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☆ Microplastics found in nose tissue at base of brain, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Tiny plastic shards and fibers were found in the nose tissue of human cadavers, according to a small new study. The threads and microplastic pieces were discovered in the olfactory bulb, the part of the nose responsible for detecting odors that sits at the base of the brain. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). However, an April 2023 study found that microplastics made of polypropylene appeared to exacerbate the advance of breast cancer. The nose is one of many ways through which microplastics can enter the body, experts say.

Persons: ”, Luís Fernando Amato, Lourenço, Amato, Lourenço, Phoebe Stapleton, “ I’m, ” Stapleton, “, Betsy Bowers, ” Bowers, ” Sherri “ Sam ” Mason, ” Amato, microplastics, Julian Ward, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN, Free University of Berlin, Rutgers University, Industry Alliance, Penn State, JAMA, US Environmental Protection Agency, Getty, American Academy of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, Invest Locations: Piscataway , New Jersey, Erie , Pennsylvania

☆ Microplastics found in penis muscle for the first time. It could be linked to erectile dysfunction.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"Penis being such a vascular organ, similar to the heart, we said, 'Hey, could this also be present in the penis?'" What he's found, while still preliminary, is that microplastics are present in some penises experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED). Ramasamy wanted to know whether microplastics might physically impact penis muscle function. The most abundant plastic in the penises was polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a common plastic used in food packaging including plastic bottles and takeout containers. He's not getting a lot of the takeout that often comes in plastic-lined containers, and he's not drinking from plastic-lined coffee cups or plastic water bottles very often.

Persons: —, Ranjith Ramasamy's, he's, Peter Dazeley, microplastics, It's, Ramasamy, He's, it's, Carol Yepes, Richard Pilsner Organizations: Service, Business, International, University of New, Wayne State University Locations: Miami, University of New Mexico

☆ Microplastics discovered in human penises for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Scientists have found microplastics in human penises for the first time, as concerns over the tiny particles’ proliferation and potential health effects mount. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Ramasamy said he wasn’t surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a “very vascular organ,” like the heart. Seven different types of microplastics were detected, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) the most prevalent, according to the study. “We need to identify whether microplastics are linked to ED and if there is a level beyond which it causes pathology and what types of microplastics are pathologic,” he said.

Persons: Ranjith Ramasamy, Ramasamy, wasn’t, ”, ” Ramasamy, Toxicologist Matthew J, Campen, ” Campen, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN —, University of Miami, CNN, University of New, “ Plastics, NYU Langone Health, American Academy of Pediatrics Locations: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

☆ Black bear kebabs make family sick with parasitic worms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —It was supposed to be a celebration, but one family’s unique meal of black bear meat sent several members to the hospital instead. One family member, a hunter, brought some black bear meat that he had harvested in northern Saskatchewan in May 2022. Rather, it was “difficult for the family members to visually ascertain the level of doneness” because the meat was dark in color. Tests soon confirmed that that was the case, and tests were recommended for the other family members. Four had eaten bear meat and vegetables, but the other two had eaten only vegetables cooked with the meat.

Persons: outfitter, Trichinellosis, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, World Organisation for Animal Health, CDC, Get CNN, CNN Health, Public Health Agency of Canada Locations: South Dakota, Saskatchewan

☆ I made a hot dog in 4 different appliances, and I'll never use the microwave again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Carolina Gazal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I boiled, grilled, air-fried, and microwaved hot dogs to find the best way to make them. Microwaving hot dogs turned out to be a giant nuisance, and I ended up with soggy sausages. Out of all four cooking methods, the grill produced the juiciest hot dogs. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But I wanted to find the easiest and tastiest technique, so I tested preparing hot dogs in a microwave, in an air fryer, in a pot of boiling water, and on a grill.

