US buys up world stock of key Covid-19 drug remdesivir

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Cisco Webex Teams Earns HITRUST Certification

Follow along with our new blog series #HealthcareNow and #PublicSectorNow, where we’ll addresses healthcare innovation around the world and how to maintain business continuity in today’s health climate. 

As virtual healthcare is adopted at a greater velocity and scale than ever before, there’s never been a more critical time to talk about how we keep our customers’ data safe.

In healthcare, the stakes are high when it comes to privacy and security. The average cost of a healthcare record data breach is $429, which is more than double the cost of any other industry record breach. In the United States, the average total cost of a data breach for healthcare providers is $6.45 million.¹

At Cisco, we take our customers’ data security seriously and develop world-class collaboration solutions that are simple, scalable and designed to meet your compliance needs.

Achieving HITRUST CSF Certification

We’re thrilled to announce that Webex Teams, Webex Control Hub and Webex API have achieved HITRUST CSF Certification, the world’s most widely adopted security framework in the healthcare industry.

The HITRUST CSF Certification combines best in class standards from HIPAA, NIST and COBIT and helps healthcare organizations address security challenges through a comprehensive and flexible framework of prescriptive and scalable security controls.

Achieving this certification status places Cisco Webex into an elite group of organizations worldwide who have received this recognition, and further validates Cisco’s commitment to keeping data safe and confidential.

“HITRUST helps organizations ensure that the highest standards of information protection requirements are met when sensitive data is accessed or stored,” stated Jeremy Huval, Chief Compliance Officer, HITRUST. “Cisco can be recognized as an organization that can be counted on for keeping information safe.”

Impact on Your Healthcare Organization 

Privacy and security are paramount for your healthcare organization. As collaboration technologies continue to be widely adopted for virtual care, Cisco is dedicated to securely connecting patients, clinicians and care teams.

Learn more about how we protect your healthcare data, and read more about our HITRUST CSF certification.

We’d love to hear what you think. Comment below and stay tuned for the next blog in our #HealthcareNow series.

1. Ponemon 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report

The post Cisco Webex Teams Earns HITRUST Certification appeared first on Cisco Blogs.

US buys up world stock of key Covid-19 drug remdesivir

US buys up world stock of key Covid-19 drug remdesivir

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https://ift.tt/3ilAQcE July 01, 2020 at 05:15PM https://ift.tt/1R552o9

Black bean burgers with guacamole and chipotle ‘mayo’

If you’re looking for plant-based comfort food, these tasty burgers are an easy fix – plus, they’re super nutritious. The black beans are a great source of fibre, protein and folate and have a relatively low glycemic index, meaning they promote a steady rise in blood sugar levels, rather than a sudden spike. Topped with generous amounts of guacamole, which provides potassium and heart-healthy fats, we’ve also added a kick of spicy flavour with our vegan take on chipotle mayo, made from silken tofu. Sautéed onions also provide a source of vitamin C, as well as lending smoky flavour. Delicious. 

Makes 4 burgers

400g can black beans 
75g brown rice, cooked 
1 shallot, grated 
1 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp hot smoked paprika 
30g breadcrumbs 
1 tbsp olive oil
4 bread rolls 
1 onion, sliced
300g silken tofu
Juice of 2 lemons
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1 tbsp chipotle sauce
2 avocados
50g rocket

1 Put the black beans, rice, shallot, salt, paprika and breadcrumbs into a blender, season with salt and pepper and blitz until still a little chunky but well combined. Divide the mixture into four and shape into burgers. Transfer to the fridge and chill for 20-30 minutes

2 Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small frying pan and add in the sliced onion. Add the salt and a little splash of water and allow to cook on a medium heat for 20-25 minutes until completely soft and golden. 

3 To make the chipotle mayo, add the silken tofu to a blender with the juice of 1 lemon, mustard powder chipotle sauce and seasoning and blitz until smooth. Transfer into a bowl and set aside. 

4 Prepare the guacamole by spooning the avocado flesh into a bowl with the juice of 1 lemon and plenty of seasoning. Smash with the back of a fork until broken up, but not completely smooth.

5 Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to a large frying pan and fry the burgers on high for around 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the crust is golden and they are cooked through. 

6 To assemble the burger, slice the buns in half and toast the cut side. Spread the bottom half with chipotle mayo and add some rocket leaves. Top with a burger and place the guacamole and sautéed onions on top. Insert a skewer to keep everything together and serve immediately.

