Greater air pollution and heat tied to adverse pregnancy outcomes

More and more of us–especially in urban areas–are exposed to greater air pollution and higher temperatures (factors of a changing climate). Based on a review of studies conducted between 2007 and 2019, one impact of this across the United States is a significant association with adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially impacting women with related health conditions and/or who are more likely to reside in these areas….

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Current explorations of nutrition and the gut microbiome: a comprehensive evaluation of the review literature

The human gut microbiota — it might be more accurate to think of it like an immune system: a collection of cells that work in unison with the host and that can promote health but sometimes initiate disease. Featured article: Frame, L. A., Costa, E., & Jackson, S. A. (2020). Current explorations of nutrition and the gut microbiome: A comprehensive evaluation of the review literature….

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Further loss of plant and animal species due to climate change may occur abruptly

Earth’s climate is changing. No, it is not a hoax, not a projection, not something that may happen hundreds of years from now, and not some scare tactic from evil liberals. No, it’s really changing; it is happening right now. And, one of the consequences has been and is a loss of biodiversity–the extinction and disappearance of animal and plant species. “32% of all known…

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Microplastics, horizontal gene transfer, and impacts on human health

An estimated 300 million tons of plastics are produced annually. Millions of those tons enter our air, soil, and water as waste every year. As waste, some of this material–still millions of tons–breaks down into smaller particles, or microplastics (< 5 mm in size); the microplastics come from the manufacture of industrial products and the physical, chemical, and biological degradation of larger pieces of plastic…

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Consumer DNA testing and the placebo effect

Research shows that receiving genetic risk information for Alzheimer’s, cancer, obesity, etc. through consumer DNA testing can change actual body physiology, exertion/endurance during exercise, and the feeling of fullness after eating “in a self-fulfilling manner.” The placebo and nocebo effects can be powerful … Featured article: Turnwald, B. P., Goyer, J. P., Boles, D. Z., Silder, A., Delp, S. L., & Crum, A. J. (2019)….

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