Tag Archives: impacts

Severe Heat Impacts Children’s Early Learning

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Extreme heat and poverty can hinder child development

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Research indicates that young children exposed to extreme heat typically exhibit a reduced vocabulary, with fewer words, letters, and numbers understood, suggesting that global warming could negatively affect early human development.

Specifically, when average monthly maximum temperatures reached 32°C (90°F) or higher, children aged 3 and 4 were 2.8 to 12.2 percent less likely to meet developmental benchmarks compared to those in environments with maximum temperatures below 26°C (79°F).

“This marks the first instance in literature demonstrating that excessive heat influences not just physical health but also developmental capabilities,” stated Jorge Quartas from New York University.

Quartas and his team analyzed data from 19,600 children surveyed by UNICEF across Georgia, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and the State of Palestine, referencing the early childhood development index. They assessed children’s abilities in naming letters, reading simple words, and recognizing numbers from 1 to 10.

The researchers correlated this data with climate records while adjusting for variables such as poverty, maternal education, and baseline temperatures. Notably, even temperatures of 30°C (86°F) began to adversely affect literacy and numeracy skills, with heat also impeding children’s social, emotional, and physical development to a lesser degree.

“Minor effects in early childhood can become more pronounced over time,” Quartas explains. For instance, children who struggle with number recognition might find it challenging to learn math concepts, potentially falling behind academically.

Heat-related stress remains the primary cause of weather-related fatalities, claiming nearly 500,000 lives annually. A recent rapid assessment estimated that the heatwave in June and July was responsible for 2,300 deaths across 12 European cities, primarily occurring among those aged 65 and older.

The findings also revealed that the impacts of heat extend even to prenatal periods. For instance, temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) during early pregnancy correlated with a 5.6% reduction in the likelihood of successful childhood development.

Children from poorer, urban households with limited access to water resources were found to be more heavily affected by the heat. “Climate change and excessive heat serve as amplifiers of existing threats,” Quartas articulated. “These children are already at a disadvantage.”

Nonetheless, the study may not comprehensively address barriers such as violence and political instability, which can also impede childhood development, as noted by Giulia Pescarini from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Further investigations are needed to clarify how heat impacts development, she suggests, noting that low-income households might lack air conditioning, and parents may experience increased stress during heat events.

Pescarini emphasizes that a better understanding of who is affected and how can aid in developing adaptive strategies to support these vulnerable groups.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

U.S. Rivers Face Unprecedented and Severe Impacts from Global Warming

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Rivers across the United States are experiencing increasing temperatures.

A recent analysis of nearly 1,500 river locations spanning over 40 years reveals a rise in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves, posing risks to many species accustomed to cooler waters.

“The increase in river heat waves is actually outpacing that of air heat waves, which is quite surprising,” states Li Li, a professor of environmental engineering at Pennsylvania State University and the study’s author.

A new analysis published in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is the first comprehensive study defining river heat waves as five consecutive hot days compared to seasonal averages.

The researchers identified climate change, which significantly impacts humans, as a major contributor to this trend, due to diminishing snowpacks and slower stream flows.

Human factors also play a role; for example, dams inhibit downstream flow, while urban structures absorb heat, warming both air and water.

Scientists are concerned that species reliant on cold water, such as salmon and trout, will increasingly struggle as river temperatures rise. Li emphasizes the necessity of tracking fish fatalities and ongoing trends.

Higher temperatures decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. Additionally, cold water species generally exhibit increased metabolism in warmer conditions, leading to further oxygen depletion.

These findings could influence basin management strategies and help determine if adjustments in irrigation or dam releases can support aquatic life during elevated temperatures.

“Water management practices can significantly impact heat waves,” noted Jonathan Walter, a research scientist at UC Davis’ Center for Watershed Sciences, who was not part of the study. “If there is sufficient reservoir water, it may be feasible to moderate downstream temperatures by releasing water to mitigate extreme heat.”

While heat waves in oceans and lakes have been studied extensively, there has been limited research on the implications of rising temperatures in rivers until now.

Satellite data have advanced the study of ocean and lake heat, but river temperature research is challenged by reliance on often unusable river gauge sensors, resulting in significant data gaps.

For this new study, researchers analyzed data from 1,471 US Geological Survey monitoring sites from 1980 to 2022.

This data enabled an assessment of shifts in streams nationwide, revealing that by 2022, river heat waves were occurring more frequently than in 1980, with an average increase of 1.8 additional heatwave events per year. These heat waves were also more severe, with temperatures during these events being approximately 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit higher in 2022 than in 1980. Moreover, the duration of heat wave events extended by over three days.

