Germany plans to ban laughing gas for young people
The measure aims to ban the purchase and possession of the chemical, also known as laughing gas, by children and young people.
Online sales and purchases from self-service vending machines are to be prohibited across the board.
Warken had already made it clear that laughing gas is "not harmless fun" but poses high health risks, especially for children and young people. "Intensive acute consumption can lead to unconsciousness," according to the draft bill, which has been made available to dpa.
Direct consumption from a cartridge can cause frostbite due to cooling to minus 55 degrees Celsius and lung tissue damage due to gas pressure.
Nitrous oxide has been gaining popularity as a party drug for several years. Consumers inhale the euphoric substance via balloons. The chemical compound is used in medicine as a mild anaesthetic for anxiety and pain.
The chemicals gamma-butyrolactone and 1.4-butanediol are also being targeted. They are known as "date rape" drugs that can be added to drinks and used by perpetrators to commit sexual offences or rob their victims.
Exceptions to the sales ban are planned because the chemicals are widely used for other purposes. In the case of nitrous oxide, cartridges with a capacity of up to 8 grams will be allowed to remain on the market for use in whipped cream, for example.
The draft will now go through further internal government consultations and must then be approved by the Cabinet and the Bundestag, the German parliament.
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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Grading Celsius summer flavors, including bold sweet sherbet
Celsius isn't redefining the energy drink genre. But it is making it better. Armed with a plethora of flavors -- grading them all would give me the heartrate of a hummingbird -- the relatively new contender to the caffeine crown has become a staple across crowded grocery shelves. The promise of higher metabolism and fat burning has helped it appeal to a more health conscious crowd, even if the ingredient list doesn't seem especially different than other energy drinks out there. In my personal experience I do think I'm getting better metabolism (it's caffeine and vitamins, which make me more active in the same way most energy drinks do) but have yet to see any fat burning progress. Anyway! Celsius has grown not just because of its advertised health benefits but because it tastes good. And because it comes in roughly 50 different varieties. The brand is always cranking out new flavors, including a handful of summer vibes for 2025. Let's see if they're still playing hits, going from newest warm weather releases to older. Fizz-Free Dragon Fruit Lime: B It pours exactly like you'd think. Zero bubbles and the trademark Celsius toxic sludge green-yellow. It smells modestly like dragon fruit. I assume. I don't think I could tell you what a dragon fruit smells like, but this is slightly passion fruit adjacent which seems right. Right? Drinking a non-carbonated energy drink is a bit of a jolt. While the acidic finish helps snap off each sip, the lack of bubbles does make it a little less satisfying. The flavor itself clocks in as "generic tropical." That's not bad by any stretch, but the feeling is sweet, tangy citrus in a way that's vaguely familiar. The benefit to all that is it's easier to drink and easier to mix in a little bit of water to space out that dense flavor and get a touch of extra hydration with your caffeine. That flavor is balanced between two sharp tastes, walking a line between the sweet of the dragon fruit and the sour of the lime. It's par for the course for Celsius, which I probably take for granted. So while it's not my favorite flavor (and I like the bubbles), it's still pretty solid. Fizz-Free Pink Lemonade: C So, uh, that's the color we're going with. OK. It doesn't smell great -- there's not much to it out of the can, and in the can it's aluminum and lemon which gives off the vibe you're cleaning industrial equipment. The first sip is much better, though there's a bit of that stale citrus up front before a big, almost creamy sweetness kicks in. It's weird. While most energy drinks start sweet and feel acidic toward the end, this does the opposite. It's also a bit grainy, which helps cast a Country Time shadow over each sip. It's not terrible. It's also not for me. Retro Vibe Sparkling Sherbet Slush: A I'm moderately excited; sherbet punch is an actual flavor from my childhood. Not one I loved -- it typically meant I was at some otherwise boring adult event -- but I'm looking forward to a little nostalgia. It pours a classic Celsius neon yellow-green, which would be concerning in any field other than "energy drink." It smells sweet and slightly sour, a little acid creeping in toward the end. That holds up in the first sip. It's nearly too sweet, but there's just enough citrus to snap it off and keep things balanced. Like the rest of the Celsius portfolio, the flavor is dense and lasts through each sip. There's a little... not quite grittiness, but maybe minor tartness that replicates the feeling of slurping down sherbet. It's not a full creamy fruit flavor, leaning into that sharpness in a way that works. Cutting it with a few ounces of cold water helps thin it out and brings out some of that sherbet flavor. The sweetness lingers briefly and snaps off nicely. Adding some extra hydration remains my preferred method for pretty much all energy drinks, but really shines here. Playa Vibe Sparkling Pina Colada: B+ Oh, nice. The best Rockstar Recovery flavor is its off-brand pina colada. Celsius should be able to replicate that easily. It