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Comprehensive Sleep Wellness Center Opens on Newark Campus
More than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep-related problems. To address this growing need, ChristianaCare has opened a new comprehensive sleep wellness center in the Medical Arts Pavilion II on the ChristianaCare Newark Campus. The ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is an outpatient program that provides expert diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The nearly 5,000 square foot, seven-bed facility builds on the success of ChristianaCare’s previous sleep diagnostic center, now incorporating clinical care and diagnostic testing at the same site. The center is staffed by board-certified sleep medicine specialists who provide in-lab and at-home sleep testing, as well as a behavioral health specialist who offers cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. The center offers onsite and virtual appointments. “At the ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center, we offer the full range of sleep care services in one place, with the expertise to help people with all kinds of sleep disorders,” said Shilpa Kauta, M.D., medical director of the ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center. “Sleep disorders affect members of every race, socioeconomic class and age group, but despite the high prevalence of sleep disorders, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated,” she said. National surveys show that more than 60 percent of adults have never been asked about the quality of their sleep by a physician. “It’s important for people to know that if they have problems related to sleeping, they should talk to their doctor about it, or call us at the Sleep Wellness Center. Sleep disorders can affect overall health—and they are often very treatable.” The Sleep Wellness Center provides expert, multidisciplinary diagnosis and care for every kind of sleep problem, including: Obstructive sleep apnea. Restless leg syndrome. Narcolepsy. Parasomnias, such as sleepwalking. As part of the ChristianaCare team, the expert staff at the Sleep Wellness Center coordinates with disease-based programs at ChristianaCare to integrate sleep services into cardiac care, weight loss surgery and renal transplant care. They also partner with surgeons to manage hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy, a major advancement in obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Patients at the Sleep Wellness Center undergo a personal sleep history, medical background and physical examination. If appropriate, a polysomnography (sleep study) may be ordered to monitor and record brain waves, heart rate, blood oxygen level, breathing and eye movements. Poor Sleep Health is a National Problem According to the National Institutes of Health, of the 70 million Americans suffering from sleep-related problems, more than 50% are likely to have a chronic disorder, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy. People who suffer from sleep disorders are also more likely to have chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity and even cancer. The impact on American life and economy is enormous as sleep deprivation and untreated sleep disorders are estimated to cost over $100 billion annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, property and environmental damage. “With information collected through testing, our sleep experts can determine the source of a sleep problem and begin a treatment plan to help patients improve their quality of life,” Kauta said. The address and phone number of the new center: ChristianaCare Sleep Wellness Center 4735 Ogletown Stanton Rd. Suite 2210 Newark, DE 19713 302-623-0610
Aston University wins grant to make research more sustainable and environmentally friendly
University awarded grant to develop more sustainable separation method through AstraZeneca’s Open Innovation CoSolve Challenge at ELRIG Dr Vesna Najdanovic will explore use of the solvent ethyl lactate It is a biorenewable and environmentally friendly alternative. An Aston University scientist has won a $25000 grant in the AstraZeneca Open Innovation CoSolve sustainability challenge to help to make research more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Dr Vesna Najdanovic, senior lecturer in chemical engineering at the University’s Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), successfully pitched her idea to explore a new method using ethyl lactate as a solvent. Ethyl lactate is a biorenewable and environmentally friendly alternative solvent produced from lactic acid and ethanol, both obtained by fermentation of biomass. Currently hazardous organic solvents such as acetonitrile are widely used instead. Dr Najdanovic won the AstraZeneca’s Open Innovation CoSolve Sustainability Challenge at the European laboratory research & innovation group (ELRIG) Research and Innovation meeting. She said: “Throughout my research career, I have been working with various green solvents, such as supercritical fluids, ionic liquids and biosolvents, to improve chemical and separation processes. “I am delighted to be selected by the