WHO

NIH files reveal broader coronavirus engineering research before COVID-19

Documents show scientists across multiple U.S.-funded projects proposed altering spike proteins and cleavage sites in bat viruses — work that echoed ideas later floated in the controversial DEFUSE proposal

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Documents show scientists across multiple U.S.-funded projects proposed altering spike proteins and cleavage sites in bat viruses — work that echoed ideas later floated in the controversial DEFUSE proposal

Social media fuels smoking and vaping among children, especially girls, study shows

Even less than one hour a day of social media use is linked to nearly doubled odds of smoking and vaping

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Children and teens who spend hours scrolling social media are far more likely to smoke or vape than their peers, with the highest risks seen among girls and heavy users, according to new research.

Emails raise questions about China’s sway over first WHO mission on COVID-19

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An early World Health Organization report about the COVID-19 pandemic was influenced by political considerations in China, emails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show. A World Health Organization mission of 13 international experts and 12 Chinese experts ⁠— led by Bruce Aylward, a senior advisor at the World Health Organization, and Wannian Liang, … Emails raise questions about China’s sway over first WHO mission on COVID-19

Alcohol industry uses tobacco tactics to downplay deadly risks and block reforms, studies show

Recommendations include raising taxes, reducing marketing and availability, mandating independent warning labels, and excluding industry from health policymaking

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A man reaches out to get a bottle of liquor in a liquor store

Urgent action is needed to protect public health from alcohol industry influence and to curb alcohol-related disease and death, according to international researchers.  

Aspartame sweetener may disrupt blood vessels, raising stroke risk, first-of-its-kind study suggests

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Someone pouring a glass of Diet Coke

Aspartame—the artificial sweetener found in everything from Diet Coke and sugar-free chewing gum to children’s medications—may raise the risk of the most common type of stroke by causing inflammation and disrupting blood vessel health and blood flow, according to new research.

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

New review reveals pervasive, often covert, ultra-processed food marketing to children online

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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.

WHO chief Tedros: No dispositive evidence yet on COVID’s origin

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World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that there is no proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” for one COVID-19 origin hypothesis or the other in a brief interview with U.S. Right to Know. In an interview in Washington on Thursday, Tedros was asked about recent preprint publications claiming “dispositive” evidence that COVID-19 originated … WHO chief Tedros: No dispositive evidence yet on COVID’s origin

Public comments on the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) members

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The World Health Organization has proposed 26 scientists for a new group to investigate the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as future outbreaks. WHO plans to appoint members to the new Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) after a two week review to gather public opinion on the proposed … Public comments on the WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) members

How Monsanto Manufactured ‘Outrage’ at IARC over Cancer Classification

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By Carey Gillam Three years ago this month Monsanto executives realized they had a big problem on their hands. It was September 2014 and the company’s top-selling chemical, the weed killer called glyphosate that is the foundation for Monsanto’s branded Roundup products, had been selected as one among a handful of pesticides to undergo scrutiny … How Monsanto Manufactured ‘Outrage’ at IARC over Cancer Classification