Health Research: Some 3-D printed objects are toxic ♦ Bursts of high-intensity exercise could help diabetes patients manage low blood sugar levels

Only one in five U.S. pancreatic cancer patients get this key blood test at diagnosis Only one in five U.S. pancreatic cancer patients receive a widely available, inexpensive blood test at diagnosis that can help predict whether they are likely to have a better or worse outcome than average and guide treatment accordingly.

Bursts of high-intensity exercise could help diabetes patients manage low blood sugar levels People with type-1 diabetes could regain their ability to tell when blood sugar levels are low by regularly doing short bursts of high-intensity exercise, according to a preliminary study. The findings could lead to a non-drug based treatment for a potentially life-threatening condition.

Some 3-D printed objects are toxic Parts produced by some commercial 3D printers are toxic to certain fish embryos, new research shows. These results have raised questions about how to dispose of parts and waste materials from 3D printers.

Insulin sensitivity: One night of poor sleep could equal six months on a high-fat diet New research finds that one night of sleep deprivation and six months on a high-fat diet could both impair insulin sensitivity to a similar degree, demonstrating the importance of a good night's sleep on health. This study used a canine model to examine whether sleep deprivation and a high-fat diet affect insulin sensitivity in similar ways.

Health News: Bird Flu Outbreak Spreads ♦ Eels Covered in toxic dye ♦ Home canned potatoes probably caused botulism outbreak ♦ Alcohol use disorders

.Increase human protections offered as H5N2 Flu Outbreak Spreads  Federal public health officials reported that about 300 farm workers exposed to the H5N2 strain of bird flu were offered Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, as a precaution due to an ongoing outbreak that is affecting Midwestern poultry farms. Investigators have heightened biosecurity measures on infected farms and protective equipment has been issued for responders to the scene of an outbreak

.National Guard called up to deliver water in Minnesota bird flu fight  The Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center reported April 26 that 30 National Guard soldiers and 15 military water trucks will be deployed April 27 – 29 in an effort to contain the rapidly spreading H5N2 strain of bird flu.

Eels Covered in toxic dye Ming Chuan International bought 3,000 kg of live eels from the Yunlin fishery earlier in the year, then sold them to Hong Yi Ltd. , a frozen food manufacturer in Pingtung, which originally planned to export the processed eels to Japan. However, Hong Yi made some of the live eels into grilled eels before test results from SGS Taiwan became available

Home canned potatoes served at potluck probably caused botulism outbreak Ohio public health officials announced Monday that potato salad containing home-canned potatoes was the likely cause of a recent botulism outbreak following a potluck luncheon at the Crosspoint Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster, OH. They said that their conclusion was based on lab tests and interviews with those who attended the potluck on

Alcohol use disorders - stronger predictor of mortality than chronic hepatitis C virus infection Scientists show that alcohol use disorders have a serious, negative prognostic outcome with higher mortality risks in the general population and patients with hepatitis C virus

19/27/14 Health News:Researchers retract study supporting diet pill ♦ Herbal medicines can contain dangerous levels of toxic mold ♦ Brazilian Wandering spiders

Researchers retract study supporting diet pills promoted by Dr. Oz

Dr. Mehmet Oz has been under fire recently for promoting weight loss products on TV’s “The Dr. Oz Show” that aren’t backed by a lot of scientific evidence. Now a study supporting one of those products, diet pills made with green coffee bean extract, has been withdrawn by its lead researchers. “The sponsors of the study cannot assure the validity of the data so we, Joe Vinson and Bryan Burnham, are retracting the paper,” the pair of scientists posted online.  Continue Reading

Herbal medicines could contain dangerous levels of toxic mold

Herbal medicines such as licorice, Indian rennet and opium poppy, are at risk of contamination with toxic mold, according to a new study published in Fungal Biology. The authors of the study, from the University of Peshawar, Pakistan say it's time for regulators to control mold contamination.Continue Reading

Organic food means we're likely to see more Brazilian Wandering spiders in fruit orders

The Brazilian Wandering Spider was found nestled in bunch of bananas Fruit was part South London family's Waitrose delivery earlier this month In the past animals would be killed off by chemicals used in growing process It's thought pesticide-free food trend has been behind foreign spiders surge Two incidents involving potentially lethal spiders in past two months alone By … Continue Reading

Willamette River Health Advisory Expanded After Toxic Algae Confirmed

Warning now extends from Ross Island to Sauvie Island  

The Oregon Health Authority is expanding a health advisory after preliminary test results show blue-green algae covering a stretch of the Willamette River flowing through downtown Portland is a toxic species.

Officials with OHA’s Public Health Division say the advisory, first issued September 16 for the stretch of the Willamette between the south end of Ross Island and the Fremont Bridge, now extends from Ross Island downriver to the south end of Sauvie Island.

Public health officials recommend that people avoid all contact with Willamette River water in this stretch of the river, and that pets be kept away from the water as well. This includes avoiding swallowing or inhaling water droplets, and avoiding skin contact. Drinking water directly from this stretch of the Willamette is especially dangerous at this time.

The public will be alerted when the concern no longer exists.

Official results of at least two tests on water samples conducted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality are expected back later today. A preliminary test by one of the laboratories, Aquatic Scientific Resource, confirmed the blue-green algae, which is visible as a swirling, bright-green slick, is a species known as Microcystis aeruginosa (microcystis). This type of algae produces toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. The advisory threshold for microcystis is 40,000 cells of the toxin per milliliter of water. Preliminary counts indicate microcystis is present in the Willamette River at 2.25 million cells per milliliter. Several samples were collected around Ross Island, but the specific sample used for this count was from the mouth of the Ross Island lagoon.

Accidental swallowing of water containing these toxins may produce such symptoms as numbness, tingling, dizziness, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting. Inhalation of water droplets can lead to breathing problems, sneezing, coughing or runny nose. Skin contact can cause skin irritation, including a rash. Symptoms usually occur in less than 24 hours.

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs, in particular, can quickly experience symptoms of microcystis exposure and can die within an hour.

The toxins produced by microcystis cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating the water with camping-style filters, health officials warn. People who draw in-home water directly from Willamette are advised to use an alternative water source because private treatment systems are not proven effective at removing algae toxins.

No public drinking water systems draw water from the portion of the Willamette River affected by the health advisory.

Oregon health officials recommend that people who choose to eat fish from waters where algae blooms are present remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking, because toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues.

Public health officials also advise that people not eat freshwater clams or mussels from affected water, and that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations do not allow the harvest of these shellfish from freshwater sources. Crayfish muscle can be eaten, but internal organs and liquid fat should be discarded.

For local information about water quality or blue-green algae sampling, contact the Department of Environmental Quality at 503-693-5723.

For health information, to report human or pet illnesses due to blooms, or to ask questions about a news release, contact the Oregon Health Authority at 971-673-0400. For information about advisories issued or lifted for the season, call the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website atwww.healthoregon.org/hab and select “Algae Bloom Advisories.”