UF Health Podcasts

Scientists have discovered a nanoparticle produced by jet engines that could be endangering human health. The pollutant reminds some researchers of an onion.

An international team of investigators discovered “onion-like” particles in aircraft jet exhaust while testing engines in Switzerland. Experts have long known that soot particles are produced by aircraft, typically found in higher concentrations closer to the engine.

But more than 15 meters from the engine, or just under 50 feet, about 99% of exhaust is composed of these never-before-seen particles. That means they’re a greater respiratory hazard for neighborhoods around airports.

Why does the study compare the particles to onions? That’s what they look like under an electron microscope. Investigators say they have concentric circular internal structure, resembling the layers of an onion.

And they’re small — 10 to 20 nanometers. That’s the size of a molecule or virus. So they can become deeply embedded in the lungs and potentially pass into the bloodstream.

The study says the particles appear to be created by a jet engine’s lubrication oil as it evaporates and decomposes in high temperatures. Their concentration varies with the type of engine.

It’s all cause for concern when it comes to public health policy and airport management, especially with the global growth of air travel. We already know that those living near airports have a higher risk of respiratory problems.

Even so, the health impact of the new particles is yet to be studied. Scientists, however, believe they might already contribute to health ills.

Pollution, after all, is rarely, if ever, harmless.

About 16 million Americans deal with chronic back pain issues, a whopping 8% of the population. And a staggering 65 million report dealing with some kind of lower back discomfort in particular, meaning you more than likely know someone who grumbles about the pitfalls of having a spine.

In short: Lower back aches can be a real pain. But a simple solution might lie just outside your front door.

In a new study from the University of Plymouth, people who suffer from chronic lower back pain were asked whether nature has any impact on helping them manage their condition. Those who spent time in nature reported positive impacts in their ability to handle back pain.

Participants reported a wide variety of reasons as to why being out in nature led to some relief. For many people, just going outside provided them with an avenue for social interaction. It also offered a level of escapism and distraction from their pain that they could not get at home. Additionally, being out in fresh air or around water helped give participants a sense of calm, relieving some of the stress their pain triggered.

Ultimately, the researchers recommend both providers and people who suffer from lower back pain consider how nature can play a positive role in their wellness journey. The team also plans to explore how virtual reality can be used to gain some of the benefits of being in nature for those unable to easily access the outdoors.

For those dealing with lower back pain, strolling through the forest may seem like a monumental task. But it might be less of a pain (in the back) than sitting at home.

Although a clinical pathologist’s role is primarily behind the scenes, bloodwork and general lab testing are critical for disease diagnosis and prevention in pets. When you visit the veterinarian, chances are you’ll be asked to have samples taken from your pet’s blood, urine and stool to assess his or her health status. Dr. Chris Lanier, a board-certified veterinary clinical pathologist, will discuss the types of tests that typically take place in veterinary clinical pathology, and what they mean to you and your pet.

Some of us are lucky enough to see our parents and grandparents enjoy healthy lives well into old age. You’d probably feel as if you’d won the genetic lottery if your 90-year-old parents still managed a round of golf now and then.

On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve all heard someone lament that “they die young in my family.”

A new study reinforces that nothing is preordained when it comes to the genetic sweepstakes. Living a healthy lifestyle remains the essential ingredient in the recipe for longevity, regardless of what’s coded in your DNA.

A study published in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine found that a healthy lifestyle reduced the impact of life-shortening genes by as much as 60%. And for those eating a hot dog and knocking back a beer while watching their elderly parents on the 18th green, consider this:

Regardless of the magic in your genes, the study shows that living unhealthily increases the odds of dying before your time by 78%.

Investigators drew health and lifestyle data from the massive UK Biobank study and its more than 350,000 participants. The Biobank has been used for numerous studies through the years and tracked adults from 2006 to 2021.

The study also examined a person’s diet, smoking, drinking and exercise habits, as well as their genetic profile.

The results suggest we should not assume that we are either doomed or blessed by our inherited biology.

Don’t emulate the sedentary uncle who drank like a fish, denied the existence of vegetables and smoked five cigars daily until dying at age 105.

Outliers always exist. Lifestyle still matters.

Your heart takes a licking, and most of the time, it keeps on ticking. But there are several screenings you can get to be sure that it does.

According to the American Heart Association, an important factor in lowering your risk for cardiovascular disease is managing your health behaviors. These include your diet, physical activity, whether you smoke, your body mass index, or B-M-I, blood pressure, total cholesterol and more.

A first step to protecting your heart health: Check your blood pressure. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults over age 40 have their blood pressure measured by a health care provider at least once a year. High blood pressure greatly increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

An annual blood test to measure cholesterol is also encouraged, especially if you are an adult over the age of 65, according to the National Institutes of Health. Like high blood pressure, cholesterol can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medication.

If you are overweight or have obesity and are between the ages of 35 and 70, the American Diabetes Association says a blood sugar check every three years is necessary. High blood sugar puts you at a greater risk of developing insulin resistance, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

You can also consider a lipoprotein test or abdominal ultrasound. A lipoprotein test is important if you have a family history of early heart disease, or if you are considering a statin to lower your cholesterol. An abdominal ultrasound is useful for older men who have a history of smoking.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your heart health.

Loneliness is becoming especially prevalent in the digital age. With our faces glued to computer and smartphone screens, face-to-face time with friends and family has fallen.

Being lonely is about more than social isolation. It can be a health threat, contributing to depression, heart problems, cognitive decline and premature death.

