Minister urges MMR vaccination after measles death
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Yahoo
25 minutes ago
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Some gut microbes can absorb and help expel ‘forever chemicals' from the body, research shows
Certain kinds of gut microbes absorb toxic Pfas 'forever chemicals' and help expel them from the body via feces, new first-of-its-kind University of Cambridge research shows. The findings are welcome news as the only options that exist for reducing the level of dangerous Pfas compounds from the body are bloodletting and a cholesterol drug that induces unpleasant side effects. The microbes were found to remove up to 75% of some Pfas from the gut of mice. Several of the study's authors plan to develop probiotic dietary supplements that boost levels of helpful microbes in the human gut, which would likely reduce Pfas levels. Related: Trump administration yanks $15m in research into Pfas on US farms: 'not just stupid, it's evil' 'If this could be used in humans to create probiotics that can help remove Pfas from the body then this would be a nicer solution in that it wouldn't have so many side effects,' said Anna Lindell, Cambridge doctoral student and a co-author of the study. Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds most frequently used to make products water-, stain- and grease-resistant. They have been linked to cancer, birth defects, decreased immunity, high cholesterol, kidney disease and a range of other serious health problems. They are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down in the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency has found no level of exposure to Pfos or Pfoa, two of the most common Pfas compounds, in drinking water is safe. They have a half-life in human blood of anywhere from two to five years, by most estimates. That means the body expels half the amount of the chemical that is in blood during that period. Depending on blood levels, it can take decades to fully expel Pfas naturally. Though the findings represent the first time gut microbes have been found to remove Pfas, they have been found to alleviate the impacts of other contaminants, such as microplastics. The researchers didn't set out to determine if the gut bacteria expelled Pfas specifically, but instead looked at a suite of 42 common food contaminants. No Pfas limits for food exist in the US, but there is broad consensus that it is among the main exposure routes. Some microbes performed well in expelling Pfas, so the study's authors zoomed in on those. The authors introduced nine of a family of bacterial species into the guts of mice to humanize the mouse microbiome – the bacteria rapidly accumulated to absorb Pfas eaten by the mice, and the chemicals were then excreted in feces. The bacteria seem to absorb the chemical, then use a 'pump' mechanism that pushes toxins from the cells and aids in excretion, the authors wrote. The mechanism by which the chemicals are pulled into the cell is not yet understood, Lindell said, but she suspects there may be a similar pump. These are developed by microbes to expel other contaminants, drugs or antibiotics, Lindell added. The microbes largely addressed 'long-chain' Pfas, which are larger compounds and more dangerous than smaller 'short chains' because they stay in the body longer. The body more efficiently discharges short-chain Pfas through urine because the compounds are generally water-soluble. Among the most common and dangerous long chains are Pfoa and Pfna, which the microbes expelled at rates of up to 58% and 74%, respectively. Lindell and other study leaders have started a company, Cambiotics, that will develop a probiotic based on their findings. They are planning to follow up the research with a human study. However, Lindell stressed that the probiotic would not solve the broader Pfas crisis: 'This should not be used as an excuse to downplay other sustainable solutions or to not address the bigger Pfas problem.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Parents urged to get children vaccinated as child with measles dies in North West
A child in Liverpool has died after contracting measles, it has been reported. According to The Sunday Times newspaper, the child was ill with measles and other health problems and was receiving treatment at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Measles, an infection that typically starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash and sometimes small spots in the mouth, is contagious and can lead to serious problems such as meningitis, blindness and seizures if it spreads to other parts of the body. A statement from the Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: 'To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases. 'We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death. 'The number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing (we have treated 17 since June). 'We treat children with a range of conditions and illnesses in our hospital, including those with compromised immunity due to other health issues, making them more susceptible to infections, including measles. 'We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination. Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated.' The child is believed to be the second to succumb to an acute measles infection in Britain this decade. The news comes amid a decline in the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as experts said only 84% of five-year-old children in England have had the two doses, with uptake 'much lower' in areas like Liverpool and parts of London. Prof Helen Bedford, professor of children's health at UCL (University College London), said: 'It is hugely concerning but not at all surprising that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles, with very sadly news that a child in Merseyside has died from the infection. 'To stop outbreaks of this highly infectious disease we need to have sustained 95% uptake of two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, but uptake has been lower than this for some years. 'In England only 84% of five-year-old children have had the two doses and in some parts of the country, including Liverpool and parts of London, uptake is much lower.' Dr David Elliman, honorary senior associate professor at the same university, said: 'Uptake of MMR vaccine has been falling around the world and in the USA there have been three deaths in the current outbreak. 'Any death of a child, with so many years left to live, is a tragedy, but this is more so as we have a very effective vaccine, with an excellent safety profile and if enough children had had the vaccine, this death would have been avoided. 'Not only does the vaccine protect the person receiving it, but it helps protect those who cannot receive the vaccine because of a medical condition or they are too young.' A Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined uptake of vaccines in the UK has stalled over the last decade and is, in many cases, declining. None of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the target for 95% coverage since 2021, meaning youngsters are at risk of catching illnesses such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The report said while some families are hesitant to vaccinate due to fears about the jabs, many face issues that could be resolved with more support, including difficulties booking and attending appointments and a lack of continuity of NHS care, with many parents seeing a different GP or clinician at each visit.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
TUC plans inspections of workplaces amid heatwave concern
The TUC has organised a nationwide inspection of workplaces this week to check that workers are being helped to cope with the heatwave. More than 1,000 trade union health and safety reps have signed up to take part. Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness, said the TUC. Trade union reps will check workplace temperatures, and will discuss with employers the protective steps they can take, including keeping buildings cool, shaded areas for outdoor workers and allowing flexible hours. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Everyone should be safe at work, but working in a heatwave can be dangerous – especially when your employer wants you to carry on regardless. 'That's why union reps are taking action this week to keep their workmates safe in the heat, and it's why we're calling on the government to strengthen legal protections with a maximum working temperature. 'A lot of the best safety steps are just common sense. 'For example, employers should allow flexible hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day. And indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes.'
