E-Cigarettes a Possible Gateway to Drug Use, Addiction, and Tobacco Smoking. An alarming report claims that using electronic cigarettes may lead to tobacco cigarette smoking and increase the likelihood of illicit drug use and addiction. The researchers discovered that when mice were exposed to nicotine, the substance triggered biochemical alteration in the brain and activated…

Smoke-Free Homes Have Doubled! The results of a recent study indicate that the national prevalence of smoke-free homes in the United States (US) has increased from 43% in the early 1990s to 83% at the start of the current decade. The authors of the study hypothesize that the increase in smoke-free homes may be a…

Germs Follow Families When Moving. Microbiologists at the United States Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory claim that a unique population of bacteria follows families when they move to a new home. The research team notes that it took less than a day for a family’s new home to have the same bacteria populations as…

Kidney Stones Increase Risk of Heart Disease. A new study suggests that kidney stones can increase an individual’s risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. The results of the study found that patients with kidney stones have a 19% increased risk for coronary heart disease and a 40% higher risk for stroke. Thomas Manley, director…

Heart Attack Survival Rates Affected by Arrival Time at Hospital. The American Heart Association has found that heart attack patients who present to a hospital at night, during the weekend, or on a holiday have a 13% increased risk of dying compared with heart attack patients who are admitted during regular hours. The authors found…

Today’s Young Adults. Compared with previous generations, today’s young adults (ages 18-24) are more likely to be high school graduates, attend college, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. National Institutes of Health, July 2014

Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts. In the last six years, drug- related suicide attempts in the United States have jumped 51% among people 12 and older. In 2011, 96% of ER visits for attempted suicide involved the nonmedical use of prescription medications and over-the-counter medications. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, August 2014

Low Income People with Diabetes More Likely to Lose a Limb. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that the odds of having a limb amputated are up to ten times greater for diabetics who live in low-income neighborhoods. The authors of the study note that the majority of these amputations are…

Children & Hot Cars are a Deadly Combination. So far in 2014, 18 American children have lost their lives as a result of being left in a hot car. Over the last 20 years, nearly 700 children have lost their lives for the same reason. There are many things parents can do to prevent this…

Pavement Sealer Ban Linked to Cleaner Lake Water. A ban of certain types of pavement sealants made from coal tar has led to lower levels of cancer-causing compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an Austin, Texas lake. In 2006, Austin was the first city in the United States to ban these types of pavement…