Archive by category | Environment

A comprehensive virus survey now could save billions in avoided health care costs later, experts say

A comprehensive virus survey now could save billions in avoided health care costs later, experts say

Imagine if pandemics could be forecast by infectious disease scientists the way that bad weather can be tracked by meteorologists. New viruses would still infect people, but the cost of monitoring the emergence of those novel pathogens would be far less than the expense of dealing with a worldwide outbreak. At least that’s the reasoning behind a new study, published today in mBio, in which researchers propose launching a billion-dollar-plus global surveillance plan to find all the viruses lurking in mammalian wildlife before those same viruses find us.  Read more

Autism reaches record high levels in the US

Autism reaches record high levels in the US

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported that the number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has risen to an estimated 1 in 88 (1.1%), up from 1 in 110 (0.9%) according to agency estimates released just two years. The prevalence figure is the highest since the CDC began its biennial nationwide survey of children ten years ago.  Read more

Screening sunscreens

Screening sunscreens

A watchdop group has called on the US Food and Drug Administration to shed some light on sunscreens. The government agency has failed to finalize standards for testing and labeling sunscreens, says a report by the Washington, DC-based nonprofit Environmental Working Group. The report also concludes that 85% of sunscreens on the market either contain potentially toxic ingredients or fail to provide enough protection from both UVB and UVA radiation. Most products shield the skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn as well as DNA damage associated with skin cancer.  Read more