Li noted that this extra heat caused an average of about 12 days of heat stress for cold water species. The study defined 59°F as the threshold for heat stress, as many species, including bull trout, face survival challenges at this temperature.

“When considering water, its visibility draws attention to its significance,” Li remarked. “We hope this research raises public awareness on water quality challenges stemming from climate change.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

High Dosage of Wegovy: Impacts on Weight Loss and Side Effects

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Weekly Wegovy Injections Facilitate Weight Loss

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Testing reveals that a higher weekly dosage of Wegovy is linked to an increased risk of side effects.

Prior research indicates that individuals receiving the standard weekly doses of Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, can lose up to 15% of their body weight over a year when combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. This medication mimics the action of GLP-1, a hormone akin to glucagon, which aids in numerous ways such as delaying stomach emptying and signaling the brain to suppress appetite.

Produced by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is approved for use among individuals with obesity or those who are overweight and possess at least one weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes. “However, some patients may not experience the desired level of weight loss or may seek more than the average 10-15% reduction,” says Lora Heisler, who was not part of the research team from the University of Aberdeen in the UK.

To explore the potential benefits of increased dosage, Shawn Wharton and colleagues, including scientists from the University of Toronto and Novo Nordisk, studied over 1,000 obese adults across 11 countries, including the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Participants, all without diabetes, were randomly assigned to receive either a high dosage of 7.2 milligrams or the standard 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide, alongside a placebo injection mimicking Wegovy. Doses of semaglutide were gradually elevated over several weeks, and all participants were encouraged to maintain a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day and engage in physical activity for 150 minutes weekly.

After one year, those receiving the standard dosage lost an average of 16% of their body weight, while the high-dose group achieved about 19% weight loss. Conversely, the placebo group lost approximately 44% of their body weight.

One-third of participants in the standard dosage category experienced over 20% weight loss, compared to almost half in the high-dose group. Only 3% in the placebo group reached this threshold, indicating that higher dosages can significantly enhance weight loss outcomes, according to Heisler.

At the onset of the study, more than one-third of participants in each group had prediabetes, marked by elevated blood sugar levels without qualifying for type 2 diabetes. By the study’s conclusion, diabetes cases in the high-dose group decreased by 83%, while cases within the standard-dose group fell by 74%. “This is highly encouraging, as the main objective of weight loss is to enhance overall health,” Heisler remarks.

Nevertheless, there are noteworthy drawbacks. Bowel-related side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, were reported by 61% in the standard-dose group, while 71% in the high-dose category experienced similar issues. In comparison, 40% of those taking the placebo also faced these symptoms, which might not be directly related to the treatment, according to Heisler.

Moreover, over 20% of the high-dose group reported unpleasant skin sensations known as dysesthesia. As a result, four participants discontinued their treatment. By contrast, only 6% of the standard-dose recipients and just one in the placebo group reported this side effect, with no one ceasing treatment.

These findings indicate that the advantages of higher dosages may outweigh the associated risks for certain individuals, according to Heisler. “For those requiring substantial weight loss who don’t experience many side effects, the higher dose may facilitate their goals,” she states. However, it may not be appropriate for individuals achieving sufficient weight loss on standard doses or those enduring severe side effects. She emphasizes the need for additional trials to validate these results before clinical application.

In a separate trial, Wharton and his team suggest that higher dosages might yield greater weight loss and enhanced blood glucose levels in individuals with both obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the results were not statistically significant, indicating a need for further investigation, says Simon Cork from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK.

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  • obesity/
  • Weight loss drugs

Source: www.newscientist.com

Transformative Impacts of Anti-Vaccination Beliefs

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Sioux Falls, SD – Prior to the widespread implementation of vaccines, catastrophic infections in the U.S. claimed millions of children’s lives and left many others with lifelong health complications.

Over the next century, vaccines successfully eradicated long-standing threats like polio and measles, leading to a significant decrease in many diseases. However, today, as preventable and contagious diseases resurface, vaccine hesitancy is causing a decline in vaccination rates. Moreover, established vaccines are facing skepticism from figures such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and some civil servants. Long-time anti-vaccine advocates are influencing perceptions managed by the Federal Health Bureau.

“These concerns, along with hesitations and queries regarding vaccines, stem from the profound success of vaccination, as it has eradicated many diseases,” explained Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “If you don’t experience the disease, you lack respect or fear for it, thus undervaluing the vaccine.”

