A day after <keyword id="22541950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal-potato-traders" source="keywords">West Bengal potato traders</keyword> called off their indefinite strike, dispatch of tubers from <keyword id="722255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cold-storages" source="Orion">cold storages</keyword> surged by 30-35 per cent to fill the demand vacuum, officials said on Thursday. The traders' body said they would continue to adjust supplies in an effort to stabilise prices. <br /><br />"Since last night, around 8 lakh packets of 50kg each have been dispatched compared to the normal daily average of 6 lakh packets," said <keyword id="22541952" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Progressive-Potato-Traders-Association" source="Orion">Progressive Potato Traders' Association</keyword> secretary Lalu Mukherjee on Thursday. <br /><br />He assured the state government of adequate supply and asserted that traders would refrain from exporting the produce to other states for now, as the government has pledged to address local concerns first. <br /><br />Rabindranath Kole from the Traders Forum and a state task force member said, "The news of the strike withdrawal has led to some price reduction, but a significant decrease will be seen at the wholesale level, which hovered at Rs 34 per kg, once the produce hits the market in sufficient quantities." <br /><br />The <keyword id="477093" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="potato-traders" source="Orion">potato traders</keyword> went on strike on July 21 in protest against alleged harassment by the state government and local administrations in exporting the tuber to other states. <br /><br />"The strike had been withdrawn. Agriculture Marketing Minister Becharam Manna had assured us on behalf of the state government of an amicable solution," Mukherjee said on Wednesday. <br /><br />To mitigate the strike's impact, the West Bengal government had earlier decided to engage self-help groups (SHGs) to sell <keyword id="6399610" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="potatoes" source="Orion">potatoes</keyword> at affordable prices. <br /><br />"Strike by the <keyword id="22905" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="potato" source="Orion">potato</keyword> traders has been withdrawn, and they have assured the government they will help reduce the prices of the tuber in the local market before exporting to other states," said Manna. <br /><br />According to Manna, cold storages and traders have assured the government of supplying potatoes at Rs 26 per kg at the cold storage level. This should help bring down the price to close to Rs 30 per kg for the non-premium Jyoti variety. <br /><br />"There is an assurance from cold storage units that they will supply potatoes at Rs 26 per kg. We will ensure that the supply is not disrupted," Manna added. <br /><br />Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had recently directed officials to take steps to control the prices of vegetables, including potatoes. Task forces formed by the state government have been conducting raids in markets to prevent hoarding. <br /><br />The strike had spiked potato prices in retail markets between Rs 40 and Rs 45 per kg.

Potato dispatches from West Bengal's cold storages surge by 35% a day after traders withdraw strike

DISPATCH FROM HONDURAS: What Life Is Like In The Murder Capital Of The World

<p>Hi, I'm Matt Turner, the editor in chief of business at Insider. Welcome back to <keyword id="11921772" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="insider-weekly" source="Orion">Insider Weekly</keyword>, a roundup of our top reads of the week. I hope you're able to rest and spend time with loved ones this Memorial Day weekend.</p><hr /><h3><strong>On the agenda today:</strong></h3><ul><li>Wonder how much that new hire is earning? <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-resignation-pay-gap-new-hires-earning-more-2022-5">More than you</a>.</li><li>Microsoft employees say "golden boy" <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-toxic-culture-ceo-satya-nadella-sexual-harassment-pay-disparity-2022-5">executives are still running wild</a>.</li><li>Inside the biggest <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/masters-degree-scam-higher-education-millennials-genz-student-loan-debt-2022-5">scam in higher education</a>.</li><li>Real-estate investors are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/institutional-investors-are-turning-eyes-to-campgrounds-and-rv-parks-2022-5">turning to campgrounds and RV parks</a>.</li></ul><p><strong>But first, a dispatch: </strong>Several of Insider's top editors were in Davos, Switzerland, this week for the World Economic Forum. <strong>Spriha Srivastava</strong>, the international executive editor of our business division, is here to tell us about her time at the conference, her first time at Davos.</p><hr /><p><strong>SIGN UP NOW: </strong>Our new weekday <keyword id="11894123" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="newsletter" source="Orion">newsletter</keyword>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/10-things-on-wall-street">10 Things on Wall Street</a>, is launching soon. To get the latest stories on private equity, banking, hedge funds, and fintech right in your inbox, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/10-things-on-wall-street"><strong>sign up here</strong></a>.</p><hr /><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription"><em>Subscribe to Insider</em></a><em> for access to all our investigations and features. New to Insider Weekly? </em><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-weekly"><em>Sign up here</em></a>.<em> Download our app for news on the go — </em><a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id554260576?mt=8"><em>click here for iOS</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freerange360.mpp.businessinsider"><em>here for Android</em></a>.</p><hr /><h3><strong>Dispatch from Davos</strong></h3><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/spriha-srivastava?r=US&amp;IR=T"></a></p><p>Along with being my first Davos, this was also the first-ever Summer Davos and the crisp sunny weather — along with the breath-taking views of the Alps — made for a perfect setting to discuss everything from the global <keyword id="11893570" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="economy" source="Orion">economy</keyword> to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, hybrid working, automation, sustainability, and a potential recession ahead.</p><p>I was so happy to be able to see people in real life, strike up interesting conversations over a glass of locally-sourced wine, and bump into the likes of Christine Lagarde and Bill Gates near the Congress Center.</p><p>One big topic of discussion was around the future of work. I spoke to senior leaders at the world's top staffing firms who <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hybrid-work-has-no-right-answer-top-staffing-firms-warn-2022-5">warned against the risk of generalizing hybrid work,</a> while the CEO of Coursera told me "requiring people to come to work <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/davos-ceos-office-return-policies-mandates-unrealistic-hybrid-working-future-2022-5">is not going to work</a>."