pours the standard neon. It smells like dried pineapple rings and Mounds bars. So, good start. The flavor explodes onto your tongue up front. The pineapple and coconut are sweet but tangy. The bubbles give you a crisp finish, though a lingering sugary aftertaste sticks around long enough to keep things from feeling dry. That's a little annoying, but not too much of a turn off. That's about all there is to it. It's a carbonated, caffeinated pina colada with sharp flavors and a bit of an aftertaste. But it's pretty good at what it does. Sparkling Mango Lemonade: B Celsius's run through tropical summer flavors landed at a logical helipad here. Mango is an artificial flavor cheat code -- a flavor that lends creaminess in its chemical state even if it doesn't taste especially like the real thing. Importantly for my ridiculous urushiol allergy, it also means getting to enjoy a mango without actually having to touch one, which is nice. It pours neon yellow/green. It smells more like mango than lemon, though you get a little acidic tang toward the end. The drink itself is a little mild for an energy drink. The lemon and mango are well balanced, The mango creaminess you'd normally get from a seltzer isn't there, instead lingering as a thin, sugary sweetness. It's wrapped up by the mild sour of the lemonade, which isn't overpowering but does keep the mango from getting too far off base. That all wraps up in an easily drinkable energy boost. It's crisp and acidic and familiar, even in a new flavor. It's not as potent as some of Celsius's better flavors, but it's still solid. Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade: A- Watermelon is an underserved lemonade flavor -- it takes me back to days of Del's Frozen Lemonade (and various pretenders to the throne) in Rhode Island. The smell is exactly the mix of sweet, tangy artificial weirdness I've come to associate with watermelon candy and energy drinks. This is a proper pairing (and, yes, there's a little lemon as well). The sweetness of the watermelon works with the acid of the Celsius to give you a nicely balanced pick-me-up. It's got a little minor sour that works with the carbonation to snap each sip off cleanly. There's a minor grittiness to that, but it's what you'd expect from a slim can of caffeine. Nothing about this seems especially natural or authentic and that's great. This is a low-simmering pot of flavors that vibe together to create a near-ideal energy drink experience. It's not overpowering and, if not for the fact it would turn my everyday life into bullet time, is something I could easily drink six throughout the day.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Press Release: Sanofi's Sarclisa approved in the EU for the treatment of transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Sanofi's Sarclisa approved in the EU for the treatment of transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma Approval based on GMMG-HD7 phase 3 study demonstrating that Sarclisa with VRd induction treatment significantly improved MRD negativity benefit and prolonged PFS compared to VRd alone With the first global approval in TE NDMM, Sarclisa is now approved in the EU across all lines of therapy, regardless of transplant eligibility Paris, July 25, 2025. Following the positive opinion by the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use on June 19, 2025, the European Commission has approved Sarclisa in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd) for the induction treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant. 'We have been on a mission to accelerate Sarclisa's clinical development program with the hope to bring this important medicine to as many people as possible living with multiple myeloma,' said , Global Head of Oncology at Sanofi. 'Today's decision represents a prime example of those efforts, and most importantly, paves the way for Sarclisa to potentially become accessible to even more patients in the EU, regardless of transplant eligibility or line of therapy.' The approval is based on results from part one of the two-part, double-randomized, German-speaking Myeloma Multicenter Group (GMMG)-HD7 phase 3 study (clinical study identifier: NCT03617731), which was designed to independently assess the effects of Sarclisa during the induction and maintenance phases. Sarclisa-VRd demonstrated a deep and rapid response in transplant-eligible (TE) NDMM patients compared to VRd alone, reflected by a statistically significant minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity benefit at the end of the 18-week induction period, which was the primary endpoint of part one. These MRD results were supported by the final progression-free survival (PFS) analysis of part one (induction and transplant), which demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS in patients treated with Sarclisa-VRd during induction, regardless of the maintenance therapy received. Additionally, the majority (53.1%) of patients receiving Sarclisa-VRd experienced continued MRD negativity (compared to 38% in the control arm), defined as MRD negativity persisting from post-induction to post-transplant, which was consistent with the prolonged PFS benefit. The results are part of the growing body of clinical evidence supporting the use of Sarclisa in the front-line setting and reinforce the potential of Sarclisa-VRd when used prior to transplant. Data from part two, the maintenance portion of the study, are forthcoming. With four approved indications globally, including two in the front-line setting, the approval further affirms Sarclisa as an established MM treatment option, reflecting Sanofi's ambition to address critical unmet needs in