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Gizmodo
25 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Travelers Are Unknowingly Smuggling Invasive Ticks Into the U.S.
Here's an important tip for international travelers coming back home: Be sure to check for any blood-sucking creepy-crawlies attached to you. In a study out today, health experts warn that exotic, potentially disease-carrying ticks are regularly entering the U.S. by hitching a ride onto returning Americans. Tick scientists in Connecticut conducted the research, published Friday in the journal iScience. They detailed seven separate cases of non-native ticks entering the state via travelers in recent years, some of which carried possible germs. These introductions are likely happening all across the country, not just Connecticut, and are a serious public health concern, the researchers say. 'Each one of these ticks could potentially pose substantial health risk to the travelers as well as to the country,' study author Goudarz Molaei, a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's Center for Vector Biology & Zoonotic Diseases, told Gizmodo. 'If any one of them ends up released into the environment unintentionally, there is a potential they could start establishing populations and expanding.' Hot Tick Summer Is Here. Here's What You Need to Know and How to Stay Safe As part of their job, Molaei and his colleagues help identify ticks brought to them by the public, particularly human-biting and disease-causing ticks. And while most of these cases are caused by native species, they've occasionally come across nonnative ticks, too. Ticks and the diseases they spread have become a growing issue in the U.S., thanks partly to a warmer climate. These same conditions might also make it easier for invasive species to gain a foothold here, so the researchers wanted to highlight some of the exotic cases they've documented over the years. They describe seven nonnative tick introductions into Connecticut between 2019 and 2023. The ticks originated from Central America, Africa, and Europe. Two of the ticks, both members of the species Amblyomma mixtum, carried the bacteria Rickettsia amblyommatis. R. amblyommatis is related to known tickborne germs, including those responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and it's suspected to possibly cause disease in people as well. Outside of its human impact, A. mixtum ticks are dangerous to livestock, too, capable of causing massive infestations and spreading other diseases. Some of the other ticks they identified, such as Ixodes ricinus, also carry human diseases in their native environment, such as Lyme-causing bacteria. And just this month, Molaei and his team helped out on a new case of a nonnative tick within the state. The person carrying the tick became sick, and their doctors were at first perplexed on how to even deal with the situation, according to Molaei. Fortunately, the team directed them to a lab that could perform the proper testing, and the patient ultimately recovered. Molaei notes that since Connecticut isn't a huge travel hub, it's likely the risk of nonnative tick introductions is higher in other areas of the U.S. There are many places in the country where these and other exotic ticks could make a new home if given the opportunity, he added. Many states are also much less equipped to even detect these potential cases, according to Molaei, further raising the odds of new species and diseases sneakily establishing themselves in the U.S. This isn't a hypothetical risk either—it's already happened. In 2017, researchers in New Jersey discovered the arrival of the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) to the area. Despite efforts to curtail its presence, the tick has since spread to nearly half of the country and has become a serious threat to livestock (though they can carry and spread human diseases as well). It's unknown how the Asian longhorned tick found its way here, though it may have ridden along with a human or animal traveler. Woman's 'Severe' Hearing Loss Caused by a Tick Stuck in Her Ear The researchers argue that more resources are needed to surveil and mitigate these invasive tick threats. These efforts should include increased monitoring of agricultural goods being brought into the U.S., along with improved education on identifying potentially exotic ticks. People in general should also be more aware of how to prevent and detect tick bites, especially when they're traveling. 'Travelers should remain alert. And they have to realize that apart from themselves being at risk of contracting tick-borne diseases when they are traveling, there are the unintentional consequences of these things that are arriving here,' Molaei said. 'A proper tick check is of importance, particularly before people get on a plane. And they have to carefully inspect their luggage and their clothing before they get on board.' For their part, Molaei and his team will continue to keep a close eye out for ticks, both native and exotic, in their state.