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Common running injuries and how to avoid them

Image: iStock

It’s no surprise that running has peaked in popularity this year. With gyms closed, exercise options limited and our cooped-up lives leaving us craving the outdoors, a jog round the local park is one of a small number of luxuries we’ve been able to enjoy. But with increased exercise comes greater risk of injury, and unfortunately the data agrees: Google searches for common running injuries have surged since lockdown. Stay pain-free with these tips from Emily Partridge, MSK Clinical Lead at Bupa Health Clinics. 

Shin splints

This is one of the most common running injuries, especially for beginners who aren’t used to running, or for those recovering from an injury. The term refers to lower leg pain below the knee and is often a result of muscle overuse, wearing worn-out shoes or running on hard surfaces.

Avoid it: To help prevent shin splints, make sure you build up your mileage and fitness slowly, and combine running with other exercises. Yoga is a great exercise to combine with running as it stretches and strengthens your muscles. If you already have shin splints, stretch or foam roll your shins regularly to aid recovery.

Runner’s knee

This is a catch-all terms to describe several injuries that cause pain around the kneecap.

Avoid it: Helping to prevent runner’s knee is similar to shin splints; make sure you build up your mileage slowly, and that you’re running in the right shoes. Warming up and cooling down properly is essential, and this should include stretching the muscles around the ankle, knee and hip.

Achilles tendinitis

The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. Achilles tendinitis is a result of the overuse of this muscle. It typically happens when runners quickly increase the intensity or duration of their runs.

Avoid it: To help reduce the risk of Achilles tendinitis you should increase the intensity and amount you are running gradually. Make sure you are stretching your calf muscles before and after exercising.

Plantar fasciitis 

Plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of the foot around the heel. This is often a stabbing pain that is particularly painful when you take your first steps in the morning. The pain can return after sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Avoid it: Choose shoes that offer good support, not only for running, but in your day-to-day life as well. Swap running for low-impact exercises such as cycling or swimming until the injury has healed and make sure you are stretching your leg and foot muscles properly.

What to do if you do get injured

If you’ve injured yourself after a run, there are some things you can do to help reduce swelling and pain, and aid recovery. There are also things you should avoid doing. A great way to remember these is by using the POLICE and HARM methods:

POLICE

Protect: Protect your injury from further damage. You’ll need to avoid aggravating the injury initially but it’s important to keep moving within comfort levels. Depending on the injury, some form of support or a splint may be helpful.

Optimal loading: Get active sooner rather than later. Start to put weight on your injury and build up your range of movement. Do this gradually and be guided by what feels manageable.

Ice: Place a cold compress, such as a bag of ice or frozen peas, wrapped in a towel onto the painful area. Do this for around 20 minutes every couple of hours for the first two to three days.

Compression: Compress the injured area using a bandage to help reduce swelling.

Elevation: Elevate your injury above the level of your heart, if able.

HARM

For the first few days after an injury, prevent further damage by avoiding HARM.

Heat: Don’t have hot baths, showers or saunas and avoid using heat rubs or packs immediately after an injury.

Alcohol: Avoid alcohol as it can slow down your recovery and increase your chances of hurting yourself again.

Running: Don’t run or do other types of moderate activity as this may cause further damage.

Massage: Massaging the injured area can cause more swelling and bruising, so avoid this for the first day or two.

Remember…

• If your injury is serious, you should seek immediate medical attention. Soreness with any new exercise routine is normal, but persistent pain should not be ignored.
• Listen to your body and don’t run through pain: if you don’t feel completely comfortable running or think there’s a reason why you shouldn’t, then don’t. Hold off until you feel fully ready, or seek the advice of a physiotherapist.
• Doing too much too soon will be difficult to maintain as a new runner, so increase your miles gradually. Running two to three times a week should improve your fitness, but give yourself at least a day between runs to allow your body to adapt.

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Everyday anxiety hacks

Image: iStock

For anyone who’s woken at 3am with an iron-hard knot of stress in the pit of their stomach, the impact of living with anxiety will be crushingly familiar. Up to three million Brits have some kind of anxiety disorder – symptoms vary, but include everything from a racing heart to dizziness, breathlessness and problems sleeping. 

‘There are a number of reasons why anxiety is on the rise – the fast pace of life, perfectionism and comparison, and lack of community support can all play a role,’ says Chloe Brotheridge, hypnotherapist and anti-anxiety expert. 