</p><p>Others suggested that a recession could put an end to the <keyword id="12122646" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="great-resignation" source="Orion">Great Resignation</keyword> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-could-end-the-great-resignation-say-davos-business-leaders-2022-5">cut workers' bargaining power</a>. </p><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-resignation-pay-gap-new-hires-earning-more-2022-5"><strong>New hires are making more than you</strong></a></h3><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-resignation-pay-gap-new-hires-earning-more-2022-5"></a></p><div type="image" title="Woman sitting at desk with new hire sign with a lot of money, with two employees with less money in the background 4x3" height="1750" width="2334" msid="91872214" hostid="261"></div><p>A huge pay gap has appeared between old and new hires as the job market forces employers to dole out huge paychecks to lure in candidates.</p><p>So if you've been at your job for only a few months, congrats. But if you've been there for more than a year, there's something your manager doesn't want you to know: Your company's new hires are making bank — while longtime staffers are being punished for loyalty.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-resignation-pay-gap-new-hires-earning-more-2022-5"><strong>Here's how much new hires are making</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-toxic-culture-ceo-satya-nadella-sexual-harassment-pay-disparity-2022-5"><strong>Microsoft employees say exec misconduct remains rampant</strong></a></h3><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-toxic-culture-ceo-satya-nadella-sexual-harassment-pay-disparity-2022-5"></a></p><div type="image" title="Satya Nadella and Microsoft Executives Collage" height="1800" width="2400" msid="91872216" hostid="261"></div><p>At Microsoft, the company's "golden boys" have enjoyed impunity dating to the eras of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, sources told us. A few years ago, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella promised to end the company's tolerance for "talented jerks." </p><p>Despite his vow to clean up toxic culture — and implement a respectful, diverse, and inclusive work environment — dozens of current and former Microsoft employees told us that executives were still running wild.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-toxic-culture-ceo-satya-nadella-sexual-harassment-pay-disparity-2022-5"><strong>Here's what Microsoft staffers told us</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/masters-degree-scam-higher-education-millennials-genz-student-loan-debt-2022-5"><strong>The biggest scam in higher education</strong></a></h3><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/masters-degree-scam-higher-education-millennials-genz-student-loan-debt-2022-5"></a></p><div type="image" title="Higher education scam" height="600" width="1200" msid="91872219" hostid="261"></div><p>Millennials and Gen Zers have been told a master's degree is the new bachelor's — the minimum level of education needed to land a prestigious, well-paying job. But new research indicates this advice is misleading at best and cynical at worst. </p><p>Many master's degrees — including 62% of MBAs, by one estimate — have zero effect on a grad's lifetime earnings. And what are the most financially worthless degrees? According to one researcher, that honor goes to a master's in the arts, humanities, or theology.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/masters-degree-scam-higher-education-millennials-genz-student-loan-debt-2022-5"><strong>Here's why master's degrees are such a scam</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><hr /><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/institutional-investors-are-turning-eyes-to-campgrounds-and-rv-parks-2022-5"><strong>Investors eye RV parks and campgrounds</strong></a></h3><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/institutional-investors-are-turning-eyes-to-campgrounds-and-rv-parks-2022-5"></a></p><div type="image" title="An RV with hundred-dollar bills coming out of the RV against a green background." height="1725" width="2300" msid="91872221" hostid="261"></div><p>Families and "Parrotheads" are flocking to campgrounds and RV parks — and Wall Street investors and bankers known for financing towering office buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, and warehouses are seeing their next big score.</p><p>Sophisticated investors are planting their flags in corners of US real estate previously dismissed as small potatoes or too risky. Just take a look at Camp Margaritaville, a chain of four RV parks developed by the entertainer Jimmy Buffett — constructed with a $37 million loan from Acore Capital.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/institutional-investors-are-turning-eyes-to-campgrounds-and-rv-parks-2022-5"><strong>Here's why investors are setting up camp</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><hr /><h3><strong>This week's quote:</strong></h3><p><strong>"You just kind of keep reliving the unthinkable."  </strong></p><p>- <a href="https://www.insider.com/zach-cartaya-columbine-survivor-robb-elementary-shooting-reliving-the-unthinkable-2022-5">Zach Cartaya, a Columbine-shooting survivor, told Insider</a> in the wake of this week's shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our news team has been covering this tragedy around the clock — <a href="https://www.insider.com/uvalde-texas-school-shooting-tx-robb-elementary-2022-5">follow the team's latest updates here</a>.</p><hr /><h3><strong>More of this week's top reads:</strong></h3><ul><li>After George Floyd's murder, Wall Street promised billions to help Black Americans. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/two-years-floyd-ceos-banks-black-americans-wall-street-promises-2022-5">Here's where that money went</a>.</li><li>Amazon employees are quitting at <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-regretted-attrition-rate-more-than-doubled-in-the-past-year-2022-5">twice the rate of recent years</a>.</li><li>Young female "SNL" staffers said they were <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saturday-night-live-sexism-horatio-sanz-lawsuit-2022-5">treated like "a joke."</a></li><li>Employees say Google Cloud's strategy shake-up is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-cloud-sees-vp-exodus-2022-5">driving an exodus of vice presidents</a>.</li><li>How companies are preparing for what could be a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-2022-companies-prepare-economic-downturn-netflix-layoffs-meta-hiring-2022-5">"seismic shift" coming to the economy</a>.</li><li>Robinhood is betting big on crypto, but <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robinhoods-big-bet-on-crypto-faces-obstacles-product-delays-turnover-2022-5">employees are feeling frustrated</a>.</li><li>Wells Fargo has fired dozens of loan officers accused of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wells-fargo-fires-loan-officers-appraisal-waivers-2022-5">misusing appraisal waivers.</a></li><li>A teacher who survived the Parkland shooting <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/parkland-florida-teacher-reacts-to-uvalde-shooting-message-kimberly-krawczyk-2022-5">has a message to Uvalde, Texas.</a></li></ul><hr /><p><strong>Plus: </strong>Keep updated with the latest business news throughout your weekdays by checking out <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/therefresh">The Refresh from Insider</a>, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/therefresh"><strong>Listen here tomorrow</strong></a>.</p><hr /><p><em>Curated by Matt Turner. Edited by Lisa Ryan and Hallam Bullock. </em><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter"><em>Sign up for more Insider newsletters here</em></a>.</p>

Thanks to the 'Great Resignation,' new hires are making more money than you