Persons: —, It's, fryer, franks Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Tiny plastic shards found in human testicles, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Human testicles contain microplastics and nanoplastics at levels three times higher than animal testes and human placentas, a new small study found. “They look like little shards, tiny broken bits from very, very old plastics,” said Campen, a regents’ professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Researchers expected to find more plastic shards in the testicles of older men in the study, but that wasn’t the case, Campen said. “In testes, the levels of plastic was three times as much as we saw in placentas,” Campen said. In studies of pregnant mice, researchers have found plastic chemicals in the brain, heart, liver, kidney and lungs of the developing fetus 24 hours after the pregnant mother ingested or breathed in plastic particles.

Persons: ”, Matthew Campen, Campen, ” Campen, “ We’re, Adrienne Bresnahan, Kimberly Wise White, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN, micron, Sciences, University of New, Endocrine Society, Getty, American Chemistry Council, placentas, American Academy of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, Invest Locations: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States, placentas, Beijing

☆ Microplastics have been found in human testicles. Now what?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The latest bad news on microplastics and human health emerged last week, when a study from researchers at the University of New Mexico examined 47 canine and 23 human testes, taken from neutering operations and cadavers, respectively. All of those testicles had microplastics inside — there were 12 different kinds of microplastic inside the organs studied, including the common plastic making material that plastic silverware and plastic bottles are made from. Woodruff isn't exactly surprised that microplastics are showing up in testicles. AdvertisementBut Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, an expert in reproductive urology, says if it's true that microplastics are invading testicles, that's of extra concern. Getty ImagesScientists know that certain chemicals inside plastic disrupt our hormones.

Persons: —, microplastics, Tracey Woodruff, Woodruff isn't, Woodruff, Ranjith Ramasamy, Jonathan Kitchen, Ramasamy Organizations: Service, University of New, Business, University of California San, New, of, Getty Locations: University of New Mexico, —, University of California San Francisco, California

☆ I tried 23 popular frozen meals from Trader Joe's, and would buy at least half of them again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Savanna Swain-Wilson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +34 min

I'm picky about instant meals, though, so I reviewed 23 of Trader Joe's frozen entrées. AdvertisementVERDICT: Although Trader Joe's penne arrabbiata could make for a satisfying, last-minute dinner, it wasn't memorable enough for me to buy again. Trader Joe's frozen section offers many different Tex-Mex and Mexican-inspired dishes, but I noticed these because of the "hatch chile" description. I thought Trader Joe's vegetable-and-cheese enchiladas were a disappointing, soggy messOnce cooked through, Trader Joe's vegetable-and-cheese enchiladas didn't impress me. I hoped Trader Joe's spicy peanutty noodle bowl with chicken would be goodI enjoyed Trader Joe's spicy peanutty noodle bowl with chicken.

Persons: —, Joe's, Wilson, Wilson I'm, it's, penne arrabbiata, I'm, fryer, Savanna, gooey Monterey Jack oozed, they're, might've, I've, provolone, Wilson Jackfruit, didn't, It's, I'd, you've, mozzarella, Bolognese, would've, bolognese, microwaving, gnocchi, it'll, chow, chiles, Wilson I, raved Organizations: Service, Business, Monterey, Wilson, Joe's Locations: Savanna, Monterey Jack, gooey Monterey, Cuban, pesto, jalapeño, gnocchi

☆ Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Breaded shrimp contained the most tiny plastics by far, at well over an average of 300 microplastic pieces per serving. Plastics are everywhereThere are a staggering number of plastics in the world, today, according to a recent analysis — 16,000 plastic chemicals, with at least 4,200 of those considered to be “highly hazardous” to human health and the environment. (The authors declined to mention which brands of bottled water they studied.) Prior research using older technology had identified only about 300 nanoplastics in bottled water, along with bigger microplastics. · If you can, eat as much fresh food as possible, and limit purchase of processed and ultraprocessed foods wrapped in plastic.

