Study: Heat deaths soared with temps in Europe last year

• July 10, 2023

By Frank Jordans | Associated Press

BERLIN — Scientists say crushing temperatures that blanketed Europe last summer may have led to more than 61,000 heat-related deaths, highlighting the need for governments to address the health impacts of global warming.

In their study, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers examined official mortality figures from 35 European countries and found a marked increase in deaths between late May and early September last year compared with the average recorded over a 30-year period.

The increase in heat-related deaths was higher among older people, women and in Mediterranean countries, they found. But the data also indicated that measures taken in France since a deadly heatwave two decades ago may have helped prevent deaths there last year.

“In the pattern of summer mean temperatures in Europe during the summer of 2022, we don’t see borders,” said co-author Joan Ballester of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. The highest temperatures were recorded across a swath of the southwestern Europe, from Spain to France and Italy.

“But when we look at the heat related mortality, we start to see borders,” Ballester told The Associated Press. While France had 73 heat-related deaths per million inhabitants last summer, Spain’s rate was 237 and Italy’s was 295, the study found.

“Possibly France drew lessons from the experience of 2003,” he said.

France’s warning system includes public announcements with advice on how to stay cool and encouraging people to drink water and avoid alcohol.

Not all of the heat-related deaths calculated across Europe last summer were linked to climate change. Some would have occurred even if summer temperatures had stayed in line with the long-term average. But there is no doubt that the intense heat in 2022 — which saw numerous European records tumble — led to higher mortality rates, as other studies on heat deaths have also shown.

The authors calculated that there were over 25,000 more heat-related deaths last summer than the average from 2015 to 2021.

Without appropriate prevention measures, “we would expect a heat-related mortality burden of 68,116 deaths on average every summer by the year 2030,” the authors said. They forecast that figure would rise to over 94,000 by 2040 and more than 120,000 by mid-century.

Governments in Spain and Germany recently announced new measures to address the effects of hot weather on their populations. In Switzerland, a group of seniors is citing the danger posed to older women by intense heat in a court case seeking to force the the government to take tougher climate action.

One difficulty for researchers is that heat-related deaths are often happening in people with pre-existing conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, said Matthias an der Heiden of Germany’s Robert Koch Institute, who was not involved in the study. This means that heat is not the underlying cause of deaths and therefore not recorded in the cause of deaths statistics. This can cloak the significant impact that heat has on vulnerable people, with up to 30% more deaths in certain age groups during periods of hot weather.

“The problem is going to get more acute due to climate change and medical systems need to adjust to that,” he said.

An der Heiden also noted that the Nature study estimated almost double the number of heat deaths in Germany last year than his institute. While the discrepancy can be explained by the different threshold values for heat used, it indicates the need for a more detailed description of heat-related mortality that distinguishes between moderate and intensive heat, he said.

According to co-author Ballester, the impact of heat depends greatly on the overall health of the population, particularly with regard to heart and lung disease.

Other measures, already being implemented in countries such as France, include raising awareness about the dangers of high temperatures and identifying individuals who need special attention during heatwaves, he said.

“These are cheap, cost effective measures,” said Ballester.

He dismissed the suggestion that rising temperatures around the globe could, on balance, be beneficial due to fewer deaths during the winter months, noting the manifold risks posed to human civilization by rapid climatic change.

“In my opinion and the opinion of all the climate scientists, the less the climate is modified, the better,” said Ballester. “That’s why it’s so important that we start, as soon as possible, mitigating climate change and reducing vulnerability.”

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

​ Orange County Register 

She picks through Disneyland trash with one goal: Zero waste by 2030

• July 10, 2023

Disneyland Environmental Integration Manager Lotus Thai picks through trash at the Anaheim theme park all in the name of science and in search of an elusive goal: Reaching zero waste to area landfills by 2030.

Thai’s job in a nutshell is to get Disneyland visitors and employees to think about what they throw away and how they can recycle it.

“Trash isn’t a fun thing to talk about,” Thai said during an interview at Disneyland. “So how do you get people excited about trash?”

SEE ALSO: Disneyland resets Oogie Boogie Bash ticket launch after epic tech failure

Thai invited me to dig through Disneyland’s trash to see how visitors dispose of their leftover hamburgers, french fries, corn dogs, churros and Dole Whips in “Food Only” trash cans that have been rolled out in a few locations throughout the park.