Ukraine needs $1 trillion to rebuild. The country's oligarchs plan to loot it.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Boost your <keyword id="12351658" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="immune-system" source="Orion">immune system</keyword> by getting enough vitamins like A, C, E, B6, D.</li><li>Eat enough protein and brightly colored fruits and veggies, which contain powerful antioxidants.</li><li>You should also get sufficient sleep, exercise regularly, avoid smoking.</li></ul><p>If you're looking to "boost" your <keyword id="11895016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="immunity" source="Orion">immunity</keyword> against harmful germs, the first thing to understand is no one magical supplement or diet can do the job.</p><p>The <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/immunesystemanddisorders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a> is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that help the body fend off infection from outsider invaders, like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins. It's a highly adaptive, complex biological system that requires balance between all parts to function properly. </p><p>This means optimal immune <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword> relies on a multifaceted approach that focuses on making healthy lifestyle choices. </p><p>To ensure your immune system is as strong as it can be against outside invaders, here are practical tips worth incorporating into your everyday life.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">1. Eat more fruits and vegetables</strong></h2><p>An easy way to make sure you're getting enough immune-boosting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is to "eat the rainbow," says Osteopathic Physician and Functional Medicine Practitioner, <a href="https://drlisaballehr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lisa Ballehr</a>. </p><p>This includes a rainbow of fruits and vegetables like, "red apples, potatoes, cherries or grapes; orange sweet potatoes, pumpkin, mango, yams or tangerines; green kiwi, broccoli, olives, limes or grapes; yellow apples, pears, bananas, or pineapple; blueberries, cabbage, kale, grapes or raisins; and tan cauliflower, dates, coconut, nuts or sauerkraut." </p><p>"The more variety of fruits and vegetables you consume daily builds a broader spectrum of nutrients the body uses to boost its immune system," she says.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">2. Get sufficient sleep</strong></h2><p>If you lack restful sleep, you will be <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757#:~:text=Olson%2C%20M.D.,if%20you%20do%20get%20sick." target="_blank" rel="noopener">more susceptible to infections</a> since sleep is when your body works its hardest to combat inflammation and infection. </p><p>"While at rest, the body is quite busy. During this time, it repairs itself and releases toxins so one can arise feeling renewed. Those that practice irregular sleep patterns may struggle with their health simply due to lack of sleep, which can result in chronic inflammation," says Ballehr. </p><p>This inflammation can overstress the <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a> making it less effective at fighting viral or bacterial infections. Although the amount of sleep you will need is highly individual, it's recommended that most adults get between <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-much-sleep-do-you-need" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seven to eight hours</a> each night.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">3. Make sure you eat enough protein</strong></h2><p>According to <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harvard Health Publishing</a>, you should be getting a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight in order to avoid getting sick. </p><p>Not enough protein in the body can have detrimental effects on your <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2105184" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T-cells</a>, which are an essential part of the immune system because they dispatch disease-fighting antibodies to viruses and bacteria. </p><p>Protein also contains high amounts of <a href="https://www.today.com/health/7-easy-ways-boost-your-immune-system-2D80554874" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zinc</a>, which is a mineral that aids in the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Good places to find <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lean protein rich in zinc</a> include oysters, crab, chicken (dark meat), pork chop (loin), chickpeas, and baked beans.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">4. Don't overlook prebiotic foods</strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27704207" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prebiotics</a> are found in foods such as <a href="https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/what-are-prebiotics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">onion, garlic, banana, and asparagus</a>. They assist in maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, which is a vital player in how your immune system functions. </p><p>Prebiotics work by increasing the population of "good bacteria" in the gut which in turn sparks the production of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27704207" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-inflammatory cytokines</a>, which are tiny proteins that help the immune system function.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">5. Manage stress</strong></h2><p>There is a <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wide body of research</a> that links stress levels with immune function.</p><p>When we're stressed, the immune system doesn't function as well. That's because <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-stress-make-you-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stress causes the body to release hormones</a>, such as adrenaline, dopamine, norepinephrine, and cortisol, which can decrease the body's ability to make lymphocytes — the white blood cells that help fight off harmful viruses or bacteria. </p><p>Some activities that help alleviate stress include <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-meditate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/hatha-yoga-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">yoga</a>, and grounding techniques like <a href="https://www.insider.com/why-is-mindful-breathing-important" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mindful breathing</a>.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">6. Get enough vitamins through your diet </strong></h2><p>Nutrition is our primary protection in the battle against infection. Key soldiers in the fight include vitamins like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6162863/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099763" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C</a>, <a href="http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10714244" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5358464/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">B6</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-vitamin-d-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">D</a>, and minerals like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277319/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zinc</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2014.00152/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iron</a>, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3723386/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">selenium</a>. </p><p>The reason many of these vitamins help maintain a strong immune system is that <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-antioxidants-good-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they are also antioxidants</a>. Some foods that are rich in these vitamins include carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, almonds, avocados, salmon, oysters, tuna, lean chicken breast, and beef.