Anti-vaccine proponents often depict vaccines as perilous, emphasizing the rare side effects while neglecting the significantly greater risks posed by the diseases themselves.

Some Americans are acutely aware of the realities of vaccine-preventable diseases, as revealed in interviews conducted by the Associated Press.

Illness during pregnancy can impact two lives

For decades, Janice Farnham has cared for her daughter Jack. Jack, now 60, was born with congenital rubella syndrome, which caused complications with his hearing, vision, and heart. At the time, there was no vaccine for rubella, and Janice caught the infection early in her pregnancy.

Janice, now 80, did everything within her power to help Jack thrive, yet it took a toll on her own well-being. Jack eventually developed diabetes, glaucoma, autistic tendencies, and arthritis.

A nurse prepares measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines in Harbor Straw, New York, in 2019.
Johannes Eisele/AFP -Getty Images File

Currently, Jack resides in an adult care facility, spending four to five days a week with Janice. She is touched by Jack’s sense of humor and loving nature, frequently showering her with affection and often signing “Double I Love You.”

Given their family’s experiences, Janice finds it “more than frustrating” when individuals opt out of the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.

“I know what the outcome will be,” she expressed. “I simply want to spare others from enduring this.”

Delaying vaccinations can have dire consequences

Over fifty years have passed, yet Patricia Tobin vividly recalls finding her unconscious sister Karen on the bathroom floor.

In 1970, Karen was only six years old when she contracted measles. At that time, vaccines were not mandated for students in Miami. Doctors mentioned vaccinations for first graders, but urgency was not communicated by their mothers.

“It’s not that she was against it,” Tobin clarified. “She believed she had time.”

As measles outbreaks progressed, Karen collapsed in the restroom and never regained consciousness. She succumbed to encephalitis.

“We could never converse with her again,” Tobin mourned.

Presently, all states necessitate certain vaccinations for children to enroll in school. However, an increasing number of individuals are opting for exemptions. Schaffner from Vanderbilt emphasized that memories of measles outbreaks have been worsened by fraudulent studies falsely asserting a link between MMR vaccines and autism.

The result? Most states fall below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergarten children – the minimum required to shield communities from measles outbreaks.

Preventable diseases can lead to lasting effects

One of Lora Duguay’s earliest memories is lying in a quarantined hospital ward, her frail body surrounded by ice. She was just three years old.

In 1959, polio was rampant in Clearwater, Florida. It was one of the most dreaded diseases in the U.S., leading some paranoid parents to isolate their children during the epidemic.

Due to the infamous nature of polio, the introduction of its vaccine was met with widespread excitement. However, the early vaccines Duguay received had an efficacy rate of only 80% to 90%, leaving many unvaccinated and vulnerable to the virus.

Polio patients receiving treatment with iron lungs in 1950 at a respiratory center in Los Angeles.
Bettmann Archive

The treatment allowed her to walk again, but she eventually developed post-polio syndrome, a neuromuscular disorder that deteriorates over time, leaving her in a wheelchair today.

Many children receive vaccinations now because the illness that changed her life is no longer a threat in the U.S. This new vaccine is much more effective than earlier versions, not only safeguarding individuals but also preventing sporadic cases from escalating among vulnerable populations.

Vulnerable populations remain at risk without vaccinations

Each night, Katie Van Troonhout cradles a small plaster cast of her daughter’s feet, a painful reminder of her child who succumbed to whooping cough in just 37 days.

Curry Grace was born on Christmas Eve in 2009. At just a month old, she showed symptoms of whooping cough after being exposed to someone too young to receive the Tdap vaccine.

At the hospital, Van Troonhout recalls the medical team desperately trying to save her, but “within minutes, she was gone.”

Today, Curry remains a part of her family’s life, with Van Troonhout advocating for vaccination and sharing her story with others.

“It’s our responsibility as adults to protect our children; that’s what parents do,” Van Troonhout stated. “I witnessed my daughter die from preventable illnesses… you don’t want to have my experiences.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Impacts Air Quality in the Midwest and Northeast

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Smoke from Canadian wildfires is prompting air quality warnings across the Midwest and Northeastern US this Thursday as forests in North Korea continue to burn at a historic rate reminiscent of the extreme fire season of 2023.

Air pollution levels have surged in cities including Minneapolis, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York due to smoke and ozone from the heat.

