Contagion Animation: How U.S. Airports Could Spread Next Pandemic

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An animated computer model by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows how airports could help spread the next pandemic.

The model incorporates data about variations in travel patterns, the locations of airports, the number of human interactions within and between airports, and even each airport's average waiting time.

Researchers found that John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York was most likely to spread a contagious disease from a central location. The primary airports of Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco and Newark, N.J., round up the top five.

Also noteworthy was the major role of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska, a frequent stopover for cargo aircraft traveling between North America and East Asia.

This story was provided by Life's Little Mysteries, a sister site to SecurityNewsDaily. Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter @llmysteries, then join us on Facebook.

Identity Theft Quiz: Know Thyself

From stolen credit-card numbers to fraudulent bank accounts, the consequences of identity theft can be vast and expensive. Test your identity-theft knowledge to see if you might be next.

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From stolen credit-card numbers to fraudulent bank accounts, the consequences of identity theft can be vast and expensive. Test your identity-theft knowledge to see if you might be next.