</p><p>Usually, the body absorbs essential vitamins and minerals best from food, which is why it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. However, if you're deficient in a certain nutrient, you should consult with a healthcare professional about whether taking a supplement would help.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">7. Stay moderately active</strong></h2><p>Starting and staying active has <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007165.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">been shown to help</a> immune health.</p><p>According to a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019 study</a>, exercise has a multitude of benefits including decreasing inflammation and improving immune regulation, which can delay the negative effects of aging. The study also found that moderate exercise — like walking, dancing, or yoga — can reduce the risk of illness. </p><p>Quick tip: Learn more about how <a href="https://www.insider.com/does-exercise-help-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exercise can help your immune system fight off infections</a>.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">8. Quit smoking </strong></h2><p>"Smoking increases the risk of developing infections by destroying antibodies from our bloodstream," says Ballehr. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/antibody" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antibodies</a> are the proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign infections. </p><p>"Smoking cigarettes also damages our lung's ability to clear infection as well as destroying lung tissue," says Ballehr, making smokers especially vulnerable to respiratory infections like <a href="https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1165/rcmb.2018-0253ED" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the flu</a> and <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/smoking-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID-19</a>.</p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>With all this in mind, it is also important to remember that <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent infections</a> from viruses or bacteria. It won't boost your immune system, but it can help keep you protected, nonetheless. </p><p>"You should wash your hands for a 20-second duration before and after any risky exposure such as preparing food, caring for a sick loved one, treating a wound, or when you have an active cold, sneezing, coughing, or runny nose," says Ballehr. </p><p>The immune system plays an essential role in helping us fend off attacks from viruses and bacteria. And while there is no cure-all pill that can help strengthen your immunity, changes to your diet and lifestyle can maximize your immune system's ability to protect you from outside invaders.</p>

8 simple ways to boost your immune system

<ul class="summary-list"><li>You can boost your <keyword id="31457" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="immune-system">immune system</keyword> by making sure to get enough of vitamins like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6162863/">A</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099763">C</a>, <a href="http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10714244">E</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5358464/">B6</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-vitamin-d-deficiency">D</a>, and minerals like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277319/">zinc</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2014.00152/full">iron</a>, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3723386/">selenium</a>.</li><li>It is also helpful to eat enough protein, consume prebiotic foods, and eat brightly colored fruits and vegetables which contain immune-boosting antioxidants.</li><li>You should also get sufficient sleep, quit smoking, and get regular moderate exercise. </li><li>T<strong>his article <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board">was medically reviewed</a> by <a href="https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1598924243/tania-mucci-elliott">Tania Elliott</a>, MD, who specializes in infectious diseases related to allergies and immunology for internal medicine at <a href="https://nyulangone.org/">NYU Langone Health</a>. </strong></li></ul><p>If you're looking to "boost" your immunity against harmful germs, the first thing to understand is no one magical supplement or diet can do the job.</p><p>The <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/immunesystemanddisorders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a> is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that help the body fend off infection from outsider invaders, like bacteria, virus, fungi and toxins. It's a highly adaptive, complex biological system that requires balance between all parts to function properly. </p><p>This means optimal immune <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> relies on a multifaceted approach that focuses on making healthy <keyword id="15482" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="lifestyle">lifestyle</keyword> choices. </p><p>To ensure your immune system is as strong as it can be against outside invaders, here are practical tips worth incorporating into your everyday life.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">1. Eat more fruits and vegetables</strong></h2><p>An easy way to make sure you're getting enough immune-boosting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is to "eat the rainbow," says Arizona based Osteopathic Physician and Functional Medicine Practitioner, <a href="https://drlisaballehr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lisa Ballehr</a>. </p><p>This includes a rainbow of fruits and vegetables like, "red apples, potatoes, cherries or grapes; orange sweet potatoes, pumpkin, mango, yams or tangerines; green kiwi, broccoli, olives, limes or grapes; yellow apples, pears, bananas, or pineapple; blueberries, cabbage, kale, grapes or raisins; and tan cauliflower, dates, coconut, nuts or sauerkraut." </p><p>"The more variety of fruits and vegetables you consume daily builds a broader spectrum of nutrients the body uses to boost its immune system," she says.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">2. Get sufficient sleep</strong></h2> <p>If you lack restful sleep, you will be <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757#:~:text=Olson%2C%20M.D.,if%20you%20do%20get%20sick." target="_blank" rel="noopener">more susceptible to infections</a> since sleep is when your body works its hardest to combat inflammation and infection. </p><p>"While at rest, the body is quite busy. During this time, it repairs itself and releases toxins so one can arise feeling renewed. Those that practice irregular sleep patterns may struggle with their health simply due to lack of sleep, which can result in chronic inflammation," says Ballehr. </p><p>This inflammation can overstress the <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system</a> making it less effective at fighting viral or bacterial infections. Although the amount of sleep you will need is highly individual, it's recommended that most adults get between <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-much-sleep-do-you-need" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seven to eight hours</a> each night.