Thursday, September 19News That Matters

Tag: health disaster

Groundbreaking mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Early Trials

Groundbreaking mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Early Trials

Breaking News, Disasters, Idea & Innovations
A revolutionary new cancer vaccine developed by Moderna Pharmaceuticals has demonstrated encouraging early results in its first clinical trials, offering new hope for patients battling advanced cancer. The vaccine, known as mRNA-4359, leverages the same mRNA technology behind the widely successful Covid-19 vaccines to stimulate the body’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. mRNA Technology: A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment The vaccine, mRNA-4359, is designed to activate the immune system by teaching it to differentiate between healthy cells and tumor cells. This is the same concept used in Covid-19 vaccines, where mRNA instructions train the body to recognize and attack the virus. In cancer, the vaccine instructs the immune system to target cancerous cells, potentia...
FDA Approves First Non-Tobacco Flavored E-Cigarettes, Raises Concerns for Youth

FDA Approves First Non-Tobacco Flavored E-Cigarettes, Raises Concerns for Youth

Breaking News, Environment
US Food and Drug Administration authorized the first non-tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes to be sold in the US. Two of the four newly licensed products are sealed, pre-filled containers of menthol-flavored nicotine liquid that can be used in various types of e-cigarettes. The other two are disposable nicotine e-cigarettes meaning the device cannot be reused after the pre-filled menthol liquid has been used. In an interview, Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a smoking and e-cigarette health policy expert, was asked to explain the downsides of FDA licensing and what it means for vulnerable populations. What does the new announcement from the FDA mean? An electronic cigarette, also known as a vape, is a hand-operated, battery-powered device that heats a liquid to create a vapor that can be...
Climate Change Poses Growing Threat to Maternal and Infant Health, New Research Finds

Climate Change Poses Growing Threat to Maternal and Infant Health, New Research Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
Climate change, one of the most pressing health threats facing humanity, is now being linked to long-term adverse health and socioeconomic effects on children born during periods of extreme heat. A systematic review of existing research has revealed alarming connections between rising temperatures and poor health outcomes for both mothers and their babies, prompting urgent calls for action. Rising Temperatures and Health Risks The new study highlights that global warming, an integral aspect of climate change, is exacerbating health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children. Previous research has already established that heat exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, gestational hypert...
Understanding on How Climate Change Impacting Human Health

Understanding on How Climate Change Impacting Human Health

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations
Climate change is not just about melting ice caps and rising sea levels; it poses a significant threat to human health worldwide. From extreme weather events to changes in air and water quality, the effects of climate change ripple through various aspects of our lives, impacting physical, mental, and community health. Here’s a comprehensive look at how climate change affects human health and what can be done to mitigate these risks. Temperature-Related Impacts As global temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with extreme heat. Heatwaves become more frequent and intense, leading to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular/respiratory problems. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those w...
Orange Peels: A Potential Heart Health Boost Hiding in Your Kitchen

Orange Peels: A Potential Heart Health Boost Hiding in Your Kitchen

Breaking News, Environment, Idea & Innovations
Orange peels, often discarded as waste, might hold significant health benefits, according to a recent study by scientists at the University of Florida and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The study has discovered a novel bioactive compound in orange peels, called feruloylputrescine (FP), which shows promise in promoting heart health. Feruloylputrescine, previously found in grapefruit leaves and juice, has now been identified in orange peels. This compound does not appear in other citrus fruits like limes, lemons, tangerines, or mandarins. FP has garnered attention for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to cardiovascular health. Research Findings In a six-week experiment, mice were fed a nutritious orange peel extract rich in FP. The resu...
Climate Change Worsens Symptoms of Brain Conditions, Study Finds

Climate Change Worsens Symptoms of Brain Conditions, Study Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
Climate change is exacerbating the symptoms of various brain conditions, according to a new review. Conditions such as stroke, migraines, meningitis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and humidity levels. Our brains are designed to manage environmental challenges, including temperature and humidity changes. Neurons in the brain, which function like learning, adapting computers, are sensitive to temperature variations and operate optimally within a narrow temperature range. However, climate change is pushing environmental conditions beyond these ranges, causing the brain's temperature regulation mechanisms to falter. Human bodies are generally comfortable between 20˚C to 26˚C wit...
First Cow-to-Human Transmission of Bird Flu A(H5N1) Confirmed in US

First Cow-to-Human Transmission of Bird Flu A(H5N1) Confirmed in US

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment
The transmission of the highly pathogenic bird flu A(H5N1) from a cow to a dairy farmer in the US marks a significant development in our understanding of the virus's behavior and potential risks to public health. This event, the first confirmed cow-to-human transmission of the virus, sheds light on its ability to jump from birds to mammals and underscores the importance of monitoring livestock for signs of infection. The case, which manifested as inflammation in the eye rather than respiratory symptoms, was swiftly identified and reported. This prompt response, coupled with the unique presentation of the virus in humans, provides valuable insights into its transmission dynamics and potential impact on human health. The identification of a specific genetic change in the virus associat...
Scientists Develop Novel “Cage of Cages” Material for Greenhouse Gas Capture

Scientists Develop Novel “Cage of Cages” Material for Greenhouse Gas Capture

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments
In a significant breakthrough, scientists have engineered a groundbreaking porous material, described as a "cage of cages," designed to trap carbon dioxide (CO2) and other potent greenhouse gases, potentially offering a promising solution to combat climate change. Synthesized through a meticulous two-step process by researchers in the UK and China, this innovative material boasts a unique molecular structure composed of triangular prism building blocks assembled into larger, symmetrical tetrahedral cages. This molecular architecture, a first of its kind, exhibits exceptional potential for capturing and storing greenhouse gases effectively. According to Marc Little, a senior author of the study and a materials scientist at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, this discovery holds tremen...
Study Finds Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Car Cabin Air

Study Finds Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Car Cabin Air

Breaking News, Disasters
A concerning new study has revealed that individuals are inhaling cancer-causing chemicals while inside their cars. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the research analyzed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas, and hybrid cars manufactured between 2015 and 2022, uncovering alarming levels of toxic flame retardants. The study found that a staggering 99% of cars contained a flame retardant known as TCIPP, currently under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Additionally, most vehicles also harbored two other carcinogenic flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, linked to neurological and reproductive harm. Lead researcher Rebecca Hoehn, a toxicology scientist at Duke University, emphasized the gravity of the findings, particularly con...