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☆ New analysis of samples from Wuhan animal market supports its role as a central site of early spread of Covid-19
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The new findings add to strong, but circumstantial evidence that the SARS-CoV2 virus jumped from infected animals to humans and that the market was a central site of early spread. Of the animals present at the market, rabbits, dogs and raccoon dogs are known to be susceptible to Covid-19 infections. Their analysis shows that SARS-CoV2 virus present at the market emerged at the same time as the virus from the larger pandemic, suggesting they are one and the same. The pandemic virus would have an earlier birthdate. “A lab origin is a possibility.

Persons: “, ”, Kristian Andersen, Andersen, ” Andersen, Florence Debarre, ” Debarre, Debarre, there’s, Dr, Sanjay Gupta Organizations: CNN, Wholesale, Scripps, Research, French National Centre for Scientific Research, National Institutes of Health, CNN Health Locations: Wuhan, China, Covid, La Jolla , California, United States

☆ Mass rape trial in France sheds light on what women say is a ‘rape culture’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Linda Hervieux | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

“I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” Pelicot told the court Tuesday, as his long-awaited testimony began. In a move rarely seen in France, Pelicot refused to remain anonymous. While many are charged with raping Gisèle Pelicot one time, others are charged with as many as six assaults. Indeed, Dominique Pelicot had been arrested before, nabbed in a supermarket outside Paris in 2010, using a pen-camera to film under women’s skirts. Dominique Pelicot obtained hundreds of prescription drugs from his own doctor, who declined to speak to police.

Persons: Dominique Pelicot, Gisèle Pelicot, ” Pelicot, Dominique Pelico, ” Anne, Cécile Mailfert, Pelicot, Mailfert, I’m, ” Gisèle Pelicot, don’t, ”, Gisele Pelicot, Christophe Simon, Gisèle, Le Figaro, “, Blandine Deverlanges, Amazones, ” Dominique Pelicot, —, Dominique Peliquot, Jean, Pierre Maréchal, Maréchal, ” Maréchal, Caroline Darian, Valentine Rioufol, Rioufol, Salma Sabri, ” Valentine Rioufol, Linda Hervieux, ” Sabri, it’s, Sabri, Stephanie Vincent, scoffed, ” Vincent, Charlotte Flegon, ” Flegon, I’ll Organizations: ZZIIGG, Reuters, Fondation des Femmes, NBC News, Palais de, Getty, ” Defense, ” Police, Dare, NBC Locations: MAZAN, France, Avignon, Mazan, Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, AFP, Montségur, Lauzon, Canada, Montreal

☆ Halting the Bird Flu Outbreak in Cows May Require Thinking Beyond Milk
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Emily Anthes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the bird flu outbreak in dairy cows has ballooned, officials have provided repeated reassurances: The virus typically causes mild illness in cows, they have said, and because it spreads primarily through milk, it can be curbed by taking extra precautions when moving cows and equipment. Some farms have reported a significant spike in cow deaths, according to the paper, which investigated outbreaks on nine farms in four states. The virus, known as H5N1, was also present in more than 20 percent of nasal swabs collected from cows. And it spread widely to other species, infecting cats, raccoons and wild birds, which may have transported the virus to new locations. It has also jumped into poultry farms and infected at least 10 farmworkers exposed to infected cows or poultry.

Persons: There’s, ”, Diego Diel Organizations: Cornell University, Department of Agriculture Locations: Nature

☆ DNA collected from chewing gum leads to arrest and conviction in 1980 cold case murder
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Andi Babineau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —DNA found in a piece of discarded chewing gum led to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in a 1980 cold case murder in Oregon, prosecutors say. Robert Plympton, 60, was found guilty last week on one count of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder in the killing of Mt. Nineteen-year-old Tucker was “kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and beaten to death” on January 15, 1980, the release states. Witness heard screamingBarbara Tucker Tucker Family/Gresham Police DepartmentWitnesses had seen a woman in apparent distress around the time of the murder, the document from the DA’s office states. DNA pulled from the gum matched the profile from the autopsy swabs and Plympton was arrested on June 8, 2021.

