Insys Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company that sells fentanyl, an opioid painkiller 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, is fighting pot legalization in Arizona with the most powerful weapon in business and politics: money. [1]
Glyphosate, a controversial ingredient found in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, is showing up in streams, rivers, and other aquatic systems around the world due to runoff. Unfortunately, this may be damaging a type of green macroalgae that is common in streams, a new Brazilian study published in the journal Phycologia shows. [1]
The Baker’s Scoop HEB 100% Whole Wheat Flour’s 5-pound packages have been recalled due to foreign material found in some of the bags. The foreign matter is described as soft, white, nylon fragments that look a little bit like white hair. The Morrison Milling Company, who produces the flour, says this is likely from a faulty screen at the production plant. The foreign matter in the flour was found during a routine check of equipment and products. [1]
Curtis Wiklund chronicles the life he shares with his wife, Jordin, and their 2 children by creating gorgeous pencil drawings. And although most of the sketches show their lives in a positive light, Wiklund recently put pencil to paper to capture one of the harder moments the couple had to face: their miscarriage.
Titled simply, “Miscarriage,” the heart-breaking drawing shows the aftermath of the couple finding out that their expected pregnancy had come to an end.
During the 17th century, London suffered a plague so severe that it killed almost 1/4 of its entire population in 18 months. Scientists haven’t been sure what exactly caused the widespread disease, until now. [1]
Researchers at Swansea University in the United Kingdom have found that mutations often occur in red blood cells before any symptoms of cancer appear. These mutations can occur as many as 10 years before actual symptoms appear, making the test what scientists call a “smoke alarm” for cancer. They state that early detection of cancer is key for survival. [1]
The lives of both adults and children with leukemia can be saved with bone marrow or stem cell transplants, but it’s difficult to find a match. Well, a new study shows that (umbilical) cord-blood may work just as well, if not better. [1]
Lead study author Dr. Filippo Milano says:
“Often, cord-blood transplant is thought to be only as the last resource for patients without donors. But cord blood does not have to be considered only an alternative donor source. In centers with experience, it can yield to great outcomes.”
It’s a disease you don’t hear about everyday: leprosy. It was a big deal in biblical times, but you probably don’t personally know someone who has experienced it. However, the painful and unsightly skin disorder is making a reappearance in California – in school children.
Needless to say, parents are on-edge.
The giant panda is no longer listed as an endangered species, which is fabulous news for this gorgeous creature. However, it is still on the list of vulnerable animals, meaning it isn’t completely in the clear. [1]
A survey released by UCLA found that when dealing with children’s concussions, most parents are doing more harm than good by following outdated advice.
Dr. Christopher Giza, a pediatric neurologist at UCLA, has stated that concussion symptoms used to be downplayed. Now, however, parents err too far on the side of caution, which might interrupt the child’s recovery.
Giza said of the results of his survey:
