science

Tiny titanium dioxide particles in food raise blood sugar, disrupt gut hormones in mice, study finds

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A hand picking up brightly colored candies out of a bowl

The tiniest particles of titanium dioxide—commonly used to make ultra-processed foods look more visually appealing—can raise blood sugar levels and impair how the body processes glucose, among other health harms, according to new research in mice. 

Plastics may disrupt the body’s clock, raise risk of chronic disease, study finds

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Chemicals found in common food packaging plastics like cling film and snack pouches may interfere with the body’s natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle, increasing the risk of sleep disorders, diabetes, immune problems, and even cancer, new research shows. 

The PR campaign spinning Tyson’s brazen “climate-smart” beef claims

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A herd of cattle in a feedlot

Producing meat is one of the biggest sources of climate warming gases, and beef is the worst of the bunch, data shows. To clean up their image, leading meat producers including Tyson, one of the largest meat companies in the United States, have hired public relations and advertising firms, mirroring a strategy used by fossil fuel companies. 

Everyday chemicals linked to cognitive decline in older adults, especially men, new study reports

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An older man staring at his computer

Older adults exposed to a mix of chemicals found in everyday products—such as food packaging, cosmetics, and printed receipts—may face a higher risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, according to a study published in April in the Journal of Affective Disorders. 

Breathing injustice: How a new scientific tool could help communities oppose industrial animal farming pollution

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Residents of a North Carolina community – where the haze of pollution coats the inside and outside of residents’ homes with potentially harmful bacteria from nearby industrial animal farms – are working with researchers at Johns Hopkins University to test a technique that can measure pig manure in the dust.

Common weedkiller glyphosate may be linked to liver disease epidemic, study warns 

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A liver stands out brightly in a person's chest

Glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, may significantly raise the risk of an increasingly common chronic liver disease—even at low exposure levels, according to a new review of more than 40 scientific studies published over the past 17 years.

Social media is fueling the childhood obesity crisis, global study warns

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In an era when digital devices increasingly dominate young people’s lives, the social media industry is promoting unhealthy food consumption and behavior and contributing to the global childhood obesity epidemic, according to an international report.

Glyphosate poses widespread risks to female fertility and reproductive health: new research

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Glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, disrupts female hormones and damages the ovaries and uterus in ways that can make it more difficult for women to get pregnant, according to a new review of human and animal research. 

Blocking mobile phone internet for two weeks may boost mood, mental health, and attention

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A man in some trees, looking at a phone with a picture of the trees.

New research finds that blocking the internet from your phone for two weeks could ease anxiety and depression and reverse years of attention decline, with lasting results.

Air pollution may weaken children’s brain connections, study shows

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Children exposed to higher levels of air pollution in their homes from birth to age three may develop weaker connections between key brain regions, with potentially long-lasting effects on future learning, behavior, and health, according to a major new study.

Most U.S. infant formulas contain mainly added sugars, posing a serious risk to babies’ health

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Most infant formulas in the U.S. contain added sugars that can harm early development, new research shows. Babies may come upwards of 60 grams of added sugars — the equivalent of two soft drinks per day — if they are entirely formula-fed.

PFAS in drinking water linked to increased cancer risk, groundbreaking study finds

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Exposure to “forever chemicals” in drinking water is significantly associated with the increased risk of multiple cancers, including some not previously linked to these toxic compounds, a first-of-its-kind study shows.

Menthol cigarettes linked to higher death risk, especially for Black smokers

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Menthol cigarette smokers had a higher risk of dying from any health cause, including heart disease, compared to former non-menthol cigarette smokers, according to what researchers say is the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind.

Agricultural pesticide exposure linked to childhood cancers, study says

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High exposure to multiple pesticides may cause childhood and adolescent cancers, especially brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Common herbicide glyphosate significantly harms infants’ health in rural areas, new research suggests

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Glyphosate, a synthetic herbicide best known as the active ingredient in Roundup®, has significantly harmed the health of babies in rural U.S. communities over the last two decades—especially those already at risk of poor birth outcomes, new research shows.

