<![CDATA[Gizmodo: germs]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: germs]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/germs http://gizmodo.com/tag/germs <![CDATA[This RC Tissue Box Could Save You From The Swine Flu]]> A tissue box that you can drive seems stupid at first, but it could be a hot product given our current state of hysteria over germs. I say quarantine the sick and deploy RC vehicles to handle it.

You can already deliver tissues, so all you need is an RC Cooler for drinks and a RC Ramen cart for soup. If this isn't enough to calm your fears about possible contamination, there are always more extreme methods you can employ. [Rakuten via Crunchgear]

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<![CDATA[Pureray UV Baby Bottle Could Be a Baby Killer]]> I get it—a baby bottle with a built-in UV lamp for killing any germs that might be lurking in the formula. Parents would eat this up. But would it do more harm than good?

Seriously, we have become a generation of germaphobes with our Purell bottles and crazy germ-killing gadgets. We are never exposed to germs so our resistance is down. That's probably why everyone always seems to have a cold. So ditch the UV lamps, go out and and push that cart at Walmart around to toughen up. [Yanko]

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<![CDATA[10 Gadgets That Can Protect You From The Swine Flu Pandemic]]> According to the CDC, the regular flu has killed 13,000 people since January—but the Swine Flu kills like 1% of that and everyone is freaking out. These gadgets can bring you peace of mind.

If there is one bright spot in this whole Swine Flu mess, it's that bacon is not affected. Whew! And I thought I might have to curb my intake. Actually, I might eat more now out of spite.

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<![CDATA[Kitchen Towel Sanitizing Machine Says "Suck It" To ShamWow]]> Just the other day I was thinking that I spend entirely too much on paper towels—but I refuse to buy a ShamWow from Beavis. This kitchen towel sanitizing machine just might be the answer.

The idea is simple—a mini countertop washing machine that can sanitize your germ-ridden kitchen towels. I mean, how often do you clean those things anyway? You probably have one draped over your faucet right now—stiff as a board. Imagine what kind of nasty things that towel must be crawling with. At this point, the machine is only a concept and there are no specific details on how the device might operate, but my feeling is that it would be more practical if it utilized UV light instead of soap and water to sanitize the towels. It would be greener and most likely take up less space. [Yanko via Home Tone via Cribcandy]

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<![CDATA[Cole Cleaner Disinfects Your Disgusting Pop-Top Cans]]> I've never given it much thought, but looking at this Cole Cleaner UV pop-top disinfectant while I drink my un-sanitized Diet Dr. Pepper is giving me something of a hypochondriac panic attack.

Who or what could have touched the top of the can I am currently putting my lips to? Seriously, I can barely drink this now. *Slurp* I'm mortified beyond belief. At any rate, the idea behind the Cole Cleaner is much like any other UV gadget on the market—zap the germs into oblivion with a cleansing radiation bath. To be honest, I'm surprised this concept doesn't already exist. [Yanko]

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<![CDATA[Vioguard Germ-Fighting Keyboard Retracts For a UV Light Bath]]> We have all heard horror stories about how keyboards have more germs than a toilet seat right? Now a startup called Vioguard is taking this issue seriously with a self-sanitizing keyboard for hospitals.

As you can see in the TechFlash interview, the Vioguard works by automatically retracting into the monitor base for a germ-killing UV bath. Obviously, this could be a matter of life and death in a hospital but, by the looks of things, the average Joe could benefit from this technology as well. [Vioguard and TechFlash]

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<![CDATA[UV Razor Sanitizer Fights Off Nasty Bacteria You Picked Up Below the Equator]]> So, you use your razor to shave EVERYTHING on your body and now it's as sharp as the edge of a manila folder. Dull blades lead to cuts and cuts lead to mutant face fungus.

Storing your razor in this UV sanitizer ensures that 99.9% of germs and bacteria are killed—plus it is portable. Remember that before you start going crotch to face again. You may also want to check out the long line of UV gadgets designed to keep you germ-free even in the nastiest environments. [Brookstone via TRFJ]

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<![CDATA[Wireless Wipes Rid Your Filthy Touchscreen Phone of Staphylococcus Aureus]]> If you, like me, do unnatural things with your iPhone, go pick up a 10-pack of Wireless Wipes. Why? Because touchscreens are apparently hotbeds of scum and villainy. And germs, which is what a British study discovered when it found they carry "tens of thousands of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus." Another study, conducted in Arizona, randomly tested 25 mobiles and found staph on nearly half of them. Staph, in case you didn't know, causes everything from pimples and boils, to pneumonia and meningitis, which explains the chronic headache and hallucinations I've had for the better part of the past week. Wireless Wipes cost $2 for 10, are fast drying, non-streaking and—most importantly—non corrosive. [ChipChick]

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<![CDATA[10 Gadgets That Help You Survive in Cheap Hotel Rooms]]>

Tomorrow I embark on a week-long vacation that will have me hiking up mountains, enjoying art and music and dining in fancy restaurants. Needless to say, I am looking forward to it. The only thing I am not 100% about is the hotel room. I've never stayed in this particular chain before and I got it at a great price—which has me a little concerned. What's wrong with it? Is it nasty inside? Is that where all of the local hookers and drug dealers go to conduct their "business?" Fortunately, there are plenty of gadgets out there that can help give budget-minded travelers peace of mind in scenarios like this one.

