Latest news with #IndianaUniversity
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
'Forever Chemicals' Detected in Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Reusable menstrual products—once hailed as eco-friendly and health-conscious alternatives to disposables—may be hiding a chemical threat, according to a new study. Researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame have discovered evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in a wide range of reusable feminine hygiene products. The study involved the testing of 59 products from North America, South America and Europe. These included period underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups and reusable incontinence underwear. A stock image of women's underwear, reusable cloth pad and menstrual cup on a violet background. A stock image of women's underwear, reusable cloth pad and menstrual cup on a violet background. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Last year, researchers led from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston analyzed menstrual hygiene habits using data from the Apple Women's Health Study, which tracked 11,455 U.S. participants between November 2019 and January 2024. Despite rising awareness about arsenic and toxic metals, regular tampons remained the most commonly used menstrual product, used by 48 percent of subjects. Pads were used by 47 percent and panty liners by 43 percent. Among reusable options, period underwear was chosen by 20 percent and menstrual cups by 18 percent of respondents. Recently, the researches found PFAS were detected in nearly 30 percent of the samples—at levels suggesting they were intentionally added. This marks the first official confirmation of these potentially harmful chemicals in reusable menstrual products. "Since reusable products are on the rise due to their increased sustainability compared to single-use products, it's important to ensure that these products are safe. This is crucial, especially for adolescents and young women, who are more vulnerable to potential negative health effects," said paper author and chemist professor Marta Venier of Indiana University in a statement. "Feminine hygiene products stay in contact with the skin for extended periods of time, and the risks from the dermal absorption of PFAS, especially neutral PFAS, are not well understood." What Are PFAS and Why Are They Concerning? PFAS are synthetic chemicals used for their water, stain and heat-resistant properties. However, they are known to accumulate in the human body over time and have been linked to serious health conditions, including hormone disruption, cancer and immune system dysfunction. "One of the most abundant PFAS detected in products from the North American market is 8:2 FTOH, a chemical that was voluntarily phased out in food packaging by manufacturers in accordance with the FDA due to persistence in the body after dietary exposure," explained Sydney Brady, a Ph.D. student in Venier's lab. "Notably, 8:2 FTOH can be transformed into more toxic PFOA once inside the body." Newsweek reached out to Dr. Olivia Ahn, a former NHS doctor based in the U.K., who described the idea of chemicals and microplastics entering women's bodies as "unsettling." "It's a serious concern that demands urgent attention from everyone involved – from the companies making these products to the regulators overseeing them," she said. Ahn, founder of the sustainable femcare brand FLUUS—which developed the world's first certified flushable, microplastics- and glue-free sanitary pad made from non-woven natural materials—explained how these substances are absorbed through sensitive tissues. She said: "The vaginal tissue isn't like the skin on your arm—it's incredibly delicate and acts like a fast track directly to your bloodstream. It's highly absorbent, meaning chemicals can quickly get into your system without being filtered by your liver or digestive system in the usual way. "This pathway is so efficient that it's even used in medicine for quick drug delivery. This unique sensitivity is precisely why we must be extra vigilant about the chemical makeup of products designed for intimate use. What you put there really matters for your overall health." Environmental Implications of Reusables While reusable menstrual products are seen as a sustainable alternative to disposables, they still end up in landfills. Once there, PFAS can leach into the soil and water, posing a wider environmental hazard. These findings underline the need for greater transparency in product manufacturing and labeling. "Consumers should know that not everything that is in a product is listed on the package," Venier added. "Increased transparency from manufacturers would help consumers make informed decisions about what they're purchasing for themselves and their families." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about PFAS? Let us know via health@ References Wang, Z., Peebles, E., Baird, D. D., Jukic, A. M. Z., Wilcox, A. J., Curry, C. L., Fischer-Colbrie, T., Onnela, J.-P., Williams, M. A., Hauser, R., Coull, B. A., & Mahalingaiah, S. (2025). Menstrual product use patterns in a large digital cohort in the United States: Variations by sociodemographic, health, and menstrual characteristics. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Wicks, A., Brady, S., Whitehead, H. D., Hedman, T., Zachritz, A., Venier, M., & Peaslee, G. F. (2025). Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products. Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Playing the All-Star Game at home creates special feeling for Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever players