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">3. Make sure you eat enough protein</strong></h2><p>According to <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-much-protein-do-you-need-every-day-201506188096" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harvard Health Publishing</a>, you should be getting a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight in order to avoid getting sick. </p><p>Not enough protein in the body can have detrimental effects on your <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2105184" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T-cells</a>, which are an essential part of the immune system because they dispatch disease-fighting antibodies to viruses and bacteria. </p> <p>Protein also contains high amounts of <a href="https://www.today.com/health/7-easy-ways-boost-your-immune-system-2D80554874" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zinc</a>, which is a mineral that aids in the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Good places to find <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lean protein rich in zinc</a> include oysters, crab, chicken (dark meat), pork chop (loin), chickpeas, and baked beans.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">4. Don't overlook prebiotic foods</strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27704207" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prebiotics</a> are found in foods such as <a href="https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/what-are-prebiotics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">onion, garlic, banana, and asparagus</a>. They assist in maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, which is a vital player in how your immune system functions. </p><p>Prebiotics work by increasing the population of "good bacteria" in the gut which in turn sparks the production of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27704207" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-inflammatory cytokines</a>, which are tiny proteins that help the immune system function.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">5. Manage stress</strong></h2><p>There is a <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wide body of research</a> that links stress levels with immune function.</p> <p>When we're stressed, the immune system doesn't function as well. That's because <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-stress-make-you-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stress causes the body to release hormones</a>, such as adrenaline, dopamine, norepinephrine, and cortisol, which can decrease the body's ability to make lymphocytes — the white blood cells that help fight off harmful viruses or bacteria. </p><p>Some activities that help alleviate stress include <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-meditate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meditation</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/hatha-yoga-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">yoga</a>, and grounding techniques like <a href="https://www.insider.com/why-is-mindful-breathing-important" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mindful breathing</a>.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">6. Get enough vitamins through your diet </strong></h2><p>Nutrition is our primary protection in the battle against infection. Key soldiers in the fight include vitamins like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6162863/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29099763" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C</a>, <a href="http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10714244" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5358464/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">B6</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-vitamin-d-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">D</a>, and minerals like <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277319/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zinc</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2014.00152/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iron</a>, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3723386/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">selenium</a>. </p><p>The reason many of these vitamins help maintain a strong immune system is that <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-antioxidants-good-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they are also antioxidants</a>. Some foods that are rich in these vitamins include carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, almonds, avocados, salmon, oysters, tuna, lean chicken breast, and beef.</p><p>Usually, the body absorbs essential vitamins and minerals best from food, which is why it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. However, if you're deficient in a certain nutrient, you should consult with a healthcare professional about whether taking a supplement would help.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">7. Stay moderately active</strong></h2><p>Starting and staying active has <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007165.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">been shown to help</a> immune health. According to a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019 study</a>, exercise has a multitude of benefits including decreasing inflammation and improving immune regulation, which can delay the negative effects of aging. The study also found that moderate exercise — like walking, dancing, or yoga — can reduce the risk of illness. <a href="https://www.insider.com/does-exercise-help-immune-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more how exercise can help your immune system fight off infections</a>.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">8. If you smoke, quit</strong></h2><p>"Smoking increases the risk of developing infections by destroying antibodies from our bloodstream" says Ballehr. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/antibody" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antibodies</a> are the proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign infections. </p><p>"Smoking cigarettes  also damages our lung's ability to clear infection as well as destroying lung tissue," says Ballehr, making smokers especially vulnerable to respiratory infections like <a href="https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1165/rcmb.2018-0253ED" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the flu</a> and <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/smoking-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID-19</a>.</p><h2><strong>The bottom line </strong></h2><p>With all this in mind, it is also important to remember that <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent infections</a> from viruses or bacteria. It won't boost your immune system, but it can help keep you protected, nonetheless. </p><p>"You should wash your hands for a 20-second duration before and after any risky exposure such as preparing food, caring for a sick loved one, treating a wound, or when you have an active cold, sneezing, coughing, or runny nose," says Ballehr. </p><p>The immune system plays an essential role in helping us fend off attacks from viruses and bacteria. And while there is no cure-all pill that can help strengthen your immunity, changes to your diet and lifestyle can maximize your immune system's ability to protect you from outside invaders.</p><h1>Related stories about the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/common-cold">common cold</a>:</h1><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands">You're probably not washing your hands long enough, and it could be making you sick</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/can-you-sweat-out-a-cold">You can't sweat out a cold, and trying to could make it harder for you to recover</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/should-you-work-out-with-a-cold">When it's OK to work out with a cold and when you should stay in bed</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-to-eat-when-you-have-a-cold">To get over a cold fast, eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, and calcium</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/is-it-a-cold-or-allergies">Is it a cold or allergies? How to categorize your symptoms and treat them appropriately</a></strong></li></ul>

