Colon cancer rates are increasing for younger Americans, along with rates of obesity. Could slimming down reduce young people’s risk for malignancy? A new study suggests that even a small amount of weight loss may cut your odds for benign growths in the colon known as adenomas, or polyps. Left unchecked, these growths can lead… read on > read on >
All Food:
EPA to Restore Rule Limiting Mercury Pollution From Power Plants
Enforcement of a rule limiting power plant emissions of mercury and other hazardous pollutants will be resumed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday. It’s the latest move by the Biden administration to reinstate environmental protections lifted by the Trump administration. “The science is clear: we must limit mercury and toxic air pollution to protect… read on > read on >
The ‘Oreo Test’ and Other Ways to Help Kids’ Oral Health
Worried your kid isn’t brushing his or her teeth properly? You might want to try the Oreo test. “If the child eats an Oreo and brushes their teeth and the parent can still see the Oreos, they need to be checking and helping them brush,” said Elise Sarvas, a clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry… read on > read on >
Meat-Heavy Diets Might Have Link to MS
If you eat a lot of meat, you may be at increased risk for multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study suggests. MS is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the insulation around nerves. It’s not clear what triggers the attack, but mounting evidence suggests bacteria plays a role. Gut bacteria can affect the… read on > read on >
FDA Gives Moderna COVID Vaccine Full Approval
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine has received full approval for use in people 18 and older, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday. The vaccine, which has been available for that age group under emergency use authorization (EUA), will be marketed as Spikevax. It’s not yet fully approved or authorized for use in people younger than… read on > read on >
Kardashian’s Figure a Tough Ideal for Women at Risk of Eating Disorders
The images are never-ending: Celebrities like Kim Kardashian posting one sultry shot after another on social media. But new research warns this constant barrage of “perfect” bodies can undermine the self-esteem of young women. They’re apt to feel their own figures come up short by comparison — whether those influencers and celebrities are super-thin, super-fit… read on > read on >
Could Everyday Plastics Help Make You Fat?
Is your plastic water bottle widening your waistline? Could be. In a new study, Norwegian researchers said that chemicals in common plastic products like water bottles or food packaging may put you at risk of piling on the pounds. “Our experiments show that ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a… read on > read on >
Pesticides at Work Could Raise Odds for COPD Lung Disease
Workplace exposure to pesticides may boost a person’s risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study finds. COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing problems. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main types of COPD. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s… read on > read on >
2 Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Tied to Lower Risk of Parkinson’s
Two rheumatoid arthritis drugs show potential for lowering the risk of Parkinson’s disease, new research shows. Some previous studies have found that people with rheumatoid arthritis have a lower risk of Parkinson’s, and it was suggested that a class of rheumatoid arthritis drugs called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may play a role in that reduced… read on > read on >
In a First, a Robot Performs Laparoscopic Surgery on Pig Without Human Help
A robot performed challenging keyhole surgery on pigs without any human help in what could be a major step toward fully automated surgery on people. “Our findings show that we can automate one of the most intricate and delicate tasks in surgery: the reconnection of two ends of an intestine,” said senior study author Axel… read on > read on >