Health Line
39 minutes ago
- Health Line
Why Ozempic, Wegovy May Cause Hair Loss, Plus Tips to Help Treat It
Some individuals taking GLP-1 drugs have reported hair loss as a possible side effect. The exact cause of GLP-1-related hair loss is unclear, but experts say it could be attributed to weight loss from the medication. This form of hair loss is considered temporary, and treatments are available to help facilitate hair regrowth. Significant weight loss is one of the hallmarks of GLP-1 drugs, but some people have claimed that their hair is vanishing along with the excess pounds. Although hair loss isn't an officially listed side effect of GLP-1 drugs — a class of medications used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound — anecdotal reports and emerging research suggest that it's a real phenomenon. 'It's definitely a common thing that we're seeing in the office,' said Marisa Garshick, MD, a board certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. However, just because a side effect is common doesn't mean it's well understood. There is little published literature on GLP-1-related hair loss, and it remains unclear how prevalent the condition is or what's causing it. Most experts believe any resulting hair loss isn't caused by the drugs themselves, but rather by the weight loss they induce. 'We don't think of it as something specifically unique to the GLP-1s, insofar as any kind of stress placed on the body — be it physical, like surgery, or emotional, psychological, or a lifestyle change — can sometimes contribute to a type of hair shedding called telogen effluvium,' said Garshick. GLP-1-related hair loss is generally temporary, though it may take time for hair to grow back. Several treatment options are available — from diet and lifestyle changes to supplements, prescription medications, and more. What causes sudden hair loss? Telogen effluvium is a common type of sudden hair loss that typically results from stress or shock. Common triggers may include: childbirth menopause polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Other causes include nutrition deficiencies, endocrine disorders, and, yes, dramatic weight loss. 'GLP-1 associated hair loss is unique in that the continued weight loss is a continued 'stressor,'' said Jenni Holman, MD, FAAD, a diplomate of the American Academy of Dermatology. 'Unlike a singular exposure or event, the ongoing weight loss often slows the body's ability to reset the hair shedding cycle. As opposed to shedding hair over a few weeks, the hair shedding may continue throughout the weight loss process,' Homan explained. Since this type of hair loss is likely linked to weight loss and not the GLP-1 drug itself, shedding may not start for months after beginning treatment. Telogen effluvium tends to resolve once the underlying stressor has been addressed. However, it may take several months before hair volume is restored. 'Generally, we can reassure patients that it's a temporary process that does tend to get better with time,' Garshick said. GLP-1 hair loss vs. other forms of hair loss Telogen effluvium or sudden hair loss differs from other forms of hair loss in significant ways. Here's a closer look. androgenic alopecia —The most common cause of hair loss that affects up to 50% of males. The condition also affects females, with a higher prevalence after menopause. It's caused by a combination of age, genetics, and hormones. Male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness are both forms of androgenic alopecia. alopecia areata — An autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack hair follicles. tinea capitis — Also known as ringworm of the scalp, it is a fungal infection that causes small bald patches that may be scaly or itchy. 'The way we distinguish it typically is by the sudden onset of hair shedding that typically occurs with telogen effluvium,' Garshick said. 'It's usually more diffuse, so you'll notice hair loss from everywhere, as opposed to androgenetic alopecia, which may be more of a localized area.' What to do when shedding starts If you notice increased hair shedding, Holman suggests taking a quick inventory of your personal history: 'Are there any new medications, stresses, illnesses, or major body [or] life changes in the last three months?' Diet and other lifestyle factors can have serious effects on hair health, so paying attention to what you're eating and general stress level are good places to start. Since most people who take GLP-1s eat less, this may affect diet quality and potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies. 'When hair loss occurs, I check for possible vitamin and iron deficiencies, which can be associated with hair loss. Vitamin D deficiency is common. I also check zinc levels,' said Sun Kim, MD, an associate professor of Endocrinology at Stanford Medicine. Protein deficiency during weight loss can also exacerbate hair loss, so Kim advises all patients to consume adequate protein while taking a GLP-1 drug. In some cases, slowing the rate of weight loss may be an effective strategy to mitigate hair loss while also maintaining the benefits of the GLP-1 medication. Do supplements work for GLP-1-related hair loss? Garshick noted that robust scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of certain supplements for hair loss is still lacking. 'There are certain [supplements] where, anecdotally, we've had success and certainly I've had patients who have done very well,' Garshick said. Nutrafol, a clinically studied hair loss supplement, has been shown to improve hair regrowth. Other popular supplements include Viviscal and Wellbel. Remember that nutritional supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so do your due diligence before purchasing such products. 