What’s got people talking…

Hormonal contraceptives. Yesterday, researchers published a study that found all types of hormonal contraceptives are tied to an increased risk of breast cancer. Previous research has suggested that birth control with estrogen and progestogen can lead to a slightly higher risk of the cancer. But there hasn't been enough research on progestogen-only contraception, which has become a popular option. Now, this study has found that the number of hormones in birth control doesn't reduce the risk of breast cancer. The study revealed that those who used progestogen-only birth control like IUDs or the ”mini-pill” had a 20% to 30% higher risk of developing breast cancer. It also found that that risk dropped in the years after a woman stopped taking the contraceptive.

A note from the authors: Researchers said they hope women don’t see the numbers and turn-off their birth control pill alarm, adding there are ”well-established benefits of contraceptive use.”

What’s a growing problem in the US…

An animal tranquilizer. Earlier this week, the Drug Enforcement Administration warned about the rising threat of xylazine. The tranquilizer has sedative effects similar to an opioid. But because it isn’t one, naloxone doesn’t work in reversing its effects. Combining xylazine with fentanyl makes it even deadlier. The DEA said it has seized fentanyl and xylazine mixtures in almost every state. The CDC said more than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses between August 2021 to August 2022. Almost 70% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Now, the DEA warns xylazine ”is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced.”

…Oh and speaking of growing concerns, a new CDC report found that clinical cases of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, tripled from 2020 to 2021. The fungus can be dangerous to those with compromised immune systems.

What might ruffle some feathers…

Lab-grown chicken. Yesterday, the FDA marked GOOD Meat’s lab-grown chicken safe to eat. Many companies have been working to get lab-grown meat on the market — clucking about the environmental benefits. GOOD Meat’s been selling the product in Singapore since 2020. Now, it still has to get approval from the US Department of Agriculture before its ‘chicken’ can hit shelves. This redefines the whole ‘what came first: the chicken or the egg?’ debate.

Where rectal ozone therapy might not be helpful…

The courtroom. Yesterday, actress Gwyneth Paltrow was in court for a hit-and-run skiing accident in 2016. A retired optometrist is accusing Paltrow of crashing into him, leaving him seriously injured. He’s seeking $300,000 in damages. Paltrow has countersued for $1 and legal fees.

…Oh and speaking of courtrooms, Bad Bunny’s ex-girlfriend is suing the artist for $40 million. She says he used her voice recording without her permission in two hit songs: ”Pa Ti” and ”Dos Mil 16.”

Who forgot he’s kind of famous…

Lionel Messi.

Who's the real MVP...

Japan.