Skip to content

Prenatal PFAS Exposure May Increase Teen Blood Pressure

  • News

Children exposed to synthetic compounds called “forever chemicals” before birth had higher blood pressure in their teenage years. This is according to a new study published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. The study also is being presented today at the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) conference in Boston. The link between prenatal exposure to chemicals and increased blood pressure was more pronounced in boys and in children of non-Hispanic Black mothers. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals that make products water-, grease- and stain-resistant. People are exposed to PFAS primarily through drinking water, food and household products such as food packaging, nonstick cookware, stain-repellent fabrics and carpets, and personal care products. They are called “forever chemicals” because they are difficult to break down and… 

Erythritol Carries Potential Stroke Risk

  • News

According to researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, erythritol may impair cell functions essential for the health of brain blood vessels. The findings suggest that erythritol increases oxidative stress, disrupts nitric oxide signaling, increases the production of vasoconstrictive peptides, and decreases clot-dissolving capacity in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Concerns about the safety of erythritol have intensified after epidemiological studies linked higher plasma concentrations with an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Positive associations between circulating erythritol and the incidence of heart attacks and strokes have been observed in U.S. and European cohorts, independent of known cardiometabolic risk factors. A causal mechanism for this association remains unclear. In the study “The non-nutritive sweetener erythritol impairs brain microvascular endothelial cell function,” published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers developed in vitro experiments to test the cellular consequences of erythritol exposure on cerebral endothelial function. Human… 

Mask Scandal: Why Jens Spahn Must Leave Politics (Commentary)

  • News

The mask affair, which has accompanied Jens Spahn since his time as Federal Minister of Health, has developed into one of the biggest scandals in recent German politics. The accusations are serious: non-transparent procurement practices, personal entanglements, billions in damages for the taxpayer, and conduct that calls ethical standards in politics into question. Spahn, now the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader, has damaged not only trust in him personally but also the integrity of politics as a whole through his actions. It is time to draw the consequences: Jens Spahn has become untenable in politics and should resign. The facts of the mask affair are shocking. At the beginning of the Corona pandemic in 2020, Spahn, as Health Minister, ordered the purchase of 5.7 billion protective masks worth 5.9 billion euros, without adequate quantity control or quality checks. A large portion of these masks were unusable, overpriced, or never used. According to the Federal Court of Auditors ...

AI Sex: The Big Overview

  • News

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various areas of life has made significant progress in recent years. A particularly controversial and complex field is the application of AI in the area of sexuality. From AI-powered sex robots to virtual partners and personalized erotic content – the possibilities seem almost limitless. But how far has research actually progressed? What ethical, social, and psychological questions arise from these developments? This article examines the current state of AI in sexuality using peer-reviewed studies and verified sources to provide a well-founded picture of the opportunities and challenges. The current state of AI in sexuality The intersection of AI and sexuality encompasses several dimensions: technological innovations, psychological impacts, ethical issues, and societal acceptance. According to a study in the Journal of Sexual Research (2020), AI-based technologies have the potential to redefine human intimacy ...

Zoster vaccine for people with inflammatory RMD

Herpes Zoster (HZ) is common in older adults, with a 25% lifetime risk.1 The main risk factors are advanced age and immunosuppression. People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) generally have a higher risk of shingles. EULAR—the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology—recommends considering HZ vaccination in high-risk patients with an autoimmune and inflammatory RMD.2 Live vaccines are difficult in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Newer non-live vaccines may replace the attenuated live vaccines, but when the last recommendations were developed, the safety and efficacy of the subunit zoster vaccine in patients with RMD had not yet been investigated.2 New work presented at the EULAR 2025 Annual Congress in Barcelona addresses the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), which contains recombinant glycoprotein E—the main target of CD4+ T cells. The abstract describes the tolerability and safety of RZV in patients with inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases… 