Persons: Robert Plympton, Barbara Tucker, Tucker, “, Plympton, Stephen Houze, Jacob Houze, Barbara Tucker Tucker Family, Witnesses, ”, Claudio Grandjean, ” Swabs, CeCe Moore, ” Moore, Barbara, Moore, surveilling, Susan Pater, I’d, ” Pater, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, Hood Community College, Attorney’s, Plympton, Gresham Police, Police, KATU Locations: Oregon, Mt, Multnomah County, Gresham, Virginia, surveilling Plympton

NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's top public health agency is expanding a program that tests international travelers for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Those locations should provide more information about respiratory infections coming out of South America, Africa and Asia, particularly, CDC officials said. But they are given a COVID-19 home test kit to take with them, CDC officials say. That testing is for COVID-19, but CDC officials are evaluating the possibility of monitoring wastewater for other things, Walker said. The CDC program has a current budget of about $37 million.

Persons: ”, Allison Taylor Walker, Walker, Ginkgo Organizations: Disease Control, CDC, Health, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: COVID, Miami, South America, Africa, Asia, Chicago

☆ Department of Justice opens probe of Globe Life, American Income Life
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Susan Antilla | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The U.S. Department of Justice has subpoenaed Globe Life Inc. and its subsidiary American Income Life seeking documents related to one of its top life insurance agencies — the Pittsburgh-based Arias Organization. Globe Life executives made no mention of the DOJ probe during a quarterly earnings call on February 8. In October, insurance regulators in Pennsylvania fined American Income Life $130,000 for engaging in deceptive consumer practices. "We do not believe the litigation will be material to Globe Life's overall results or American Income Life's agency operations," he said. Darden told the analysts that "as soon as American Income became aware of" the allegations, AIL hired an outside investigator to look into the matter.

Persons: Arias, Renee Zinsky, Michael Russin, Joel Scarborough, Globe's, Trina Orlando, Cathy Seifert, Seifert, Scarborough, Simon Arias, Natalie Price, AIL, Warren Buffett's Berkshire, James Darden, Darden, Zinsky, Janet Hendrick, Phillips Murrah, Kathryn D, Terry, Liz Rita, Susan Antilla Organizations: U.S . Department of Justice, Inc, Organization, News, Business, BI, CFRA Research, Securities and Exchange Commission, Globe, DOJ, Scarborough, US, Office, Western, Western District of Pennsylvania, Arias Agencies, The, Justice, Warren, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Commission, Department of Justice, AIL, Income, Zinsky, Law Locations: Pittsburgh, Scarborough, Western District, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Globe, Denver, AIL, susan.antilla1@gmail.com

☆ Target launches a new dollar-store-style budget brand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewTarget has launched a new budget brand that will offer shoppers low-cost clothes, electronics, beauty products, and home items. Target said on Thursday that the brand, Dealworthy, will feature nearly 400 "everyday basics," with most items under $10 and some costing less than $1. Target will also sell Dealworthy electronics, including phone cases and power cords, as well as kitchen and home items like paper plates, paper towels, and food containers. AdvertisementThe Dealworthy range will include low-cost electronics, including phone cases. Target"With Dealworthy, Target is offering more options at lower prices, starting at less than $1, while strengthening its portfolio of owned brands," the retailer said in a press release.

Persons: —, Brian Cornell, Rick Gomez, Axios Organizations: Service, Business, Aldi, Executives, Target

☆ Some people say COVID tests are more accurate if you swab your poop instead of your nose. Here's what's going on.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

If you're feeling sick, it can be frustrating to see a negative COVID test result. Some people say they only get an accurate COVID test result if they swab their feces. AdvertisementYes, there is COVID in your stoolA positive poo sample doesn't necessairily mean you have an active COVID infection. AdvertisementIt is also possible to have a very mild COVID infection, so mild as to be undetectable on a rapid test. This may be more likely if you've built up immunity through a recent COVID infection or vaccine.

Persons: —, aren't, they're, Katelyn Jetelina, you've, who'd, swabs, it's, Jetelina, it's COVID Organizations: Service

☆ This test can calculate your biological age for free. Here's how it works — and how to interpret the results.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Hilary Brueck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementMy free biological age calculation estimated my risk of premature death or diseaseMy biological age test used 9 different measurements taken from blood samples. Tamar Dundua/Getty ImagesAt its essence, any good biological age test is trying to capture the fitness of your body parts. Some of the most respected biological age tests are epigenetic clocks, sometimes called DNA methylation tests. Other clocks incorporate external factors like smoking history, or chronological age into a biological age calculation. The benefits of free biological age testingLearning your own biological age is one simple way to approximate how well your body is weathering the test of time.