expert judging panel and the highly engaged audience to apply my knowledge to develop greener analytical methods using ethyl lactate as a solvent for liquid chromatography. “I hope this project will pave the pathway to use this environmentally friendly alternative solvent while reducing carbon footprint and pollution”. The pharmaceutical industry generates the highest amount of waste per mass of products compared to other chemical industry sectors, such as the petroleum industry, bulk and fine chemicals. Dr Kelly Gray, CoSolve sustainability programme lead at AstraZeneca, said “In order to protect people, society and planet we have to identify and develop solutions to deliver sustainable science. The goal of the CoSolve sustainability programme was to do just that and identify innovative ideas to practical challenges faced by researchers across scientific disciplines in R&D.” Sanj Kumar, CEO of ELRIG, said “Ensuring that drug discovery processes become sustainable is a priority issue to the ELRIG community, so partnering with AstraZeneca on the CoSolve initiative, by hosting the pitching and final award ceremony, is not only an honour, but raises the awareness of sustainability to our community. Dr Najdanovic and her innovation are a worthy winner and ELRIG is proud that we are able to share her success story.” As much as 80% of this waste presents hazardous organic solvents obtained from petrochemical sources. For example, the pharmaceutical industry consumes 50% of globally produced acetonitrile, of which 20% is a solvent for liquid chromatography, a widely used analytical tool in research and development laboratories. After its use, most acetonitrile is discarded as chemical waste and subsequently incinerated, generating greenhouse gases and other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and highly toxic hydrogen cyanide. The CoSolve sustainability challenge award builds on Dr Najdanovic’s previous work employing ethyl lactate as a solvent for various separation processes. Her new project supports EBRI’s wider objectives of using bioproducts to deliver low-carbon and environmentally sustainable solutions.
Coronation of King Charles III: Augusta University professor talks about what to expect
Eyes from around the world will be on Westminster Abbey in London this weekend as King Charles III is crowned king following the passing his mother Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022. As you might expect, there will be plenty of pageantry involved with the ceremony. Ruth McClelland-Nugent, PhD, is chair of History, Anthropology and Philosophy at Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Augusta University and an expert on the royal family. McClelland-Nugent said this is a major day for those in the United Kingdom, and to a lesser extent, some parts of the Commonwealth "where the British monarch is still monarch, such as Charles will become king of Canada as well as the U.K." The coronation is a religious service of the Church of England, so there will be a number of traditions upheld, such as anointing of the king with blessed oil, and by the end of the ceremony, Charles will have officially received his crown and his scepter, as well as the traditional robes and stole that mark him as king. The crown and the orb that will be used during the coronation date back to 1661 for King Charles II. New crowns were needed after the Puritans melted the old ones down during the English Civil Wars. “These are very traditional things, and reinforce the ancient idea that the monarch is selected by God to have authority over people,” said McClelland-Nugent. "However, for the first time, there will be participation from clergy of other faiths as well, since the king has invited clergy from the Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist faiths to participate, reflecting the great religious diversity in the U.K.” She also said those watching the coronation, in-person or virtually, will be invited to swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch, giving the entire country a role in the ceremony for the first time. “It will probably feel very formal and ancient to any Americans who watch it, and it is, but it will be the most informal and diverse coronation in recent British history,” McClelland-Nugent said. Others in the royal family will also play roles in the ceremony. Queen Camilla will be crowned alongside Charles. Princess Anne, Charles' sister, will lead a procession of armed forces and other personnel behind the new king and queen when they leave Westminster Abbey. “Look for her to be on horseback. This is a highly prestigious role and not one carried out by a woman previously.” McClelland-Nugent said Prince William, Prince of Wales, who is now heir to the crown, will make an oath of loyalty directly to the newly crowned king. Some of the king’s grandchildren and queen’s grandchildren will also serve roles during the coronation. If you're a reporter covering the coronation and all the events leading up to it this week, then let our experts help with your stories. Ruth McClelland-Nugent is available for interviews; simply click on her icon now to arrange a time to talk today.