According to Canada’s Interagency Forest Fire Centre, the ongoing fire season in Canada has already resulted in the burning of around 8.6 million acres. With three months left in the season, this figure has exceeded the seasonal average since 1983, which stands at approximately 6.5 million acres.

The current burning rates in Canada are mirroring those from 2023, known as the year with the highest smoke exposure in modern American history, raising concerns that the current season may reflect that intensity.

“We’re facing significant challenges with our response,” stated Robert Gray, a wildfire ecologist in Chilliwack, British Columbia. “Most forecasts for Canada indicate above-average temperatures, while precipitation levels remain below normal.”

In past years, nearly 43 million acres burned in Canada by the end of the fire season.

Gray noted that much of the smoke this year originates from the densely packed boreal forests found in northern British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Wildfires typically occur in these regions during May and June, coinciding with longer days and rising temperatures. The subsequent developments depend heavily on weather conditions.

“It could be a brief two-week event. The huy starts burning, aspen gets involved, and then weather changes,” Gray explained, alluding to the common aspen trees in these forests. “If aspen and rain don’t clear out, the fires may persist.”

According to the BC Wildfire Service, parts of northern British Columbia have been experiencing drought conditions since 2022. Some forecasts predict an “increased likelihood of significant and challenging fires.”

Gray mentioned that drought, low snowfall during winter, and heightened “overwinter” fires are factors contributing to increasingly busy fire seasons.

These overwintering fires continue smoldering beneath forest debris and peat, reigniting in spring.

“There was a fire that started in 2023, lingering through winter into 2024,” Gray remarked. “Some of the same fires have reemerged this year.”

As northern British Columbia faces these wildfires, smoke is often transported to the US by the jetstream, a high-altitude air current that influences pressure and weather changes in the Northern Hemisphere.

“It’s a consistent pattern that remains stable. As long as central and northern BC are burning, this pattern channels smoke into the central and northeastern US,” Gray stated.

Sometimes the smoke stays aloft, creating hazy skies without significant ground-level air quality deterioration. However, it can pose a risk to health.

Wildfire smoke is increasingly hazardous across the US, reversing decades of improvements in air quality achieved under the Clean Air Act.

Inhaling wildfire smoke can cause inflammation, particularly as particles enter the lungs and bloodstream, compromising the immune system. This exposure can elevate the risks of asthma, lung cancer, and other chronic respiratory diseases, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant individuals, infants, and children. Additionally, wildfire smoke is linked to respiratory illnesses, premature births, and miscarriages.

Evan Bush

Evan Bush is a science reporter for NBC News.

Kathryn Prosive I contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Human activity has profound impacts on the Earth’s upper mantle

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Ship cemetery in the desert of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan

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Unsustainable irrigation and drought have caused changes that have empty almost all of the waters of the Aral Sea since the 1960s, extending all the way to the Earth’s upper mantle, the layer below the Earth’s crust. This is perhaps the deepest recorded example of human activity that will change the solid inner earth.

“To do something that will affect us [upper mantle] It’s like whoa.” Sylvain Barbott At the University of Southern California. “It shows how powerful it is to change the environment.”

The Aral Sea in Central Asia was once one of the largest waters in the world, covering almost 70,000 square kilometers. However, Soviet irrigation programs that began in the 1960s and later droughts empty the oceans. By 2018, it had shrunk by almost 90% and lost about 1,000 cubic kilometres of water.

Wang Ten At Peking University in China, I was interested in the Aral Sea after reading a book about the consequences of this environmental disaster on the surface of the earth. “We’ve noticed that these huge mass changes stimulate the deep Earth’s response,” he says.

He and his colleagues, including Barbot, used satellite measurements to track subtle changes in the elevation of the oceans that were empty between 2016 and 2020. Much of the ocean water disappeared decades ago, but it was found that the uplifts were underway, with on average rising surfaces about 7 millimeters a year.

Next, we used a model of the crust and mantle beneath the Aral Sea to test the mantle beneath the Aral Sea when it came to leading to the uplift of this observed pattern. “We found that the observations were perfectly compatible with a deep response to this change,” says Barbot.

When the weight of the water was removed, the shallow crust first responded, according to the model. This prompted a response at a depth of 190 km from the surface as the viscous rocks in the upper mantle creeped up to fill the blanks. “The uncurved things create space and the rocks want to flow into it,” Barbot says. This delayed reaction in hot, weak areas of the mantle, called the athenosphere, is why the uplift is ongoing, even decades after the water is removed, he says.