How to boost your immune system through diet and lifestyle changes

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c35268a630d9b088b41107a-1940/webpnet-resizeimage.jpg" border="0" alt="mosquito malaria" data-mce-source="James Gathany/CDC via AP" data-mce-caption="This file photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a feeding female Anopheles Stephensi mosquito crouching forward and downward on her forelegs on a human skin surface, in the process of obtaining its blood meal through its sharp, needle-like labrum, which it had inserted into its human host." /><p class="source"><span>James Gathany/CDC via AP</span></p><p class="caption">A feeding female Anopheles Stephensi mosquito crouches forward and downward on her forelegs on a human skin surface, in the process of obtaining her blood meal through her sharp, needle-like labrum, which she had inserted into her human host.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Mosquito-borne diseases kill millions of people each year, <a href="https://www.who.int/whr/1996/media_centre/executive_summary1/en/index9.html">according to the World Health Organization</a>.</li><li>The nonprofit <a href="https://targetmalaria.org/">Target Malaria</a> is trying to eliminate the worst of these illnesses, malaria, through genetic modification.</li><li>Target Malaria plans on testing its technology in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Uganda.</li><li>Some scientists have expressed concerns about gene drives, saying they could have devastating consequences on the environment.</li></ul><p>Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals in the world, killing millions of people each year by infecting them with diseases like malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika.</p><p>Malaria, the deadliest of these diseases, leads to more than 430,000 deaths annually. It used to be even more common, but a combination of new drugs and insecticides led to a sharp drop in the early 2000s.</p><p>That drop has since stalled out, according to the World Health Organization. The <a href="http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/275867/9789241565653-eng.pdf?ua=1">global malaria rate has not changed much since 2013</a>, in large part because affected areas are not receiving enough funding to fight the disease. Over time, mosquitoes also build up resistance to existing insecticides. </p><p>Many scientists agree that a new approach is needed to eliminate the disease, and a group of researchers at the nonprofit Target Malaria think that genetic modification through "gene drives" is the way to do it. This process would reduce the number of female mosquitoes that transmit malaria.  <span style="background-color: #ffcc00;"></span></p><p>Target Malaria is not the only organization experimenting with genetically modified mosquitoes, but its members believe they will release their technology first. The group has already selected three locations in Africa as testing sites. </p><p>Gene drives, which can change a gene to produce a specific trait that will show in a population for many generations, have sparked controversy in recent months. After much debate, a <a href="https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/932a/3ad3/f13e06c4127119e9eaff62c4/cp-mop-09-l-13-en.pdf">United Nations group ruled</a> in November 2018 that gene drive research may proceed for now, though limitations have been put in place. </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We are on the cusp of a new bio-revolution," one UN official, who requested anonymity, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/25/gm-mosquitoes-released-burkina-faso-malaria-gene-drive">told The Guardian</a>. "It is like we were using saws but now we are using scalpels. We can eradicate entire species and we can resurrect them like Jurassic Park. The change is mind-boggling. But it doesn't always work 100%. There can still be unintended consequences."</span></p><p>Delphine Thizy, the stakeholder engagement manager at Target Malaria, told Business Insider that the group won't change its work in light of the UN resolution, as the language reinforces what her team is already doing. </p><p>"It's a good text because it's really balanced between these needs to continue the research and making sure we can answer the questions, the very valid questions on safety and efficacy, and at the same time provide some precaution about making sure the risk assessment is done," Thizy said.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c3528bbe04d623efa490567-1956/webpnet-resizeimage.jpg" border="0" alt="Malaria treatment Venezuela" data-mce-source="William Urdaneta/Reuters" data-mce-caption="People queue outside a health center as they wait to get treatment for malaria, in San Felix, Venezuela November 10, 2017." /><p class="source"><span>William Urdaneta/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">People queue outside a health center as they wait to get treatment for malaria, in San Felix, Venezuela on November 10, 2017.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><h2>How gene drive technology works</h2><p>There are thousands of mosquito species in the world, but very few pose a danger to humans.</p><p>Male mosquitoes don't bite humans; only females infected with a virus or parasite can pass on that infection to people because they drink human blood to gather nutrients that help them produce eggs. </p><p>To reduce the number of female mosquitoes that infect people with malaria, Target Malaria scientists are focusing on a technology called CRISPR, which makes it possible to efficiently edit DNA.</p><p>Usually, only 50% of each generation's offspring inherits DNA that is transmitted from one parent, which means that a trait's frequency in a mosquito population stays the same from generation to generation. Gene drives, however, are inherited by a higher percentage of the offspring, making the modified trait more common as time goes on.</p><p>Target Malaria aims to bring the mosquito population down without killing off an entire species. The nonprofit is only going after <em>Anopheles gambiae</em> mosquitoes - which are responsible for the vast majority of malaria deaths in Africa - while leaving others alone.</p><p>"We are not trying to get them extinct, nor do we think it would be possible," Thizy said.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c352832bd77303f4064a0f7-2036/webpnet-resizeimage.jpg" border="0" alt="Malaria fumigation India" data-mce-source="Ritesh Shukla/NurPhoto via Getty Images" data-mce-caption="An indian vegetable seller sells potatos during smoke from fumigation being carried out to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Allahabad, India, on November 1,2018. More than 200 million people live in impoverished Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. Thousands of people suffer from encephalitis, malaria, typhoid and other mosquito-borne diseases each year during the winter monsoon." /><p class="source"><span>Ritesh Shukla/NurPhoto via Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">An Indian vegetable seller sells potatoes during smoke from fumigation being carried out to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Allahabad, India, on November 1, 2018.