However, it’s important to manage anxiety. Over time, it can affect our ability to form relationships, hold down a job, or simply enjoy life’s small pleasures (a steaming cup of coffee, a bright winter’s morning); anxiety is also linked with depression, and may trigger gut issues such as IBS. 

The good news is that, collectively, we’re constantly discovering new ways to ease our anxiety. The following ideas aren’t replacements for medical intervention, but some people might find them useful. 

1 Niksen 

Many of us don’t do downtime any more, what with all the scrolling through work emails at 11pm and maintaining the perfect Instagram profile. Say hello, then, to niksen – the Dutch relaxation technique that quite literally involves doing nothing. So why might scheduling time to gaze out of the window or dreamily listen to music (both niksen ‘activities’) make us less jittery? The idea is that it lets us simply ‘be’ and our minds wander – subtly different to mindfulness, which is more about being present. With niksen, you relinquish control of your thoughts. 

Brotheridge says: ‘Many of us are trying to do too much and it’s not natural. Our nervous system is not designed to be in fight-or-flight mode as often as we are. Doing “nothing” could give us a chance to calm down this stress response.’ Similarly, theories abound that boredom boosts creativity a recent study found that participants who did a tedious task performed better in an idea generation test afterwards. The downside? For overthinkers, niksen could mean added time for rumination – often the fire that fuels anxiety. 

2 Weighted blankets 

If you suffer from stress-induced insomnia, a weighted blanket could be your new best friend. Originally designed to soothe autistic children, a variety of brands are now pitched at anxious adults. The theory is a sense of deep pressure on top of you makes you feel snug and safe, a bit like you’re being constantly hugged. 

Abeer Iqbal is co-founder of British company Sumo Sleep. He says: ‘Our blankets contain evenly distributed micro glass beads. Under this weight, your body experiences deep pressure therapy. This triggers a reaction similar to when you have a massage. Serotonin and melatonin levels rise (the chemicals responsible for calm and sleep). Cortisol levels decrease (those associated with stress).’ 

One small study involving 32 adults found nearly two-thirds felt less anxious after using one; another 2015 Swedish study suggested they improve sleep quality. However, as mass-market weighted blankets are a relatively new phenomenon, there’s still a lack of research backing up claims. Available in weights ranging from 4-12kg, makers advise buying one that’s roughly a 10th of your bodyweight (Iqbal says 8-14% is OK). Retailing at £150-ish, they’re not cheap, but what price a night of unsullied slumber? 

3 Soothing apps

There’s no shortage of anti-anxiety apps these days. Some offer guided meditations (Headspace); others track mood (BoostMe reminds you of positive activities that worked when you previously felt anxious) or offer mind-altering programmes (Dare teaches how to manage panic attacks). 

Brotheridge, who offers the online programme Your Calmest Self, says, ‘Apps can be inexpensive and accessible, but equally, they can be easy to ignore and not actually use.’ 

Ultimately it’s probably a personality thing. ‘If you’re motivated, they can be great,’ says Brotheridge. ‘Otherwise, you may be better off trying something in person.’ 

What makes apps so convenient can also be their downfall – the fact you use them alone. ‘With apps, we often miss out on the community aspect and much of managing our mental health is about knowing we’re not alone,’ she says. ‘I often recommend support groups or sharing circles so people can connect with others.’ 

4 Sophrology

Mindfulness is sold as a panacea for our times, but being in the present moment is easier said than done. Step forward sophrology, which still offers mindful elements, but is more dynamic – so potentially more of a distraction from your racing thoughts. Invented by Colombian doctor Alfonso Caycedo in the 1960s (to treat depression and PTSD), sophrology mashes up yoga, Japanese Zen, Buddhist meditation, hypnosis and psychology; think visualisations, gentle movement and breathing exercises. 

Brotheridge says: ‘People can be bored just sitting and breathing. Adding in visualisations and movement could make it more engaging.’ 

Anecdotally, sophrology’s fans say it brings them feelings of positivity and contentment. With 12 levels, you can choose how deep you go (the first is about releasing tension; later you enter the more psychological realms of improving concentration and boosting fulfilment). Popular in France (where it’s used by the French rugby team), sophrology classes are becoming more available here. 

5 CBD 

While the jury is out on many of its claimed health benefits, there is some credible scientific evidence suggesting that cannabidiol or CBD (a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp) could help ease anxiety. One 2018 study found that low doses of CBD administered for seven days alleviated symptoms of both pain and anxiety. In another recent study on CBD, anxiety and sleep, anxiety scores decreased within the first month in nearly 80 per cent of patients who were taking CBD. 

