Reading Room
The reading room includes articles and videos of potential interest to consumers and medical professionals. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the NC Medical Board, its members and staff. Note: Some links may require subscriptions.
Dairy farmers are running out of chances to kill the terms ‘oat milk’ and ‘soy milk’
STATNews
September 26, 2023
Almond milk — not almond beverage, almond drink, or even almond juice — appears here to stay. There’s few issues in the food world that generate as much vitriol as the debate over what to call nut, oat, and other plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk. Dairy farmers and their advocates for years have tried everything to convince regulators companies like Silk and Oatly shouldn’t be able to slap “the m word” on their products.
A brand new Parkinson’s trigger has been found – and it begins far earlier than thought
Science Alert
September 25, 2023
The difficult work of trying to understand Parkinson’s disease continues, with a new study showing that the condition might be triggered earlier than had previously been thought.
Researchers from the US and Canada analyzed neurons from patients with Parkinson’s, discovering a previously unknown culprit for symptoms of the disease that may begin before any of the others.
Read More…FDA: Common Over-the-Counter Decongestant Doesn’t Work
NBC News
September 8, 2023
Does a common ingredient used in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines actually work to get rid of nasal congestion?
That’s the question the Food and Drug Administration will pose to a panel of outside advisers during a two-day meeting next week to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the ingredient, phenylephrine, which is found in many decongestants.
Read More…Chipping away at the ‘epidemic of loneliness,’ one new friendship at a time
NPR
September 11, 2023
On a typical morning, Jason Silverman lounges at home in his bed for hours, with the TV on and the volume turned up. Sometimes, this daily regimen can get lonely.
So he looks forward to the days his friend, Melissa Mills, picks him up and takes him to a gym in Framingham, Massachusetts, where they exercise together.
Silverman, 38, has Down syndrome. Talking is difficult for him, but he communicates by smiling, sighing and leading Mills by the arm. She’s become familiar with his routine: Usually they hit the treadmill first, then bike a bit before a lunch break and finally, a swim in the pool.
Read More…