Food waste studies like the one I conducted help Thai and the Disneyland Environmental Integration team figure out how to reduce food waste at three steps of the process: Upstream with vendors, midstream with employees and downstream with visitors.

Disneyland Environmental Integration Manager Lotus Thai, left, and Orange County Register theme park reporter Brady MacDonald try on the Disneyland trash can costumes. (Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register)

Thai is passionate about reducing waste and promoting recycling at Disneyland. She even made hand-painted Disneyland trash can costumes out of upcycled cardboard boxes to add a little levity to her pitches about Project Zero — an employee competition that pits departments against each other in a waste reduction battle royale. Project Zero is part of Disney’s larger corporate-wide initiative to reduce waste and emissions, conserve water and design sustainable products and buildings.

Disneyland has long had two side-by-side trash bins in the parks. The “Trash” cans say “No Food or Recyclables” on the bin with pictographs indicating that plastic utensils, potato chip bags and kids’ juice boxes belong in the bin. The “Mixed Recycling” cans say “Cans, Glass, Plastic, Paper” under a smaller slot for refuse.

In a few locations, Disneyland has been testing out “Food Only” cans labeled “Fruit, Meats, Desserts” with images of a half-eaten hamburger, apple and turkey leg on the side of the bin.

Disneyland trash cans in Tomorrowland. (Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register)

I put on a black apron and baby blue latex gloves for my food waste study that was set up next to a trash dumpster in a backstage area just behind Tomorrowland.

On a folding table in front of me was a teal green bag of food waste from a “Food Only” can near the Galactic Grill and five small trash bins labeled Food, Paper Cups, Paper Boats, Landfill and Mixed Recycling.

My job was simple: Sift through the trash and sort the leftover lunch from Galactic Grill diners into the five bins. Thai stood nearby to help guide me in my task. How hard could sorting trash be? Much harder than I expected as I was about to find out.

“This is science,” Thai said. “We are scientists.”

I was an English major in college — in part so I could avoid the science wing of campus. A mix of anticipation and nerves blended with the smell of salt and grease as I started my Disneyland waste study experiment. Surprisingly the one emotion I didn’t have was disgust as I stared into a sea of uneaten french fries and half-eaten hamburgers.

Orange County Register theme park reporter Brady MacDonald, left, and Disneyland Environmental Integration Manager Lotus Thai conduct a food waste study. (Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register)

Step one was to place the teal green bag of food waste on a digital scale to get a starting weight. Thai took it easy on me with a quarter-full bag that weighed only 4.8 pounds.

Thai often tackles larger waste studies that require her to sort much fuller bags of Disneyland trash into 10 or 15 separate categories.

“It really depends on what I’m trying to learn,” Thai said.

The scientific hypothesis I was studying on this day: How many paper food boats and paper drink cups were being thrown in the “Food Only” bins near the Galactic Grill?

“It’s supposed to be food only in that can,” Thai said. “We need to be able to reduce the amount of trash going in the food can. So, how do we know if we’re doing things correctly or not?”

Thai’s first tip was to leave all the actual food waste in the Tomorrowland trash bag. No need to toss all those hamburger buns, beef patties, french fries, corn dogs, churros and ketchup into the little food waste can on the folding table – just pull out everything that was not food waste and sort it into the labeled cans arrayed before me.

Orange County Register theme park reporter Brady MacDonald conducts a food waste study at Disneyland. (Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register)

Sorting the paper food boats and the paper drink cups was pretty self explanatory — with each going into their respective bins for our experiment.

Where those drink cups and food boats end up in the tortuously tangled world of recycling is a little more complicated. Wax coated paper cups and food boats can’t be recycled. Uncoated food boats can be recycled — as long as they have little to no food waste. But they belong in the landfill bin if they are covered in ketchup or coated in leftover mac n’ cheese.

Overall, I was still a little fuzzy on what was supposed to go in the mixed recycling bin versus the landfill bin — which is a larger issue for Disneyland, but not the scientific hypothesis I was testing. The question at hand was how much non-food was being tossed in the “Food Only” bins.

As I started sifting through the trash, I turned to Thai whenever I had questions or doubts about which bin the non-food items belonged in.

Mixed recycling confused me. Plastic Coke bottles and plastic specialty drink cups went in mixed recycling. But plastic utensils and paper straws did not. Why? Because they were too small to be recycled, according to Thai.