Persons: —, who's, David Sinclair's, I'm, Tamar Dundua, Dr, Nour Makarem, Makarem, they're, Hilary Brueck, It's, that's, Steve Horvath Organizations: Service, Tally, Business, Columbia University

☆ Giant chicken frog faces extinction due to a deadly amphibian fungus
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The mountain chicken frog was once so abundant in Dominica, with thousands found across the island, that it became a national delicacy, supposedly tasting of chicken. Chytridiomycosis is a fungal infectious disease that affects more than 500 frog species across the world. A research team spent 26 days searching for the mountain chicken frog in Dominica. The research team spent hundreds of hours searching for the chicken frog during the months of July and August. “There are many things that people can do to prevent the spread of chytrid and help protect frogs,” Kaganer said in an email.

Persons: Chytridiomycosis, Andrés Valenzuela Sánchez, ZSL, Sánchez, Jeanelle Brisbane, “, Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer, ” Kaganer, chytrid, Kaganer, … Organizations: CNN, Zoological Society of London, & Conservation Biology, Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, London Zoo Locations: Dominica, Caribbean, Montserrat, ” Brisbane, Dominica —

☆ D.B. Cooper case: Eric Ulis is trying to solve the mystery behind the 1971 hijacking
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Faith Karimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Cooper expert, Ulis says he was a professional blackjack player, a skill he says helps him focus on facts and avoid conspiracy theories. FBIThe tie and the found ransom money are the key pieces of physical evidence in the case, Ulis says. Larry Carr, a former FBI agent who worked on Cooper’s case, tells CNN he doesn’t believe the FBI took the spindle apart to process it. Cooper manhunt (2011) 01:44 - Source: KARECarr, the former FBI agent, lists several reasons why he believes Cooper didn’t survive the jump. Carr said the Cooper case is one of the most popular cases he worked on and he still thinks about it today.

Persons: Eric Ulis, Cooper, he’s, James Bond, ” Ulis, “, ”, Ulis, Dan Cooper, –, Dan, everybody’s, D.B, He’s, familiarized, It’s, “ It’s, ” He’s, minutia, let’s, CNN’s, Larry Carr, doesn’t, Carr, “ That’s, criminologists, Richard McCoy, Duane Weber, KARE Carr, Cooper didn’t Organizations: CNN, Northwest Orient, FBI, Netflix Locations: Portland , Oregon, Seattle, Mexico, Pacific Northwest, Phoenix , Arizona, Canadian, Tena, Washington, CooperCon, Washington , DC, Provo , Utah

☆ African skulls pillaged during German colonial rule have been matched to living relatives after DNA tests
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

German invaders pillaged thousands of skulls from East African colonies and brought them back. Using DNA analysis, a museum has managed to find relat of three of the skulls. These are thought to have belonged to indigenous Nama and Herero tribes who were killed in brutal wars by German invaders almost a century earlier, Science Magazine reported in 2011. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the case of eight of the skulls, the museum collected enough information to seek out potential relatives. But we do know Meli met a brutal end when he was hanged and decapitated after leading an uprising against German invaders in 1900, per the BBC.

Persons: Mangi Meli, Meli Organizations: Service, Berlin's Museum, Berlin's Charité, BBC, Science Magazine Locations: Wall, Silicon, East Africa, Namibia, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

☆ How forensic investigators use DNA, fingerprints and other methods to identify remains after a fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“DNA has been really extremely helpful for us, with the Rapid DNA,” said Alison Galloway, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of California-Santa Cruz, who helped identify remains during the Camp Fire. “If you don’t have that … then it’s a lot more difficult.”In general, forensic experts rely on DNA, dental analysis, fingerprints, medical hardware or circumstantial evidence to try to identify remains. “We’re still diligently working trying to make sure that we can identify (remains), and that’s why that DNA is so important, because we got fingerprints from three,” he said. Galloway, the forensics professor, said one of the advantages of the Rapid DNA technology is in quickly determining whether a DNA swab is usable. Maui asks for family members to come forwardFor Rapid DNA to work, family members of the missing have to willingly submit to DNA swabs.

Persons: ”, Alison Galloway, Santa Cruz, Josh Green, CBS’s, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Matthew Thayer, John Pelletier, “ We’re, Stephen Meer, Sudhin, –, Meer, we’ve, you’ve, you’re, ” Meer, Jonathan Masaki Shiroma, what’s, …, Robert Quinn, “, Robert Quinn’s Organizations: CNN, University of California, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, ANDE Corp, Forensic Science, Fire, FBI, Maui Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, California, Santa, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Paradise , California, Galloway, Ukraine, ”, Butte County

☆ The doctors, dentists and anthropologists striving to identify Maui's victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

While the work can be emotionally taxing, DMORT members already confront death in their day jobs as funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners. DNA samples have become a crucial tool; Sebastian said the Maui team has partnered with a company that can process DNA in just hours. But the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks represented a pivot point, when DMORT teams helped city authorities sift through thousands of remains. Wildfires represent a relatively new response area for DMORTs; teams responded to the 2018 Camp fire that killed 85 in California and the 2020 Oregon wildfires. "As we're starting to see this era of 'polycrisis,' making sure we have enough DMORT team members that we can deploy is going to be really important," O'Connell, the senior HHS official, said.