Handler Anti-Germ Hook: If you find yourself staying at a seedy-looking hotel, the Handler will help you negotiate potentially germ-ridden obstacles like door handles with ease. Plus, it is available in a wide range of colors for the stylish hypochondriac. [HandlerUSA]

HYSO Doorknob Germ Killer: If you are looking for something a little more advanced than a simple germ hook, the HYSO Doorknob Germ Killer will spray a mist of hospital-grade disinfectant on a handle or knob every 15 minutes. [Link]

SteriPEN: If you are planning a trip to Mexico a foreign country and are a bit concerned about the quality of the local drinking water, the SteriPen can put your mind at ease. The UV wand will kill any bacteria and viruses that may be present without having to resort to boiling. [SteriPEN via Link]

UV Disinfectant Wand: Basically, this wand is a SteriPEN for your surroundings. The UV light will detect bodily fluids that may be present int the room and kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses when you hold it over a suspicious area for 10 seconds. It is available in the compact, clamshell shape seen here as well as a megawand version for that Motel 6 near the red-light district. [ThinkGeek via Link]

Foot Flush: Nearly everyone has a fear of germ-ridden public toilets. The foot flush offers an easy-to-install, hands-free toilet flushing experience by simply stepping on the foot pedal. [Foot Flush via Link]

Mat Walk: While we are in the bathroom, let's take a moment to consider all of the disgusting things that may be lurking on the floor. The Mat Walk towel has slippers built in that not only keep your feet warm, they also prevent any contact with the floor itself. [Generate via Link]

Sonicare Flexcare Toothbrush: Did you ever see that Mythbusters episode that exposed how fecal partials end up on your toothbrush? Yeah, that is pretty horrifying. On the plus side, you could get yourself a Sonicare Flexcare Toothbrush with a built-in UV sanitizer. [Link]

Urine-Off Black Light and Spray: Use the black light to detect any urine, splooge, blood or other bodily fluids that may be present in your room. The bio enzymatic spray should make quick work of the urine—but you may need to find something a little stronger for the other messes you might encounter. [Urine-Off]

Germ Guardian: So, we have dealt with germs that may be present in your water and on the objects in the room—but what about in the air you are breathing? The Germ Guardian claims to kill airborne pathogens using UV-C rays. [Germ Guardian via Link]

DuPont Tychem TK: If none of the gadgets above can alleviate your fears, there is only one thing to do: buy a HazMat suit. Not only will it protect you from germs, it can also help with WMD chemicals like Lewisite, Mustard, Tabun, Sarin, Soman, and VX gas. You know...just in case. [PkSafety]

Photo Credit: Barry Culling / PBase

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<![CDATA[Kevlar Body Armor Could Soon Repel Germs]]> If researchers are successful, Kevlar-based armor will soon be able to protect the wearer from more dangers than bullets and fire. Yuyu Sun and Jie Luo of the University of South Dakota have discovered a way to coat Kevlar with a substance called acyclic N-Halamine. After testing it against "E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida tropicalis (a fungus), MS2 virus, and Bacillus subtilis spores (to mimic anthrax)," they discovered that the coating prevented these microorganisms from sticking to the Kevlar fabric.

The idea of making fabrics germ-resistant is nothing new, but it is obvious that applying this technology to Kevlar products has more practical applications than simply servicing the world's hypochondriacs. Further tests are needed, but so far Kevlar and acyclic N-Halamine seem to be getting along quite nicely. [LiveScience]

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<![CDATA[La Fresh "Tech Pack" Towlettes For Gadget Germ Killing and Impromptu Geek Showers]]> We have all heard the horror stories about how our keyboards are dirtier than our toilet seats and how nasty germs build up on our cellphones. If that is a concern for you, La Fresh is unveiling a new Tech Pack germ killing kit for gadgets. Each kit comes with four Wet and Dry Screen Cleaning towelette duo-packets as well as three Lens Cleaning and three Anti-Bacterial towelettes. And since we all know that hygiene can sometimes take a back seat to the computer, you could probably spare a few for an impromptu shower. Not bad for $10. Available starting on May 27th. [La Fresh via Crave]