The parchment paper used to wrap food or line food boats? That sounded like mixed recycling to me. Nope, it belonged in the landfill bin. The foil potato chip bag? Certainly that goes in recycling. Wrong again. My head was already spinning.

“As you’re doing this, you’re also observing,” Thai said. “When I’m going through the trash I obviously care about the categories, but I also look at the human behavior side.”

SEE ALSO: Disneyland crews install ‘Big Hero 6’ towers on San Fransokyo bridge — See photos

The hamburger foil wrapper balled up with leftover burger and bun inside? That’s clearly food waste, but getting visitors to unwrap the ball and separate the food and foil into the correct cans has been one of the biggest challenges facing Disneyland’s Environmental Integration team.

“That’s where we say, ‘Hey, the foil might be causing a lot of trash to go to food,’” Thai said. “Because they’re not pouring out the food. They’re just bundling it all up and then throwing it all into whatever bin.”

I unwrapped the burger ball and was immediately faced with the next conundrum: Where does the foil wrapper go? I guessed mixed recycling because it was paper on one side and foil on the other. Paper and foil together sounded like “mixed” recycling to me — but I was wrong. The foil wrapper belonged in the landfill bin because the recycling facility can’t separate the two materials.

The “mixed” in mixed recycling means you can throw plastic bottles and aluminum cans into the same trash can – but you shouldn’t throw in items that mix together two recyclable materials.

Napkins totally confused me. They seemed simple enough. The brown color of the napkins made me think they were made from recycled paper. They must go in with the mixed recycling, right? Nope. Napkins are an “end of life” product and go in landfill, Thai said.

“Napkins are one of those things where it’s done,” Thai said. “We can not recycle it anymore.”

The paper straw seemed like a no brainer: Mixed recycling. Wah-wah. Incorrect answer. Paper straws are too small to be recycled. They’re landfill.

The paper wrapper from a paper straw? I chose landfill based on the napkin and straw scenarios. Wrong again. Paper goes in mixed recycling — as long as it’s not soiled with food. Then it goes to the landfill.

What about the little ketchup packets? They contained food on the inside and were wrapped in a plastic packet — two recyclable materials mixed together. That meant it belonged in landfill. Thai gave me two thumbs up. Finally, I got one right.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland delivers the Marvel musical you didn’t know you wanted or needed

Sorting through the trash was fun once I got the hang of it — kind of like figuring out a puzzle.

I squeezed the leftover ketchup out of one of those little paper portion cups into the food waste bag in front of me and tossed the soiled paper cup into the landfill bin. Now I was getting the hang of things.

Playing with other people’s chewed food was a little disgusting, but my pride as a scientist outweighed my nausea. I was doing scientific research — not just picking through trash. I was having fun.

I took a napkin from the food waste trash bag and wiped the excess ketchup off my latex gloves and tossed the soiled napkin into the landfill bin. I had this down now.

The point of all this dirty work? To come up with solutions that help Disneyland reduce waste.

One thing Disneyland’s trash sifting scientists have learned from all these waste studies is that they prefer bulk condiment stations with paper portion cups over condiment packets because that gets the park closer to zero waste. Ultimately, the goal is to make recycling less confusing and find products that are better for the environment.

“There’s obviously the environmental science and environmental sustainability aspect of this and of course statistics,” Thai said. “But there’s also the human behavior psychology component to our work as well.”

Soiled cash register receipt? I tossed it in the landfill bin. I was getting in the rhythm now.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland closing 3 popular rides during peak of summer

One of the things I realized during my Disneyland dumpster diving scientific research was just how much can’t be recycled. Thai and Disneyland’s Environmental Integration team hope to change that.

Disneyland sends the food scraps collected outside the Galactic Grill and other eateries to a recycling plant that heats, filters, cleans and ultimately reduces the leftovers to an oatmeal-like powder that smells like graham crackers without the cinnamon. The powder is sold to farmers who shake it on animal feed like nutritional yeast – and ultimately helps Disneyland reduce the amount of waste that gets sent to landfill and achieve its goal of achieving a formal zero waste certification.

“When we define zero waste, it’s actually 90% diversion,” Thai said. “What that means is 10% of the items can go to landfill and 90% of the items you find a way to either reuse the items or not have the waste created at all.”