When Our Feelings Become Physical: Understanding Our Bodily Responses To Emotion
Alicia Walf is a neuroscientist and senior lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute whose research interests are fueled by the broad question: Why are there individual differences in stress? This question led to studying hormones' actions for growth and plasticity in the brain and body. She has since refined her pursuit to include consideration of body, brain, and mind relationships as they relate to memory, perception, social cognition, and emotions. Dr. Walf has taken a cross-species and cross-discipline approach in her work. Dr. Walf’s studies of the effects and mechanisms of stress and well-being often occur in the “wild,” such as in architectural built environments, artistic installations, interactions with technology, contemplative practices, conference rooms, and classrooms. Here, Walf examines what we know and what we have yet to learn about the physical manifestations of our emotions. Over 100 years ago, the earliest ponderings of how feelings are reflected in our body were described. Also, several decades ago, the first personality associated with an intense stress response was Type A personality. This personality type is characterized by quickness to anger and competitive drive as well as the negative consequences of chronic stress on the cardiovascular system. Recent work in mice shows that increasing heart rate produces an anxiety-like state (Hsueh et al., 2023, Nature). Now, a focus is trying to link changes in the body with feelings to brain mechanisms. Even after all of these years of study, we do not fully understand if there is a signature bodily response associated with specific feelings. For example, both anger and love (and other feelings that have been studied like jealousy) are associated with changes in the body that look indistinguishable from stress. The heart beat quickens, the eyes widen and the pupils become larger, blood rushes to the muscles and surface of the body. As surface body temperature and blood flow rises with these changes, a blush may become apparent on our cheeks. Indeed, a study showed that people have similar responses in describing which areas of the body are activated or deactivated in different emotional states; that is, where they feel these emotions in their body (Nummenmaa et al., 2013, PNAS). In this study, people said that love most greatly activated the head and trunk, whereas anger’s activation of the body was more focused on the head, arms, and chest. We can agree that love and anger – and all the strong feelings we have – mentally feel quite different from each other and we also have different behaviors. Those differences are likely due to a cognitive component, or how we assess the current situation in relation to what we know and our past experiences. Neuroscientists would argue that there are likely different brain circuits active in an angry and love state (and others), but those precise mechanisms are yet to be figured out. To date, we understand that feelings of love activate a reward pathway. Neurochemical differences may also play a role. For example, release of dopamine in this reward pathway and oxytocin in areas involved in social bonding are tied to love. The challenge of understanding the links between these expressions of emotions in the body to the mechanisms in our brain remains. Walf is available to speak with media - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Comment: UK Government alert text message test
The UK government recently conducted a nationwide test of their emergency alert system by sending out text messages to all mobile phone users in the country. The test has sparked a range of reactions from the public, including concerns about the effectiveness of the system and the potential for false alarms. What did we learn from Sunday's test? Is it a concern that it apparently didn't work for everybody? As we would expect, not everything went to plan. However, that is the point of preparing and doing this kind of test – to find out what parts of the system works before it is relied upon. The implementation of a new system rarely works perfectly. Sunday’s test was useful to show people what to expect from the alarm system and to identify any aspects that need to be corrected and improved to make the system more effective. It is not so much a concern that the test didn’t work for everyone; it is only of concern if we don’t know how to fix the problem and/or don’t take identified steps to fix it. Is there a risk that public confidence has been undermined here? Is there also a risk of false alarms? The government needs to manage its public awareness campaign – swiftly and fully. Public confidence need not be undermined as identifying the faults in the system was exactly what this kind of test was meant to do. However, public confidence will be undermined if the government doesn’t explain that to the public and isn’t completely transparent about what happened and what has been done to improve. False alarms are always a possibility, but the benefits outweigh the risks. Having the right information at the right time can help a lot of people in complicated circumstances. Additionally, the government needs to ensure that the message is worded appropriately. The government should continue to keep messages short and simple so that there is no unnecessary worries or panic for the public. What are the key challenges? There are also issues related to people with anxiety or similar who may be overwhelmed by the noise the alarm makes and/or feel extra anxious from the threat of an