Massachusetts is one state that the CDC had identified as having high activity of influenza-like illness based on the week ending December 29, but downgraded it to "moderate" activity in Friday's update.

CNN: Flu cases down in some areas; child deaths up

The large number of early storms prompted forecasters to update their estimates of hurricane activity this year, projecting that as many as 21 named storms might develop.

CNN: Katrina hits Florida: 3 dead; 1 million in dark

The activity stream applications could then use that contact information to update a contact database.

FORBES: IBM's Strategy to Manufacture Social Networking Surprises