Related Articles

Disneyland’s Environmental Integration team launched the Project Zero initiative in 2021 with a competition that pits four departments against each other to see which team can reduce the most waste. The novel project earned Disneyland a 2022 SEAL Business Sustainability Award.

Four teams have been competing for the Project Zero crown: Disneyland’s candy production team, the resort’s central bakery, the Team Disney Anaheim headquarters and the Luigi administration building behind Cars Land. Their success has ranged from 60% waste reduction to more than 90%. The hard part has been staying at or above 90% consistently over an extended period of time.

When my waste study was done, we weighed the food waste left in the bag and compared it to the weight in the paper cup, paper boat, mixed recycling and landfill bins. The actual food waste weighed 4.2 pounds. Doing the math, that meant 87.5% of the items Disneyland visitors had thrown in the Galactic Grill “Food Only” can was actually food waste. That’s pretty close to Disneyland’s goal of 90% waste reduction — or Zero Waste in recycling parlance.

To document our study, we created a pie chart of the waste that went into the five bins. Most importantly, Thai had Clorox wipes handy to clean up after my waste study was complete.

​ Orange County Register 

How to get a credit card with no credit history

• July 10, 2023

Janna Herron | Bankrate (TNS)

These days, having good credit is less of a suggestion and more of a mandate. Let’s face it, when you have good credit, you have more opportunities. You can lease a nicer apartment and put a downpayment on a new car. Having good credit also comes in handy when you need to apply for a loan.

So, what do you do when you have no credit history whatsoever? Do you qualify for any type of credit card? Younger people, students, immigrants and anyone afraid of the notion of debt are left wondering how they can get a credit card with no credit history.

Luckily, there are ways you can get a credit card with no credit. It is possible, and while it might take some work, the benefits go well beyond getting approved. In fact, some credit cards are designed with this type of individual in mind. However, some require collateral as a result.

The idea of putting down a deposit in order to get a credit card shouldn’t cause you to run for the hills. Getting a credit card with no credit history is more than possible. Let’s take a look at how.

Can you get a credit card if you have no credit?

Getting your first credit card may be one of the most important steps toward building a strong credit history. But if you don’t have enough of an established credit history to generate a credit score, can you get approved for a credit card? The short answer is yes, but you are limited in the types of credit cards you can get approved for.

Building credit can seem next to impossible if you are contemplating opening your first line of credit. This is because most credit card issuers look for consumers who have an established credit history in order to grasp their creditworthiness. A credit score tells lenders whether or not you are responsible.

However, having no credit history is different from having a bad credit score. A bad credit score tells lenders you’ve misused credit in the past. Perhaps you missed multiple payments in a row and now you have found yourself with a mountain of credit card debt. Consumers who do not have a credit history simply don’t have enough data to calculate a credit score.

Your credit score heavily influences the types of credit cards you are eligible for, but with this in mind, you do have options. There are credit cards geared toward consumers who have low credit scores or no credit history at all, such as the following:

— Student credit cards: A student credit card is an excellent way to build credit while taking the right steps towards learning solid financial habits. Student credit cards are designed for students who haven’t had a credit card before. They often come with noteworthy perks, such as student-centric rewards and no annual fees.

— Secured credit cards: Secured credit cards give you access to a small line of credit in exchange for a one-time security deposit. Your credit limit is usually equal to your security deposit.

Features to look out for in your first credit card

Your options may be limited when browsing for your first credit card, but building credit with your first line of credit isn’t a race you need to win. It is important to use your first credit card as an opportunity to adopt healthy financial habits so you can eventually graduate to a credit card that may have more perks and rewards.

As you compare the pros and cons, here are a few features to keep an eye on.

Annual fees

There are plenty of student credit cards and secured credit cards without annual fees, so keep this in mind while browsing through your options. The last thing you want is your first credit card to come with a steep annual fee. For example, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card does not have an annual fee, but the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card comes with a $35 annual fee. While that may not be a lot to pay once a year, know that you have options.

Foreign transaction fees

Much like annual fees, you want to keep an eye out for any cards that come with foreign transaction fees. A top choice to keep in mind if you are a student looking for a starter credit card is the Discover it® Student Cash Back, given the lack of foreign transaction fees. If you are planning on studying abroad or taking a trip across the pond for spring break, you won’t have to worry about any additional charges while using your credit card internationally.