emergency, even if it is simply a test alert. There are also those who suffer from domestic violence and may have secret phones so more communications on how to protect these vulnerable groups are required. Anyone without a mobile phone device may have been side-lined – senior citizens, vulnerable people, children – anyone without a command of English and/or isn’t really technologically minded enough to have a mobile device is at risk of not receiving these messages. Why do we need a system like this in place anyway? Preparedness is fundamental to mitigate the impact of any negative situation. The UK government is trying to leverage technology available to the public to get them crucial information when facing a crisis. The value of the system is to make people aware of a major danger and provide information about the best course of action which can be key for their protection. Alert systems are a great way to warn people of an impending situation, but equally important is that there are measures in place to handle an emergency such as evacuation procedures and rehearsals. It is the absence of a plan, contingency or knowing what to do in an emergency that transforms an emergency or disaster into a crisis. As such, we need a system like this because it aids in preparedness measures. The Aston Crisis Management Centre is focused on preparedness – whether it is for a business crisis or a natural hazard as we know that preparing for a crisis or disaster will help reduce the impact and may even help prevent some aspects of the disaster from happening. Not only is there a human cost in an emergency but also economic cost. It is important that preparing for crises reduces the impact of both. It is also important to be aware that in times of crisis and emergency it is important to have unified response and this system is the start of that important process. This article was written by David Cantliff, David Carrington, Oscar Rodriguez-Espindola & Lauren Traczykowski of Aston Crisis Management Centre
ChristianaCare Earns Third Consecutive Apex Recognition Award for Excellence in Respiratory Care
ChristianaCare one of only nine health systems to receive the honor for three consecutive terms For exceptional care in ensuring patients are able to easily breathe during their hospital stay, ChristianaCare has earned its third consecutive Apex Award in the Acute Hospital category. Conferred by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), the award recognizes ChristianaCare for its “exemplary demonstration of best practices in respiratory care.” ChristianaCare is one of only 18 health systems nationwide to earn this award and one of just nine to receive the honor for at least three consecutive terms. As a key component of hospital care, respiratory care is an important contributor to the overall quality and safety of a hospital. For patients and their families, ChristianaCare’s continuing recognition in this category is further reassurance that the health system’s quality is among the best in the nation. “At ChristianaCare, we commit to being exceptional today and even better tomorrow,” said John S. Emberger, BS, RRT-AACS, FAARC, CPHQ, director of Respiratory Care at ChristianaCare. “This recognition belongs to all the respiratory therapists on our team. They are committed to following evidence-based practices and to ensuring that every action they take is safe. It’s a deep privilege to lead a team so committed to our organization’s core values of love and excellence.” ChristianaCare’s respiratory team comprises nearly 150 caregivers who provide respiratory care within hospitals and outpatient settings and manage the mechanical ventilators and artificial airways used to help ICU patients breathe. To support continuous improvement, the team rigorously measures and tracks quality, patient satisfaction, safety and operational performance. That work has made an impact that extends beyond ChristianaCare; for example, the respiratory team’s success in standardizing practices to reduce infections and inflammations that can occur in patients on ventilators was published in the peer-reviewed journal Respiratory Care. Another key ingredient to the team’s success has been its ability to attract and retain top talent. ChristianaCare’s respiratory department is set up with clinical career ladders that provide the opportunity for caregivers to broaden their skills and responsibilities through their participation in quality improvement projects. “Our respiratory therapists are always seeking ways to improve and grow,” said Michael Benninghoff, DO, MS, section chief for Medical Critical Care, and the medical director of respiratory care at ChristianaCare. “They have played a significant role in helping our ICUs achieve excellent outcomes in caring for many of our sickest patients. They measure their performance and continuously look for ways to innovate.” The Apex Recognition Award was developed in 2017 as a way for the AARC to recognize respiratory care departments that demonstrate high quality care. “Respiratory care departments dedicate themselves to delivering excellent care for patients everywhere. They are a vital component to a patient’s care team, making a positive impact for the quality of patient care,” said AARC President Carl Hinkson, MSc, RRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, FAARC. “Earning the Apex Recognition award is a tremendous honor. It shows how these teams reach high standards and bring their specialized skills to their health care colleagues. Congratulations to ChristianaCare as one of our 2023-2024 Apex Recognition Award recipients.”
