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- Issue #014: Unveiling Urban Bird Secrets at UT | Student Spurs Pasco Guardrail Overhaul | USF's E-commerce Design Discovery
Issue #014: Unveiling Urban Bird Secrets at UT | Student Spurs Pasco Guardrail Overhaul | USF's E-commerce Design Discovery
122223
Ted Grellner
22 Dec
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
In this issue of
NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
👩🔬University of Tampa Researchers Uncover Urban Bird Secrets Through Innovative Study
👨🎓Local Student's Vigilance Leads to Overhaul of Guardrail Safety in Pasco County
👩⚕️Brandon Hospital Nurse Arrested for Fentanyl Theft and Tampering
🏈NFL Veteran Mike Williams' Sudden Death: A Cautionary Tale of Neglected Oral Health
Business
🆓USF Study Unveils the Power of Button Design in E-commerce
🔮AI's Crystal Ball: New Life2vec Tool Predicts Life Expectancy with 78% Accuracy
This Week’s Events in the NewTampa | Wesley Chapel FL Local Area
December 21 — Standup Comedy: Ricky Reyes, SideSplitters, WC, 8pm
December 21 — Standup Com: Ricky Reyes, Side Splitters@the Grove, 8pm
December 22 — Gasparilla Bowl: UCF vs Ga Tech, RayJames Stad 630pm
December 22 — Tiki Coves X-mas Boat Parade, Tiki Cove, Lake Padgett, LOL, 7pm
December 22 — Symphony in Lights (nightly), Shops@Wiregrass, 6-9pm
December 23 Kids Film Series: How to Train Your Dragon, NTPAC 10am
December 23 — Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Amalie Arena, 230pm, 730pm
December 23 — Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Curtis Hixon Park, 6pm
December 24 — Christmas Mrkt, Boyette Family Farms, 10am-4pm
December 25
December 26
December 27
University of Tampa Researchers Uncover Urban Bird Secrets Through Innovative Study
In a unique ecological study, the University of Tampa's Dr. Amber Brace, alongside seniors Katherine Gutierrez and Alexandra Larson, are examining the local bird population. Using grant-funded cameras, they're observing and identifying birds, particularly cardinals and blue jays, around the campus.
An intriguing aspect of their study involves collecting bird fecal samples to research potential diseases and parasites. This information could be crucial in understanding disease transmission to humans. Gutierrez, with her expertise in bird identification gained from the World Bird Sanctuary, and Larson, focusing on the research aspect, play pivotal roles in this study.
Funded until April, their findings will be presented at a Jacksonville conference, highlighting the significance of urban bird populations in ecological and health research.
Local Student's Vigilance Leads to Overhaul of Guardrail Safety
in Pasco County
In response to safety concerns highlighted by a local college student and an investigative report, Pasco County in Florida has implemented a new guardrail assessment plan.
This initiative aims to address the issue of improperly installed guardrails on county roads. The plan includes proactive biennial checks and reactive assessments upon reports of issues, with corrective maintenance for any guardrails failing these assessments.
This policy was introduced following the discovery of multiple faulty guardrails, some identified by college student Ryan Wentz, and aims to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of roadside guardrails.
Brandon Hospital Nurse Arrested for Fentanyl Theft and Tampering
In a shocking breach of trust at Brandon Hospital in Florida, ICU nurse Lisa Williams, 55, was arrested for stealing and tampering with 17 fentanyl IV bags.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation on December 12, 2023, following suspicions raised by the hospital staff. It was discovered that since October 2, Williams had been illicitly acquiring and refilling the potent painkiller bags with an unknown substance, posing a significant risk to patients. The FDA is currently analyzing one of the tampered bags.
Williams was apprehended on December 21 without incident, facing charges for trafficking in fentanyl and grand theft of a controlled substance. Her actions have drawn sharp criticism from local law enforcement and legal authorities, highlighting the grave implications for public health and the erosion of trust in healthcare professionals.
NFL Veteran Mike Williams' Sudden Death: A Cautionary Tale of
Neglected Oral Health
Former NFL player Mike Williams tragically passed away on September 12th, following a head injury sustained at a construction site. The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner cited multiple health-related causes for his death, with a significant focus on severe dental hygiene issues.
The report detailed various contributing factors, including bacterial sepsis, cerebral abscesses, necrotizing pneumonia, and complications from untreated dental cavities and retained tooth roots. Dental expert Dr. Rajiv Kalra noted that Williams' dental problems likely exacerbated his condition, with infections potentially spreading to his bloodstream.
While Williams had been hospitalized due to the head injury, which caused brain swelling and infections, his overall health, including heart disease and drug use, were also considered as influencing factors. The Tampa Police Department is investigating the role of prescription drugs in his cardiac arrest.
Williams, remembered for his impressive NFL career, highlights the often-overlooked connection between oral health and general wellbeing.
Local High School Sports Scores
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USF Study Unveils the Power of Button Design in E-commerce
A University of South Florida study reveals that the shape of online 'buy now' buttons significantly influences consumer behavior.
The research found that buttons with curvy designs are more likely to be clicked than those with sharp edges, likely due to evolutionary instincts associating curves with safety and sharp angles with danger. This preference leads to higher click rates and sales.
The study involved experiments with real businesses and simulated environments, confirming the impact of button shapes on online shopping. The findings suggest that while curved buttons are effective for positive messages, sharp-edged ones may be better for deterrent messages.
Learn more about this interesting research HERE in TBT
AI's Crystal Ball: New Life2vec Tool Predicts Life Expectancy
with 78% Accuracy
Researchers have developed an AI tool, Life2vec, capable of predicting an individual's life expectancy with 78% accuracy by analyzing data from 6 million Danish people.
The study, published in Nature, used transformer models to evaluate factors like income, profession, medical history, and lifestyle habits. The tool assigned codes to life events and used these to identify patterns correlating with longevity.
While the tool has shown promising results, it remains unavailable to the public and has only been tested on a specific age group in Denmark.
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