The upper mantle rebound is known to occur after other major changes in surface mass, such as glacier advancement and retreat, says Roland Bürgmann At the University of California, Berkeley. But the response to drainage in the Aral Sea may be the deepest example of human-caused changes on solid earth.

Other human-induced changes, such as filling large reservoirs and pumping groundwater, are said to have also caused rebounds. Manoochehr Shirzaei At Virginia Tech. But the wider range of the Aral Sea means the impact of emptying it is likely to run deeper, he says.

In addition to explaining the enormous scale of human activity, the uplift below the Aral Sea offers an extraordinary opportunity to estimate small differences in viscosity of the mantle, particularly under the interior of the continent, Bürgmann says. “It’s really important for people trying to understand plate tectonics to know how that layer behaves under the continent.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How NOAA’s reduction in cutting methods impacts weather forecasting reliability

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A devastating tornado near Minden, Iowa in April 2024

Jonah Lange/Getty Images

Wide range of firing and staffing changes at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) could reduce the reliability of the country's weather forecasts, according to several researchers and the American Meteorological Association.

“The consequences for Americans will be vastly broad, including increasing vulnerability to dangerous weather,” the organization states: statement.

More than 880 NOAA employees have been fired under President Donald Trump's control. statement From US Senator Maria Cantwell. This includes researchers working to improve hurricane predictions and build next-generation weather models, as well as more than 200 people within the National Weather Service, part of NOAA. According to two former NOAA employees, another 500 people accepted an offer to resign from their previous “Folk in the Road” offer, and shouted more for the agency.

A NOAA spokesman declined to discuss shootings and staffing changes. They said the agency will “continue to provide weather information, forecasts and warnings based on our public safety mission.” However, external researchers and former NOAA employees say the cuts could reduce the quality of the agency's weather forecasts.

The change states, “it has a clear cascade effect that affects predictions, even what people are watching on the phone via third parties.” Kari Bowen University of Colorado at Boulder University.

Cuts can quickly affect alerts about extreme weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, and in the long run, even commercial weather apps rely on modeling from NOAA, allowing general weather reports to be more accurate. Below are four ways experts can predict a shooting storm, and four ways that resignation can affect weather forecasts.

Delayed Tornado Warning

National Weather Service operates a network of 122 weather forecasting offices nationwide. At least 16 offices in the central part of the country's prone to tornadoes are currently understaffed. William Galls At Iowa State University. A former NOAA employee said that over 12 offices in the central region have resigned from head meteorologists. And then the harsh weather season begins in the region.

Nearby offices may be able to help understaffed sites track and alert tornadoes, but confusion can lead to delays. “There's a good chance there's a lot of mistakes,” Gallus says.

Such delays were evident last year when a tornado evacuated local forecast offices in Iowa, Galls said. An adjacent station intervened to track the storm. But amidst the chaos, some residents received five minutes of warning that the tornado was heading their path, rather than the minimum 15 minutes that the forecaster aims to provide. In an emergency, these lost times can make a difference whether they can reach safely.

I don't know when a hurricane suddenly becomes stronger

Some employees fired from NOAA were working to improve hurricane forecasts. In particular, we estimate the time when the situation will rapidly intensify. Rapid strengthening can make hurricanes even more dangerous by reducing the time people prepare. However, these events are well known for predicting.

Hurricane modelers at NOAA and other agencies have made great strides in predicting rapid strengthening in recent years, says Brian Tan At Albany University in New York. This is due to improved modeling, data collection and data integration efforts by NOAA researchers. Currently, personnel delivery “destabilizes the entire process of improving hurricane track and intensity prediction,” he says.

“It will be slower to promote the improvements we have been expecting to improve hurricane forecasts over the past 30 years.” Andy Hazeltonworking on improving NOAA's hurricane forecasts before being fired from its position at the agency's environmental modelling centre last week. He says several people have been fired from a group of “Hurricane Hunters” that fly planes into the storm to collect data, including two flight supervisors.

Unreliable weather data

Accurate weather forecasts rely on a continuous stream of information about real-time conditions around the world, collected from marine buoys, satellites, radars and other sensors. Data will then be fed into global weather models that underlie both public and private forecasts. Much of the world's data and modeling is provided by NOAA.

Staff reductions could impact these critical data collection efforts and would reduce the quality of forecasts. In fact, some locals Weather Forecast Center Due to a lack of staff, regular balloon launches have already been suspended.