Persons: Mike Blake, it's, Frank Sebastian, Kathryn Pinneri, Sebastian, Paul Sledzik, Sledzik, Dawn O'Connell, I've, DMORTs, Hurricane Maria, David Hunt, I'm, Hunt, O'Connell, Joseph Ax, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Maui, federal, HHS, World Trade Center, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Seattle, United States, hijackings, Montgomery County , Texas, MAUI, Long, Shanksville , Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, New York, Indiana, DMORTs, California, Oregon

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - A Georgia man who was convicted late last year for his role in a $463 million genetic testing scheme to defraud Medicare was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Friday, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement. Minal Patel, 44, of Atlanta, owned LabSolutions LLC, a lab enrolled with Medicare that performed sophisticated genetic tests. Patel conspired with patient brokers, telemedicine companies, and call centers to target Medicare beneficiaries with telemarketing calls falsely stating that Medicare covered expensive cancer genetic tests, according to prosecutors. Patel was indicted in 2019 on charges of healthcare fraud and paying and receiving kickbacks to and from marketers who collected cheek swabs from patients for genetic testing. Back then, U.S. federal agents raided genetic testing laboratories, and 35 people were criminally charged in four states in a crackdown on genetic testing fraud that officials said caused $2.1 billion in losses to federal healthcare insurance programs.

Persons: Minal Patel, Patel, LabSolutions, Kanishka Singh, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S . Justice Department, Medicare, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: Georgia, Atlanta, Florida, United States, U.S, Washington

☆ Maui wildfires: At least 106 were killed and identifying all of them will be difficult, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Only five of the 106 dead had been identified as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Maui County officials. Family members of missing people had provided 41 DNA samples, trying to see whether their loves ones are among the dead, county officials said. Green told CNN Tuesday he hopes “much of it will be done” by the weekend. Dominick Del Vecchio/Reuters• Some victims are named: Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of Lahaina, were killed, Maui County officials said Tuesday. Hawaii’s attorney general will spearhead a review of decisions that officials made in response to the wildfires, her office has said.

Persons: Hawaii’s, Josh Green, Green, “ We’re, “, we’re, ”, Jonathan Greene, Dominick Del Vecchio, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, we’ll, who’s, ” Green, • Biden, Biden, Dang, ” Dang, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Kula, Ross Hart, Maui’s upcountry, Hart, ” Hart, CNN they’ve, Jace Kennedy Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Authorities, US Department of Health, Human Services, FEMA, Reuters, •, Lahaina’s Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, •, Upper Kula, upcountry, Kula, Maui’s

☆ The U.S. Must Look Past Chips and A.I. to Compete Against China - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Dan Wang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

And while there’s no denying the potential significance of large language models, it remains far from obvious that America’s mastery of A.I. While China has suffered serious setbacks in chip production, its companies are vaulting ahead in other sectors. Industry estimates put Chinese companies at owning around 80 percent of the supply chain for solar manufacturing. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act will help build up domestic production capacity in solar and in car batteries. China produces much of the supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and American manufacturers had trouble making masks and cotton swabs early in the pandemic.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, it’s Organizations: Communist Party, Industry Locations: U.S, China, Beijing, United States, Japan

☆ HPV vaccine: Some studies say one and done might be better
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The HPV vaccine protects against the strains that cause most HPV-related cancers. But not every country has the same vaccination options, which is part of the reason WHO has been pushing to change the way doctors give the HPV vaccine. A one-and-done approach to the HPV vaccine could be a huge help around the world, experts say. But she’d also like more people to get the HPV vaccine. So I think that’s really, really important,” Abraham said.