High interest rates

Credit cards for individuals with no credit (or poor credit) typically come with much higher interest rates. This may be unavoidable, however, if you manage to pay your bill in full and on time each month, you won’t have to pay interest. If you’re willing to forgo rewards, the Secured Chime® Credit Builder Visa® doesn’t charge interest whatsoever, and it also doesn’t charge late payment fees or have over-the-limit penalties.

How to get a card with no credit history

The first step in getting a credit card with no credit history is to ensure the options you’re interested in applying for are built for people with no credit history. For example, Bankrate has a list of the best credit cards for no credit history that are geared toward those with no credit score.

You can also check to see if you can prequalify for a credit card with no hard credit check. Tools like Bankrate’s CardMatch can help you find a card and offer information on your chances of approval. Overall, this can help ensure your credit card application isn’t denied by applying for a card for you have a high chance of qualifying for.

After applying for and being approved for a credit card, be sure to monitor your credit reports for errors. You can do so once a week for free through AnnualCreditReport.com.

How to use your first credit card to build credit

It isn’t outside the box to wonder if your credit score starts at zero. But the truth is, there is no such thing as a “starting credit score.” When you are new to credit, you build your credit score simply based on the way you chose to use it. When you open your first credit card, you will begin to build your credit score.

The key to building a strong credit score is to pay your bills on time and in full every single time. But there are several steps you can take to boost it even further in order to qualify for better credit cards down the line.

Become an authorized user

When you’re an authorized user, you are added to the credit card account of an existing cardholder — typically one belonging to a family member or friend. The primary cardholder simply adds you as an authorized user, and you get your own credit card with your name on it. The primary cardholder is responsible for making all the payments, which makes them liable. The account and payment history will be reported to the credit bureaus, populating your newly-created credit reports.

Use your card wisely

This should be a no-brainer, but the best way to improve your credit score is by adopting healthy habits from the very beginning. When you pay your bills on time, you boost your credit score. If you’re 30 days past due on a payment, it will be reported to the credit bureaus and your credit score will take a hit.

Limit credit inquiries

A hard inquiry shows up on your credit report each time you apply for a credit card. When you apply for a credit card, the lender will perform a hard credit inquiry, dinging your credit score a few points temporarily. With this in mind, don’t go on a credit spree and apply for every single credit card available on the market. Do your research to determine which credit card is best for you and apply for one at a time as a best practice.

Keep an eye on your credit utilization ratio

Your credit utilization ratio measures how much of your available credit you are using. This amount is expressed as a percentage, and it makes up 30 percent of your credit score. The lower this number, the better it is for your credit score. Once you get started with your first credit card, check out Bankrate’s credit utilization calculator to determine what your ratio is.

The bottom line

A high credit score will make your life easier in the long run, especially when you want to apply for a loan or a better credit card, but keep in mind this comes with patience and solid financial habits. If you can commit to a long-term strategy when it comes to making on-time payments and keeping your credit utilization ratio within a healthy range, you will be on track to graduate from your secured credit card to an unsecured credit card in no time.

©2023 Bankrate online. Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

When to start regular breast cancer screenings

• July 10, 2023

DeeDee Stiepan | (TNS) Mayo Clinic News Network

Early detection and regular breast cancer screenings are key to reducing death from breast cancer. Mammograms remain the best tool available and have been shown to reduce deaths from breast cancer. That’s why Mayo Clinic recommends women start screening mammograms yearly at age 40. While that recommendation has been firm for the past 10 years, other institutions have shifted the recommended screening age over the years.

The latest to consider a change is the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is proposing changing its guidelines to recommend all women begin screening mammography at age 40, a decade earlier than previous guidelines.

Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, with Mayo Clinic’s Breast Diagnostic Clinic and Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, is pleased to see the shift.

“Mayo Clinic has always taken the stance to screen beginning age 40, every year. And I think other organizations are doing that. And these (recommendations) are now coming closer together. The importance of initiating mammography at age 40 is nice to see this happening,” says Dr. Pruthi.

“We’re trying to detect cancer early. Over 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and 40,000 women die from breast cancer every year. So our goal is to detect cancer early and improve the prognosis so we reduce deaths from breast cancer.”

Women at a high risk of breast cancer, such as those who have a family history or those who have a genetic mutation that might increase their risk of developing breast cancer, may need earlier and/or more frequent screening.

Dr. Pruthi encourages patients to talk with their healthcare team to identify risk factors and preferences that might change how often someone should be screened.