“All of these observation networks are maintained and run by people.” Emily Becker At the University of Miami in Florida. “And we've already lost a lot of people from those teams. That's going to be an aggregate effect.”

Improvements to future weather forecasts have stopped

At least eight people, a quarter of the staff, were fired from the Environmental Modeling Center. This is responsible for verifying weather data and integrating it into a model that is more or less underlying all predictions, says Hazelton. “What is the temperature this weekend?” and everything is “Are there any tornadoes?”

Personnel delivery at the Environmental Modeling Center will slow research to improve current global weather models, he says. Additionally, 10 people have been fired from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute, which researchers were building. Next Generation Global weather and climate models.

Such reductions are “very harmful” to efforts to make forecasts more reliable, Gallus says. He says that almost every improvement in forecasts over the past decades depends on improvements in modeling. “If we're losing a ton of researchers working on them, you're basically saying my predictions will never get better.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Trump’s layoff negatively impacts safety program for firefighters

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WASHINGTON – Patrick Montague, a federal firefighter investigator, was unexpectedly fired by the Trump administration on Saturday night, along with thousands of other Department of Health and Human Services employees. Patrick, 46, from Kentucky, had 26 years of experience in firefighting and prevention programs, as well as academic training and technical expertise. Despite receiving repeated praise from his supervisors, he was let go before completing his two-year probationary period due to his alleged inadequate performance.

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Montague was part of a program aimed at reducing firefighters’ risks while on duty. Three out of the five members of his program were fired in a similar manner. The sudden layoffs were attributed to billionaire Elon Musk’s influence on cutting federal programs and reducing government workforce.

The termination of these employees, including Montague, has raised concerns about the impact on important public safety programs, such as the Fatal Firefighter Survey and Prevention Program. These programs were created to enhance the safety and well-being of firefighters across the country.

Edward Kelly, general president of the International Association of Firefighters, emphasized the importance of investing in firefighter safety programs and expressed hope that the Trump administration would prioritize such initiatives.

In addition to the firefighter safety programs, layoffs within the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health have also affected workers responsible for maintaining the national firefighters’ cancer registry. The registry, established by a law signed by Trump in July 2018, tracks and fights cancer deaths among firefighters.

The disconnect between Trump’s public praise for firefighters and the sudden layoffs of those working on critical firefighter safety programs has left many scratching their heads. Union officials and advocates for fire safety are puzzled by the contradictory actions taken by the administration.

Despite the termination notices citing performance issues, many affected employees, like Patrick Montague, believe that their performance was satisfactory and are baffled by the decision to let them go.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

I am a neuroscientist exploring how gambling impacts the brain

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The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a text created by the World Health Organization that summarizes all medical problems recognized by the organization.

When it comes to the latest version, ICD-11was created and added the category of addictive behaviors to the section on addictive disorders. It is now medically accepted that people can become addicted not only to substances but also to certain activities. The most important of these behaviors is gambling.

Gambling addiction is definitely real and a big problem. therefore, UK government introduces measures Hopefully, we can curb or at least reduce that harm.

But why do people become addicted to gambling? And why is it often so difficult to treat compared to more “typical” substance-based addictions?

The “method” is relatively simple. The main attraction of gambling is essentially the ability to win large amounts of money with little effort.

When making decisions, humans brain You are constantly weighing effort against potential reward. When something leans heavily toward the latter (for example, paying a small amount of money and receiving a large amount in return), we tend to really approve of it.

Up to 4 percent of people in the United States may have a gambling problem – Photo credit: Getty

There's also the fact that the human brain is complex enough to recognize money as important in a biological sense, even though it's a technically abstract concept. Our brains also prioritize novelty and unpredictability.

All of this together means that gambling can and does affect the brain's reward system in the same way as certain drugs and substances. Addiction develops and all the subsequent effects are felt on the individual.

Of course, this does not happen to everyone who gambles. There are many people who don't gamble at all. Many people instinctively dislike risk and loss, but these are unavoidable aspects of gambling. However, some people are not as sensitive and are more willing to accept gambling as a form of entertainment.

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But while the similarities in the brain's responses to gambling and drugs may explain why gambling is often addictive, it is the combination of both that can make gambling addiction particularly difficult to treat. That's the difference.

Gambling addiction lacks a biological substance, making it easier to overlook and hide. As a result, some evidence suggests that 90% of gambling problems go unreported and untreated.

