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☆ Smoking’s effects on the immune system can last years, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

They exposed the blood samples to common germs like E. coli bacteria and the flu virus and measured the immune response. It had nearly the same impact on immune response as important factors such as age or sex. The innate immune response is the general way the skin, mucous membranes, immune system cells and proteins fights germs. The experiment was done in blood samples in the lab, but the immune system may react differently in real life. Those mice cleared a bacterial infection less efficiently and with a less-robust immune response than mice that weren’t exposed.

Persons: they’ve, it’s, ”, Dr, Violaine, “, André, Darragh Duffy, “ It’s, ” Duffy, Duffy, Yasmin Thanavala, There’s, ” Thanavala, Sanjay Gupta, Albert Rizzo, we’ve, Rizzo Organizations: CNN, Nature, Institut Pasteur, Immunology, Roswell, Cancer Institute, Get CNN, CNN Health, American Medical Association Locations: United States, Paris

☆ Millions of people have long Covid, including children and pregnant people, studies show
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Millions of people deal with Covid-19 symptoms long after their initial infections. Estimates of adults who develop long Covid range from 2.5% to 25%, although different studies have different definitions of how “long” Covid is defined. But many studies have found that vaccination lowers the risk of severe disease, which can make long Covid more likely. Long Covid symptoms in children included breathing problems like a cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness, along with fatigue. Studies haven’t fully explained what factors kids with long Covid have in common.

Persons: –, Dr, Torri Metz, ” Metz, ”, Metz, Amy Edwards, Edwards, Sanjay Gupta, haven’t Organizations: CNN, Covid, Society for, National Institutes of Health’s, University of Utah Health, UH Rainbow, Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: National Harbor , Maryland

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. This week, a reader feels he deserves a larger share of his mom's inheritance than his siblings. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. I plan to ask my siblings for a larger share of my mother's legacy that I can put toward teaching college. When you ask your siblings for a larger share of the inheritance money, be direct, honest, and confident.

Persons: —, I'd, I'm, isn't, you've, Lay Organizations: Business, Service

☆ ‘A false sense of security’: Experts say delta-8 THC products can still be dangerous
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Delta-8 THC, or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, is one of more than 100 chemical compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant. To make delta-8 products, scientists typically make synthetic versions in the lab. Unlike regulated medical products like acetaminophen, which must have uniform ingredients and doses, the contents of delta-8 products vary from product to product — sometimes even from batch to batch. She also encourages people who buy delta-8 products to store them safely so children can’t get to them. Until there are more regulations on the products, experts said, poison centers will still get calls about delta-8 and other cannabis products.

Persons: Daniel Kruger, ’ ”, can’t, Kait Brown, ” Brown, Brown, ’ ” Brown, Kruger, Cassidy LoParco, aren’t, LoParco, They’ve, ” LoParco, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “, you’re, ” Kruger Organizations: CNN, Centers, Jacobs School of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New, US Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission, George Washington University, National Cannabis Industry Association, Delta, HHC, CNN Health Locations: State University of New York

☆ Journal publisher retracts studies used by Texas judge who ruled to suspend use of abortion pill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The academic publisher Sage Publications has retracted studies used by a Texas judge in a ruling that would suspend federal approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. The 2021 study concluded that ER visits were more likely after a medication abortion rather than a surgical abortion. Kacsmaryk cited this study to suggest that the number of adverse events from medication abortion drugs is probably under-reported. The US Supreme Court will hear arguments in March about mifepristone, one of two drugs commonly used in the US for a medication abortion. Medication abortion is the most common form of abortion in the US, and multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that it is highly safe and effective.

Persons: Sage, ”, Matthew Kacsmaryk, “, Kacsmaryk, ” Sage, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Jim Studnicki, Studnicki Organizations: CNN, Sage Publications, Health Services Research, Chemical, US, Charlotte Lozier Institute, Elliot Institute, American Association of Pro, CNN Health Locations: Texas, “, Florida, mifepristone, Charlotte

☆ ‘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

☆ ‘Reduce some of those tantrums': 4 simple tips from a psychologist to manage your child’s screen time
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Managing your child's screen time can be one of the most challenging aspects of modern parenting. Christensen, a children's media researcher at SRI International, says it's important for parents to remember that not all screen time is bad. Christensen recommends that parents strive for a balance they're comfortable with for their own families. Here are her top tips for helping young children transition away from screen time without triggering a tantrum. Christensen recommends creating a media-watching routine.