'I recommend nutraceuticals [for hair loss] with some dose of skepticism because they are expensive,' said Kim. Holman cited some common over-the-counter supplements that may aid hair regrowth by directly addressing dietary deficiencies, such as iron or vitamin C. Such supplements may also be comparatively inexpensive. 'Supplements are most helpful if the hair loss is related to a true deficiency of a nutrient,' she said. Serums and shampoos for hair loss There are some topical serums with substantial evidence to support their effectiveness. Holman recommended platelet-derived exosome serums. However, like supplements, the evidence for serums, where it exists at all, will vary, as will results. Even if serums and other leave-in products don't directly impact hair loss, they may still support scalp and hair health, which can support hair regrowth. Some types of shampoos may also be helpful. 'There's a shampoo ingredient called ketoconazole that may be something to consider, especially if you have some underlying predisposition to androgenetic alopecia, in the context of the telogen effluvium,' Garshick said. ' Ketoconazole shampoo or other medicated shampoos that have key ingredients like peptides or biotin can help to strengthen, volumize, and support the hair while we're waiting for it to grow back,' she added. Can minoxidil help GLP-1-related hair loss? Minoxidil has been approved for use by the FDA since the mid-1980s to help facilitate hair regrowth. The medication promotes hair growth through anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, and anti-androgenic effects. It's available as both an oral pill and a topical liquid or foam. 'Low-dose oral minoxidil is a mainstay of treatment for most types of hair loss,' Holman said. 'While it doesn't specifically reset the shedding of telogen effluvium that correlates with new medications and weight loss, it does help overall hair growth.' PRP, red-light therapy may promote hair regrowth Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses a person's own blood to isolate plasma, concentrate it, and then inject it into the body. It's believed to promote healing and hair regrowth. 'When we do that, it helps to stimulate the hair follicles to speed up that regrowth process,' Garshick explained. 'So for some patients who they feel like the process is dragging on and they're not noticing hair regrowth, sometimes this can speed it up.' The benefits of PRP treatment for hair loss haven't definitively been proven, though a 2014 study found that it was effective in treating androgenic alopecia. Red light therapy may also benefit hair regrowth and can be performed at home using a specialized hat or helmet. Holman noted that PRP injections and red and orange laser light caps can 'achieve a synergistic effect with oral anti-androgens and supplements.' How long does it take for hair to grow back? Regrowing hair takes time, especially if you are continuing to lose weight with GLP-1 medication. 'Typically, if the weight stabilizes, the hair should too,' Garshick said. 'But, because hair takes a long time to grow, sometimes you might not see those changes for six to twelve months.' Holman provided a slightly longer estimate: 'If the GLP-1 hair loss is solely the telogen effluvium type hair loss, yes, the body can reset itself. Typically, once weight remains stable, the body will begin to reset the shedding cycle. However, this can take 12-18 months once weight is stable.' If you're concerned about GLP-1-related hair loss, consulting a board-certified dermatologist may be a good first step. 'A very real option is also not doing anything. In some cases, it's better for patients to be heard, evaluated, and just be reassured that things will get better with time,' Garshick said. Although sudden hair loss can be concerning, remember that it's likely a temporary side effect. Ask your prescribing physician about hair loss and what you can do about it before making any changes to your medication.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NASA, SpaceX set to bring Crew-10 back to Earth
The four members of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission are set to climb aboard the Crew Dragon Endurance and depart the International Space Station on Friday evening for an overnight trip back to Earth. NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov launched to the station back on March 14 from Kennedy Space Center arriving a day later. After 4 1/2 months on board, they are set to depart at 6:05 p.m. and then splash down off the coast of California at 11:33 a.m. 'As we complete our mission on space station, we really want to lead with gratitude for the absolute privilege of getting to live and work aboard this amazing International Space Station,' Crew-10 commander McClain said during a farewell ceremony Tuesday. 'All of us are keenly aware that we may never get to do this again, and we've been very pensive over the last days of understanding what we have all got to be a part of.' Ayers was the first from her NASA astronaut class chosen in 2021, known as The Flies, to make it to space. 'We got to see some amazing views, and we have had some really big belly laughs and a wonderful time together,' she said about her Crew-10 crewmates. 'Leaving with a heart full of gratitude and excited to see where the International Space Station goes after we get home.' While McClain is the Crew-10 commander, Onishi had been the Expedition 73 commander for the station. He handed over command to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov during a ceremony Tuesday before departing. Ryzhikov is part of the Soyuz crew that flew up in April and won't leave until December. After Crew-10 leaves, its population will drop back from 11 to seven. 