Persons: CNN —, can’t, Rice, Let’s, it’s, ” Sherri “ Sam ” Mason, ” Mason, ”, pollock, Mason, don’t, “ Organizations: CNN, McGill University in, University of Queensland, Penn State, International, Water Association, Environmental Research, Environmental Locations: McGill University in Quebec, Canada, Erie , Pennsylvania, United States

☆ How not to cry while cutting onions, according to the experts
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Everyone claims to have the best trick to cut back on tears when cutting onions, but CNN talked to experts to see which ones are worth their salt. There are several effective ways to reduce stinging in the eyes and cut back on tears when chopping onions, experts say. Protect your eyes with gogglesYes, they look dorky, but goggles are a foolproof method, Thiel said. “I’ve noticed that wearing contacts (instead of glasses) makes a big difference when I’m cutting an onion,” Thiel said. The enzyme that converts amino acids in onions to cause the stinging feeling works well at a specific pH range, he said.

Persons: Abbey Thiel, “ It’s, ” Thiel, Bryan Quoc Le, Thiel, ”, “ I’ve, “, Le, ” Le Organizations: CNN, Food, Pacific Lutheran University Locations: Parkland , Washington

☆ Nanoplastics linked to heart attack, stroke and early death, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“Should exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics be considered a cardiovascular risk factor? Nanoplastics have been found in human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother’s milk, and the placenta. The examination found “visible, jagged-edged foreign particles” scattered in the plaque and external debris from the surgery, the study said. Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics, and subsequent inflammation, may act to increase one’s susceptibility to these chronic diseases,” Stapleton said in an email. However, calling the study results “a direct link to cardiovascular disease is a stretch for the findings,” she added.

Persons: ”, Raffaele Marfella, Marfella, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Philip Landrigan, ” Landrigan, nanoplastics, Landrigan, Mary Conlon, —, that’s, Andrew Freeman, Phoebe Stapleton, Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario, “, ” Stapleton, Leonardo Trasande, don’t, Trasande Organizations: CNN, New England, of Medicine, University of Campania, Boston College, Program, Global Public Health, Global, Planetary Health, International, Water Association, Surgeons, Jewish Health, Rutgers, Rutgers University’s Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Getty, American Academy of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, Invest Locations: Naples, Italy, Denver, Piscataway , New Jersey

☆ My mom noticed a lump growing under my arm. Doctors dismissed me, and I'm glad I listened to her.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Samantha Fink | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A lump started growing under my armpit, and it was noticable enough for my mom to say something. I'm glad I listened to my mom, it turned out to be a rapidly growing benign tumor. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . To me, the lump growing under my armpit for the last two years was something only I could see. AdvertisementMy doctor wasn't worried about my lump, but my mom wasTo me, the lump was an opportunity to turn more heads at parties.

Persons: —, I'd, she'd, Oz, wasn't, aren't, I've Organizations: Service

☆ ‘Everywhere’ chemicals linked to rise in preterm births, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Now, researchers have found synthetic chemicals called phthalates used in clear food packaging and personal care products could be a culprit, according to a new study. “Studies show the largest association with preterm labor is due to a phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP,” Trasande said. “In our new study, we found DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all the preterm births in 2018. “This paper focused on the relationship between exposure to individual phthalates and preterm birth. “Every day, they’re often exposed to more than one phthalate from the products they use, so the risk of preterm birth may actually be greater,” said Friedman, who was not involved in the study.

Persons: phthalates, ”, Dr, Leonardo Trasande, ” Trasande, “, that’s, Alexa Friedman, Friedman, diisononyl, toxicologist Linda Birnbaum, ” Birnbaum, birthweight, DEHP, Trasande, ” Friedman, don’t, ” CNN’s Jen Christensen Organizations: CNN, NYU Langone Health, “, Environmental, American Chemistry Council, Product Safety, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology, National Institutes of Health’s, Child Health, Health, Mayo Clinic, American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP Locations: United States, European

☆ A US scientist outrages the British with advice about adding salt to tea – and the American embassy stirs it up
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Britain’s media has reacted with fury and bewilderment after a US scientist claimed the perfect cup of tea is made with a pinch of added salt. “I guess we are going to war again?” legal journalist Molly Quell wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our Special Relationship,” the embassy wrote in a viral X post. Francl also found little sympathy in the British press, which took her suggestion with more than a pinch of salt. In the meantime, the embassy said it “will continue to make tea in the proper way – by microwaving it.”

