Source of Salmonella Outbreak in Question
Federal health authorities said Friday that they are uncertain if the salmonella outbreak is restricted to tomatoes—or if tomatoes and another type of produce are to blame. The number of people sickened in the outbreak now stands at 810 in 36 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the most recent case occurred June 15. Because it takes an average of 16 days to determine the onset of infection however, more cases may be waiting to be identified.
Nancy Shute recently outlined how to foil salmonella. Last year, she wrote how smart shopping and common sense in the kitchen can help keep families safe.
UVA Rays Pass Through Glass--and Can Get to You in the Shade
Be extra careful sitting on the beach this summer, as Deborah Kotz reports you may be exposed to ultraviolet A rays, even in the shade. UV rays, which tan the skin and raise the risk of skin cancer, can reflect off of beach sand and water. They are strong throughout the day, and can also pass through office and some car windows. And sunburn isn't a reliable guide to UV exposure. Sunburn-causing ultraviolet B rays are weak in the off-peak hours and don't penetrate glass or reflect much off of surfaces, so you could be getting high amounts of UVA exposure even if you're not getting a sunburn.
Matthew Shulman explains why your eyes need UV protection, too. Adam Voiland describes how to spot skin cancer before it kills. And earlier, Kotz reported on the health benefits attributed to sunlight, and she provided advice about how much time in the sun is needed for vitamin D.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest a Leading Cause of Death for Student-Athletes
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes, and only 1 in 10 athletes in the United States who suffer cardiac arrest survives, according to a new study published in the June issue of the HeartRhythm journal. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart's electrical system stops working, and blood is not pumped throughout the body. According to the study, approximately one case of sudden cardiac death occurs in organized youth sports every three days.
Last week, Bernadine Healy reported on testing to foil sudden cardiac death. Earlier, Katherine Hobson listed six ways to avoid dying of a surprise heart attack.
The Athlete's Legal Performance Aid: Sleep
Sleep, as sports performance coach Mark Verstegen told U.S. News last fall, is a "magic pill," Katherine Hobson reports. That message is often ignored by athletes who think it's better to train for another hour or two rather than spend that time snoozing. In that way, they're just like everyone else. "Our society is not built around getting a lot of sleep," says Cheri Mah, a researcher at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory. "A lot of people see it as a waste of time." Not surprisingly, there are a lot of people—athletes and nonathletes—walking (or running, as the case may be) around with a sleep debt.
U.S. News has previously explained how to get a good night's sleep and why kids need sleep even more than adults. Read more at the U.S. News Sleep Center.
—January W. Payne
