The concerning spread of microplastics — plastic fragments smaller than a grain of rice — has now been found to extend to nearly every drink we consume. Research just published in Science in the Total Environment revealed that every hot and cold beverage tested, including soft drinks, teas and coffees, contained these pervasive plastic particles… read on > read on >
Long-term exposure to a chemical used in metal degreasing and dry cleaning might increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, a new study says. Seniors living in places with the highest airborne levels of trichloroethylene showed a 10% higher risk for Parkinson’s than those in areas with the lowest levels, researchers report in the journal Neurology.… read on > read on >
People with extreme, life-threatening allergic reactions might do as well to use a nasal spray as jab themselves in a thigh with an EpiPen, a new evidence review says. Adrenaline delivered with liquid or powder nasal sprays is as effective, and sometimes even better, than injected adrenaline, researchers reported Tuesday at the European Emergency Medicine… read on > read on >
American taxpayers have foot the bill for billions of dollars spent treating gunshot wounds, a new study says. Treatment for firearm injuries cost U.S. hospitals an estimated $7.7 billion between 2016 and 2021, with the largest share falling on urban hospitals that serve the highest proportion of Medicaid patients, researchers report in JAMA Health Forum.… read on > read on >
Farm workers have a higher risk for kidney disease, mainly due to exposure to high heat and agricultural chemicals, a new small-scale study says. Workers on a grape farm near the Arizona-Sonora border had high levels of arsenic, cadmium and chromium in their urine, and those were linked to increased signs of kidney injury, according… read on > read on >
Trial data show eyeglass lenses slow myopia progression versus single vision control lenses read on >
The $50 million in grants will examine how genetics and environment interact read on >
A new Commonwealth Fund report offers the first state-by-state ranking of how vulnerable individual health and health care systems are to climate risks. The report analyzed all 50 states and Washington, D.C., looking at factors like extreme heat, flooding and air quality, as well as policies to combat these threats. Vermont was ranked the best… read on > read on >
The White House has struck a deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. to lower the cost of prescription drugs for the Medicaid program. The agreement — announced at the White House Tuesday by President Donald Trump and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla — comes as the administration pushes for similar deals with other major drug manufacturers.… read on > read on >
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is protecting women from the cervical-cancer-causing virus — including those who don’t get the jab, a new study says. Depending on which vaccine they received, HPV infections fell by 76% to 98% over 17 years among vaccinated women, researchers reported in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. But infections also fell by… read on > read on >