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><h2>Target Malaria wants to test gene drives in three African countries</h2><p>Thizy's team is considering two main approaches: One would skew the sex ratio of mosquitoes to produce a population with at least 90% males. Another would target genes responsible for female reproduction to cause sterility. </p><p>These ideas are still being developed in labs. So far, the group has been successful in reducing the number of mosquitoes in a small cage, Thizy said. </p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-malaria-mosquitoes-wiped-out-in-lab-trials-of-gene-drive-technique-2018-9">Malaria mosquitoes wiped out in lab trials of gene drive technique</a></em></p><p>Eventually, Target Malaria says it will apply a gene drive in three African countries - Mali, Burkina Faso, and Uganda. </p><p>In Uganda, the organization expects to soon open a lab building, Thizy said. The group is also studying wild-type mosquitoes to better understand how they behave.</p><p>Regulators in Mali are reviewing Target Malaria's application for the use of sterile male mosquitoes in a lab. Thizy said these mosquitoes are not a tool for fighting malaria, but introducing them now can help scientists prepare for using gene drives later.</p><p>Target Malaria has also gotten permission to import sterile male mosquitoes to Burkina Faso. About 10,000 male mosquitoes are now waiting for release, and Thizy said she hopes they go out sometime this year. Regulators and local residents have signed off on the test, she said. </p><p>Thizy said Target Malaria will apply for permission to release the first gene drive in 2024 at the earliest, adding she doesn't know how long it would take officials to approve the request.</p><p>"We are nowhere near making any release of gene drives in Africa or anywhere," she said.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5babed87de9560d1798b4571-1847/ap18111631372403.jpg" border="0" alt="Bill Gates" data-mce-source="AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana" data-mce-caption="Co-Chair of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates speaks at the panel Building Human Capital: A Project for the World, during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, in Washington, Saturday, April 21, 2018." /><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana</span></p><p class="caption">Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates speaks during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington on April 21, 2018. The Gates Foundation has donated about $2 billion in grants to help combat malaria.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><h2>Other startups are also developing ways to wipe out mosquito-borne diseases</h2><p>Bill Gates is betting on Target Malaria to succeed, and his foundation <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-gates-backs-gene-technologies-in-fight-to-end-malaria-2018-4">has donated at least $75 million</a> to the group.</p><p>But other companies are also racing to control mosquito populations and eradicate diseases caused by the insect, including dengue fever and West Nile virus.</p><p>Verily, the life sciences unit of Google's parent company, Alphabet, is targeting <em>Aedes aegypti</em><span> mosquitoes, which spread dengue fever and chikungunya in the tropics. Verily is infecting male mosquitoes with the bacterium Wolbachia, which prevents offspring from hatching.</span></p><p>Another Gates-backed company, Oxitec, is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-melinda-gates-malaria-killing-mosquito-2018-6">developing a male mosquito</a> that can kill off future generations of malaria-transmitting females.</p><p>The UK-based company's newest plan builds on its previous trials, which lowered the populations of mosquitoes that carry dengue, Zika, and other diseases. Oxitec's mosquitoes have been dispatched in Brazil, Panama, and on the Cayman Islands, and have reduced wild populations of mosquitoes <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4489809/">by around 90% in certain spots</a>.</p><p>Still, these techniques aren't perfect. In November 2018, the <a href="https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2018/11/release-of-ge-mosquitoes-canceled-by-cayman-islands-officials/">Cayman Islands suddenly called off</a> future releases of genetically engineered mosquitoes in the area without providing a reason.</p><h2>Some scientists say malaria can be eliminated without genetic modification</h2><p><span>Ify Aniebo, a molecular geneticist who focuses on malaria drug resistance and has lived in Nigeria, <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/africa-doesnt-need-genetically-modified-mosquitoes/">wrote in Scientific American</a> that Africans should have been consulted before the genetically modified mosquitoes were first developed, adding that scientists need to complete more studies on the safety and consequences of this technology.</span></p><p>It remains unclear if the introduction of these mosquitoes could cause new diseases to emerge. Aniebo said genetic modification is not necessary to eradicate malaria, pointing to Sri Lanka, which was <a href="http://www.searo.who.int/entity/malaria/documents/zero_malaria/en/">declared malaria-free</a> in 2016 without the use of such technology.</p><p>Thizy, though, said it is imperative to develop a new tool for malaria control because spending more money on insecticides and other existing methods isn't going to work. </p><p>She said Target Malaria asks village residents for consent before conducting any tests. There is no evidence to suggest that any species relies on mosquitoes as a primary source of food, she added, though Target Malaria will independently work to confirm that.</p><p>"Should there be one, let's imagine, the question to society and to regulators would be, is this species that might be affected important enough not to try a new tool for a disease that kills half a million people?" Thizy said. "And that is a societal decision."</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li><strong>Read more about malaria:</strong></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-fund-battling-aids-tb-and-malaria-seeks-14-billion-to-invigorate-fight-2019-1?r=UK&amp;IR=T" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Fund battling AIDS, TB and malaria seeks $14 billion to invigorate fight</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/malaria-mosquitoes-deadliest-disease-human-history-2016-7" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">This is the deadliest disease known to humans</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-its-so-hard-to-eliminate-malaria-2016-4" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Here's the biggest obstacle to wiping out one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases</a></li></ul>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bed-bugs-are-hard-kill-infestation-2018-12">Bed bug infestations are only getting worse - here's why they're so hard to kill</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/E2WoNcHl-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Mosquito-borne diseases kill millions of people each year. A team of scientists think genetic manipulation could wipe out the worst of them.

