Public Health in the News – July 26, 2015

Global

• Global health experts are asking for a $2 billion fund to help speed the vaccine development process.
• A Swedish study shows that genetically modified rice emitted less methane during field studies in China.

National

• Finally, some good news when it comes to American eating habits: Americans are eating fewer calories and obesity rates for adults and children have stopped rising.
• The next cancer treatment could come from a 3D printer.
• A water supply just outside New Orleans was found to be contaminated with a potentially deadly amoeba.
• A new mobile app, SoberGrid, has been developed for those who want to meet up with new people in a booze-free environment.
• Researchers have identified a gene variant that is associated with binge eating and obesity in teens.
• Great news in spinal cord injury research: electrical stimulation has helped patients paralyzed from the waist down stand again!
• The National Children’s Leukemia Foundation is being sued because of claims that the organization used less than one percent of its funds to help leukemia patients.
• A simple way to reduce domestic violence? Give victims free lawyers.

Illinois/Chicago

• The Illinois Department of Public Health has released a statement with recommendations on how to handle a flood.
• Which diseases should be covered by medical marijuana? The Illinois Department of Public Health wants to hear your recommendations.
• Over 1500 Chicago-area students attended the Google Geek Street Fair this week, designed to get kids engaged in STEM fields.

Northwestern

• An NU study shows that data collected from your smartphone can predict whether you’re depressed.
• Northwestern researchers have shown that “Dad bod” is real – men gain weight soon after having children.
• When children from low-income families have high levels of success, they may unfortunately have worse health, according to an NU study.