Goslar: Lead exposure in the Harz Mountains reduces children's life expectancy

Elevated blood lead levels in children not only have immediate and long-term effects on cognitive development and health but can also influence life expectancy. The following explains the connections between lead exposure and life expectancy. Lead and Life Expectancy: The Key Facts 1. Direct Effects on Health and Mortality 2. Reduced Quality of Life and Indirect Effects 3. Scientific Studies and Statistics Summary Elevated blood lead levels in children lead to a variety of health problems that can affect both quality of life and life expectancy. Acute and severe poisoning can be fatal, while chronic exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and cancer. Additionally, cognitive and psychological consequences negatively impact social integration and overall health. International studies confirm that lead is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths and the loss of millions of healthy life-years worldwide[3][4][5]. There is no…

FAQ: Elevated lead levels in children in the Harz Mountains – What parents need to know and do

  • News

Here you will find the most important questions and answers about elevated blood lead levels in children in the Harz region – understandable, practical, and with tips for everyday life. 1. What is lead and why is it dangerous for children? Lead is a heavy metal that was formerly used in mining and industry. It can accumulate in the soil over decades and is primarily absorbed through soil and dust. Lead is particularly harmful to children because their bodies are still growing and their nervous systems are sensitive to toxins. Lead can lead to developmental disorders, learning difficulties, and long-term health problems. 2. How do children in the Harz come into contact with lead? Children usually come into contact with lead through contact with contaminated soil, e.g., when playing in the garden, on playgrounds, or in meadows. Lead can also be ingested through hands contaminated with sand, dust, or soil...

Guide for Parents: What to Do About Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children in the Harz?

  • News

The current study results from the Harz region show that more than half of the children in the Goslar district have elevated blood lead levels – a figure significantly above the national average[1][3][6]. As parents, you are faced with the question of how to protect your child and what measures you should pay attention to. This guide summarizes the most important steps and recommendations from a medical and official perspective. What does an elevated lead level mean for children? Lead is a heavy metal that accumulates primarily in soils due to mining and industrial activities. Children primarily ingest lead through contact with soil when playing outdoors, which they can get on their hands or even swallow. Lead damages the nervous system, can impair learning and hearing abilities, lead to developmental disorders, and increase the long-term risk of high blood pressure, kidney damage, and possibly cancer[1][4][5]. There are...

Alarming Blood Levels: High Lead Exposure in Children in the Harz

  • News

In the Lower Saxony Harz region, a current study is causing concern: many children in the region show elevated blood lead levels. The study, conducted by researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, confirms a health challenge that can be traced back to the region's centuries-long mining history. This report highlights the findings, causes, health risks, and planned measures to reduce exposure. The study, which began in September 2023 and was completed in June 2024, examined the blood of 310 children in the district of Goslar. The shocking result: 51 percent of the children tested exceed the national reference value for blood lead levels. This value is around 35 micrograms per liter for children, but many children in the Harz show significantly higher levels. The examination, which was conducted on a voluntary basis as part of school check-ups, is part of a broader initiative by the district of Goslar to address the effects of... 

Philochem AG grants worldwide rights to OncoACP3 to RayzeBio in a deal with a potential total value of up to 1.35 billion US dollars

  • News

Otelfingen, Switzerland, June 10, 2025 – Philochem AG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Philogen Group (MIL:PHIL), today announced a groundbreaking licensing agreement with RayzeBio, Inc., a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY). Under this agreement, Philochem grants RayzeBio the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and market OncoACP3, an innovative radiopharmaceutical therapeutic and diagnostic for the treatment of prostate cancer. OncoACP3 is a small molecule ligand with high affinity and specificity for Acid Phosphatase 3 (ACP3), a novel target in prostate cancer treatment. The molecule is being developed for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications and is currently in a Phase I study as a PET radiotracer for diagnostic imaging of prostate cancer. Preparations for a Phase I study as a therapeutic agent with Actinium-225 (²²?Ac) are underway with the aim of seeking FDA approval. Under the agreement, Philochem will receive an upfront payment of 350 million US dollars, as well as potential milestone payments of up to...