Persons: Mott, Claire Christensen, Christensen, Let's Organizations: Mott Children's, Children's Health, SRI International, CNBC, Research

☆ More people need transplants than there are organ donors. Pigs might offer a solution
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

The need for more transplant organs is immense and growing. Researchers have transplanted genetically modified pig kidneys and hearts into people who were brain-dead to test whether they work in humans. Although Larry Faucette was too sick for a human heart transplant, University of Maryland doctors said he seemed physically strong enough for a genetically modified pig heart. It was more than a decade after the first heart transplant but long before such procedures became relatively routine. “We learned that the pig heart is an adequate substitute for a human heart.

Persons: Lawrence Faucette, Ann, he’d, ” Ann, Larry Faucette, Ann Faucette Ann, Larry, didn’t, ”, Robert Montgomery, “, Shelby Lum, ” Montgomery, Xenotransplantation, Art Caplan, Caplan, Babe ”, ” Caplan, They’re, eGenesis, people’s, Dr, Mike Curtis, Sanjay Gupta, ” Curtis, hasn’t, Julie O’Hara, Jim Parsons, Jayme Locke, couldn’t, Locke, Parsons, NYU —, Montgomery —, O’Hara, ” Locke, David Bennett Sr, Mary, David Jr, Bartley Griffith, Bennett, they’ve, Muhammad M, Mohiuddin, Larry Faucette’s, David Bennett’s, ” Griffith, xenotransplantation Ann Faucette, Wilbur, White’s, Ann Faucette, NYU ethicist Caplan, they’re, NYU’s Montgomery, UAB’s Locke, Steve Wood, ’ Curtis, “ I’m, it’s, ” O’Hara, Bennett’s, Larry Faucette —, ” Bennett’s, Faucette, who’d, Griffith, would’ve, Kate, Lucy, Nadia Kounang Organizations: CNN, Food and Drug Administration, University of Maryland, FDA, National Institute of Allergy, NYU Langone Transplant Institute, NYU Langone's Transplant, NYU Grossman School, Medicine’s Department of Population Health, “ Disney, University of Alabama, Transplant Institute, Parsons Family, Birmingham, NYU, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Doctors, University of Maryland Medical Center, Uno, UAB, CNN Health, NFL Locations: Frederick , Maryland, United States, Montgomery, “, Midwest, Yucatan, Maryland

☆ What to know about human brain implants
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Here’s what to know about brain implants. What is a human brain implant? Doctors implant these kinds of devices on the surface of the brain or deep with in it. Neuralink’s equipment is about the size of a coin; Synchron’s is a small stent-like device that goes into the blood vessels in the brain. In 2021, Neuralink demonstrated how this worked with a monkey named Pager, who had two of these wireless devices implanted into its brain.

Persons: CNN —, Synchron, won’t, we’ve, ”, Paul Nuyujukian, Neuralink, ” Nuyujukian, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ Organizations: CNN, CNN — Elon, Stanford University, CNN Health, US Food and Drug Administration

☆ Ignore this 'blanket rule' most parents use, says psychologist: It's 'more destructive than helpful'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Tom Huddleston Jr. | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"The cultural narrative that cutting back on screen time, just as a blanket rule, is always better for kids is more destructive than helpful," Christensen, a psychologist and researcher at Menlo Park, California-based nonprofit SRI International, tells CNBC Make It. But watching high-quality, educational content is good for your kids' development — teaching them important skills and emotional intelligence that can eventually help them develop into successful adults. What is 'good' screen time? Educational content tops Christensen's list of high-quality content, she says: "We're looking for videos that are intended to teach." How parents can reframe their approach to kids' screen time

Persons: Claire Christensen, Christensen, Dora, it's Organizations: Menlo, SRI International, CNBC, SRI Locations: Menlo Park , California

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Dear For Love & Money,My husband believes we should have six months of spending saved up at all times. I try to add money to our high-yield savings because, in my opinion, savings means savings. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, I'm, It's, that's, You've, Tell Organizations: Business, Service Locations: —

☆ Drug study brings animal-to-human organ transplants a step closer, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Scientists say they are closer to understanding the best way to make the human body receptive to an organ donation from another species, an effort that could help solve an ongoing shortage of organs. More than 100,000 people in the US are on the transplant waiting list, and an average of 17 die every day while waiting. Doctors have spent decades experimenting with alternatives, and many now see potential in replacing failing human organs with genetically modified pig organs. Xenotransplantation, as cross-species organ transplantation is called, is still in the early stages. There are no human clinical trials taking place that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, but the researchers behind a study published Thursday in the Journal of Clinical Investigation say their findings might bring human trials even closer.

