USDA Rolls Back Biden-Era Plans to Limit Salmonella in Raw Poultry
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Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New study raises concerns about impact of common toxin on the brain: 'Significant neurotoxicity and metabolic disruptions'
New study raises concerns about impact of common toxin on the brain: 'Significant neurotoxicity and metabolic disruptions' A new study is sounding alarms about the potential damage "forever chemicals" can do to our brains, including disrupting memory, emotional regulation, and behavior. What's happening? Scientists from China exposed mice to low levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) mixtures, similar to the levels commonly found in drinking water near contamination sites, over a seven-week period. The findings, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, revealed that four types of PFAS, including PFOS and PFHpA, built up in the brain and interfered with cognitive functions. The exposed mice experienced anxiety-like behavior, impaired memory, and reduced attention. Brain scans showed that key brainwaves associated with learning and focus had shifted, and researchers discovered neuron damage in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory. Chemical analysis confirmed changes in neurotransmitter systems and inflammation in brain tissue. "This study demonstrated that long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of a PFAS mixture resulted in significant neurotoxicity and metabolic disruptions in mice," the study's authors wrote. Why are PFAS concerning? PFAS are widely used in water-resistant clothing, nonstick cookware, cosmetics, and food packaging. Because they don't break down, they can accumulate in water, soil, and the human body over time. Most Americans already have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood, and many are unknowingly exposed through tap water, dust, or everyday products. While this study was conducted on mice, the findings reflect similar human studies that have linked prenatal PFAS exposure to developmental delays in children. The ability of PFAS to breach the blood-brain barrier and alter neurotransmitters raises serious concerns about long-term effects on memory, mood, and learning. In terms of long-term health, PFAS can lead to increased risks of cancers, immune system disruptions, and negative impacts on reproductive systems. What's being done about PFAS exposure? While broader policy action is essential, individuals can take small steps to protect themselves, such as using water filters certified to remove PFAS, avoiding nonstick or stain-resistant products, and steering clear of industrial items labeled with "fluoro" or "PTFE" to help reduce exposure. On a larger scale, several states are banning PFAS in consumer goods, and advocacy groups are pushing for stronger federal protections. By supporting clean-water efforts and safer product standards, we can move toward a healthier, more sustainable future, one where dangerous chemicals no longer accumulate in our homes, our water, or our bodies. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
33 minutes ago
- New York Times
All Russia Needs to Do Is Go Home
Vladimir Putin looked like he loved every minute of it. Mr. Putin, the president of Russia, the man who has proclaimed that my country shouldn't exist — that it's a historical mistake, to be fixed by Russian soldiers — was welcomed effusively to Alaska by the president of the United States. Mr. Putin exited his plane and diplomatic isolation and walked a red carpet like an honored guest. His smile was triumphant. Was it confidence that he was going to get away with everything he's done? Or was it the anticipation of getting what he wanted: a subjugated Ukraine and a weakened trans-Atlantic alliance? Perhaps it was both. Americans may have cringed, but for Ukrainians, watching Mr. Putin smirk and laugh was revolting. The meeting between Mr. Putin and President Trump on Friday was a stark reminder of a simple truth: that the real barrier, the only real barrier, between Mr. Trump and peace in Ukraine (and his coveted Nobel Prize) is Mr. Putin. Russia could end the war in Ukraine at any moment by stopping its attacks and withdrawing its forces. By simply going home. Mr. Putin could end it with a phone call. Mr. Putin — and sometimes, Mr. Trump — have tried to frame Ukraine as the obstacle to peace. But let's think about how Ukraine could end this war on terms that Mr. Putin would accept: by giving him everything. By relinquishing territory that tens of thousands have died defending, forgoing the prospect of ever joining NATO or the European Union, agreeing not to maintain a military strong enough to defend itself and installing a puppet government pliant to Mr. Putin. By agreeing, in effect, to cease to exist. To a Ukrainian — and surely to most people — the idea of handing anything, never mind everything, to an invader that has brought death and destruction to a peaceful country, seems exactly backward. A recent Gallup poll showed that 69 percent of Ukrainians want the war to end in a negotiation, and soon. That majority, up from 22 percent in 2022, the first year of Russia's full-scale invasion, has been widely interpreted as showing that Ukrainians are now willing to compromise. But it's more complicated than that. Other polls that have more precisely parsed the question of ending the war — Do Ukrainians want to cede territories to Russia to end the war? — have shown a majority still saying 'no.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Conservatives mock Comey over Taylor Swift video
Conservatives are mocking former FBI Director James Comey over a post he made on his Substack on Sunday in which he discussed his admiration for pop superstar Taylor Swift. The post features a video of Comey calling Swift 'a truly inspirational public figure' and noting her recent appearance on NFL stars' Jason and Travis Kelce's podcast 'New Heights.' 'Taylor Swift and I go way back. I went to my first concert of hers 15 years ago. I've been to a second and I have helped financially support the attendance of a lot of family members and others. I'm in a family's Swiftie group chat. I know all her music, and I listen to it in my headphones when I cut the grass,' Comey said in the video. In response to Comey's video, conservative personality Benny Johnson said that 'A new James Comey hostage video just dropped.' 'This time he calls himself a 'Swiftie' and says Taylor Swift helps him cope with Donald Trump. You really can't make this up,' Johnson added in a Sunday post on the social platform X. In the Comey video, the former FBI director also states that 'we need to stand up to jerks and defend what matters, but I think we have to try to do that without becoming like them, which is what makes me think about Taylor Swift.' 'She's made clear that she sees Donald Trump for what he is, and last year, she urged Americans not to make the serious mistake of electing him,' Comey added. 'Of course, we're now living with the consequences of that mistake, but while our elderly makeup- covered president is posting about whether Taylor Swift is still hot and declaring that he can't stand her, what's she doing? Living her best life.' Conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza also said on X Sunday that Comey was attempting 'now to come across as a normal guy, a Taylor Swift fan, and a champion of civility and decorum' in the wake of 'using his power for years to entrap Trump, Flynn and others.' The Hill has reached out to a representative for Comey and the White House for comment. Comey was fired as FBI director by Trump during his first term, and the two have feuded for years. Earlier this year, Comey made waves when he posted an image of shells on a seashore spelling out '86 47.' He deleted the post after criticism, saying he did not recognize it as something that could be seen as promoting violence toward the president. Comey's daughter, Maureen Comey, was fired in July from her job as a prosecutor for the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). The firing was largely seen as politically motivated given Trump's feelings for Comey and his desire for loyalists throughout his administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