Also, the absence of specific substances that support gambling addiction means that there is nothing to “take away”, so to speak. Even in cases of long-term chronic drug addiction, there is an option to remove the drug (going “cold turkey”) and allow people's brains and bodies to adapt to the absence of the drug. Indeed, this is often a very unpleasant and even dangerous option. But it's still an option.

This is not the case with gambling. It is an action, not a substance. As long as someone has money and autonomy, it is very difficult to deny them access to gambling. Even if you could, it still might not make any difference because of your gambling experience.

The nature of gambling means that it is not experienced as a direct “stimulus = reward'' process of the kind that applies to drug taking and that underlies the basic learning processes of classical conditioning (which is why addiction is established in the first place). key aspects of the system). .

Such a relatively simple process is also easy to unlearn. When a stimulus stops producing a reward, the association “dies” in the brain. When you do this to the source of your addiction, the addiction loses its power over you. The human brain is so complex that this will be quite difficult to achieve, but at least we can try.

According to the Journal of Gambling Studies, men are twice as likely to be frequent gamblers than women – Photo courtesy of Getty

However, think about this. If an alcoholic found out that only one random drink out of 20 had alcohol in it and the others made him feel nauseous, it would probably be much easier to kick the habit. Dew. But that doesn't work with gambling. Because that's how you experience gambling.

Gambling rewards occur through a variable schedule of reinforcement. You never know when you will win, and losing is inevitable. But as long as you win often enough, keep doing it. And then an addiction to that behavior develops.

Knowing the negative consequences of gambling is already part of the process. It's like trying to treat an alcoholic by making him pay for his own drinks. They always already are.

These are just some of the reasons why gambling addiction is a difficult problem to address medically. This means it is essential to work towards reducing exposure to gambling and the development of addiction in the first place. We have to even the odds somehow.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

5 Positive Impacts of Science on the World: A Source of Hope | World News

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Stem cell transplant could reverse diabetes

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There are around 500 million people worldwide living with diabetes. This condition, characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, can lead to various health complications such as periodontal disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, blindness, amputation, heart attack, stroke, and cancer if not managed properly.

Current treatments for diabetes include medications, insulin, and lifestyle changes. However, a new approach involving stem cell transplants shows promise in reversing the disease. The first successful treatment of a woman with type 1 diabetes using stem cells from her own body was recently reported. Previously dependent on significant insulin doses, she is now able to produce insulin naturally.

Similarly, a 59-year-old man with type 2 diabetes was able to reduce his reliance on insulin after a stem cell transplant in April. Although there are still challenges in scaling up this treatment, the initial results have been impressive.

Cancer vaccine

ian sample

Following the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, scientists are now exploring the use of similar technology to develop cancer vaccines. These vaccines aim to train the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells by producing specific proteins.

Clinical trials for personalized mRNA cancer vaccines have shown promise in melanoma and other types of cancer. These vaccines may have long-lasting effects and could potentially prevent cancer recurrence in high-risk individuals.

AI helps detect cancer faster

robert booth

Artificial intelligence is being increasingly used to improve the early detection of serious illnesses such as lung cancer and brain tumors. This technology has shown to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, leading to better outcomes for patients.

hannah devlin

The James Webb Space Telescope has provided stunning images of the universe, shedding light on the origins of stars, black holes, and the evolution of the cosmos. This powerful telescope opens up new possibilities for scientific discoveries and understanding the mysteries of the universe.

Renewable energy accelerates

Gillian Ambrose

The world is witnessing a rapid shift towards renewable energy sources. Projects utilizing renewable energy are expected to expand at a much faster pace, surpassing previous growth rates. This transition is crucial in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change.

Source: www.theguardian.com

How a carnivore diet impacts your health: Insights from a nutritionist

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Have you heard of the carnivore diet? It’s a new trend that takes low-carb dieting to the extreme by eliminating all plant foods and only consuming animal-derived foods like meat, fish, animal fats, and dairy products. Proponents claim that plant toxins and agricultural practices used in plant-based foods can harm our health, and suggest that eliminating sugar by cutting out plant foods can promote weight management and metabolic health.

While there is no scientific evidence on the health effects of the carnivore diet, anecdotal reports suggest benefits like improved weight management, cardiac and metabolic health, cognitive function, reduced inflammation, improved digestion, and even resolution of autoimmune diseases. However, side effects such as bad breath, constipation, and headaches may occur initially.

Nutritionally, animal-based foods provide high-quality proteins, essential vitamins like B12, iron, zinc, selenium, and other nutrients. However, the lack of fiber from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains in a carnivore diet may raise concerns for long-term gut and heart health. Scientific studies have shown the benefits of plant foods in reducing the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, while high intake of red and processed meats can increase risks.