Persons: Jayme Locke, Locke, that’s, Sheri Krams, ”, Krams, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Mandy Ford, Ford, ” Ford Organizations: CNN —, US Food and Drug Administration, Investigation, University of Alabama, Heersink, of Medicine, FDA, Transplantation, Heersink School of Medicine, Stanford Medicine, UAB, Parsons Model, CNN, CNN Health, Emory Transplant Center Locations: United States

☆ More Than 40 Killed in Artisanal Mine Collapse in Southwest Mali - Mines Ministry
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BAMAKO (Reuters) - More than 40 artisanal gold miners were killed in southwest Mali last week after the shaft they were working in collapsed, Mali's mines ministry said on Wednesday. Deadly accidents are frequent as artisanal miners often use old-fashioned and unregulated methods of digging. The incident in Mali occurred on Friday on a site in the Kangaba Cercle in the south-western Koulikoro Region, the mines ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that did not specify the number of deaths. A spokesperson for the ministry, Baye Coulibaly, said via telephone on Wednesday that the death toll was still provisional. According to mines ministry data, an estimated six tonnes of gold was produced in artisanal mines in Mali in 2023.

Persons: Baye Coulibaly, Coulibaly, Tiemoko Diallo, Anait Miridzhanian, Sofia Christensen, Alex Richardson Locations: BAMAKO, Mali, West Africa, Kangaba, Koulikoro Region

AdvertisementA few months later, she canceled the wedding due to the domestic violence she experienced from her fiancé. I found out by seeing a post on social media. Her husband posts pictures on social media washing brand-new four-wheelers they purchased for him and their two kids and an expensive truck. Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Financial Security tells us that 99% of domestic violence cases have a financial element. Certainly, remember what may happen before you give your niece money in the future, but don't stop showing up for her in other ways.

Persons: It's, she'll, we're, fiancé, Don't Organizations: University of Wisconsin, Madison's, for Financial Security

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. After my grandma gave me a large check to help me out, my sister got upset because I had "plenty of money" and didn't need it. Instead, set up two different accounts and put your retirement savings in one and an emergency fund in another. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, I'm, Roth, they'll Organizations: Business, Service, Roth IRA

☆ A British mom who stayed in Denmark's 'maternity hotel' says she had on-call nurses and room service for 3 days after giving birth
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-05 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementIn October 2023, Claire Christensen gave birth to her first child in Copenhagen, Denmark, before checking into a "maternity hotel." The hotel — located in Hvidovre Hospital's maternity ward — allows mothers and their new baby to stay overnight for up to 48 hours after giving birth at no cost, a hospital spokesperson told Business Insider. New mothers in the UK are usually sent home between six and 24 hours after giving birth if they don't require additional care, according to NHS Inform. "Obviously, I was a bit nervous about giving birth in a different country, and I'm not fully fluent yet," she added. After giving birth, Christensen said she and her husband spent two nights and three days in a private room, which had two beds, a crib, and an en-suite shower and bathroom.

Persons: —, Claire Christensen, Claire Christensen Christensen, Christensen, Margot, " Christensen, wouldn't, I'm Organizations: Service, Danish Health Authority, Hvidovre, BI, Bradford, Hvidovre Hospital, Health Locations: Denmark, Copenhagen, Hvidovre, England, Bradford, London

☆ Natalie Portman says King Charles asked her if she was in the original 'Star Wars' movies at 'The Phantom Menace' premiere
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jason Guerrasio | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

She said the then-Prince Charles asked her if she was in the original "Star Wars" movies. The setting was the 1999 London premiere of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace." As the first "Star Wars" movie to hit theaters since 1983, it was a big deal that brought the British royals to the event. Advertisement"WWHL" host Andy Cohen asked Portman what she remembered of her interaction with the royal family. "I remember Prince Charles asked me — he was then Prince Charles — if I was in the originals," Portman said with a laugh.

Persons: Natalie Portman, Portman, King Charles, Prince Charles, —, Britain's King Charles ., Andy Cohen, Prince Charles —, Padmé, Julianne Moore, Hayden Christensen, Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader, Wan Organizations: London, Service, Padmé Amidala, Lucasfilm, Netflix Locations: Hollywood, London

☆ US drug shortages are forcing ‘impossible choices’ for Americans, experts tell Senate committee
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Dr. Jason Westin regularly witnesses the power of lifesaving cancer drugs. But because generic cancer drugs are often in shortage in the United States, he says, he and his patients have been put in a terrible position. Makers of generic drugs don’t have to share information about the supply chain, so buyers currently choose based only on price. Hernandez told the Senate committee that of the top 50 generic drugs paid for by Medicare Part D, 16 were marked up 1,000% or higher. Until there is some kind of legislation that addresses drug shortages, Wosińska and the other experts agreed, they will continue.