Even low levels of traffic air pollution can damage the liver, new study shows

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Long-term exposure to even small amounts of air pollution from vehicles promotes abnormal changes in the liver—potentially increasing the risk of fatty liver disease, according to new research in mice. Mice exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5, or tiny pollutant particles of 2.5 micrometers or less)  for 12 weeks showed inflammation in the liver, more Even low levels of traffic air pollution can damage the liver, new study shows

‘Forever chemicals’ (PFAS) may weaken immune function in children, leading to more frequent infections 

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Drinking water contaminated by human-made “forever chemicals” appears to impair children’s immunity, potentially increasing the risk of common childhood infections, new research shows.

Bayer Internal Emails Says Seeks to “Regain Public Trust” Amid Monsanto Mess

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With legal and shareholder pressure mounting, Bayer AG on Thursday was preparing to launch an initiative to “regain public trust” after its acquisition last year of Monsanto Co. brought Bayer thousands of lawsuits filed by cancer victims and damning revelations of corporate deception surrounding years of health concerns about Monsanto’s glyphosate-based Roundup herbicides. The plan Bayer Internal Emails Says Seeks to “Regain Public Trust” Amid Monsanto Mess

Monsanto scientist tells jurors company’s side of Roundup cancer controversy

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A senior scientist at the former Monsanto Co. on Tuesday told jurors in a California trial that regulators around the world support the company’s position that its glyphosate-based herbicides, such as the popular Roundup brand, are safe for users. Donna Farmer, who worked as a toxicologist at Monsanto for more than two decades and now Monsanto scientist tells jurors company’s side of Roundup cancer controversy

The Monsanto Papers – Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man’s Search for Justice

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USRTK Research Director Carey Gillam’s new book is out now and garnering glowing reviews. Here is a brief description of the book from publisher Island Press: Lee Johnson was a man with simple dreams. All he wanted was a steady job and a nice home for his wife and children, something better than the hard The Monsanto Papers – Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man’s Search for Justice

“Environmental catastrophe” in Nebraska tied to pesticide-contaminating plant; See regulatory docs on AltEn neonicotinoid problems

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(Updated June 10 with state regulatory announcement about seed company clean-up efforts.) An “environmental catastrophe” unfolding in Nebraska is drawing scrutiny from around the United States and sparking questions about why regulators were unwilling or unable to rein in years of questionable activities by the company known as AltEn LLC. AltEn has been operating an “Environmental catastrophe” in Nebraska tied to pesticide-contaminating plant; See regulatory docs on AltEn neonicotinoid problems

EPA removes name of U.S. official from warning of glyphosate cancer links

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(Update with EPA explanation) In an unusual move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deleted the name of a high-ranking U.S. health official from a public comment that warned of cancer links to the weed killing chemical glyphosate and called for a halt to industry manipulation of research. The public comment in question was submitted EPA removes name of U.S. official from warning of glyphosate cancer links

Speculation Over Settlement as Roundup Cancer Trial Postponed

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The mysterious delay of what was supposed to be a closely watched St. Louis showdown over claims that Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides cause cancer has stirred speculation that a settlement may be in the offing and heartened investors in Monsanto’s German owner Bayer, who feared a fourth trial loss. The trial in St. Louis, Monsanto’s former Speculation Over Settlement as Roundup Cancer Trial Postponed

Court frowns on Bayer’s proposed Roundup class-action settlement

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A federal judge on Monday had harsh words for Bayer AG’s plan to delay potential future Roundup cancer lawsuits and block jury trials, criticizing the highly unusual proposal crafted by Bayer and a small group of plaintiffs’ attorneys as potentially unconstitutional. The “Court is skeptical of the propriety and fairness of the proposed settlement, and Court frowns on Bayer’s proposed Roundup class-action settlement

EPA’s “scientific integrity” program lacks teeth, group alleges

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Insiders at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have alleged dozens of violations of the agency’s “scientific integrity ” policy over the last few years, including complaints of political interference and tampering with chemical risk assessments, but nearly all the complaints have been ignored, according to an analysis conducted by a nonprofit group representing EPA employees. EPA’s “scientific integrity” program lacks teeth, group alleges

Exposure to particulate air pollution, even at low levels, can reduce children’s cognitive abilities

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Increased exposure to outdoor air pollution in early life can make it harder for children to learn and process information, especially in terms of critical thinking and non-verbal tasks, a new study reports.

Ultra-processed foods can speed up biological aging, new study shows

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Ultra-processed foods can accelerate aging and the decline of your body’s health, even if you generally eat healthy foods, say Italian researchers in a new report based on the largest population study of its kind in Europe.