Add one more thing to the potential risk of ills: hearing loss.

A recent Chinese study found that loneliness increased the risk of hearing loss by 24%. That figure holds even after considering factors like age, income, depression and chronic disease. The risk is higher for lonely women, with a 30% higher risk.

The study’s large size bolsters its findings. Researchers tapped data from the nearly half-million adults in the United Kingdom Biobank, a massive repository of health information.

Respondents in the UK Biobank were asked, “Do you often feel lonely?” Nearly 1 in 5 people answered affirmatively. The biobank tracked individuals for 12 years, so scientists were able to see who would later be diagnosed with hearing loss.

Why would loneliness affect your hearing? Researchers suggest that isolation triggers a stress response in the body that increases inflammation and blood pressure. Other physical responses in the body’s stress system are also implicated. That, in turn, can damage the structures of the ear.

The study also notes that lonely people engage in riskier behaviors like smoking and are more sedentary.

This research offers a good reason to get out of the house to mingle in a nondigital environment. You should hear what you’ve been missing.

You use it to freshen your breath. Baseball players blow big bubbles between pitches on the baseball diamond. Kids swap it between classes. But each stick of chewing gum has a benefit — and a downside.

A positive: Gum promotes oral health. As you work the wad between your teeth, the sticky texture removes food and plaque from your mouth. Clearly, sugar-free options are better when it comes to preventing tooth decay. In fact, research shows that gum with xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol, reduces cavities by 17%.

You’ve also probably heard that nothing good comes from swallowing gum. But if you do accidentally gulp a piece down, the extra saliva from chewing can neutralize acid in the esophagus, which can lessen heartburn episodes.

Other evidence suggests chewing gum can even improve your mood and alleviate stress in the short term. Like bouncing your leg or twirling your hair, the repetitive action burns off nervous energy.

Of course, there are some concerns. Chewing gum could worsen jaw problems if you are prone to jaw issues like TMJ. The same effect can apply to people who are predisposed to grinding or clenching their teeth throughout the day. Ultimately, chewing gum frequently can wear on jaw muscles, leading to a host of issues like jaw popping, headaches and facial fatigue.

And, to preserve their elasticity, many gums are made from different plastics. One study found these can be released into our mouths while we chew. While the impacts of this are still unclear, don’t hesitate to toss your gum once the flavor ebbs away, or when 20 minutes are up. After all, nothing good lasts forever.

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what about an apple, some berries, a cup of tea and a piece of dark chocolate?

As nutrition science continues to advance, we can gain deeper insights into exactly how certain foods contribute to our well-being, like preventing aging, protecting against chronic disease or boosting brain health.

A new study published in Nature Food turned its attention to flavonoids, which are naturally occurring compounds found in fruits, vegetables, tea, chocolate and wine, and their impact on the human lifespan.

Now, flavonoids are already known to be beneficial due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, the first-ever dietary guidance on flavonoid consumptions was released in 2022 — but only focused on the amount. This new study reveals that not only is it important to consume a high quantity of flavonoids, it’s also best to consume a diverse range of flavonoid-rich foods.

The study specifically calls attention to tea, berries, dark chocolate and apples. The results illustrate how eating a diverse range of these flavonoid-fueled foods can help prevent conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological disease.

Keep in mind, however, that not all flavonoids are created equal. In fact, researchers emphasize that it’s important to not just consume one or two types of the recommended foods. Eating and drinking a wide variety of these foods will provide the most positive benefits, including a potentially longer lifespan.

And with so many delicious flavonoid-rich foods out there, why limit ourselves to apples anyway?

Quick bites, fast action. Snake bites are one of the most common occurrences in veterinary hospital emergency rooms through the summer months, and prompt medical attention can make the difference between life, death and/or a lengthy and expensive hospitalization. Dr. Michael Schaer, UF CVM professor emeritus of emergency medicine and critical care, joins Animal Airwaves Live to talk all things snake bites, discuss an update on recent lessons learned from several severe cases of pit viper envenomation, and to share an update on a promising new clinical trial drug used to treat coral snake envenomation.

In June, the United States Army adopted new fitness standards for its combat soldiers.

The biggest change? The new standards are the same for men and women. The test has been around for more than 100 years.

Even if you have no reasonable expectation of ever donning a military uniform, the test is a great gauge of overall fitness. Think you can hang?

The first part of the test is deadlifts. The Army’s test uses a hexagonal bar with weights on each end. Soldiers must lift 150 pounds off the ground three times, putting it down under control — distinct from just letting it fall because they can’t take the weight.

Next are pushups. The Army’s test contains a slight twist in that they call them “hand-release pushups,” which means you start from a plank position, lower your chest to the ground, then stretch your hands out to your sides before starting the next pushup. In two minutes, do at least 14.

The sprint-drag-carry event is done between two lines, 82 feet apart. You’ll also need a 90-pound “sled,” which is a tire with straps attached, so that it can be dragged behind you, and 40-pound weights. Sprint between the two lines, down and back. Grab your sled and drag it down and back. Side shuffle down and back. Run down and back, carrying the two weights and then — finally — sprint down and back again. Easy, right? Do all of it in less than 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The next part of the test is a plank, which you’ll do with your arms and elbows on the ground. Hold it at least 1 minute and 20 seconds.

The final test is a 2-mile run over flat terrain. You have 19 minutes and 45 seconds to meet the minimum standard for combat — and win some bragging rights.