Persons: Jason Westin, ” Westin, that’s, they’d, Sen, Marsha Blackburn, Mike Crapo, Generics, ” Crapo, “, ”, Crapo, Inmaculada Hernandez, ” Hernandez, Dr, Marta E, it’s, ” Wosińska, Ron Wyden, ” Wyden, Hernandez, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Anderson Cancer Center, US, Finance, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Republican, Food and Drug Administration, Westin, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, Brookings Institution, CNN Health Locations: M.D, Houston, United States, Nashville, Idaho, China, India, San Diego, Oregon, generics

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. This week, a reader gave their son money years ago, and their husband thinks he should repay it now. AdvertisementDear For Love & Money,I gave my adult son money when he was getting a divorce eight years ago. When you gave your son the $16,000 eight years ago, did you call it a gift or a loan? You said you gave your son "the money with no strings," implying you originally intended it to be a gift.

Persons: —, didn't, doesn't, stoically, blissfully Organizations: Business, Service

Summary Heavy gunfire reported overnight in Guinea-Bissau's capitalArmed national guard soldiers free opposition ministerHead of national guard arrestedCalm appears to have been restored by late morningBISSAU, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Fighting broke out overnight between two factions of Guinea-Bissau's army in the capital and continued early on Friday after armed soldiers from the national guard freed a minister who had been detained for suspected misuse of public funds. The head of the national guard has since been arrested, a military source said. Gunshots started at around 2300 GMT on Thursday about two kilometres away from the presidential palace in the capital Bissau. A police source said the shooting on Thursday started after heavily armed members of the national guard stormed a police station to free Finance Minister Suleimane Seidi, arrested earlier that night. The national guard reports to parliament, while the military reports to the president.

Persons: Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Embalo, Suleimane Seidi, Antonio Monteiro, Sierra Leone's, Alberto Dabo, Samba, Sofia Christensen, Christina Fincher Organizations: United Nations, Change, PAIGC, Freetown, CFA, Thomson Locations: Guinea, BISSAU, Bissau, Antula, Dubai, Guinea Bissau, West African, Senegal, Portugal, West, Central Africa

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Dear For Love & Money,My spouse and I want to travel abroad more, but we're not sure where to start when planning a vacation budget for anything other than an all-inclusive resort. The key isn't to make a budget fit your destination but to make your destination fit your budget. Get Travel Insurance Quotes OnlineProtect your trip with the best travel insurance .

Persons: Cowan, —, we're, April Cowan, You'll, you'll Organizations: Business, Service, Kansas City, Google, Get Locations: Hawaii, Cancun

☆ 6 ways to get the best deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday— and how to avoid scams
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Sebastian Cahill | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are full of deals this year, both online and in-store. The best ways to take advantage of Black Friday deals:Know what you're looking for and make a list. AdvertisementPlan which credit card to use for which purchases. Customers looking for a new credit card can also pick smarter by choosing a card with a 0% intro APR, according to Motley Fool. AdvertisementCommon schemes to avoid on Black Friday:Watch for "doorbuster deals," and don't buy just because of large discounts.

Persons: —, Motley, Todd Christensen, Kimberly Palmer, Palmer, Buyers, you've Organizations: Service, MIT Sloan School of Management, CBS

A friend suggested substitute teaching as a way to get extra income in a way that fits my schedule. The pay isn't great, but every little bit helps, and it's nice getting involved in my kids' schools. Substitute teaching is the perfect side hustle for meA friend suggested substitute teaching to me this summer when I was spinning in pre-holiday financial anxiety. But the difference is that, unlike volunteer PTA work, substitute teaching will also pay for my family's Christmas. I'm sure I'll have less time and more money someday, and substitute teaching will be the necessary trading card.

Persons: —, I've, it's, we've, you've, we'll, I'm Organizations: Service, PTA

☆ China says seasonal germs, rather than ‘unusual or novel pathogens,’ behind spike in pediatric respiratory illness, WHO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Some of those increases are a little earlier than usual, but WHO said they were “not unexpected.”Similar early surges in respiratory illnesses were seen in other countries after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. At Thursday’s teleconference, WHO said, the Chinese officials reported enhanced surveillance of respiratory illnesses that may be contributing to increases in reported cases of disease. Even with the spike in cases, China also said that its hospitals are not overwhelmed with patients. WHO has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems since mid-October, when it initially noted an increase in respiratory illnesses in children in northern China. WHO said it will continue to closely monitor the situation, stay in close contact with national authorities in China and provide updates when appropriate.

Persons: teleconference, ”, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Katherine Dillinger Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, WHO, Chinese Center for Disease Control, Beijing Children’s, Media, International Society for Infectious Diseases, CNN Health Locations: China, Beijing, United States

For Love & Money is a column from Business Insider answering your relationship and money questions. Our columnist says that just because hard work is virtuous, not doing that hard work isn't wrong. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. But we've all struggled to do hard things, and that sense of achievement we feel when we're done speaks for itself. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, we've, it's, There's, we're, I've, you've, Get Organizations: Business, Service, Quicken, SEC

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