Researchers find an association between autistic traits and young children with ear, nose and throat problems The study used data from the Children of the 90s study which found 177 children were identified with a probable diagnosis of autism – 139 boys and 38 girls The study looked at data from over 10,000 children from birth to four years old. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, relating to the ears, hearing and the upper respiratory system, are more common in young children with a subsequent diagnosis of autism, or who have demonstrated high levels of autism traits - finds new research published in BMJ Open. The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Bristol and Aston University, looked at data from over 10,000 young children from birth to four years old, who were part of the Bristol’s Children of the 90s study. The team investigated whether early ear and upper respiratory signs are associated with the development of autistic traits. Previous studies have found increased prevalence of ENT and related hearing conditions in children with autism compared with typically developing children, but much of this research has been carried out using health records, which can be biased. In the new study, researchers used data from Children of the 90s study, a general population cohort which recruited over 14,000 pregnant women from the Bristol area between 1991 and 1992 and has followed the lives of their offspring ever since. Within Children of the 90s, 177 children were identified with a probable diagnosis of autism – 139 boys and 38 girls. Those with autism traits were defined as the 10% of the sample with the highest trait scores. The team analysed responses to three questionnaires in which mothers recorded the frequency of nine different signs and symptoms relating to the ears, hearing problems and upper respiratory system when their child was aged 18 to 42 months. These included signs such as mouth breathing, snoring, pulling/poking of the ears, ears going red, worse hearing during a cold, ear discharge and rarely listening. The results found that the frequency of these symptoms was associated with high scores on each of the autism traits: social communication, coherent speech, sociability and repetitive behaviours, plus those with a clinical diagnosis of autism. Pus or sticky mucus discharge from the ears was especially associated with autism (an increased risk of 3.29) and for impaired hearing during a cold (an increased risk of 2.18). Dr Amanda Hall, senior lecturer in audiology, at Aston University, said: “Thanks to the data available from Children of the 90s, we were able to analyse results from a large number of children. We found that common ear and upper respiratory signs and symptoms appear to be more prevalent in those with a subsequent diagnosis of autism or demonstrated high levels of autism traits. “However it is also important to note that these ENT symptoms are very common in childhood and most children who experience these signs and symptoms do not go on to be diagnosed with autism. “For example, of the group of around 1,700 children who snored at age 30 months, most of those 1,660 children did not get a later diagnosis of autism. Our results suggest the need for increased awareness of possible ENT conditions.”
Is there a link between CTE and mass shootings? Let our expert explain
This spring news of mass shootings has dominated the headlines almost weekly with stories of tragedy in Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. To date, there have been an estimated 160 mass-shootings in America this year. In the wake of each tragedy, Americans are left asking 'How this could happen?' and 'Why did this happen?' In the case of the April 10 shooting in Louisville, the parents of the gunman are also seeking answers as they claim prior trauma and CTE may have played some part in the shooter's actions and motivation. It's a theory that's getting a lot of attention from doctors and journalists. The family of Connor Sturgeon – who was killed after he fatally shot five people Monday morning at the Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky – plans to have his brain tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, his father and a spokesperson for the family told CNN on Thursday. “Yes, Connor is being tested for CTE. Probably will take a while to get results,” Todd Sturgeon, Connor Sturgeon’s father, texted to CNN. Pete Palmer, a family friend who is speaking for the Sturgeons, said the family and the state medical examiner are looking to have Connor Sturgeon’s brain tested. April 14 - CNN There's a lot to know when reporting on CTE, especially when it involves the potential links to tragedy and a mass shooting. And that's where clinical experts can help and make sure reporters have the details, terminology and facts correct when covering such important topics. With over 40 years of clinical practice, Wayne Hulon is an American Board Certified Psychotherapist, and is also recognized by the State of Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor. In addition to his private practice, Wayne serves as a member of the American College of Psychotherapy and is currently serving as its Executive Director. Wayne is available to speak with media regarding this subject - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Gene Editing Institute Opens a Unique Learning Lab for High School and College Students
