Story at a glance Marijuana use has been linked with mental health conditions among teens and adolescents. Currently, products do not need to include mental health warnings on their labels. A bill in California aims to require warnings in an effort to better protect users. As more states across the country legalize recreational marijuana, some…
Author: Gianna Melillo
More Americans say abortion, women’s rights should be a priority for government: poll
Story at a glance The Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade means states now have the right to expand or curtail access to abortion services. For some voters, this shift made the procedure and women’s rights a high priority for the government. Democrats hope to use this support to bolster turnout at the 2022…
New recycling method could eliminate the climate impact of plastic
Story at a glance Plastic pollution is one of the more pressing issues for conservationists and environmentalists alike. Researchers in Sweden harvested a byproduct of plastic disposal and used it to create a new sustainable plastic. By incentivizing collection of this byproduct, experts hope to scale the process and create a more sustainable plastic recycling…
Most voters concerned over climate impact of Supreme Court EPA ruling: poll
Story at a glance The Supreme Court today sided with plaintiffs in a case that claimed certain powers under the Clean Air Act should be under Congress’ jurisdiction instead of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Environmental groups decried the decision, saying it will hamper President Biden’s climate goals. Likely voters polled earlier this month cited…
US begins testing a universal flu vaccine
Story at a glance Flu vaccine efficacy varies from year to year due to a host of factors. In an effort to better protect against influenza, researchers developed a whole-virus vaccine. Previous trials showed the vaccine was effective in mice, even against strains not included in its formulation. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) clinical…
These are the least independent states in the US: report
Story at a glance Kentucky was followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, and South Carolina, respectively. In comparison, Utah, Colorado, and Massachusetts ranked among the top five most independent states. The rankings are based on consumer finances and reliance on the federal government, among other metrics. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 246th Independence Day…
Pandemic saw spike in US maternal mortality, especially among Hispanic mothers
Story at a glance Since the overturn of Roe v Wade, the United States’ bleak maternal mortality rates have come under increased scrutiny. Pre-pandemic, Black women were already three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than their white counterparts. New data highlight to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated racial disparities in…
Structural racism associated with higher COVID-19 death rates in Louisiana
Story at a glance COVID-19 took a disproportionate toll on Black populations in the United States. New research on societal stressors in Louisiana underscores the role structural racism played in these poor health outcomes. The data can help policy makers better tailor interventions to improve health outcomes and address disparities for future public health crises….
Risks to biodiversity remain even if a global temperature peak is achieved: study
Story at a glance Reducing carbon emissions to ensure the planet does not warm over two degrees celsius compared with pre-industrial levels has been a global goal ever since the 2015 Paris climate summit. But new research outlines the toll even approaching this threshold could take on the natural environment. According to authors, even a…
How will the Roe v Wade overturn impact Americans’ mental health?
Story at a glance The Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v Wade means access to abortion services will be up to the discretion of individual states. Numerous states are poised to severely restrict access in the coming days, while others are advertising themselves as abortion safe havens. The United State’s leading mental health organization condemned…