Apple Tablet Rumor Looms Large Over CES

It wasn't that long ago that industry watchers and media members were speculating that Apple, having ditched MacWorld last year, would make an official appearance at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show next month. There was even talk that Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself would deliver a CES keynote.

But that chatter was just wishful thinking. Apple continued to keep CES at arm's length. And now, with rumors of a new Apple tablet picking up steam before the holidays, Jobs and Company are poised to upstage CES once again.

The New York Times recently reported that Jobs was "extremely pleased" with the rumored product, and a tablet-like device of some kind seems at this point to be a foregone conclusion.

Will the Apple tablet be born with the same fanfare as the iPhone? Back in 2007, the introduction of Apple's highly-anticipated smartphone stole whatever thunder CES had hoped to secure. Macworld quickly became the center of the IT universe that winter, and most of the products and news that trickled out of Las Vegas went out with a whimper instead of a bang.

Now history seems ready to repeat itself. Apple has reportedly scheduled a major media event next month, where it's widely expected the company will unveil its new tablet model. According to The Financial Times, Apple has booked the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco for several days at the end of January and has scheduled an important product announcement for January 26.

While the dates don't overlap like they did in 2007 (CES runs Jan. 7-10), it's clear that all eyes will be watching for leaked Apple tablet images or specifications as the weeks go by. And if Apple's big product announcement will truly be a new tablet, it will no doubt overshadow the number of tablet PCs and smaller mobile devices scheduled to be unveiled at CES.

One of the more compelling rumors leading up to CES, For example, surrounds the possibility of Dell launching a new tablet PC powered by Google's Android operating system. Then there are other products like Asus' nifty Eee PC T101MT netbook, which can reportedly convert into a small tablet, and Notion Ink's sleek 10.1 inch tablet, also running Android.

These products could become casualties of Apple's media black hole next month, depending whether the mystery device is, in fact, a tablet and how and when the announcement is made. But assuming it is an Apple tablet, could the buzz actually help Dell and other tablet makers with a positive "trickle down" effect? Perhaps. But if history is any lesson, then prepare for Apple to swallow CES " and all of its tablets " whole.

High school suicides up in Washoe school district

The steady annual increase in high school suicides went from 8.6 percent in 2001 to 14.6 percent in 2009 was of special concern, said Katherine Loudon, director of the district's Safe and Drug-free Schools and S.H.A.R.E. programs and a coordinator of the local study.

"Even if there is an area where we didn't move much or make any progress, we want to do something about it because these issues do impact graduation, a child's quality of life and success," Loudon said. "What we want to do is pull everyone together and take a look at what we have going on and what the community has going and work on it."

The report also showed that more than half the students reported having had a sexual encounter and nearly 25 percent of students attended school while intoxicated.

But county school officials said they are pleased with other parts of a study on at-risk behavior, including a drop in middle school absences and an increase in the percentage of students who feel safe at school. The survey found fewer students missed school without parental permission and that the number of middle school students who felt unsafe declined to 19.5 percent in 2009 from 29.8 percent in 2007.

Prepared from questions developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions and sent to almost all 50 states, the school

District spokesman Steve Mulvenon said much of the data likely would be used by other community organizations to develop programming, action plans and grant applications to address issues.

He added that the 2007 data about middle school safety already has prompted the district to pull together an group of "middle school people, psychologists, parents" to discuss those issues.

England is 2nd favourite for World Cup 2010

After this weekend’s World Cup draw, bookies are now offering the most up to date odds on the event. England was drawn to play in Group C against USA, Algeria and Slovenia and their first match is against the USA kicking off on the 12th June 2010 at 7.30pm.

After the teams were announced England’s odds were cut from 6/1 to 5/1 with bookies Ladbrokes making them second favourite to Spain who are priced at 4/1 to steal the title. Bookies have decided to shorten England’s odds as they believe that England have been lucky enough to be entered into a relatively easy group, and this would explain how they are priced ahead of Brazil who are backed at 11/2.