Free program uses CRISPR in a Box™ toolkit to teach the power of gene editing To inspire the next generation of students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and learn about the power of genomic science, ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute has launched a new Learning Lab on its premises that offers educational programming about revolutionary CRISPR gene editing technology. Located next to the Gene Editing Institute’s lab on the University of Delaware’s STAR Campus, the Learning Lab is a physical space that provides an immersive field trip experience for upper-level high school students and college undergraduates who may not have access at their schools to a laboratory to conduct gene editing experiments. There is no cost for schools to use the lab or for the materials to conduct the experiment. The Gene Editing Institute wants to ensure that all schools have equal opportunity to participate in educational programming at the lab. Students using the lab can perform a gene editing experiment in a single day using the Gene Editing Institute’s innovative CRISPR in a Box™ educational toolkit. All materials in the kit are safe, synthetic materials, and allow students to perform CRISPR gene editing with non-infectious E. coli bacteria. They will be able to see an appearance change indicating gene editing has occurred at the end of their experiment. “Students around the country, no matter where they go to school, have the potential to be scientists, researchers and laboratory technicians,” said Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., executive director and chief scientific officer of ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute. “Our hope is that by creating access and space for students to explore, we can inspire the next generation of students to pursue STEM careers. The Learning Lab allows us to help cultivate the next generation of genetic scientists and strengthen Delaware and our region as a leader in biotechnology.” Education Program Manager Amanda Hewes, MS, developed the Learning Lab after noticing a problem that was undercutting the opportunities of teachers to bring gene editing experiments into the classroom — a lack of space and equipment. Amanda Hewes, education program coordinator, assists students from Wilmington Charter School with their samples of DNA during a Learning Lab experiment. “We don’t want anything to hinder the way students learn about CRISPR gene editing,” Hewes said. “If a student feels like there are too many steps, or a teacher doesn’t have an essential piece of equipment, then we’ve lost an opportunity to bring the next generation of scientists into the lab. We’re striving to break down as many barriers as possible for students.” Learning real-world applications of gene editing The Learning Lab also allows students to speak directly with experts in the field about careers in biotechnology and gene editing as they learn the difference between such things as phenotypic and genotypic readouts in their gene editing experiments. This gives students the chance to ask about the real-world application of genome experiments in a research lab. It also lets them think about their place in a lab setting. “I’ve never been in an actual lab setting before,” said Shiloh Lee, a junior at the Charter School of Wilmington, at a recent class. “I think it is very, very cool to be able to experience it.” “I’ve learned a lot of new skills with the micropipetting,” said Pauline Zhuang, a senior at The Charter School of Wilmington. “We don’t have the same resources at our school. The CRISPR in a Box is such a great resource. My classmates and I have been able to experience, firsthand, what it is like to actually do gene editing.” Through the program, the Gene Editing Institute hopes to educate 1,000 students by spring 2024. Currently, the lab is on track to engage more than 200 students by the end of the spring 2023 semester. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, which are the hallmark of a bacterial defense system that forms the basis for CRISPR-Cas 9 genome editing technology. The CRISPR technology enables researchers to modify genes in living cells and organisms and may make it possible to correct mutations at precise locations in the human genome in order to treat genetic causes of disease. For more information about the Learning Lab and the educational program, email geneeditinginstitute@christianacare.org.
As technology continues to advance, so do the methods that hackers use to steal personal information. One such method that even the FBI has taken notice of is juice jacking, a technique where hackers use public charging stations to install malware onto your device or steal your personal information. The specific danger is very real, experts say. Steve Weldon, director of the Cyber Institute at Augusta University’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, said people need to understand there is risk when plugging a phone into a USB port at a public charging station. “USB uses pins for data and power. When we plug devices in to charge, the data pins are also connected,” said Weldon. “No big deal if we’re in an environment we trust. However, do we trust the public charging stations to have access to our data pins and being able to make data transfers? Probably not and that’s the gist of the recent warning.” There are ways to avoid the risk. “The best advice is to bring your own cables and adaptors. Then we can plug directly into power outlets,” Weldon said. If you must use a public charging station, he suggests using a data blocking USB cable. These cables only allow power to flow through, preventing any data transfer between the charging station and your device. Also, be aware if you are using your phone while charging it. “When using public charging stations we should, at a minimum, watch for strange behaviors, weird popups, and being asked questions about trusting the device or drive we’re connected to. Those are danger signs, and we’d want to disconnect quickly,” added Weldon. Another option to protect your phone from juice jacking is to use a wireless charger. These chargers do not require a physical connection between your device and the charging station. While wireless charging is typically slower than using a cable, it is a safe alternative when you’re on the go and need to charge your device. Keeping your personal information safe is crucial in today’s digital age. Protecting your phone from juice jacking is just one way to prevent hackers from accessing your sensitive data. Looking to know more? Connect with our expert today. Steven Weldon is the Director of Cyber Institute at the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences at Augusta University and is an expert in the areas of cellular and mobile technology, ethics in computer science, scripting and scripting and automation. Steve is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.