Dr. Pruthi also stresses the importance of breast self-awareness. She encourages women to become familiar with their breasts and if there are changes in-between regular screening mammograms, to bring this to the attention of their primary care provider.

“We have to remember that screening mammogram is for early detection in an asymptomatic individual. A diagnostic mammogram and or breast ultrasound may need to be ordered to evaluate a new breast concern. This is important because a very dense mammogram is another factor that can mask breast cancers,” says Dr. Pruthi.

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©2023 Mayo Clinic News Network. Visit newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

Threads hits 100 million users days after launch

• July 10, 2023

By Vlad Savov | Bloomberg

Meta Platforms’ answer to Twitter has rocketed to 100 million users in less than a week, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg announced on Monday.

“Threads reached 100  million sign-ups over the weekend,” Zuckerberg said in a post. “That’s mostly organic demand and we haven’t even turned on many promotions yet. Can’t believe it’s only been 5 days!”

The Threads app, a spinoff from Instagram that uses people’s accounts for that service, got off to a scorching start on Wednesday and racked up 70 million users within two days, going “way beyond our expectations,” according to Zuckerberg.

It’s still early days, but Threads could generate some serious cash for the social media giant, according to Evercore ISI.

SEE MORE: How will sports fans navigate social media going forward?

Threads will reach close to 200 million daily active users and generate about $8 billion in annual revenue over next two years, Evercore ISI analysts led by Mark Mahaney estimate.

The text-centric service closely resembles Twitter in look and functionality, earning the displeasure of Twitter owner Elon Musk who has accused it of being a copycat and an “Instagram minus pics.” The two billionaire owners have traded jibes in recent weeks and Threads is now at the center of an intensifying rivalry.

The new app’s launch has benefited from Meta’s immense reach — Instagram alone has more than a billion regular users — and changes at Twitter that have alienated large swathes of its most active user base. Threads still lacks a number of basic features, such as a chronological feed composed solely of people you choose to follow, but it provides a very familiar experience and doesn’t yet have any advertising.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

FDA allowing more cancer drug imports from China amid US shortage

• July 10, 2023

By Ike Swetlitz | Bloomberg

US regulators are allowing imports of additional supplies of a cancer drug from China amid a nationwide shortage that has forced doctors to ration care, putting patients’ lives at risk.

The Food and Drug Administration has allowed distribution of 10 more lots of cisplatin, an essential chemotherapy drug, from Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., an agency spokesperson said Monday. The FDA previously cleared four lots of Qilu’s version of the drug, which is unapproved in the US, but similar to approved cisplatin sold there.

The current US shortage of cisplatin started at the beginning of the year when Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., the company that makes much of the country’s supply, shut down a factory in India after the FDA found that workers apparently destroyed documents. Soon after, carboplatin, another chemotherapy drug that can sometimes be used as a substitute, fell into short supply.

Shortages of generic drugs like cisplatin are common in the US. Experts say the medicines don’t make enough money for companies to set up reliable supply chains. Drug shortages are at a five-year high, according to the University of Utah’s drug information service, which tracks the data. The FDA lists at least nine cancer drugs in short supply.

When there is a shortage of a medicine, the FDA regularly allows importation from companies that manufacture versions of the drug that aren’t approved in the US.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Snacking for meals

• July 10, 2023

(TNS) Mayo Clinic News Network 

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: During warm weather months, I find myself eating less formal meals and, instead, reaching for more snacks. I also tend to exercise less when it’s hot outside. Do you have advice on how to ensure I’m snacking healthfully as I realize the potential to overeat and not be as active?

ANSWER: Regardless of the time of year, maintaining healthy habits is important for good health. This includes exercise, eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight.

When snacking is done correctly, it can give you a boost of energy between meals, help meet nutrient needs for the day and help keep hunger at bay to prevent overeating at the next meal. And managing your hunger can help you maintain a healthy weight and reach weight-loss goals.

Consider these snacking tips to keep you feeling good as you adjust your eating schedule:

Plan your snacks. What do you like to eat? Make a list of various nutrient-rich foods that would work as a snack. Focus on incorporating whole foods, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Whole fruit or vegetables, air-popped popcorn, fat-free or low-fat yogurt, and nut mixes are all great options. Stay away from packaged items high in calories, fat and sodium, such as chips, candy or cookies.