Meet the Merchants of Poison: Front groups Bayer uses to defend glyphosate

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Monsanto and Bayer’s PR helpers are an industry unto themselves.

Governments must act to protect women, girls from toxic chemicals, UN expert warns

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Exposure to dangerous chemicals disproportionately impacts the health of women and girls worldwide, creating a human rights crisis that demands government intervention, says a United Nations report.

End tobacco smoking quickly for longer lives, fewer early deaths, study shows

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Faster progress towards ending tobacco smoking over the next three decades could extend lives and prevent millions of premature deaths worldwide, making it one of the single most critical health interventions, a new study shows.  

Microplastic in ‘leave-on’ cosmetic and personal care products is understudied, research ‘urgently required,’ experts say

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Two new studies underscore the urgency of research on microplastic, reporting that potential health and environmental risks from “leave-on” cosmetic and personal care products are largely ignored by researchers and regulators. 

U.S. officials: Criticism of Chinese lab ‘called out actions that we ourselves are doing’

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American officials worried that calling out the Wuhan Institute of Virology would “demand access that we ourselves would never provide.”

Neonicotinoids: a growing concern

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On January 10, 2021 The Guardian published this story about a small rural Nebraska community that has been struggling for at least two years with contamination tied to neonicotinoid-coated corn seed. The source is an area ethanol plant that has been marketing itself as a free “recycling” location for seed companies such as Bayer, Syngenta Neonicotinoids: a growing concern

Challenge eyed to class action plan for Bayer Roundup settlement

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A plan to delay any new Roundup cancer claims for years and shift the key question of whether or not the weed killer causes cancer from a jury to a hand-picked panel of scientists faces potential opposition from some of the plaintiffs’ attorneys who initiated and led the mass tort claims against Roundup maker Monsanto, Challenge eyed to class action plan for Bayer Roundup settlement

Another St. Louis Roundup Cancer Trial Officially Postponed Until 2020

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A trial set to start next week over claims that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killers cause cancer has been postponed until at least next year, according to a judge’s ruling on Friday. The trial would have been the first of its kind to take place in the St. Louis area, Monsanto’s hometown before the company sold Another St. Louis Roundup Cancer Trial Officially Postponed Until 2020

New weed killer studies raise concern for reproductive health

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As Bayer AG seeks to discount concerns that Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicides cause cancer, several new studies are raising questions about the chemical’s potential impact on reproductive health. An assortment of animal studies released this summer indicate that glyphosate exposures impact reproductive organs and could threaten fertility, adding fresh evidence that the weed killing agent might New weed killer studies raise concern for reproductive health

New study finds glyphosate-related alterations in gut microbiome

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A new animal study by a group of European researchers has found that low levels of the weed killing chemical glyphosate and the glyphosate-based Roundup product can alter the composition of the gut microbiome in ways that may be linked to adverse health outcomes. The paper, published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, is New study finds glyphosate-related alterations in gut microbiome

U.S. judge sets trial in litigation against Syngenta alleging weed killer causes Parkinson’s disease

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A federal judge appointed to coordinate proceedings for claims that Syngenta AG’s paraquat weed killers cause Parkinson’s disease said Wednesday she was setting a jury trial date for Nov. 15, 2022. U.S. Judge Nancy Rosenstengel of the Southern District of Illinois issued the order in an initial hearing with lawyers from multiple firms who are U.S. judge sets trial in litigation against Syngenta alleging weed killer causes Parkinson’s disease

Federal court rejects Syngenta’s bid to toss lawsuit over paraquat herbicide

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A federal judge has denied Swiss chemical company Syngenta’s effort to throw out one of a growing number of lawsuits alleging the company’s weed killing products cause Parkinson’s Disease. The decision offers a boost for the expanding number of law firms and plaintiffs making similar claims. In an April 12 ruling, U.S. District Judge John Federal court rejects Syngenta’s bid to toss lawsuit over paraquat herbicide

Paraquat litigation grows, first trial set for May 10

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Six more lawsuits alleging Syngenta’s weed killing pesticide paraquat causes Parkinson’s Disease were filed last week in Pennsylvania, California and Illinois, adding to more than a dozen similar lawsuits already filed in U.S. courts. The lawsuits all allege that exposure to paraquat,   which is banned in more than 30 countries though not in the Paraquat litigation grows, first trial set for May 10