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell spent last week tamping down the All-Star excitement. First, she had to play some crucial games. On Friday, she finally had a chance to show how she felt about playing Saturday's game on her home court. Mitchell's eyes opened wide, the trademark grin stretched across her face and the words started flying out of her mouth. 'I feel grateful,' she said. 'I feel happy that my family and friends are able to come. It's close for us because I'm from Cincinnati, so a lot of us get to connect, reconnect through basketball. It's just fun, it's a good experience and I'm grateful, I'm grateful I'm here.' Mitchell is making her third straight All-Star trip, this one just down the street from home, and is joined by two teammates — guard Caitlin Clark and center Aliyah Boston — for the second straight year. Nothing about this is routine, though. Indianapolis is the 13th city to host All-Star weekend, which was played primarily in the New York to Washington corridor during its first decade of existence and has moved West more recently. Last year's game was in Phoenix, and Las Vegas hosted three of the previous five and could be in the mix next summer, too. If things go as well Saturday as they did Thursday and Friday, perhaps Indianapolis will find itself in the regular rotation. Friday night's festivities drew an estimated 15,000 fans to the arena. 'The last time I did the 3-point shootout in Vegas, it didn't feel sold out,' 3-point champion Sabrina Ionescu. 'The last time (Stephen Curry) beat me when we were here in Indy. So really happy to be able to be here and put on a good show.' Most players in town such as Atlanta guard Allisha Gray know 'Hoosiers' both as the Indiana University nickname and as the popular movie title and appreciate playing in a state with so much basketball history. But not everyone has had the same hometown experience for home All-Star Games. 'Playing in front of home fans is definitely fun, though it brings in a mix of everything,' said four-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, who played six seasons with Las Vegas before joining Los Angeles this year. 'At the time, I was in Vegas (where) we had a lot of visitors in town, so it didn't feel super homey. It felt kind of like everyone was cheering for their person.' That's unlikely to be the case Saturday night. While Clark and Boston, the last two WNBA Rookies of the Year, possess more star power, Mitchell is revered locally for her scoring prowess, upbeat personality and resilience. The eight-year veteran finally got her first taste of playoff basketball last year, which explains why Clark expects Saturday to be an emotional game for Mitchell. But it's not just the hometowns with drawing power. Former Fever guard Erica Wheeler, now a teammate of 34-year-old Skylar Diggins in Seattle, drew a loud ovation when she was reintroduced during Friday's skills challenge. Diggins, a seven-time All-Star, was Indiana's 2009 Miss Basketball Award winner before leading her hometown Notre Dame Fighting Irish to three consecutive Final Four appearances, one in the very same fieldhouse hosting Saturday's game. 'It's always love when I come here,' Diggins said, calling Thursday's orange carpet presentation the best she's seen. 'The fans are amazing. This is a great host city. It makes sense that it's here and I'm happy because like I said, I get to see a lot of my family and friends, and I've already seen people around town that I haven't seen in years.' The Indianapolis experience already has others making pitches for their cities to play host. 'It'll be nice, but I feel like tonight we'll represented by a lot of Atlanta Dream fans, so I can't wait,' Gray said. 'The league needs to put its All-Star (Game) in Atlanta — soon.' Mitchell might endorse that idea, too, given that it would give her another chance to eat at Wheeler's restaurant in Atlanta. For now, though, Mitchell intends to savor this rare moment with her family, friends, teammates and, yes, even competitors. 'For us as people, it's an opportunity to connect on different levels and for us, I think, basketball is a way to do that,' Mitchell said. 'And I think it's fun for the city, I think it's fun for our families. It's just fun for the world, considering everything that's happening.'
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Are you victim of 'emoji bullying'? Inside gen z's hidden language of harm
Once playful and innocent, emojis have become the visual shorthand of the digital era, used in billions of online conversations each day. But behind their cheerful colours and cartoon charm lies a troubling trend that's growing rapidly among younger this World Emoji Day, while most celebrate the creativity and connectivity emojis offer, a more uncomfortable reality must be acknowledged: emojis are being used to bully, harass, and isolate, particularly by and against members of Gen NEW LANGUAGE OF SARCASM AND HARMFor many, a smiley face emoji still conveys friendliness. But in Gen Z's digital vernacular, it often means the opposite. An academic study 'Benign or Toxic? Differences in Emoji Interpretation by Gender, Generation, and Emoji Type' by Zhukova & Herring (2024) from Indiana University found that emojis like the smiley face and thumbs-up are often perceived as passive-aggressive or sarcastic by younger users, especially in peer group contrasts sharply with older generations, who typically interpret these emojis as positive or neutral. The loudly crying face is used to show ironic sadness or laughing too hard. The Skull emoji sarcastically used something cringe, dumb or something hilarious."The interpretation of emoji is not fixed," the authors note. "It is highly context-dependent, influenced by age, identity, and platform norms."This creates fertile ground for subtle digital aggression. A bully no longer needs cruel words, just the right combination of emojis sent at the wrong time can deeply undermine someone's HARMLESS BECOMES HARMFULIn Tik-Tok comments, Instagram DMs, and group chats, emojis are being used as visual code -- covert, cutting, and might look like a string of light-hearted symbols could actually signal mockery, toxic bravado, or even threats. Some emojis have taken on especially sinister second lives:The pig-face emoji is often used to insult someone's peach emoji may be used flirtatiously or to make jokes about someone's smiling face can be used sarcastically in tense devil face suggests playful menace or bullying intent. World Emoji Day:A single emoji can carry many meanings depending on tone, timing, and the relationship between the sender and receiver. In certain school-related incidents, students have faced suspension or police enquiry after sending fire, bomb, or gun emojis in ways interpreted as veiled threats even without accompanying visual nature of the message makes it all the more unsettling and, for adults and moderators, harder to from the Cyberbullying Research Centre, a reputable organisation focused on online harassment, confirms that emojis like the 'peach' have increasingly been weaponised in digital bullying, underscoring the need to understand the evolving meanings behind these VOICES: WHAT EMOJIS REALLY MEANadvertisementWhile emoji bullying often hides in plain sight, young users are acutely aware of its impact.'Some random guys would comment on just the peach or eggplant under my photos. Once someone even sent cherries in DMs. They didn't say anything, but it felt creepy -- like they were trying to say something dirty without