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Why It Might Be OK for You to Wash Your Hands With Cold Water After All

By U.S. News & World Report

It’s an adage you’ve heard practically from day one of your life: Wash your hands with hot water instead of cold.

Yet it seems the temperature of the water doesn’t actually matter when it comes to getting rid of dangerous bacteria, according to a new Rutgers University-New Brunswick study published in the Journal of Food Protection’s June edition. GOJO Industries provided the soap and collaborated on the study , though the company did not fund it.

The researchers placed high levels of harmless bacteria on the hands of 20 participants several times over the course of six months and had them wash their hands in either 60-degree, 79-degree or 100-degree water temperatures. They were instructed to use 0.5 milliliter, 1 milliliter or 2 milliliter volumes of soap.

Researchers found the temperature of the water didn’t change how much bacteria was removed. “Also we learned even washing for 10 seconds significantly removed bacteria from the hands,” study author Donald Schaffner of Rutgers said in a statement.

Current Food and Drug Administration guidelines for states suggest plumbing systems at food establishments and restaurants provide hand washing water at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These guidelines, issued every four years, are considered mandatory by many states.

And what’s more, using cold water is a bigger energy-saver than warm or hot water, which Schaffner says could have “significant implications toward water energy.”

So what happens now? As is typical, further research.

“Understanding what behaviors and human factors most influence hand washing may help researchers find techniques to optimize the effectiveness of hand washing,” according to the study’s abstract.

The BBC pointed to a host of hand-washing recommendations from Britain’s National Health Service, the Global Hygiene Council and the World Health Organization. These included washing your hands for about 20 seconds, rubbing your palms with your fingers interlaced and using a disposable towel when turning off the tap.

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Why It Might Be OK for You to Wash Your Hands With Cold Water After All originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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