Prepare your snacks properly. Package snack items into more convenient serving sized portions. Consider purchasing single-serve containers or preparing small servings of snacks in advance. Eating out of a package often can lead to mindless eating and result in eating more than intended. Also, it will make it easier if you take lunch to work, for instance, to help lessen the temptation of less-healthy options, such as from a vending machine.

Make healthy snacks easily accessible. Put fruits and vegetables in easily accessible locations, such as the front of your fridge or counter, which will stop you from reaching for unhealthy foods when you’re hungry. Throw a bag of dried fruit or other snacks in your purse, pocket or backpack to take with you out of the house. This will help you avoid buying unhealthy snacks.

Pay attention to protein and combine snacks to make a more satisfying meal. To ensure you are being fulfilled, combine carbohydrates, protein and fat for long-lasting, satisfying snacks. Aim for snacks to be less than 200 calories. Good sources of protein include hard-boiled eggs, pouches of seasoned tuna, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, yogurt with no added sugar, or soups made with lots of vegetables and legumes.

A healthy go-to snack could be apple slices or baby carrots dipped in small amounts of peanut butter or almond butter and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Eat when you are hungry — not bored. In general, a person will be hungry three to four hours after a meal. But having snacks around can lead to overeating. When you feel hunger setting in, be sure to ask yourself, “Am I physically hungry, or am I mind hungry —bored, stressed or frustrated?” before you grab for a snack. If you find you are, in fact, experiencing physical hunger, it’s time to grab a filling, satisfying snack. If you realize you were reaching for a snack because of mind hunger, feed the urge by doing another activity, such as going for a walk, talking with a friend on the phone, playing a game or meditating.

Review your fridge and pantry. While stocking up on healthy food choices, take time to also purge unhealthier options from your home. Remove foods that you know will tempt you.

Be aware of your weight. If you’re concerned about gaining weight, track your intake of snacks.

There are several apps you can use to track your eating and exercise routines. Women need 10 calories per pound per day to maintain their weight, and men need 11 calories per pound per day. Keep track of what and how much you eat, and build in enough exercise so you can control weight gain. — Compiled by Mayo Clinic staff

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©2023 Mayo Clinic News Network. Visit newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

WNBA Power Rankings: Aces still No. 1, Sparks fall to No. 11 via five-game losing streak

• July 10, 2023

The Sparks season has been described as “uncanny” by head coach Curt Miller when asked about the team’s recent rash of injuries and illnesses.

However, the Sparks have one more opportunity to break their now five-game losing streak before the WNBA All-Star break, which will mark the halfway point of the 2023 season.

The Sparks (7-12) will host the Las Vegas Aces (17-2) at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday at 7 PT.

Dearica Hamby (ankle), Karlie Samuelson (foot), Nia Clouden (knee), Lexie Brown (non-COVID illness), Chiney Ogwumike (foot), and Layshia Clarendon (foot) are all currently sidelined, with Hamby and Samuelson’s injuries being the most recent.

The current number of healthy Sparks is seven; Jordin Canada, Jasmine Thomas, Azurá Stevens, Nneka Ogwumike, Zia Cooke, Destanni Henderson, and Rae Burrell. Henderson and Burrell are currently on temporary emergency hardship contracts with the Sparks, granted by the league when it was deemed that they did not have enough healthy players to safely play games.

That’s not to mention Katie Lou Samuelson (pregnancy) and Steph Talbot (ACL) who were already slated to miss the entire season before training camp in May.

Despite all that adversity, the Sparks are ninth in the WNBA standings, one spot outside playoff contention but have dropped two slots below that in the latest WNBA power rankings.

The rankings (and records through Monday, July 10):

1. Las Vegas Aces (17-2): Kelsey Plum’s 40-point performance in 31 minutes at Minnesota on Sunday, is the latest reason why the Aces are the team to beat in the WNBA. Las Vegas is led by All-Star captain, two-time MVP, and DPOY A’ja Wilson, who alongside All-Star guards Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Plum, give the Aces a dynamic core group of players. However, you know Las Vegas is the quintessential definition of a ‘superteam’, when two-time MVP, DPOY, and future Hall of Famer Candace Parker is the team’s fifth option and the lone starter to not make the 2023 All-Star team.

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2. New York Liberty (13-4): The Liberty are led by All-Star captain Breanna Stewart, who averaging a career-high 23.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game this season. The Liberty are 8-2 in their last 10 games, vaulting over Connecticut after an 89-81 win on June 27. However, New York still has work to do in chasing a WNBA title, after their borderline blowout 98-91 loss at Las Vegas on June 29.

