises such as ransomware attackers, and not just maladjusted teenagers. They must be ready to pay for some security if they have things on their network that need protection. The Cloud Cloud-based services are a major boon to cybersecurity for individuals and small businesses if, and only if, people protect their access. If a breach is reported to you by a company, don’t ignore it, change your password, and, whenever possible, use dual authentication. The cloud companies can afford to spend more on security than you can and thus your information stored in these services tends to be quite secure. However, people need to be careful in using the cloud. Just as you may trust a bank with your money, you want to be sure not to be robbed on your way there. Future Computing Systems and Cybersecurity New technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are arising all the time in today’s fast-moving cyber world. As these technologies arise, they can create new opportunities for cybersecurity, but can also create new challenges. Cybercrime will never disappear, and each new capability comes with a price. Increased education and awareness of emerging computing technologies (blockchain, quantum, etc.) are important not just for the expert, but also for the general public. It is important to stay informed and pay attention to what is being reported. Just as buying a new appliance can be a great advantage at home (I love my new air-fryer), you also have to be sure to be using it appropriately (used wrong, it can cause fires). Looking to learn more or connect with an expert for your questions and coverage? James Hendler is the director of the Rensselaer Future of Computing Institute, Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web, and Cognitive Sciences, and director of the RPI-IBM Artificial Intelligence Research Collaboration. Hendler has authored over 400 books, technical papers, and articles in the areas of Semantic Web, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and high-performance processing. Hendler is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Expert Q&A: The Summer of Sargassum?

A 5,000-mile-wide mass of sargassum seaweed is drifting toward Florida's beaches. It could arrive, with its brown, slick leaves and rotten eggs smell, around July as the state's Atlantic beaches are filled with locals and tourists.   Florida Tech oceanographer Kevin Johnson offered his insights into this looming arrival. Is it dangerous? Will it spoil the beaches? Here are his answers to some key questions. QUESTION: Is this situation really a big deal? Kevin Johnson: I wouldn’t say it is being overhyped, but it is yet to be determined whether this year will have greater amounts of sargassum in the Atlantic offshore, (visible by satellite) or coming ashore and covering the beaches, a connected but separate phenomenon requiring the cooperation of onshore winds. 2018 was a record-setting year, and this year could exceed what was seen in both locations in 2018. If the winds contribute strongly to sargassum coming ashore, it could make it smelly and hard to find an area of clean sand to set up on the beaches. QUESTION: Is there a health risk if we head to a beach where sargassum is present? Kevin Johnson: Sargassum doesn’t produce aerosolized organic toxins, but as it rots on the beach, it will smell and give off hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S. That's the stuff that smells like rotten eggs. When concentrated in enclosed areas, this gas is toxic and can be harmful. However, in the open air, diluted on an exposed beach, it is more of a smelly nuisance than a genuine health hazard for most people. But there could be a minor irritation, like itching, after coming into contact with sargassum. There are symbiotic species living in and amongst this seaweed when it is healthy and floating at sea. (These intricate relationships are part of what makes sargassum ecologically significant as a food source, nursery and habitat for many populations.) One of the symbionts is a tiny branching colonial hydroid, related to corals. it grows on sargassum fronds. Hydroid colonies have a sting like corals and jellyfish, but it is generally not severe. Some people may experience itching around their feet or ankles (or any body part that contacts the sargassum hydroids) if they brush up against sargassum in waves or swash, or step on freshly deposited sargassum on the sand. Many people will not be bothered or only mildly troubled by this, but some people may be more sensitive to the hydroids. QUESTION: I was planning to visit the beach. Should I reconsider now?  Kevin Johnson: If the winds collude with the large bloom already underway to deliver huge mats to the beach, it could be hard for beachgoers to find a place to sit on the sand, and the smells could make the beach untenable. I emphasize “could” with the hydrogen sulfide smell because it depends on how the sargassum is deposited and how wet it is as it breaks down. In some cases, beached Sargassum can be very dry and in such cases it may not smell too bad. People who are more sensitive to the hydrogen sulfide or to the hydroids on the fresh sargassum may find the experience even more unpleasant. Westerly winds would be helpful from the perspective of keeping sargassum away from beaches, but unfortunately easterlies are pretty common this time of year. If you're a reporter looking to know more about this topic, let us help with your coverage. Dr. Johnson can be available for phone, Zoom or, depending on scheduling, in-person interviews. 

