New Zealand’s new government plans to roll back cigarette ban as it funds tax cuts
New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, center, formed a coalition government with Winston Peters, left, the leader of the New Zealand First party, and David Seymour, leader of ACT New Zealand. Marty Melville | AFP via Getty Images New Zealand has long been a leader in the battle against tobacco and its extensive health […]
Despite legalization, cannabis can still have legal impact for immigrants who aren’t U.S. citizens
Cannabis is legal for adults 21 and older to use and possess in Minnesota. However, it is still illegal under federal law and legal experts say the distinction is important for immigrants who are not yet U.S. citizens. Julia Decker, policy director of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, said that’s an important distinction for […]
First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s legacy on mental health boils down to one word: Hope
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attends a rally at the US Capitol in March 2008 when she helped get the mental health parity law enacted. Carter died on Nov. 19 at age 96. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter championed many causes during her lifetime. But she held a special place […]
FDA expands cantaloupe recall after salmonella infections double in a week
U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes Friday as the number of people sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week. Nearly 100 people in 32 states have gotten sick from the contaminated fruits. Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio have the highest number of cases. Two people have died of the infections […]
What can trigger an itch? Scientists have found a new culprit
New research finds that a common microbe may be directly causing itchiness on the skin it colonizes. Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images If you’ve got itchy skin, it could be that a microbe making its home on your body has produced a little chemical that’s directly acting on your skin’s nerve cells and triggering the urge to […]
Get used to it: COVID is a part of the holidays. Here’s how to think about risks now
Masking on planes isn’t as common as it was in this May 2020 photo, but it is still a good idea, especially if you are on your way to Thanksgiving with older adults or immunocompromised people. Eléonore Sens/AFP via Getty Images Remember early pandemic Thanksgivings? Scouring store shelves for rapid tests. Turkey dinners in the […]
Tackling the ‘big brown spot:’ Keeping fields in living cover could be path to reducing nitrate
Paul Novotny grows mostly corn and soybeans on his farm in Chatfield, about 20 miles southeast of Rochester. But in the fall of 2016, Novotny planted a perennial grain called Kernza on about 25 acres as part of a research study. Kernza’s deep roots — extending 10 feet or more — help absorb excess nitrogen […]
Ahead of World Cup ski season, Jessie Diggins talks about prioritizing her mental health
Nordic skiing star Jessie Diggins is in Finland, where the World Cup season will begin later this week. The Minnesota native famously won gold at the 2018 Winter Winter Olympics, and last winter she became the first American to win an individual cross-country skiing world title. But while Diggins has her sights set on the […]
Fairview CEO says current partnership with UMN too expensive
The University of Minnesota is looking ahead at its plans for its medical school, now that Fairview Health Services has indicated that it wants to end the organizations’ current partnership. Fairview notified the university on Monday that it does not plan to extend its current partnership. Under that agreement, the two organizations run M Health […]
A novel prison program for pregnant women and their babies
Victoria Lopez went into labor in jail while awaiting a transfer to a state prison. Her twins were born shortly afterwards and were sent to a hospital neonatal intensive care unit. Victoria Lopez Victoria Lopez was in jail in southern Minnesota, waiting to get sent to prison on drug charges, when she went into labor. […]