Persons: Michelle Francl, Molly, ”, Matt Green, Francl, “ Organizations: London CNN —, Bryn Mawr College, CNN, ITV News, Embassy, Guardian, Daily Mail Locations: Boston, Britain, United States, British, Pennsylvania

LONDON (AP) — An American scientist has sparked a trans-Atlantic tempest in a teapot by offering Britain advice on its favorite hot beverage. Bryn Mawr College chemistry professor Michelle Francl says one of the keys to a perfect cup of tea is a pinch of salt. The tip is included in Francl’s book “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea,” published Wednesday by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Not since the Boston Tea Party has mixing tea with salt water roiled the Anglo-American relationship so much. On the Chemistry World site, Francl said writing the book had “enhanced my enjoyment of a cup of tea” but noted “there were several disquieting discoveries along the way."

Persons: Michelle Francl, ”, boors, Debrett’s, “, Francl, – Organizations: Bryn Mawr College, Royal Society of Chemistry, Boston Tea Party, Twitter, Embassy Locations: An American, Britain, London, States, U.S

☆ Astronomers detect mysterious 8 billion-year-old energetic burst
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A fast radio burst, or FRB, is a pulse of radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation. It lasts a small fraction of a second but outshines most other sources of radio waves in the universe. Radio waves have the longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum. "The radio waves in FRBs are similar to those used in microwave ovens. Fast radio bursts were discovered in 2007.

Persons: Ryan Shannon, Stuart Ryder, Shannon, Will Dunham, Daniel Wallis Organizations: ESO, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Australian SKA Pathfinder, European Southern, Swinburne University of Technology, Macquarie University, Thomson Locations: Handout, Western Australia, European, Chile, Australia

☆ Common contaminants linked to accelerated weight gain in children
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The research network aims to examine the lifetime impact of exposure in the womb to chemical contaminants in air, water and food. Both DDT and HCB contamination in people occurs “mainly through bioaccumulation in the food chain via fish, fish products, meat (and) dairy products,” Montazeri said. The July 2022 report also found PFAS exposure was sufficiently associated with decreased infant and fetal growth as well as decreased antibody response to vaccines in both adults and children. Pregnant people can take steps to reduce their exposure to various chemicals in commercial products, food and water. “Phthalates and phenols come from plastics and personal care products,” Montazeri said.

Persons: ”, Parisa Montazeri, “, Montazeri, Leonardo Trasande, HCB, ” Montazeri, Trasande Organizations: CNN, Barcelona Institute, Global Health, BMI, NYU Langone Health, Environmental, US Centers for Disease Control, CDC, US Environmental Protection Agency, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Getty, NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine, National Sanitation Foundation Locations: Spain, United States, PFAS

☆ I tried 25 of Trader Joe's award-winning foods, and would buy at least 21 of them again
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Savanna Swain-Wilson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +42 min

I hit up my local Trader Joe's and bought as many award-winning foods as I could to see which ones deserved their hype. In other words, I agree with the many customers who have dubbed this their favorite Trader Joe's snack. As long as I live within reasonable driving distance of a Trader Joe's, I will continue to buy this loaf. Trader Joe's butter chicken with basmati rice is a satisfyingly spicy comfort meal for oneTrader Joe's butter chicken with basmati rice had a delicious sauce. Trader Joe's cheddar with caramelized onions offers a memorable balance of savory, salty, and sweetThe cheddar smelled like caramelized onions.