using words," said Rhea, a 19-year-old experiences like Rhea's reveal how emojis can be used to send veiled, uncomfortable messages that aren't always caught by moderators - but are definitely felt by IT'S HARD TO MODERATEOne reason emoji-based bullying often goes unnoticed is because algorithms and adult supervision miss the context. A single emoji can carry many meanings depending on tone, timing, and the relationship between the sender and systems that scan for hateful words may overlook a sarcastic smile or a teasing peach. Even when flagged, many adults struggle to interpret the underlying tone being context-dependence is exactly what makes emojis so potent and so dangerous in digital bullying. World Emoji Day:Emojis are small, but their meanings and their impact can be huge. advertisementSOLUTIONS: LITERACY OVER CENSORSHIPRather than banning emojis or policing every post, experts recommend building a better understanding of digital visual language, especially among youth and digital literacy that includes emoji pragmatics, how meaning changes across age groups and open dialogue at home and in schools about how emojis are used today, both playfully and moderation tools on social media platforms to recognise harmful emoji patterns, repetition, or young users to speak up when subtle harassment occurs. Just because it's wrapped in colourful symbols doesn't mean it's harmless.A CALL TO REFLECT THIS EMOJI DAYEmojis are small, but their meanings and their impact can be we celebrate the joy and connection emojis can bring, we must also be aware of their evolving use as weapons of exclusion, sarcasm, and this World Emoji Day, let's reflect not just on how we express ourselves, but on how we make others feel, especially when hurt comes with a smiling by Yashika Pawar- Ends
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. Advertisement 1 Weight loss jabs are shaking up people's sex and dating lives Credit: Getty While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of But that's not all - these so-called 'fat jabs' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too. According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse. Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom. Advertisement But it wasn't all good news, others said their "There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said. "How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.' The research conducted with polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Advertisement Most read in Health Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out. Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations. Advertisement Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates. Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect. Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so. Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened. Advertisement Men see the biggest difference Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative. They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved. Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties. Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women. Advertisement Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves. Read more on the Irish Sun "These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape. "For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Side-effects of fat jabs are transforming the dating scene – and ‘reshaping' our sex lives
WEIGHT loss jabs are changing people's lives. For the 1.5 million Brits already on them, many are likely to be shedding the pounds, and fast. 1 Weight loss jabs are shaking up people's sex and dating lives Credit: Getty While new studies suggest they may make people healthier, by slashing the risk of heart disease and curing booze addiction. But that's not all - these so-called 'fat jabs' could be changing the way we flirt, date and have sex too. According to a survey by the Kinsey Institute, at Indiana University in the US, nearly half of people using GLP-1 drugs said the meds had changed their sex lives - for better, or worse. Some users reported feeling a serious boost in desire, feeling sexier naked, and noticing better performance in the bedroom. But it wasn't all good news, others said their libido took a hit, or that they felt less comfortable with their bodies, even as the weight dropped off. "There's a very nuanced story to tell here," Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study's authors said. "How these drugs impact your sex life will depend on a variety of factors, including dosage, speed of weight loss and changes to fitness habits.' The research conducted with polled 2,000 single adults in the US, aged 18 to 91. Of those, 8 per cent, just 160 people, said they'd used weight-loss jabs like Ozempic or Wegovy. Among those users, nearly 60 per cent said the medication had affected their dating lives. Feeling Full Naturally: Top 5 Foods That Act Like Weight Loss Jabs They reported a range of benefits, from getting more matches on dating apps to feeling confident enough to ask people out. Nearly one in six users said they had bought new clothes to show off their bodies, while others noticed exes reaching out, sparked by their transformations. Around 13 per cent felt more confident posting photos online, and 12 per cent said they were going on more dates. Sexual desire increased for 18 per cent of users, but 16 per cent experienced the opposite effect. Similarly, 16 per cent felt more comfortable naked, while 14 per cent felt less so. Improvements in sexual function were reported by 16 per cent, but 12 per cent said their sexual performance had worsened. Men see the biggest difference Men in particular reported more pronounced shifts, both positive and negative. They were twice as likely as women to say their libido had increased, they were happier with their bodies, and that their sexual function improved. Yet they were also more likely to report decreased libido and sexual difficulties. Despite the boost in confidence many felt, 60 per cent of men admitted to worrying about being judged or shamed for taking these medications, compared to 35 per cent of women. Dr Amanda Gesselman, another study author, added: 'GLP-1 use is rising among single adults and it's starting to influence more than just how people look and feel about themselves. "These shifts have the potential to reshape how people build intimacy in today's dating landscape. "For example, as users report reduced appetites and lower interest in alcohol, the classic dinner-and-drinks date may give way to new ways of connecting.'
