Cellphones and declining sperm counts
A significant new study suggests frequent cellphone use may reduce a man's chances of fathering a child.
Health Squeeze
November 03, 2023
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In This Newsletter
💸 Is money the key to life satisfaction? Maybe not, but it can help.
📱 Cellphones and declining sperm counts… what the latest findings show.
💊 An alarming rise in antibiotic resistance to common childhood infections.
Health Q and A
How fast are sneezes and coughs?
Answer at the bottom
💸 Can Money Buy Happiness? Survey Says, Yes.
A recent U.S. government survey reveals that while money can't buy happiness, it can contribute to a more satisfying life.
In 2021, just under 5% of U.S. adults expressed dissatisfaction with their lives, which is more common in households earning less than $55,000 per year for a family of four. Among lower-income Americans, 8% were dissatisfied, while only 3.6% of higher-income individuals reported dissatisfaction.
The study also found disparities in life satisfaction based on age and race, but these differences only existed among lower-income Americans.
Notably, white and Black Americans were less happy than Hispanic and Asian Americans and middle-aged adults (aged 45 to 64) were more dissatisfied than younger or older adults. The reasons behind these disparities are unclear.
Interestingly, no such differences were observed among higher-income Americans. These income-related findings align with global studies that show increased life satisfaction as people gain access to basic necessities.
Additionally, how people spend their discretionary income plays a significant role, with investments in meaningful pursuits enhancing life satisfaction, while conspicuous consumption tends to reduce happiness.
The survey was conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and aims to improve subjective well-being as a public health goal.
Overall, most Americans expressed satisfaction with their lives, with only 4.8% reporting dissatisfaction.
It's essential to recognize that life satisfaction depends on various factors beyond income, such as strong relationships, a sense of purpose, and gratitude for what one already has. Individual experiences may vary, and wealth alone does not guarantee happiness.
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📱 Cellphones Could Be Harming Male Fertility
A significant new study suggests frequent cellphone use may reduce a man's chances of fathering a child.
Swiss researchers examined over a decade of data and discovered that young men who use mobile phones extensively have lower sperm concentrations and counts compared to those who rarely use them while on the go.
Interestingly, the study also indicates that transitioning to improved cell technologies, such as 4G, might help protect male fertility. The link between cellphone use and lower semen quality gradually decreased between 2005 and 2018, primarily due to reduced radiation exposure as mobile technology advanced.
The study revealed that men who use their cellphones more than 20 times a day were 30% more likely to have sperm concentrations below the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels for healthy male fertility.
They were also 21% more likely to have sperm counts below the WHO's fertility reference compared to infrequent cellphone users.
These findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight the impact of cellphones on male fertility, suggesting they might contribute to the documented decline in semen quality over the past 50 years.
However, the study doesn't establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between cellphone use and infertility.
While the study shows a significant difference in sperm concentration and count between heavy and infrequent cellphone users, the risk of infertility due to mobile phone use remains relatively low. Additionally, cellphone use did not affect sperm shape or mobility.
Possible reasons for the impact of cellphone use on semen quality include the heat generated by phones and the electromagnetic radiation they emit. However, the exact mechanisms and their effects on pregnancy rates require further investigation.
💊 Many Antibiotics No Longer Effective for Common Childhood Illnesses
Antibiotic resistance has rendered many commonly used antibiotics ineffective in treating childhood infections, according to a recent study.
The study's authors argue that global antibiotic guidelines must be updated to address this issue and emphasize the urgent need to develop new antibiotics for infants and children.
Dr. Phoebe Williams, the lead author from the University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute in Australia, warns that antibiotic resistance is escalating at an alarming rate. She stresses the importance of finding new solutions to combat multidrug-resistant infections, which result in the unnecessary deaths of thousands of children each year.
The research revealed that many antibiotics recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) were effective in less than 50% of cases involving childhood infections like pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis.
Regions in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, are particularly hard-hit by this problem, leading to the deaths of many children due to antibiotic-resistant infections.
The WHO recognizes antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global public health threats. Globally, approximately 3 million newborns contract sepsis each year, and 570,000 of them die because effective antibiotics to treat resistant bacteria are lacking.
The research reviewed 86 studies involving over 6,600 bacterial species from 11 countries to assess antibiotic susceptibility for common bacteria causing childhood infections.
Dr. Williams stressed the need for funding to investigate new antibiotic treatments specifically for children and newborns. She is currently exploring using an old antibiotic, fosfomycin, as a potential treatment for multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections in children in Australia.
AI to Battle Hot Flashes. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Embr Labs have developed a machine-learning algorithm to predict hot flashes. They intend to integrate it with the Embr Wave wearable device, which provides cooling or warmth to alleviate hot flashes. The algorithm will monitor physiological signals, such as skin temperature and heart rate, to detect early signs of a hot flash and trigger cooling within a second. Although the device is already used to manage menopausal hot flashes, further clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness before widespread use.
First Time in Two Decades. Infant mortality rates in the U.S. have risen for the first time in over 20 years, with a 3% increase in overall mortality and neonatal infant mortality. Deaths due to maternal complications increased by 8%, and bacterial sepsis-related deaths rose by 14%. This alarming trend may be linked to healthcare challenges, an unusual occurrence, or the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eyedrop Recall Expands. The FDA has issued a warning, urging consumers to discontinue using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products due to potential bacterial contamination. These products are sold under various brand names by major retailers like CVS Health, Rite Aid, and Target. The FDA discovered "unsanitary conditions" and positive bacterial test results during a manufacturing facility inspection, prompting the call for a total recall of the affected items.
1 in 5 Parents Worried. A new study reveals that American parents are increasingly concerned about their teenagers' internet use, fearing it could expose them to cyberbullying, harmful content, and addiction. Of the 1,000 parents surveyed, over 22% worry about their children's internet dependency, twice as many as those concerned about substance addiction. The survey found that nearly two-thirds of parents were anxious about harmful online content and 53% about cyberbullying, but around half appreciated improved family connectivity, both immediate and extended.
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Answer
A cough can travel as fast as 50 mph and expel almost 3,000 droplets. Sneezes can travel 100 mph and create upwards of 100,000 droplets!
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