Persons: —, Monterey Jack, burrito, Savanna, Wilson, didn't, I've, It's, Joe's, I'm, they're, chorizo, I'd, Butter, they'd, Joe's cashiers, who's, fryer, Swain Wilson Organizations: Service, of Fame, Business, I'd, Wilson, panini Locations: Monterey, Monterey Jack, skillet, Savanna, Peru, treacly, San Francisco

☆ Florida woman sues Kraft for $5M, saying Velveeta shells & cheese takes longer to prepare than packaging claims
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Joseph Lamour | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

On Nov. 18, Florida resident Amanda Ramirez sued the Kraft Heinz Company for at least $5 million over what she claims is deceptive and fraudulent packaging. Ramirez says that since Kraft’s Velveeta Shells & Cheese Microwavable Shell Pasta takes longer than 3-and-a-half minutes to prepare even though its packing states “ready in 3½ minutes,” that constitutes fraud. What the plaintiff focuses on is the fifth instruction, “cheese sauce will thicken upon standing” which they say constitutes a longer “ready” time than the packaging claims. “Consumers seeing ‘ready in 3½ minutes’ will believe it represents the total amount of time it takes to prepare the Product,” the suit reads. “However, the directions outlined above show that 3-and-a-half minutes is just the length of time to complete one of several steps.

CNN —The label on a cup of Velveeta’s microwaveable mac and cheese says the meal only takes three and a half minutes to prepare. Amanda Ramirez, of Hialeah, has filed a proposed $5 million class action lawsuit against Kraft Heinz Foods Company alleging the food producer’s Velveeta Shells & Cheese takes longer than advertised to prepare, court documents show. The additional steps mean it’s impossible for the mac and cheese to be ready in just three and a half minutes, according to the complaint. Kraft Heinz Foods Company dismissed the lawsuit as “frivolous” in a statement. “We are aware of this frivolous lawsuit and will strongly defend against the allegations in the complaint,” a Kraft Heinz Foods Company spokesperson told CNN Monday.

☆ Protests in China send a chill through global markets
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The protests had an immediate impact on global markets, and raised questions about the path forward for China’s increasingly sluggish economy. The protests began Friday after 10 people were killed in a fire in China’s Xinjiang province, where Covid lockdown restrictions reportedly hindered first responders from reaching the blaze. Step down, Communist Party!”Meanwhile, the prospect of social upheaval in the world’s second-biggest economy has sent a chill through global markets. Oil prices dropped sharply as investors feared that surging Covid cases and protests in China would sap demand from one of the world’s largest oil consumers. To fix its economy, China needs to ease lockdowns to allow its people to get back to their lives.

☆ This social app prohibits edited photos to encourage users to be more authentic. It’s growing fast
▼ + stars: | 2022-04-21 | by ( Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

BeReal is a social media app that encourages users to share a slice of their life in real time. The result is a far cry from the polished, overly curated photos popular on other social media platforms. The BeReal app launched in late 2020 and is rapidly growing in popularity among young people. Telerski says he tries to maintain a certain level of authenticity on social media regardless of the platform. “For those who think we need a new social media app in order to be truly authentic, maybe we should take that as a sign to be more authentic throughout our existing social media presence,” he says.

Persons: it’s, Austin Steele, “, Ben Telerski, ”, Telerski, ” Ben Telerski, Alexandra Henn, Ben, you’re, BeReal, BeReal Morgan Nott, Nott Organizations: CNN, Facebook, Georgetown University Locations: Apptopia, France, Reno

☆ BeReal: This social app bans edited photos to encourage users to be more authentic
▼ + stars: | 2022-04-21 | by ( Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

BeReal is a social media app that encourages users to share a slice of their life in real time. The result is a far cry from the polished, overly curated photos popular on other social media platforms. The BeReal app launched in late 2020 and is rapidly growing in popularity among young people. If someone tries to keep their social media presence highly polished and produced, BeReal is not the app to use.”Ben Telerski and Alexandra Henn in an image from his BeReal app. “For those who think we need a new social media app in order to be truly authentic, maybe we should take that as a sign to be more authentic throughout our existing social media presence,” he says.

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