- Talk all you want. Theory of ‘radio wave radiation de-dunked. Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer.
A systematic review into the potential health effects from radio wave exposure has shown mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer. Mobile phones are often held against the head during use. And they emit radio waves, a type of non-ionising radiation. These two factors are largely why the idea mobile phones might cause brain cancer emerged in the first place. The possibility that mobile phones might cause cancer has been a long-standing concern. Mobile phones – and wireless tech more broadly – are a major part of our daily lives. So it’s been vital for science to address the safety of radio wave exposure from these devices. Over the years, the scientific consensus has remained strong – there’s no association between mobile phone radio waves and brain cancer, or health more generally.
- Harris to unveil new wave of economic policies for small businesses and communities
In an economic speech in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Harris plans to call for expanding a tax deduction for costs associated with starting a business and removing regulatory hurdles – like filing requirements and operational licenses – for businesses of a certain size, according to a Harris campaign official. It’s an attempt by the Harris campaign to appeal to a critical middle-class constituency that could help boost her chances in November. Small businesses are currently granted a $5,000 deduction for expenses related to their first year of operation, according to the Congressional Research Service. Harris will propose raising that to $50,000, the official said, citing the average business’ outlays of $40,000 to get off the ground. Harris is also aiming to surpass the 19 million new businesses under the Biden administration with a new goal of 25 million.
- What’s in Your Fridge? Here Are Details About the Deli Meat Listeria Recall
Seven million pounds of Boar’s Head meats have been recalled since late July, when reports of serious illnesses and deaths began to occur. In the last month, nine people have died and dozens have been hospitalized in a listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats. The outbreak has been traced back to a Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, Va., where federal inspectors had documented repeated problems. The inspections records show that they found black mold, water dripping over meat and dead flies. The plant has been temporarily shut down in the wake of the outbreak. But reports of illnesses and deaths have continued to accumulate, prompting public health officials to issue more warnings to consumers to ensure they discard certain Boar’s Head lunch meats that may still be in their refrigerators. Here’s what you should know. [More]
- Something to think about here in the U.S. Australian ‘Right to Disconnect’ Law Allows Workers to Ignore After-Hours Emails and Calls
Australian workers can now (legally) enjoy their time out of the office guilt-free. The new “right to disconnect” law allows employees the right to ignore off-hours emails and calls without fear of being punished, according to Reuters and the BBC. “The right to disconnect protects employees who refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact or attempted contact outside their working hours, unless their refusal is unreasonable,” per the Fair Work Commission. “If there is a dispute about an employee’s right to disconnect, employers and employees first need to try to resolve it themselves,” according to the FWC. “If they can’t resolve the dispute at the workplace level, they can apply to us at the Fair Work Commission for help.” The law, which went into effect on Monday, Aug. 26, was passed in February. Over 20 countries, including many in Europe and Latin America, already have similar rules in place, the BBC reported.
- Covid is not going away! Here’s what to know about the new vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed off on updated versions of coronavirus vaccine that target a more recent variant of the virus that was behind this summer’s surge in COVID-19 cases. The new shots — one from Moderna, another from Pfizer/BioNTech and a third from Novavax — are making their way to pharmacies and doctors’ offices across the country, and infectious disease experts hope the reformulated vaccines will help to quell the lingering summer spike and keep cases from swelling this fall and winter. Here are seven things you need to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccines. [Read more]
- The cost of a Costco membership has officially increased for first time since 2017
Costco’s membership price increase went into effect Sunday, marking the retailer’s first increase since 2017. The company in July announced plans to increase the price of a Costco membership, noting that annual membership fees would increase from $60 to $65 for United States and Canada Gold Star memberships. Costco also announced that executive memberships would increase from $120 to $130 and the maximum annual 2% reward associated with the executive membership would increase from $1,000 to $1,250. The fee increases will impact about 52 million memberships. Just over half of those memberships are executive, the company said.
- Dislike dining out when traveling alone? Restaurants are catering to a growing number of solo diners
In the U.S., solo dining reservations have risen 29% over the last two years, according to OpenTable, the restaurant reservation site. They’re up 18% this year in Germany and 14% in the United Kingdom. OpenTable CEO Debby Soo thinks remote work is one reason for the increase, with diners seeking respites from their home offices. But she thinks there are deeper reasons, too. “I think there’s a broader movement of self-love and self-care and really… enjoying your own company,” Soo said. The pandemic also made social interactions less feasible and therefore less important while eating out, said Anna Mattila, a professor of lodging management at Penn State University who has studied solo dining. And smartphones help some restaurant patrons feel connected to others even when they’re by themselves, she said. “The social norms have changed. People don’t look at solo diners anymore and think, ‘You must be a loner,’” Mattila said.
