Second Death Now Blamed On Panera Bread’s ‘Charged Lemonade’
A Florida man who had an unspecified chromosomal deficiency disorder died of a fatal cardiac arrest after drinking three of the caffeinated drinks, a new lawsuit says. In other public health news, reports say brain implants have helped five people with moderate to severe brain injuries recover.
NBC News:
Panera Bread’s Charged Lemonade Blamed For A Second Death, Lawsuit Alleges
Panera Bread’s highly caffeinated Charged Lemonade is now blamed for a second death, according to a lawsuit filed Monday. Dennis Brown, of Fleming Island, Florida, drank three Charged Lemonades from a local Panera on Oct. 9 and then suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on his way home, the suit says. Brown, 46, had an unspecified chromosomal deficiency disorder, a developmental delay and a mild intellectual disability. (Chuck, 12/5)
The New York Times:
Brain Implants Helped 5 People Recover From Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries have left more than five million Americans permanently disabled. They have trouble focusing on even simple tasks and often have to quit jobs or drop out of school. A study published on Monday has offered them a glimpse of hope. Five people with moderate to severe brain injuries had electrodes implanted in their heads. As the electrodes stimulated their brains, their performance on cognitive tests improved. (Zimmer, 12/4)
The Washington Post:
Just 1 Teaspoon Less Of Salt A Day Lowered Blood Pressure In This Study
Reducing salt consumption by just one teaspoon a day could lower your blood pressure as much as hypertension medication, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s recent Scientific Sessions and published in JAMA. (Searing, 12/4)
CBS News:
Study Finds Personalized Coaching Could Help Prevent Alzheimer's
A personalized coaching approach could help prevent Alzheimer's in people at risk of developing the disease. A team at the University of California, San Francisco recruited 172 adults between the ages of 70 and 89 with at least two dementia risk factors ... The researchers say this personalized approach could help improve mental function and help prevent the mental decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. (Marshall, 12/4)
CBS News:
Scientists Say New Treatment Could Replace Root Canals
A novel treatment could one day replace the "dreaded" root canal. Dental pulp is the tissue inside a tooth that can become inflamed and infected after injury or from cavities. ADA Forsyth scientists are studying the use of a molecule called Resolvin E1 that is produced by the body and has been shown to control excess inflammation. ... Not only could this treatment one day replace root canals, but it could also potentially be used to grow bones and other tissues in various parts of the body. (Marshall, 12/4)
CBS News:
Wasabi, Beloved On Sushi, Linked To "Really Substantial" Boost In Memory, Japanese Study Finds
A study conducted in Japan suggests there's more to sushi than just a healthy dose of fish and seaweed. Researchers at Tohoku University found that wasabi, that spicy green condiment traditionally dabbed on the raw fish dish, improves both short- and long-term memory. Rui Nouchi, the study's lead researcher and an associate professor at the school's Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, told CBS News the results, while based on a limited sample of subjects without preexisting health conditions, exceeded their expectations. (Craft, 12/4)
KFF Health News:
Many People Of Color Worry Good Health Care Is Tied To Their Appearance
Many people from racial and ethnic minority groups brace themselves for insults and judgments before medical appointments, according to a new survey of patients that reaffirms the prevalence of racial discrimination in the U.S. health system. The KFF survey of nearly 6,300 patients who have had care in the past three years found that about 55% of Black adults feel they have to be very careful about their appearance to be treated fairly by doctors and other health providers. Nearly half of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic patients feel similarly, as do about 4 in 10 Asian patients. (DeGuzman, 12/5)
