Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/c35S05K_eIY

Those carrying certain genetic variants have a 2.5 fold higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.  This from a Yale study of more than 900 subjects half of whom had developed thyroid cancer.

In those with 4 particular genetic variants, the risk of developing thyroid cancer was proportional to cell phone use.  The study did use data from 2010 to 2011 when more smartphone users were phoning than texting or web surfing.  Other studies, though, have linked cell phones to brain cancer.

Routine testing won’t reveal if you are genetically susceptible, so keep your handset away from your head by using wired earphones when phoning regularly. 

Jiajun Luo, Hang Li, Nicole C. Deziel, Huang Huang, Nan Zhao, Shuangge Ma, Xin Ni, Robert Udelsman, Yawei Zhang. Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut. Environmental Research, 2020; 182: 109013 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109013

#thyroid #cancer #genetics #smartphone #earphone

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/c35S05K_eIY

Those carrying certain genetic variants have a 2.5 fold higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.  This from a Yale study of more than 900 subjects half of whom had developed thyroid cancer.

In those with 4 particular genetic variants, the risk of developing thyroid cancer was proportional to cell phone use.  The study did use data from 2010 to 2011 when more smartphone users were phoning than texting or web surfing.  Other studies, though, have linked cell phones to brain cancer.

Routine testing won’t reveal if you are genetically susceptible, so keep your handset away from your head by using wired earphones when phoning regularly. 

Jiajun Luo, Hang Li, Nicole C. Deziel, Huang Huang, Nan Zhao, Shuangge Ma, Xin Ni, Robert Udelsman, Yawei Zhang. Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut. Environmental Research, 2020; 182: 109013 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109013

#thyroid #cancer #genetics #smartphone #earphone

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/q51DURWmSY8

Those high velocity blowers that force streams of warm air onto your hands release 23 times more germs into the air you’re breathing than paper towels.  Now this study was published 2 years ago, but it’s critical now as we face the CoVid-19 pandemic.

The British researchers also found that the airborne bacteria remain aloft for up to 15 minutes and that the driers and other surfaces are covered with deadly bacteria including antibiotic-resistant MRSA.

How to protect yourself?  Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before drying.  That’s Happy Birthday twice.  Minimize breathing while in the bathroom.  Use paper towels if you can.  Avoid touching surfaces after you wash. 

E.BestaP. ParnellaJ. CouturierbF. BarbutbA, etal.

Environmental contamination by bacteria in hospital washrooms according to hand-drying method: a multi-centre study.  Journal of Hospital Infection. Volume 100, Issue 4, December 2018, Pages 469-475.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018.07.002

#jetdryers #bacteria #papertowels #drying

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/q51DURWmSY8

Those high velocity blowers that force streams of warm air onto your hands release 23 times more germs into the air you’re breathing than paper towels.  Now this study was published 2 years ago, but it’s critical now as we face the CoVid-19 pandemic.

The British researchers also found that the airborne bacteria remain aloft for up to 15 minutes and that the driers and other surfaces are covered with deadly bacteria including antibiotic-resistant MRSA.

How to protect yourself?  Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before drying.  That’s Happy Birthday twice.  Minimize breathing while in the bathroom.  Use paper towels if you can.  Avoid touching surfaces after you wash. 

E.BestaP. ParnellaJ. CouturierbF. BarbutbA, etal.

Environmental contamination by bacteria in hospital washrooms according to hand-drying method: a multi-centre study.  Journal of Hospital Infection. Volume 100, Issue 4, December 2018, Pages 469-475.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018.07.002

#jetdryers #bacteria #papertowels #drying

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/CScRRgmfaDA

Walking ten thousand steps a day, the so-called gold standard for good health, will not prevent first year college students from piling on those pounds.  Exercise scientists at Utah’s Brigham Young University studied 92 young women during their first 6 months of college.

Taking nearly 11,000, 13,000 or even 14,000 steps a day did not prevent weight gains of 7 up to 13 pounds for the freshman year.  There was no correlation between steps and weight gain. 

The secret to weight loss is simple: burn more calories than you consume, and make sure you’re not biking or running to the donut shop. 

Bruce W. Bailey, Ciera L. Bartholomew, Caleb Summerhays, Landon Deru, Sharla Compton, Larry A Tucker, James D. LeCheminant, Joseph Hicks. The Impact of Step Recommendations on Body Composition and Physical Activity Patterns in College Freshman Women: A Randomized Trial. Journal of Obesity, 2019; 2019: 1 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4036825

#steps #exercise #freshman #college

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/CScRRgmfaDA

Walking ten thousand steps a day, the so-called gold standard for good health, will not prevent first year college students from piling on those pounds.  Exercise scientists at Utah’s Brigham Young University studied 92 young women during their first 6 months of college.

Taking nearly 11,000, 13,000 or even 14,000 steps a day did not prevent weight gains of 7 up to 13 pounds for the freshman year.  There was no correlation between steps and weight gain. 

The secret to weight loss is simple: burn more calories than you consume, and make sure you’re not biking or running to the donut shop. 

Bruce W. Bailey, Ciera L. Bartholomew, Caleb Summerhays, Landon Deru, Sharla Compton, Larry A Tucker, James D. LeCheminant, Joseph Hicks. The Impact of Step Recommendations on Body Composition and Physical Activity Patterns in College Freshman Women: A Randomized Trial. Journal of Obesity, 2019; 2019: 1 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4036825

#steps #exercise #freshman #college

Fanim Industries is recalling is Harbor Breeze Santa Ana Ceiling Fan due to an injury hazard.  The blade holders can break permitting the blade to be ejected from the fan.  Stop using the fan and contact company for replacement blades at 1-888-434-3797.

#recall #fan #ceilingfan 

Fanim Industries is recalling is Harbor Breeze Santa Ana Ceiling Fan due to an injury hazard.  The blade holders can break permitting the blade to be ejected from the fan.  Stop using the fan and contact company for replacement blades at 1-888-434-3797.

#recall #fan #ceilingfan 

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Gas-powered Gold, PTV, Utility, and Shuttle Off-Road vehicles.  The starter generator wire can come in contact with the vehicle’s exhaust creating a fire hazard.  Stop using the vehicle and contact company for a free repair.  1-888-525-6040.

#recall #textron #offroad

Textron Specialized Vehicles is recalling Gas-powered Gold, PTV, Utility, and Shuttle Off-Road vehicles.  The starter generator wire can come in contact with the vehicle’s exhaust creating a fire hazard.  Stop using the vehicle and contact company for a free repair.  1-888-525-6040.

#recall #textron #offroad