- Which foods can help reduce or prevent joint pain? Typically the foods that cause it contain salt, sugar, and fats
Inflammation is a common cause of joint pain that may occur as a symptom of arthritis and other joint conditions. Eating foods that help reduce inflammation may improve joint pain. Following a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet may also have other health benefits, such as improving heart health. People who follow the Mediterranean diet typically prioritize foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. People should eat moderate amounts of seafood and poultry and limit dairy and red meat. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet involves eating a varied, portion-controlled diet that includes fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, nuts, whole grains, and low fat dairy. The diet restricts salt, sugar, fats, and red meat. Researchers have found the DASH diet improve and reduce the risk of gout, a type of arthritis that typically causes pain in the joint of the big toe. Fruits and vegetables that may help reduce joint pain include: broccoli, berries, such as strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and raspberries, citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes grapefruits, and leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and cabbage. It is well known that generally the available processed meat such as ham, sausages, bacon, hot dogs, salami or pepperoni are highly processed, containing chemical additives as well as being high in salt, making them unhealthy for a wide range of health conditions.
- What is EEE? See symptoms, map of cases after death reported in New Hampshire
The eastern equine encephalitis virus, or EEE for short, is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most cases of the virus typically occur in eastern or Gulf Coast states. Although it is a rare virus, it is a lethal one. According to the CDC, approximately 30% of people who contract the virus die and many survivors suffer ongoing neurologic problems. EEE has put residents in the Northeast on alert after news of a death in New Hampshire and cases in three other states. On average, about 11 human cases are reported annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention. This year several people, horses and mosquitos around the Northeast have tested positive for the disease. As of now, there are no vaccines to prevent the disease and no medicines are available to treat EEE.
- Biden drug cost cap will save seniors about $1,100 a year, AARP study finds
More than a million U.S. seniors will save $1,100 in prescription drug costs every year under a provision in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, according to a new report conducted by AARP, which lobbied for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. Under the provision, out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Part D of the Medicare program will be capped at $2,000 every year beginning in 2025. Between 3 and 4 million Medicare Part D enrollees are expected to benefit from the out-of-pocket cap every year between 2025 and 2029, about 40 percent of Medicare drug plan enrollees. And those Medicare recipients will save an average of 56 percent in their prescription drug costs — or around $1,100 — as part of the provision, according to the analysis.
- A fifth of Red Lobsters are gone. But don’t despair, restaurant lovers, hundreds of locations remain open
The seafood chain, founded in 1968, is still the largest in the U.S., with more than 500 locations in 44 states, based on locations reported on their website. While the company shuttered the largest number of locations in Florida, 37 restaurants will still operate in the state, including three in Orlando. Texas tops Florida with 44 locations – even though 11 recently closed. Amid the closings, loyal diners have asked, will the beloved chain ‘sleep with the fishes?’ According to Red Lobster, the company intends to use the bankruptcy proceedings to “drive operational improvements, simplify the business through a reduction in locations, and pursue a sale of substantially all of its assets.” Click to see Red Lobster locations in all 50 states.
- Hmm, we rarely think about this when setting up our estate. What to do with our digital assets?
Think about your daily activities and how many of them involve the internet. Whether you conduct your banking and bill paying online, post or browse social media, send and receive emails, upload photos or view medical records, a good part of your day may be spent online. But with the amount of information out there, what happens to those assets, known as your digital legacy, after you die? Your emails, documents, downloads, posts are an ‘incredible legacy of content.’ That’s why creating a digital estate plan is becoming increasingly important. Whether you specify it in your will or through your estate’s lawyers, assign digital beneficiaries through a service or compile a list of accounts and passwords to give to a trusted family member or friend, you don’t want to leave your loved ones scrambling. [More]
A newspaper by and for seniors, Senior News Daily scours the internet each morning for news of interest to active men and women of retirement age. Coverage includes financial and health news, politics, retirement strategies and assisted living news and helpful blogs about aging.
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