'I wish we could spend more time together,' Onishi said about Crew-11 replacements that arrived last weekend. 'But you are in good hands. So I'm sure the second half of Expedition 73 will be even better. … Crew-10 is now leaving, but the science will continue here, because this place is the outpost for human beings to advance our technology and to explore further.' The California splashdown marks the first time a NASA mission with SpaceX has landed on the west coast with 10 previous crewed missions for NASA (Demo-2 and Crew-1 through Crew-9) on SpaceX Crew Dragons having splashed down off the coast of Florida instead. SpaceX made the shift in coasts, though, after several incidents of debris showing up on land around the world that turned out to be remnants of the Crew Dragon trunks, which had previously been discarded at higher altitudes during deborbit. Now the trunk is more safely discarded over the Pacific as it comes in for its landing. SpaceX has already knocked out two California landings this year on private missions Fram2 and Axiom Space's Ax-4. McClain thanked her family for their support during her 4 1/2 months away. 'We'll see you back soon on the greatest planet in the solar system. We've checked,' she said. 'We'll back to Earth here shortly.' For Crew-10, with around 147 days in space, it marks the shortest so far for an operational flight under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The longest has been Crew-8 from March-October 2024 at more than 235 days. Most have been around six months long. The reason Crew-10 was short was twofold. It was originally targeting a February liftoff, but a delay from SpaceX with its fifth and final Crew Dragon forced a shuffle so Crew-10 flew with Endurance and the private Ax-4 mission ended up with the new vehicle, which they named Grace. Its departure also needs to come before the planned CRS-33 cargo Dragon mission slated to arrive later this month, and will need somewhere to park. That cargo Dragon has a special reboost capacity built in that will be used to elevate the space station's altitude, a first for SpaceX. The Russian Progress spacecraft are usually the ones responsible for space station reboost, but NASA is trying to store up fuel reserves for the eventual need to bring the space station back down to burn up in Earth's atmosphere when its decommissioned after 2030. Endurance is completing its fourth mission to space having debuted in 2021 on Crew-3 and having since flown on Crew-5 in 2022 and Crew-7 in 2023. Its leaving behind the Crew-11 crew who arrived last weekend in the fleet-leading Crew Dragon Endeavour, which was the first SpaceX Crew Dragon to fly with humans back in 2020 on the Demo-2 mission and is now amidst its sixth trip to space. The other Crew Dragons are Resilience and Freedom. Crew-11 is not slated to leave the station until next year after at least six months, although NASA and SpaceX are looking into potentially stretching that mission out to eight months still. Crew-10's arrival in March was part of the Starliner saga as it was the relief crew to the station that allowed for Boeing Starliner's two crew to finally come home after nearly nine months in space. Starliner flew up to the station on the Crew Flight Test in June 2024, but the spacecraft suffered helium leaks and thruster failures on its propulsion system before docking. NASA ultimately chose to send Starliner home without crew in September meaning NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams had to remain on board the station until SpaceX was able to fly up a Crew Dragon with a pair of open seats that would allow them to fly home. While Crew-9 arrived to the station in fall 2024, Williams and Wilmore had to remain on the station until Crew-10 arrived and Crew-9 was able to make it home. The Commercial Crew Program originally contracted with Boeing and SpaceX to each build spacecraft to take over the responsibilities of shuttling astronauts on U.S.-based launches to and from the space station. NASA had to rely on Russia for rides to the station on Soyuz flights since the end of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. Both SpaceX and Boeing faced issues getting their test flights up and running, but SpaceX eventually returned U.S.-based orbital flights nearly nine years later. Since Demo-2, SpaceX has flown its fleet of five Crew Dragons 19 times with 74 human passengers. Boeing suffered issues on its initial uncrewed Starliner flight in 2019 that forced a followup uncrewed flight that had its own issues to not fly until 2022. The CFT flight was supposed to open the door for NASA to trade off rotational flights between SpaceX and Boeing with each company flying once a year to support space station operations. Boeing and NASA, though, are back to fixing the issues found on the CFT mission with its next flight potentially reverting to an uncrewed mission to the station to ensure its propulsion systems are safe. Then NASA could begin flying operational missions with Starliner. SpaceX, though, is likely to fly Crew-12 for the next rotational mission sometime early next year. NASA only needs enough flights from among the two companies to support staffing on the station until it is decommissioned. At most that would likely mean only 10 more missions, but it might become less if stays on board get stretched. The Trump administration has recently pushed to pull back on the number of flights needed to the station before it's decommissioned as well as limiting the number of astronauts. This all falls within a larger plan to invest more in NASA's efforts to get back to the moon and onto Mars while relying instead on future commercial space stations from companies like Axiom Space, Blue Origin and Vast, to satisfy any low-Earth orbit needs. Solve the daily Crossword