☆ Fact Check-Cervical smear test sterilisation process is safe, no evidence for cancerous claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

There is no evidence that tools used for cervical cancer screenings are cancerous, despite a video circulating online warning about the sterilisation process of test utensils. A controlled amount of the gas ethylene oxide (EO), a carcinogen, is used to sterilise medical instruments, but the process is safe, experts told Reuters. There is no evidence, however, that its use in cervical screening sterilisation processes is cancerous. Guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows EO is used in the sterilisation process for speculums in line with international standards (here). The use of ethylene oxide in the sterilisation process for cervical cancer screening utensils is safe and strictly regulated.

☆ Covid-sniffing dogs can help detect infections in K-12 schools, new study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Months prior, Glaser and her team were implementing the school’s Covid-19 testing program, using antigen nasal swab tests. It’s not as simple as just handing those things out at school and having the kids do them,” said Glaser, who oversaw antigen testing programs at some California public schools. For now, Glaser and her colleagues described in a new study the lessons they learned from the Covid-19 dog screening pilot program that they launched in some California K-12 public schools. In comparison, Covid-19 BinaxNOW antigen tests have been shown in one real-world study to demonstrate 93.3% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity. The pilot program within California public schools also has left Edwards with hope for future opportunities in which canines can help detect disease in humans.

☆ WHO calls on China to release data linking Covid origin to raccoon dogs at Wuhan market
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The World Health Organization on Friday called on China to release new data linking the Covid pandemic's origins to animal samples at Wuhan Market after the country recently took down the research. Researchers from several countries downloaded and analyzed the data before it was removed, and presented their findings to the WHO last weekend. But she said it does establish that animals who can carry Covid were sold at the market, which is "new information." The WHO is pushing for studies to be conducted in other markets in Wuhan and across China, according to Van Kerkhove. She added that the WHO "won't be able to remove different hypotheses" until China reuploads its data.

☆ Britain's coronation throne gets revamp ahead of King Charles' crowning
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Michael Holden | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] The inside of Westminster Abbey in central London is seen in this general view taken April 20, 2011. Charles will follow some of his famous forebears, such as King Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and his own mother Elizabeth II, in being crowned on the chair. It has featured in coronation ceremonies since 1308, and has been the chair used to crown monarchs since Henry IV in 1399, the Abbey says. "The coronation chair is extremely fragile. It has a complex layer structure which means that the gilding layers on it often flake off," Blessley said.

☆ Fact Check-Oral cancer has been rising for decades in the UK, not result of COVID swabs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mouth cancer rates in Britain have been rising for two decades, with an all-time high of diagnoses likely a result of lifestyle factors, oral health experts told Reuters. This is contrary to claims shared online that COVID swab tests have caused an increase in oral cancer. One social media user spreading the falsehood here wrote: “Mouth cancer has hit an all time high! The Oral Health Foundation cites tobacco, alcohol and human papillomavirus (HPV) as the most common causes of mouth cancer (here). Oral cancer rates in Britain have been rising for at least two decades and there is no evidence a record high number of diagnoses are a result of COVID-19 swabs.

☆ China declares 'decisive victory' over COVID-19
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jennifer LorenziniBEIJING, Feb 17 (Reuters) - China's top leaders declared a "decisive victory" over COVID-19, claiming the world's lowest fatality rate, although experts have questioned Beijing's data as the coronovirus tore across the country after largely being kept at bay for three years. China abruptly ended its zero-COVID policy in early December, with 80% of its 1.4 billion population becoming infected, a prominent government scientist said last month. Though there were widespread reports of packed hospital wards and mortuaries, China recorded only about 80,000 COVID deaths in hospitals in the two months after dropping its curbs. "With continuous efforts to optimise COVID-19 prevention and control measures since November 2022, China's COVID-19 response has made a smooth transition in a relatively short time," China's Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) said in a meeting on Thursday. The meeting stressed that China will increase the vaccination rate for the elderly, and strengthen the supply and production of medical goods.

☆ The world is creating more single-use plastic waste than ever, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Brisbane, Australia CNN —The world is producing a record amount of single-use plastic waste, mostly made from polymers created from fossil fuels, despite global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions, according to a new report released Monday. The second Plastic Waste Makers Index, compiled by the philanthropic Minderoo Foundation, found the world generated 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste in 2021, which was 6 million metric tons more than in 2019, when the first index was released. In recent years, governments around the world have announced policies to reduce the volume of single-use plastic, banning products like single-use straws, disposable cutlery, food containers, cotton swabs, bags and balloons. Many countries have banned single-use plastic plates and cutlery. In the developing world, it’ll lead to people who would not otherwise have any work, having work making sure there’s no plastic waste going into the ocean, there’s no plastic waste on streets, there’s no plastic waste poisoning wildlife,” he said.

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