Proponents of the carnivore diet argue that it aligns with early human diets, but biological evidence suggests that humans evolved as omnivores who consumed both animals and plants. Transitioning to more sustainable and healthy food systems that consider the health of the planet is crucial, and excessive meat consumption may not support this goal. Ultimately, the choice to follow a carnivore diet may have long-term health implications and ethical considerations.

This article was first published on December 5, 2022.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study shows that snacking on baby carrots can have positive impacts on health

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A recent study has shown that including just three baby carrots in your weekly diet can boost levels of beneficial carotenoids in your skin, particularly in young people.

These findings suggest that making small changes to your diet can have a significant impact on your health.

Researchers at Samford University conducted a study that revealed how incorporating baby carrots into your diet can increase carotenoids in your skin, which have various health benefits. When baby carrots were combined with a multivitamin containing beta-carotene, the levels of carotenoids in the skin increased even more significantly.

Carotenoids are compounds responsible for the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables like red, orange, and yellow. They can only be obtained through diet and are used as an indicator of fruit and vegetable intake.

According to Mary Harper Simmons, a nutrition master’s student at Samford University and the study author, higher carotenoid intake leads to higher levels of antioxidants in the body, reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

Previous research has shown that consuming three times the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables for three weeks can increase carotenoids in the skin. This study aimed to create a convenient snack rich in carotenoids that people enjoy.

Results of the study were presented at the American Academy of Nutrition’s annual meeting in Chicago. Participants were randomly assigned to different dietary intervention groups, including consuming baby carrots, a multivitamin supplement, or a combination of both. The group that ate baby carrots saw a 10.8% increase in skin carotenoid scores, while the combination group had a 21.6% increase.

Going forward, the research team plans to explore different populations and other carotenoid-rich foods like sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables.

About our experts

Mary Harper Simmons: A master’s student in nutrition at Samford University and presenter of the talk “Effect of a 4-week intervention with baby carrots or a multivitamin supplement on skin carotenoid scores in young adults” at the NUTRITION 2024 conference.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The potential negative impacts on privacy of refusing cookies compared to accepting them

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When you open a new website, do you choose to either accept or reject all cookies? New research suggests that choosing to reject cookies may actually reveal more information about yourself than if you simply “accept all cookies.”

In this digital age, cookies, which are pieces of data, are stored on our devices for various purposes such as remembering login information. However, cookies can also be used to track online behavior and tailor ads to individuals. This has led many people to refuse cookies in order to keep their personal information private and to prevent companies from using their data for marketing purposes.

Surprisingly, recent research presented at NeurIPS 2023 has shown that certain demographics are more likely to reject cookies, which could have implications for advertisers. Contrary to popular belief, rejecting cookies does not necessarily mean hiding one’s identity.

Results from the study showed that acceptance of cookies varies depending on the country and age of the individual. For example, individuals in the US over the age of 34 were more likely to refuse cookies, inadvertently sharing more of their data.

Advertisers could access five pieces of information from a person who accepts cookies, but only two pieces from a person who rejects them. In other words, declining cookies may not necessarily protect your identity. This demographic, which includes older adults, has been found to have less trust in tech companies and is more likely to reject cookies as a result.

It is important to note that the privacy laws in the United States are not as stringent as those in the EU, meaning that user data may not be as protected, especially for individuals who reject cookies.

Privacy is important to some people, but not to everyone

Researchers have found that older Americans are less likely to accept cookies, with only 28% of them choosing to do so. This compares to 40% of younger Americans who typically accept cookies. This indicates that the decision to reject cookies has a greater impact for younger Americans in protecting their identity.

The authors of the research are hopeful that their findings will help shape regulations for new technologies such as AI and inform policymakers. They emphasize that the decision to accept or reject cookies is not as simple as it may seem and may not always produce the intended effect.

So… does it make sense to refuse cookies?

Ultimately, the impact of privacy decisions is more complex than users may realize, and there are no definitive answers. Some recommendations include using more privacy-friendly browsers and supporting stronger privacy laws and regulations.

About our experts

Dr. Elizabeth Daly is a computer research scientist leading the Interactive AI Group at IBM Research in Dublin. She has published research in journals such as Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Research Journal.

Dr. Eric Mealing is a researcher at IBM Research with publications in Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems, American Control Conference (ACC), and International Conference on Decision Making and Game Theory for Security.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com