Key court hearing Wednesday in Bayer cancer liability litigation

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(UPDATED May 18 with pretrial order) As Bayer AG works to put an end to costly litigation over alleged connections between Roundup herbicide and cancer, the company faces a critical hearing on Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco. At issue in the hearing is a proposed $2 billion class action settlement structured by Bayer Key court hearing Wednesday in Bayer cancer liability litigation

Consolidation approved for lawsuits against Syngenta and Chevron over herbicide

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A U.S. judicial panel has ordered the pretrial consolidation of dozens of lawsuits against Syngenta and Chevron over allegations that paraquat weed killer, which has been used widely around the world for more than 50 years, causes Parkinson’s disease. The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation said that “to date, 77 actions and potential tag-along Consolidation approved for lawsuits against Syngenta and Chevron over herbicide

New analysis of glyphosate industry studies finds them outdated, flawed

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See Carey Gillam’s article in The Guardian, Corporate studies asserting herbicide safety show many flaws, new analysis finds (July 2, 2021). In this post we provide links to the 53 once-secret studies and related materials. Questions about the safety of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) have persisted for years, as scientific research has split over whether or New analysis of glyphosate industry studies finds them outdated, flawed

EPA whistleblower testifies her advocacy for stronger health protections drew agency retaliation

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Children’s health expert Ruth Etzel on Monday testified in a public hearing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked to silence and harass her, removing her from a top-level position after she complained about agency delays in advancing a lead poisoning prevention program. In testimony before Merit Systems Protection Board Judge Joel Alexander, Etzel described EPA whistleblower testifies her advocacy for stronger health protections drew agency retaliation

Litigation against Syngenta grows; lawyers fight over evidence and trial dates

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Syngenta AG is facing a growing number of U.S. lawsuits over allegations that its paraquat herbicide causes Parkinson’s disease, with a Fresno, California man pushing for an expedited trial that potentially would start within the next few months, and multiple plaintiffs’ lawyers jockeying for power and influence over future trial proceedings. Plaintiff George Isaak used Litigation against Syngenta grows; lawyers fight over evidence and trial dates

EPA exposed for hiding chemical risks, favoring corporate interests

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a long and well-documented history of questionable conduct when it comes to regulation of chemicals important to the profit centers for many large and powerful corporations. Numerous examples show a pattern of agency actions that allow for the use of dangerous chemicals by consumers, farmers, groundskeepers and others EPA exposed for hiding chemical risks, favoring corporate interests

Paraquat Papers – Updates to U.S. litigation

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Multiple lawsuits are pending in the United States against Syngenta alleging the weedkilling chemical paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease. A notice of settlement was filed June 18, 2021 for several paraquat cases. See this document. But more than 400 lawsuits are pending. The lawsuits name Syngenta as well as Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. and Growmark Inc. Paraquat Papers – Updates to U.S. litigation

Sparks to Fly in Closing Arguments at Third Roundup Cancer Trial

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After two costly courtroom losses, lawyers for Monsanto and its German owner Bayer AG on Wednesday were set to make closing arguments in what is the third trial brought by people who blame their cancers on use of Monsanto’s Roundup and other glyphosate-based weed killer brands. Plaintiffs Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a married couple in Sparks to Fly in Closing Arguments at Third Roundup Cancer Trial

Up Next – Trial In Monsanto’s Hometown Set for August After $2 Billion Roundup Cancer Verdict

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After three stunning courtroom losses in California, the legal battle over the safety of Monsanto’s top-selling Roundup herbicide is headed for the company’s hometown, where corporate officials can be forced to appear on the witness stand, and legal precedence shows a history of anti-corporate judgments. Sharlean Gordon, an cancer-stricken woman in her 50s, is the Up Next – Trial In Monsanto’s Hometown Set for August After $2 Billion Roundup Cancer Verdict

“Serious, Deadly Injury” Cited in New Appeals Court Filing Over Roundup Cancer Claims

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ACalifornia appeals court should reject efforts by Monsanto to overturn a jury verdict awarding millions of dollars to a school groundskeeper and approve $250 million in punitive damages the jury ordered a year ago this month in the first Roundup cancer trial, according to a brief in the case filed Monday. The brief filed by “Serious, Deadly Injury” Cited in New Appeals Court Filing Over Roundup Cancer Claims