A spokesman from Ladbrokes spoke of his excitement for the interest in World Cup betting that is about to grow explaining, “World Cup fever is set to grip the country. We're bracing ourselves for football meltdown next Summer. Cape Town has whetted the appetite and we reckon England should be pretty chuffed with the draw."

It appears that speculation that England could actually be World Cup winners this year has sent bookies into a paranoid frenzy but maybe what the England squad needs is fans who truly believe in them and with what the country is priced at to win, it is the shortest that England has been priced at to win the World Cup in a generation.

Ladbrokes are offering prices of 66/1 for USA to win the World Cup, with Algeria and Slovenia priced at a joint 150/1 to lift the silverware.

Odds on other countries that Ladbrokes are offering include Argentina priced at 9/1, Germany and Italy joint at 10/1 with New Zealand least likely to be named the winning team at 1000/1.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS)

What is AIDS?

AIDS is a medical condition. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is too weak to fight off infections.

Since AIDS was first identified in the early 1980s, an unprecedented number of people have been affected by the global AIDS epidemic. Today, there are an estimated 33.

4 million people living with HIV/AIDS and each year around two million people die from AIDS-related illnesses.

What causes AIDS?

AIDS is caused by HIV.

HIV is a virus t

hat gradually attacks immune system cells. As HIV progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting off. It is at the point of very advanced HIV infection that a person is said to have AIDS. It can be years before HIV has damaged the immune system enough for AIDS to develop.

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have developed an AIDS-related condition or symptom, called an opportunistic infection, or an AIDS-related cancer. The infections are called ‘opportunistic’ because they take advantage of the opportunity offered by a weakened immune system.

It is possible for someone to be diagnosed with AIDS even if they have not developed a

n opportunistic infection. AIDS can be diagnosed when the number of immune system cells (CD4 cells) in the blood of an HIV positive person drops below a certain level.

Is there a cure for AIDS?

Worryingly, many people think there is a 'cure' for AIDS - which makes them feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise wouldn’t. However, there is still no

cure for AIDS. The only way to stay safe is to be aware of how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent HIV infection.

How many people have died from AIDS?

Since the first cases ofAIDS were identified in 1981, more than 25 million people have died from AIDS. An estimated two million

people died in 2008 alone.

Although there is no cure for AIDS, HIV infection can be prevented, and those living with HIV can take ant

iretroviral drugs to prolong the onset of AIDS. However, in many countries across the world a

ccess to prevention and treatment services is limited. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV treatment, prevention and care, so that millions of deaths can be averted.

How is AIDS treated?

Antiretroviral treatment can prolong the time between HIV infection and the onset of AIDS. Modern combination therapy is highly effective and someone with HIV who is taking treatment could live for the rest of their life without developing AIDS.

An AIDS diagnosis does not necessarily equate to a death sentence. Many people can still benefit from starting antiretroviral therapy even once they have developed an AIDS-defining illness. Better treatment and prevention for opportunistic infections have also helped to improve the quality and length of life for those diagnosed with AIDS.

Treating some opportunistic infections is easier than others. Infections such as herpes zoster and candidiasis of the mouth, throat or vagina, can be managed effectively in most environments. On the other hand, more complex infections such as toxoplasmosis, need advanced medical equipment and infrastructure, which are lacking in many resource-poor areas.

It is also important that treatment is provided for AIDS related pain, which is experienced by almost all people in the very advanced stages of HIV infection.

Caring for a person with AIDS

In the later stages of AIDS, a person will need palliative care and emotional support. In many parts of the world, friends, family and AIDS organisations provide home based care. This is particularly the case in countries with high HIV prevalence and overstretched healthcare systems.

End of life care becomes necessary when a person has reached the very final stages of AIDS. At this stage, preparing for death and open discussion about whether a person is going to die often helps in addressing concerns and ensuring final wishes are followed.