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3. Connecticut Sun (14-5): The Sun are 7-3 in their last 10 games but dropped to No. 3 because of their 89-81 loss to the Liberty on June 27. However, as long as All-Star reserve forwards Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner are on the court, Connecticut will give every team in the league fits and matchup nightmares.

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4. Dallas Wings (10-9): The Wings moved into the top four of this week’s rankings after their thrilling 80-78 win at home against the Las Vegas Aces Friday. Dallas is 5-5 in its last 10 games but any team that beats the Aces is squarely in the conversation to make some noise in the playoffs. Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard are all playing like All-Stars.

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5. Washington Mystics (10-8): The Mystics had seemingly cemented their position as a top-four team in the league but injuries to Elena Delle Donne, Natasha Cloud, Shakira Austin, and Kristi Tolliver mean Washington could be one of the teams that benefit the most from this weekend’s All-Star break. The Mystics are 5-5 in their last 10 games.

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6. Atlanta Dream (10-8): The Dream are 7-3 in their last 10 games, including a five-game winning streak against Mystics, Sparks (twice) and Sky (twice). Dream guard Rhyne Howard is now averaging a team-high 18.7 points per game, despite not being selected as an All-Star reserve alongside her teammates Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker.

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7. Minnesota Lynx (9-10): The Lynx are also 7-3 in their last 10 games but suffered a 113-89 loss at home to the Aces on Sunday. Meanwhile, All-Star forward Napheesa Collier is averaging 21.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Collier is playing at an All-WNBA level as rookie guard Diamond Miller, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 Draft, continues her impressive play adding 12.7 points per game.

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8. Chicago Sky (8-11): The Sky are in transition after the sudden resignation of general manager/head coach James Wade, who accepted a new position as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. All-Star guard Kahleah Copper is averaging a team-high 17.0 points per game but the Sky are 3-7 in their last 10 games.

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9. Indiana Fever (5-14): The Fever are on a seven-game losing streak but six of the seven games have been close losses to the No. 1 Aces, No. 4 Wingsm No. 5 Mystics, No. 7 Lynx, and No. 8 Sky. Despite the losses, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and NaLyssa Smith have all played at an All-Star level. The Fever are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

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10. Phoenix Mercury (4-14): Brittney Griner threw down the first dunk of the WNBA season to lead the Mercury to a 78-72 win at home against the Sparks Sunday. The 6-foot-9 Griner finished with a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds. That’s the type of tantalizing play that always gives Phoenix a chance. The Mercury are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

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AIR TIME! BRITTNEY GRINER HAS THE FIRST DUNK OF THE 2023 SEASON! pic.twitter.com/9Kwg0hJCjp

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 9, 2023

11. Sparks (7-12): Injuries may be the reason but the fact remains the Sparks are on a five-game losing streak heading into Wednesday’s home game against the No. 1 ranked Aces. The Sparks entered Sunday’s 78-72 loss at Phoenix with eight healthy players and headed back to LA with just seven healthy players after Dearica Hamby’s ankle injury. This weekend’s All-Star break, in which Nneka Ogwumike will be an All-Star starter for the second consecutive season, will be a great time for the Sparks to reset and rest up for the second half of the WNBA’s 40-game regular season. The Sparks are 2-8 in their last 10 games but veteran point guard Jasmine Thomas believes there’s still time to turn around this season.

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Sparks PG Jasmine Thomas on her current confidence level after playing her first 11 games with the Sparks after returning to play from a torn ACL injury that she suffered in May 2022. @jaszthomas is encouraged about Sunday’s game at Phoenix and the rest of the 2023 WNBA season. pic.twitter.com/IoS2ysZM74

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 8, 2023

12. Seattle Storm (4-14): The Storm are on a five-game losing streak and All-Star starter Jewell Loyd, who is leading the league at 24.9 points per game, suffered a sprained ankle on Saturday. The return of Storm forward Gabby Williams can’t come soon enough as the team is 2-8 in its last 10 games.

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WNBA Power Rankings: Aces are No. 1, Sparks rise to No. 5 after clinching season series against Dallas

WNBA Power Rankings: Aces are No. 1, Sparks at No. 6 after close losses to Sun, Lynx

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