Does cannabis legalization mean a safer product? Not necessarily. Anne Hassel, a 56-year-old physical therapist in Chicopee, Massachusetts, said she developed twitching muscles, numbness in her feet, nausea and cramps after using marijuana, only for doctors to find high levels of nickel, lead and cadmium. “People consider that if it’s legal, it’s safe. It’s a … Read more
The tranquil river shown at the start of every Disney movie released between 2006-2011 has been identified — and it lies on the border between Idaho and Washington. The area was of special significance to Walt Disney, according to the Daily Mail. During those five years, a CGI intro showed a glowing star shining in … Read more
The effects of synthetic chemicals called phthalates — dubbed “everywhere chemicals” — are being found in the womb, experts now warn. A new study backed by the National Institutes of Health has shown that phthalates, found in everyday products from food containers to shampoo, may be behind the rise in preterm births in the US. … Read more
Keep your reptile away from the kitchen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that a rare strain of salmonella is linked to ownership of bearded dragon lizards, a cold-blooded cult favorite among pet owners. Those who allow the little-tailed beasts to roam freely put their entire household’s health at risk, especially in … Read more
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to a commonly prescribed asthma medication in 2020 — but millions are still taking it. A black box warning, also called a boxed warning, was issued by the FDA in March 2020 about the mental health side effects of Singulair, also known by its generic name, … Read more
Good news, sushi lovers: Wasabi could improve your memory. A new study from Japan’s Tohoku University suggests that the spicy green topping could boost both short- and long-term memory. While the team of researchers knew that wasabi was linked to a wealth of health benefits — such as antibiotic, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties — they were … Read more
They call it the “good” cholesterol — but like a cheating spouse, HDL might have been gaslighting us all along. A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, isn’t good or healthy, especially once it’s reached certain levels in your blood. The research reveals that people with high … Read more
Researchers believe they have had a breakthrough in understanding how certain bacterial populations disrupt vaginal health, sometimes leading to pregnancy loss, sexually transmitted infections, and other health complications. A study by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine, explores the circumstances behind bacterial vaginosis (BV), … Read more
Eating highly processed foods like chips, candy and fast food is an American way of life. Ultra-processed foods make up an estimated 73% of the US food supply, according to a recent study, and the average American adult gets more than 60% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods. But our American way of life … Read more
The Evanston Health and Human Services Department is investigating a norovirus outbreak linked to a $1-burrito event for Northwestern University students. The “$1 Burrito event” for Northwestern University students took place last Saturday between 1 and 8 p.m. with Big Wig Tacos. The city’s health department began receiving complaints on Monday from students who reported experiencing stomach cramps, vomiting, and … Read more
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert linked to several fruits. On Friday, November 17, the HMC Group Marketing, Inc., which does business as HMC Farms, voluntarily recalled peaches, plums and nectarines sold in retail stores between May 1 and November 15, 2022, and between May 1 and November 15, 2023. The … Read more
Dozens of people across 15 states have become sick after contracting salmonella from cantaloupes included in a recent recall, according to U.S. health officials. At least 43 people in 15 states have been infected in the salmonella outbreak, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday. Seventeen of those people have been hospitalized. Several … Read more
US health officials are warning doctors to be on the lookout for possible cases of lead poisoning in children after at least 22 toddlers in 14 states were sickened by lead linked to tainted pouches of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce. Children ages 1 to 3 were affected, and at least one child showed a blood lead … Read more
The world’s favorite addictive stimulant — caffeine — isn’t always a harmless, perky pick-me-up. Sarah Katz was a 21-year-old student at the University of Pennsylvania when she drank a 30-ounce “Charged Lemonade” at a Panera Bread restaurant in Philadelphia. A few hours later, she was pronounced dead at an area hospital after suffering two heart … Read more
Probiotics could have fatal consequences for infants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned. The agency issued a warning on Thursday that probiotics — which contain live bacteria and yeasts — are potentially dangerous for pre-term babies, putting them “at risk of invasive, potentially fatal disease, or infection, caused by the bacteria or yeast contained in … Read more
Is scrolling social media contributing to a mental health problem? Probably, according to the author of a recent study, which found that addiction to screens — computers, smartphones, televisions, game consoles and other digital devices — is linked to mental illness. And while most studies have examined the effects of screen time on children and … Read more
Could using television as a babysitter have adverse effects on a child? It’s possible, says a new study that finds the more time toddlers spend looking at screens — televisions, computers, tablets or smartphones — the more likely they are to have developmental delays. These delays could be in communication, fine-motor, problem-solving or personal and … Read more
Two residents of Connecticut died in July after being infected with a bacteria found in shellfish and seawater, state health officials announced. A third resident was hospitalized with the same infection, caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. All three cases occurred in people between 60 and 80 years old. Two of the cases were caused by … Read more
New pro sports teams bring more than a rooting interest to American cities — they also sparked a spike in flu deaths, according to a new study. Flu mortality jumped as much as nearly 25% in cities that picked up new sports franchises in baseball, basketball, football or hockey, economists at the West Virginia University … Read more
Long-term use of popular acid reflux drugs has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study. Published Wednesday in the journal for the American Academy of Neurology, the report examined patients who take medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid). Acid reflux occurs … Read more