Author: Gist It
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U.S. pedestrian deaths reach a 40-year high
U.S. pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in 2021, with over 7,500 pedestrians killed by drivers. Alarming statistics: The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates that pedestrian deaths have been increasing since 2010 due to unsafe infrastructure and the prevalence of SUVs. * The pandemic also contributed to a surge in reckless driving and pedestrian […]
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In historic bid, transgender Delaware state senator launches congressional campaign
Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride launches a historic congressional campaign as the first openly transgender person to potentially serve in the U.S. House. Driving the news: McBride announced her candidacy on Monday to succeed Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester as Delaware’s at-large member. * In her announcement, McBride focused on her commitment to Delaware citizens and […]
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A Texas airport worker died after being sucked into the engine of a Delta plane
A Texas airport worker was killed after being ingested into the engine of a Delta plane at San Antonio International Airport. The incident: The worker was sucked into the engine of an Airbus A319 arriving from Los Angeles while it was taxiing to the gate on one engine. * The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) […]
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An Alzheimer’s drug is on the way, but getting it may still be tough. Here’s why
The first Alzheimer’s drug with potential to slow disease progression may receive FDA approval by July 6; however, accessing the drug could be challenging for patients. Upcoming drug: Lecanemab, shown to remove amyloid-beta from the brains of early-stage Alzheimer’s patients, could receive full FDA approval soon. * Conditional approval was granted in January, but most […]
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Australia brings its last refugee on the Pacific island of Nauru to its mainland
Australia has evacuated the last refugee from the Pacific island of Nauru, ending its controversial 11-year offshore detention processing policy there. Background: Australia started its offshore detention program on Nauru in 2012 in an effort to stop asylum seekers arriving by boat. * The policy has seen over 4,183 people sent offshore since 2012 and […]
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Up First briefing: Russian rebellion; ‘Cop City’ protests; Alzheimer’s drug approval
This newsletter covers topics such as a rebellion in Russia, protests against a proposed police training center in Atlanta, and the potential approval of an Alzheimer’s drug by the FDA. Russian rebellion: Yevgeny Prigozhin, former confidant of Vladimir Putin and head of the Wagner mercenary group, briefly launched a rebellion before agreeing to leave Russia. […]
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Without paid family leave, teachers stockpile sick days and aim for summer babies
Many teachers in the US are forced to stockpile sick days and aim for summer births due to lack of paid parental leave. The current situation: Less than one fifth of the nation’s largest school districts offer paid parental leave for teachers, with only a handful of states providing guarantees. * Teachers often have to […]
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Why do some people get rashes in space? There’s a clue in astronaut blood
A new study suggests that reduced activity of 100 immune-related genes may be causing rashes and infections in astronauts. Key findings: Researchers found that the immune-related genes become less active in space, potentially allowing opportunistic infections to occur in astronauts. * The blood of 14 American and Canadian astronauts was sampled before, after, and during […]
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‘We’re not doing that’: A Black couple won’t crowdfund to pay medical debt
Black Americans are less likely to use crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe to pay their medical debts, which may exacerbate long-standing racial inequalities. By the numbers: Medical debt affects an estimated 100 million people in the U.S., with Black Americans 50% more likely than white Americans to face such debt. * Black Americans use GoFundMe less […]
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Meet Scooter, the winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest
Scooter, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested dog, has won the World’s Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California. Meet Scooter: He has reversed hind legs, is nearly bald, and has a pink, wayward tongue drooping from his mouth. * He was born with hind leg deformities that hindered his ability to walk. The competition’s purpose: The nearly […]