Infant seating devices may reduce language exposure

When a parent needs to cook dinner or take a shower, often they will place their baby in a bouncy seat, swing, exersaucer, or similar seating device intended to protect the baby and grant a degree of independence to both the parent and infant. For many parents, these devices represent a helpful extra set of hands; for babies, the freedom to safely explore their immediate surroundings. As useful as these devices are to both parents and infants, they may present trade-offs regarding their effect on infants’ exposure to adult language, which is critical for language development. That’s according to a new study by researchers at the Stress and Early Adversity Lab at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. Within infants’ natural environments and daily routines, the study explored interactions between their exposure to adult language and their placement in seating devices, which support posture and promote the infant’s ability to play with objects or observe their surroundings without direct support from a caregiver. The researchers found that infants were exposed to fewer words when spending time in seating devices compared to when spending time in other placements. They also found that infants who spent the most time in seating devices heard nearly 40 percent fewer daily words compared to infants who spent the least amount of time in seating devices. Infants with more, compared to less, seating device use also had less consistent exposure to adult language throughout the day. Sixty mothers and their 4- to 6-month-old infants participated in this study. For three days, a Language Environment Analysis audio recording device (i.e. “talk pedometer”) captured language exposure. The mothers inserted the audio recorder into the pocket of a vest their babies wore. Automated software estimated from the recordings the total number of adult words spoken to or near the infant over the course of a day. To record real-time behaviors of infant placement, the mothers responded to 12 brief surveys per day about their infant’s current location and use of seating devices. Caregiver reports of their child’s placement in seating devices accounted for 10 percent of an infant’s daily exposure to adult words, which the researchers say is a striking finding due to the complex nature of language exposure and how many other factors may influence children’s exposure to speech (e.g. caregiver’s talkativeness, presence of other siblings). Kathryn Humphreys, assistant professor of psychology and human development and expert in infant and early childhood mental health, is the senior author of the study. She notes that infant seating devices can provide a convenient way to keep infants safely contained while caregivers attend to other tasks. However, given the potential for frequent and prolonged use of these devices, she says that parents may want to be intentional about interactive opportunities while the infant explores their surroundings as well as consider wearing or otherwise carrying their infant on their body as much as possible to create more opportunities for engagement through speech. “While we need more research to be certain that seating devices reduce the richness of infants’ language environments, these findings are influencing my own decisions about intentional placement with my 6-month-old." - Kathryn Humphreys Kathryn Humphreys She suggests that safe and convenient places are a boon for both infants and their caregivers, but that there is a risk for reduced levels of interactions when infants are stationary and not moving to where their caregivers are active.

UCI expert: federal standards of chemicals in country's waterways

The Biden Administration announced today that they are prepared to finally set federal standards on the amount of PFAS chemicals in the country’s waterways. This is long overdue oversight into regulating chemicals, specifically perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which when exposed to can cause debilitating, deadly diseases, and conditions such as cancer, liver damage, fertility and thyroid problems, asthma and more. For an expert source on this breaking news, Scott Bartell, MS, PhD, UC Irvine professor of environmental and occupational health, is available for interviews. For the past 25 years, Bartell has dedicated his research to quantifying human exposures and health effects caused by environmental contaminants such as PFAS – specifically the presence and epidemiology of PFAS in U.S. water sources. He is also the lead researcher on a study surveying Orange County, Calif. residents to find a link between PFAS and adverse health effects. To reach Prof. Bartell, reach out to Brianna Aldrich at brianna.aldrich@uci.edu or 760-809-5193.