However, large-scale trials are needed for more robust evidence. Brotheridge says: ‘The results are promising for CBD and anxiety, but it’s not a miracle cure. It doesn’t address the causes, but could help manage symptoms. I personally take CBD oil daily to help manage PMS.’ 

6 ASMR 

If you’ve seen those slightly creepy videos of people on YouTube whispering into their hairbrushes, then you might have experienced ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response). Some find it a useful tool for relieving their stress. 

‘ASMR is a response where some get “tingles” as a result of hearing sounds such as whispering or a softly spoken voice,’ says Brotheridge. ‘Not everyone finds this – but it’s wonderfully helpful for anxiety if you do.’ 

A study from Sheffield and Manchester Metropolitan Universities in 2018 found those who felt ASMR brain tingles (which typically start in the scalp and travel down the spine) had a significantly lower heart rate than those who didn’t, which may indicate that they felt more relaxed. With 13 million videos freely available on YouTube, this is one you can easily try at home.

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How to adopt a zero waste beauty regime

Image: iStock

Reducing our waste footprint on the planet has become a question of ‘how’ rather than ‘why’. But although we’ve all become pros at recycling our orange juice cartons, it seems we’ve been slower on the uptake when it comes to our bathroom cabinets. ‘While almost 90% of people in the UK claim to regularly recycle from the kitchen, only 52% say they do the same in the bathroom,’ says William Brightman, co-founder of sustainable beauty brand UpCircle.

But that’s starting to change. Reducing the waste created by our lifestyle is a global concern for the beauty and personal care industry for 2019, according to a Mintel report. ‘[Beauty] consumers are paying a lot more attention to their impact on the planet,’ the market intelligence agency has warned brands. The numbers speak for themselves, with 74% of Spanish consumers saying they’re concerned that the ingredients in their natural products are not sustainable, while 44% of organic US shoppers claim they live sustainably. 

The easy part 

So, here’s where you come into it. Start by tackling the disposable items you use every day. Remember that image of a seahorse carrying a cotton bud which went viral for all the wrong reasons? It’s the plastic stem that’s the problem here, so swap these for eco-friendly alternatives, with stems made from paper or bamboo, which are biodegradable. 

Meanwhile, wet wipes – yes, the ones you’ve been using to remove make-up since you were a teen – are responsible for 80% of ‘fatberg’ blocked sewers in the UK. Thankfully, there’s a simple alternative. Swap your wipes for a clean muslin cloth paired with a cleansing balm or lotion. You’ll be doing your skin a favour, too. 

Plastic toothbrushes are another culprit, according to Brightman, especially if replaced every three months, as dentists advise. ‘It doesn’t take much to conceive of the huge waste involved,’ he says. ‘Fortunately, there are alternatives: a bamboo toothbrush only takes six months to biodegrade.’ 

Next up, it’s time to clear out the myriad plastic bottles cluttering up your bathroom. A report from Zero Waste found the beauty sector generated over 120 billion units of packaging last year, most of which is plastic and non-recyclable. ‘Look for products with easy-to-recycle packaging such as glass or aluminium, which also look beautiful on your bathroom shelf,’ advises Rachelle Strauss, founder of Zero Waste Week. Once you’ve finished with the product inside, rinsed out glass bottles become single-stem flower vases, and jars are great for storing cosmetics. 

Alternatively, Strauss advises ‘going naked’ with products that use little packaging. Think bar soaps, sales of which rose by 3% in 2018, after years of decline, with faster growth than both liquid soap and shower gels. 

Get what you need 

The final frontier of the zero waste movement is simply changing your mentality. ‘Separate your wants from your needs,’ says Strauss. ‘How many products have you bought only to be disappointed?’ Invest in hard-working, multipurpose products, and reap the extra benefit of a less-cluttered bathroom shelf. ‘Coconut oil can be used as a hair conditioner, a skin moisturiser, make-up remover, shaving cream or lip balm,’ she says. 

As for your make-up bag, invest in cosmetics from brands such as Pacifica, which allows you to send empty packaging back after use. Burt’s Bees, meanwhile, ensure that 89% of their primary packaging is recyclable. They’ve also introduced post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin into their packaging, making it much easier to recycle. 

You can also give away your unwanted beauty products and toiletries to a women’s shelter – even if partially used. Initiatives such as Beauty Banks accept postal and drop-off donations. 

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