Friday, March 22, 2019

Freddie wants his day in court



21 March 2019:
Friday is just around the corner -- and none too soon. 
Here's a recap of oddities in public health news from the 22 March 2019 issue.


  • Scientists in Japan transplanted prostate cancer into mice for research involving coffee.  The hyperactive mice sued the scientists, citing the experiment is overly cruel in that no sugar or cream was also provided.  Most of the mice died before the case came before the court, but several mice survived thanks to the cancer-fighting properties of expresso and have hired the Cochran Firm to represent them
  • some poor human mice already afflicted with multiple myeloma were involved in a clinical trial of a new cancer drug called Venclexta.  Sadly however, the drug appears to have hastened the death of the people who received Venclexta instead of a placebo -- sort of opposite the traditional goal of a cancer drug working to extend life.  AbbVie, who makes the drug, is not worried; they had already received FDA clearance to sell the drug to people afflicted with leukemia. 
  • a 21-year old National Guard recruit at basic training at Fort Benning has lost a leg to flesh-eating bacteria also confirmed to be eating 4 recruits.  That sort of PR might make it a tad harder to recruit America's youth...
  • eggs are bad again.  JAMA reports that eating 3-4 eggs a week increases the risk of heart disease by 6% and increases the risk of death from any cause by 8%.  Eating anything with 300 mg of cholesterol per day more than doubles the risk of death.  /sigh
  • What's In Your Food This Week -- no USA scares this week, but honorable mention goes to -- 
    • nightshade (yes, THAT nightshade) in the green beans sold to European countries 
  • NY Times made some very nice how-to videos for a "9 Minute Strength Workout" -- https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/strength-training-plyometrics 
  • we've probably covered this many times before -- sugary drinks will kill you.  Drinking 1-2 sugary drinks (colas, fruit drinks, energy drinks) a day are 14% more likely to die than those who drink less than 1 a month.  Cut back!
  • although I'm skipping The Africa Misery Index this week, if you're too way too happy please go see misery on a global  scale:  http://outbreaknewstoday.com/ 
To be safe, just stay away from everything, ok?  And consider buying one of these:  

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

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