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<![CDATA[Ovopur Water Dispenser Filters Out All of the Fun]]> It may look like you are draining the juices out of some gigantic white insect carcass, but underneath the bizarre looking hood, this Ovopur water dispenser from Aquaovo is serious business. It is completely gravity fed, with a recyclable, layered cartridge filled with KDF 55, activated charcoal, microporous bioceramics and quartz crystal to remove all of the impurities. But do you really want everything filtered out of municipal water? That's a free buzz you would be missing out on my friends! Pricing information has not been announced. Check out the huge filter after the break.

aquaovo_ovopur_filter.jpg
[Aquaovo via MoCo Loco]

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<![CDATA[IOGEAR Fined $208,000 By EPA For Germ-Free Mice Claims]]> IOGEAR's Germless Portable Laser Mouse isn't quite so germless after all, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency levied a fine of $208,000 on the company for "unsubstantiated public health claims regarding unregistered products, and their ability to control germs and pathogens." In other words, these things aren't killing any germs, and you probably shouldn't be buying them in hopes that they will. And as a result of the fines, IOGEAR's also stopped claiming that their germ-killing mice (now just "mice") kill germs. [IOGEAR via Crave via Gadgetell]

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<![CDATA[Germ Guardian Air Sanitizer Scares You Well]]> We're not germophobes here at Gizmodo—not necessarily because we aren't afraid of tiny sickness-inducing attack—but because we're too lazy to dust let alone sterilize. But the Germ Guardian Air Sanitizer offers a lifestyle of sloth paranoia we could live with. Using UV-C rays (like similar models on the market), the device kills 99.9% of airborne germs with light alone. Why do we like it? The Germ Guardian's design induces feelings of an inescapable bleak future—like it's waiting for us to curse, at which point it will blind us with a flash of light and we'll boil in our skin. Now that's a conversation piece. $200 [product via appliancist]

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<![CDATA[UV Disinfectant Wand Kills Creepy Crawlies, Lets You Spot Bodily Fluids]]> The UV Disinfectant Wand looks kinda like a Moto KRZR, but its clamshell shape can be put to an entirely different use. It emits ultraviolet radiation, and it's said to kill 99.9% of the bacteria and viruses in its path. Just 10 seconds worth of this death ray, and bacteria and viral DNA will supposedly be sent packing. Either that or it will give them one hell of a sunburn.

But what about those bodily fluids?


This wand is perfect for those germ-fearing mysophobes who may not realize that in sheer numbers, there are more bacteria and viruses in their bodies than there are human cells.

Anyway, take one of these $70 UV germ killing lights into your next hotel room, and shine it on that bedspread. You did know that substances such as semen, saliva, perspiration and vaginal fluids are naturally fluorescent, didn't you? Not only will this UV disinfectant wand supposedly kill germs, it will let you see all kinds of things you wish you hadn't. Sounds like it could create more problems than it solves.

UV Disinfectant Wand [ThinkGeek, via GearFuse]

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<![CDATA[HYSO Doorknob Germ Killer]]> After imagining he was inside a woman's restroom—something we've all done at one time or...sorry, where were we?—Simon Sassoon devised a gadget that automatically kills germs on public doorknobs. Want to see what two years and $250,000 worth of investment money gets you? That's it on the right.

Every fifteen minutes, this $60 device sprays a mist of "hospital-grade disinfectant" onto the knob, killing whatever post-urination/defecation residue got transferred to the knob after being handled by hundreds of people.

Those in the hygiene brigade can reel off dozens of reasons all strangers are potential enemies: virulent flu seasons, packed airplanes with stale air, buses where no one covers a mouth when sneezing. But social critics detect an element of hysteria in the germaphobia of Americans and suggest that at its root is a fear of a dangerous, out-of-control world.

Is there a market for the sanitation device? All signs point to yes. Be prepared to see this in your local movie theater, restaurant, and underground sex club soon.

Germs Never Sleep [NYT via Medgadget]

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<![CDATA[Cellphone Bacteria Warning: Not for the Squeamish]]> Okay, now that you're done with lunch it's time to gross you out. A UK newspaper reminds us that cellphones are just downright disgusting, and are even dirtier than toilets. That's because they're exposed to much more bodily bacteria than any toilet seat. A combination of being near your mouth with all that spit and stuff, and those cellphone electronics keeping the bacteria warm all day turns that handset into a teeming metropolis of creepy-crawley microbes, including such delectables as Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria responsible for pimples, boils, pneumonia and meningitis.

Just keep in mind that there are literally billions of bacteria, virii, and other various insects and arachnids crawling all over your body right now. Reminds us of the Penn & Teller Bullshit episode where they took bacterial cultures from people's faces, hands and butts, and guess which was cleaner?

If you guessed butts, you're right, they were cleaner than faces and especially hands, the most bacteria-laden part of the body. Now forget all you just read and go on about your business. Have a nice day.

Wash your hands, caller [The Daily Mail, via personaltechpipeline]

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