MM care and make a meaningful difference in treatment outcomes at every stage of the disease. About the GMMG-HD7 studyGMMG-HD7 is a pivotal, randomized, open-label, multicenter, two-part phase 3 study evaluating Sarclisa in combination with VRd, also referred to as RVd (lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone), versus VRd induction followed by post-transplant re-randomization to Sarclisa plus lenalidomide versus lenalidomide maintenance alone in TE NDMM patients. The GMMG-initiated study is being conducted in close collaboration with Sanofi based on jointly defined research. Sanofi provided financial support to GMMG for this study. In December 2021, Sanofi and GMMG shared results from part one, which met the primary endpoint of MRD negativity after induction therapy and before transplant in NDMM patients. The study enrolled 662 patients with TE NDMM across 67 sites in Germany. In the first part of the study, all participants were equally randomized to receive three 42-day induction cycles of VRd in both arms of the study, while Sarclisa was added to only one study arm. After induction treatment, all patients received intensification therapy with autologous stem cell transplant. In the second part of the study, patients were re-randomized post-transplant to receive Sarclisa plus lenalidomide or lenalidomide alone as maintenance therapy. During part one of the study, Sarclisa was administered through an intravenous infusion at a dose of 10 mg/kg once weekly for the first four weeks of cycle one, then every other week for the rest of the induction period. The GMMG-HD7 protocol defined two primary endpoints: MRD negativity following induction therapy in the first part of the study, and PFS after the second randomization post-transplant in the second part, where Sarclisa was added to lenalidomide maintenance. The latter endpoint is expected to be available in due course. The key secondary endpoint for the first part of the study was PFS from first randomization. Additional secondary endpoints included rates of complete response after induction, and intensification, overall survival, and safety. MRD negativity was assessed by next-generation flow cytometry (sensitivity of 1x10-5) after induction. In the latest results, PFS for both arms, regardless of maintenance therapy, were measured from the first randomization. About SarclisaSarclisa (isatuximab) is approved in more than 50 countries, including in the US, EU, Japan, and China, across multiple lines of treatment for MM. Based on the ICARIA-MM phase 3 study, Sarclisa is approved in the US and Japan in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pd) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have received ≥two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. Additionally, Sarclisa is approved in the EU in combination with Pd for the treatment of patients with R/R MM who have received ≥two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor and have relapsed on the last therapy, and in China for patients who have received at least one prior line of therapy, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. Based on the IKEMA phase 3 study, Sarclisa is also approved in more than 50 countries in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone, including in the US for the treatment of patients with R/R MM who have received one to three prior lines of therapy and in the EU for patients with MM who have received at least one prior therapy. In the US, EU, and China, Sarclisa is approved in combination with VRd as a front-line treatment option in transplant-ineligible NDMM patients, based on the IMROZ phase 3 study. Sarclisa is also approved in the EU in combination with VRd as an induction treatment for transplant-eligible NDMM patients, based on the GMMG-HD7 phase 3 study. In Japan, Sarclisa is approved in combination with VRd as a front-line treatment option regardless of transplant eligibility. At Sanofi, we are building on a long-standing commitment to oncology as we continue to chase the miracles of science to improve the lives of those living with cancer. We are committed to transforming cancer care by developing innovative, first and best-in-class immunological and targeted therapies for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers with high unmet need. For more information on Sarclisa clinical studies, please visit About the German-speaking Myeloma Multicenter Group GMMG is the largest study group focusing on MM in Germany, with headquarters based in Heidelberg. Within the last 20+ years, the GMMG study group has performed numerous studies including five randomized, multicenter phase 3 studies with 4,000 patients enrolled from about 90 participating and cotreating centers throughout Germany. The overall goal of GMMG is to generate improved therapies for myeloma patients through the development and testing of novel and personalized, genome- and signaling driven treatment strategies. The GMMG has set itself the goal of achieving further approvals for effective antibody-based drug combinations for the first-line treatment of myeloma patients, in which antibody-based treatment regimens have been integrated into seven GMMG study concepts (CONCEPT, DANTE, DADA, HD6, HD7, HD8, HD9 and HD10). About Sanofi Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives; this inspires us to drive progress and deliver positive impact for our people and the communities we serve, by addressing the most urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges of our time. Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY Media RelationsSandrine Guendoul | +33 6 25 09 14 25 | Evan Berland | +1 215 432 0234 | Léo Le Bourhis | +33 6 75 06 43 81 | Victor Rouault | +33 6 70 93 71 40 | Timothy Gilbert | +1 516 521 2929 | Léa Ubaldi | +33 6 30 19 66 46 | Investor RelationsThomas Kudsk Larsen | +44 7545 513 693 | Alizé Kaisserian | +33 6 47 04 12 11 | Felix Lauscher | +1 908 612 7239 | Keita Browne | +1 781 249 1766 | Nathalie Pham | +33 7 85 93 30 17 | Tarik Elgoutni | +1 617 710 3587 | Thibaud Châtelet | +33 6 80 80 89 90 | Yun Li | +33 6 84 00 90 72 | Sanofi forward-looking statementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates regarding the marketing and other potential of the product, or regarding potential future revenues from the product. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words 'expects', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'intends', 'estimates', 'plans', and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, or government regulation generally, that could affect the availability or commercial potential of the product, the fact that product may not be commercially successful, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including future clinical data and analysis of existing clinical data relating to the product, including post marketing, unexpected safety, quality or manufacturing issues, competition in general, risks associated with intellectual property and any related future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, and volatile economic and market conditions, and the impact that global crises may have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under 'Risk Factors' and 'Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. All trademarks mentioned in this press release are the property of the Sanofi group. Attachment Press ReleaseError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Should you heat or ice a muscle injury? New study has found the answer
We're hardly short on ways to boost muscle recovery, whether it's pummeling ourselves with the best massage guns or paying a visit to the local physiotherapist. But a debate has been simmering in the background about hot and cold therapy, and it's this: is heat or ice better for muscle recovery? Or both? Growing up, I've always been taught to apply ice to swollen ankles or sore muscles post-workout, but then the rise of heat therapy came along, and suddenly, you're either jumping into an ice bath, braving an infrared sauna, or flipping between the two in something called 'Contrast Water Therapy.' Now, a study says this is the real answer. Here's what it shows. A study published in the Journal of Physiology looked at the effects of hot water and cold water therapy on muscle recovery in 34 participants. They found evidence to suggest that hot water immersion therapy significantly improved recovery compared to cold water. They found evidence to suggest that hot water immersion therapy significantly improved recovery compared to cold water. Researchers simulated a muscle injury in a lab setting, then used several modalities to see which would offer the most improvement. Participants were offered three recovery methods: cold (15 minutes at 12 degrees Celsius / 53.6 Fahrenheit), hot (60 minutes at 42 degrees Celsius / 107.6 Fahrenheit) and room temperature (30 minutes at 12 degrees Celsius / 53.6 Fahrenheit), all performed daily for 10 days. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Recovery was monitored using inflammation markers, muscle biopsies and performance testing. While strength improvements were similar in each setting, hot water showed to reduce perceived muscle pain and improve muscle damage markers; cold water didn't improve perceived muscle pain or reduce markers of damage. In short, the experiment found that hot water immersion could be more beneficial than cold water and room temperature immersion recovery methods for muscle regeneration and injury. Whether it's wild swimming, cryotherapy, or ice plunges, subjecting the body to temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) has been thought to have multiple benefits for the body, including boosting mood and focus and enhancing recovery. One study published in Biology reported participants felt more alert and attentive and less nervous or distressed after cold water bathing. The American Heart Association (AHA) warns of some risks associated with cold water immersion, and the data surrounding the practice is limited, so always exercise this form of recovery with caution and seek medical advice if you're unsure. There are many types of heat therapy, such as infrared saunas, traditional saunas, steam rooms and heat packs. However, it's hot water immersion — think hot tubs or similar — that could be the most effective. A study found that soaking in a hot tub, or soaking in hot water in general, could boost blood flow, immune response and cardiovascular health compared with traditional or infrared saunas when assessing heat methods. This could be in part because the immersion method helps raise core body temperature more effectively, which could be a key stimulus for the responses the study found. Then, there's contrast therapy, or hot and cold therapy (as it's also known). This involves switching between both methods in the same recovery session, allowing you to benefit from the energizing and mood-boosting benefits of cold water, followed by the soothing and relaxing benefits of heat. Here's a little evidence to support the method: a study published in PLoS One found that contrast therapy outperformed passive recovery or rest in reducing muscle pain after workouts in athletes. The next time you're faced with the decision: Hot or cold? Now you know which way to swing. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