<p class="p1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5282a29ceab8ea0b2c5f3d49-1200-800/star_074.jpg" border="0" alt="Star_074.JPG" /><p class="source">StarChase</p><p class="caption">The StarChase <keyword id="6362652" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="60" keywordseo="GPS">GPS</keyword> cannon mounted into the grille of a <keyword id="11098" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="police">police</keyword> car. </p></div><p></p></div></div>High-speed pursuits cause nearly 400 deaths a year and cost the government more than a billion dollars a year in damages, lawsuits, and medical bills. A new GPS technology may offer a better way to catch crooks.</p>
<p>StarChase is a GPS system that shoots sticky GPS "bullets" onto suspect vehicles from a cannon mounted inside the grille of a police car.</p>
<p>Field trials of the technology indicate that StarChase has a suspect apprehension rate of greater than 80%, with no injuries, fatalities, or property damage.</p>
<p>Here's how it works:</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5282a10aeab8ea44275f3d4f-1200-672/starchase.gif" border="0" alt="starchase" /><p class="source">Courtesy of StarChase</p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p>Popular Mechanics has <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/news/police-shoot-cars-with-gps-tags-to-reduce-high-speed-chases-16127245">a good explanation of the technology: </a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">StarChase uses a double-barreled compressed-air unit installed in the grille of a police car and loaded with twin 4.5-inch GPS projectiles. When the officer needs to pursue a suspect, he or she activates the launcher using an in-car console or remote key fob. The system uses laser acquisition to target the suspect's fleeing or stationary car and then shoots one of the GPS cartridges like a spud out of a potato gun at its rear end ...<a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/news/police-shoot-cars-with-gps-tags-to-reduce-high-speed-chases-16127245"></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The projectiles are tipped with an industrial-strength adhesive, so they stick. Once the suspect's car is tagged, the GPS module relays the car's coordinates, heading, and speed every 3 to 5 seconds to police dispatch. When officers know the tag is in place, they can pull back and wait for backup-they might even turn off their lights and sirens. Dispatch monitors the tagged vehicle on a digital road map and directs officers to where the suspect is headed. Thinking they are not being followed, suspects return to normal speeds or stop, allowing for safer apprehension.</p>
<p>One roadblock to the system's widespread use is the price tag. The system costs $5,000 per police car and each GPS-projectile runs for about $250 a pop.</p>
<p>According to StarChase president Trevor Fischbach, that price isn't likely to go down because the devices aren't cheap to build. Even so, he thinks that potential benefits outweigh the monetary costs.</p>
<p>"$5,000 is a high cost, but when you factor in that it's a multibillion dollar problem that leads to lawsuit payout, loss of life, loss of productivity or regular people like you or me getting slammed into at an intersection, that calculation changes," Fischbach told Business Insider.</p>
<p>Fischbach says that in most pursuits a minimum of $3,000 in property damage occurs. StarChase severely reduces that potential.</p>
<p>More than 15 police agencies, including<a href="http://www.azdps.gov/Media/News/View/?p=115"> the Arizona Department of Public Safety</a>, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Austin Police Department have begun to use the technology. <span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The Arizona police have had the most high-profile success, using the technology to apprehend a number of stolen cars, seize thousands of pounds of meth and other drugs, and also to uncover a group of underage women who were kidnapped and smuggled across the U.S.-Mexican border. </span></p>
<p>There has been some question as to the legality of StarChase, which police officers use on the spot. <a href="http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/united-states-v-jones/">Last year's Supreme Court case, U.S. v Jones,</a> determined that GPS devices constitute a search under the 4th amendment and therefore require  a warrant. The use of StarChase, however, has yet to be struck down in court, due to limit in how the system is used.</p>
<p>StarChase isn't a system designed to GPS-track a car for thirty days, said Fischbach, but rather in a specific set of circumstances, where the situation and public safety warrants it.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">"The reason we passed that litmus test is because we fit in a very unique area within GPS," said Fischbach. "Our technology isn't deployed until probable cause [has been established] or exigent circumstances."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">If police decide to use it in another manner, say for long-term tracking without a warrant, it may be brought before the court again.</span></p>
<p>Other potential issues with the technology reside with the efficacy of the GPS-cannon. In the video below, you can see the cannon in use. It appears that, for the GPS-slug to attach to the suspect vehicle, police need to be directly behind the car.</p>
<p>In addition, there is some fear that criminals will act to avoid StarChase, once they know that certain police departments are using it. Fischbach indicated that most police departments using the technology don't want to be named for precisely that reason.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Here's a video from StarChase on the technology. Skip ahead to 0:54 to see it in action:</span></p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/81k7zGFlbzM"></iframe></p>

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