FDA approves first at-home syphilis test [Video]
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FDA approves first at-home syphilis test [Video]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the first at-home over-the-counter test for syphilis Friday.Until now, people who suspected that they had the sexually transmitted infection had to go to a doctor to get tested. With the new test from the biotech company NOWDiagnostics, it will take the user just 15 minutes and a single drop of blood to determine whether they have syphilis.However, this test is just a first step if someone suspects that they have the disease, the FDA says. If they test positive at home, they’re advised to go to a doctor for further testing to confirm the diagnosis.Related video above: Earlier this year, a study suggested that the U.S. is dealing with an STI epidemicThe company said the test will be available in the second half of 2024 and is expected to cost $29.98.”We continue to see advancements in tests, particularly tests for sexually transmitted infections, which can give patients more information about their health from the privacy of their own home,” said Dr. Michelle Tarver, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a news release. “Access to home tests may help increase initial screening for syphilis, including in individuals who may be reluctant to see their health care provider about possible sexually transmitted infection exposure. This can lead to increased lab testing to confirm diagnosis, which can result in increased treatment and reduction in the spread of infection.” Syphilis had been close to elimination in the 1990s, but the number of people testing positive in the United States has increased dramatically in the past few decades.Cases increased 80% between 2018 and 2022, including among newborns, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases in newborns alone were more than 10 times higher in 2022 than a decade before. In 2022, there were more than 207,000 total syphilis cases reported, the highest number since the 1950s, according to the CDC.Related video below: A doctor discusses increase of babies with syphilisSyphilis is a bacterial infection that may appear minor at first. In the first stage, people may notice a sore on their genitals or anus. The sore typically can heal on its own, but treatment with antibiotics is still necessary to prevent the infection to becoming more serious. In its final stages, syphilis can cause blindness, deafness, brain and heart damage if left untreated. A pregnant person who gets an infection can miscarry or pass the infection to the infant and give birth to a child with lifelong medical issues.The new test received FDA authorization after the company submitted data from clinical trials showing that the First To Know Syphilis Test identified a positive specimen 93.4% of the time. The trials also showed that it was easy for people without medical training to use the test.NOWDiagnostics said it hopes its test will have a significant impact on public health and help improve access to timely detection and treatment, particularly with the surge in cases in underserved populations.

Oldest first-time panda mom gives birth to twins [Video]
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Oldest first-time panda mom gives birth to twins [Video]

A giant panda has given birth to twins after more than a decade of trying to mate successfully, becoming the oldest known first-time panda mother.Ying Ying delivered the cubs in the early hours of Thursday on the eve of her 19th birthday equivalent to age 57 in human years, a spokesperson for Hong Kong’s Ocean Park said.Photos released by the theme park showed Ying Ying just before she went into five hours of labor, and her palm-sized, pink-colored twins the first giant pandas born in Hong Kong.The cubs, a female weighing 122 grams (4.2 ounces) and a male at 112 grams (nearly 4 ounces), finally arrived following years of unsuccessful efforts by Ying Ying to mate with her partner Le Le after they were gifted to the city in 2007 by the Chinese government.”This birth is a true rarity, especially considering Ying Ying is the oldest giant panda on record to have successfully given birth for the first time,” said Paulo Pong, chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, in a statement.But visitors will have to wait a few months for the cubs’ official debut as the newborns receive round-the-clock intensive care.”Both cubs are currently very fragile and need time to stabilize, especially the female cub who has a lower body temperature, weaker cries, and lower food intake after birth,” the park said.Ying Ying had previously suffered a series of miscarriages and her five-month pregnancy wasn’t easy, the park added.”Giant pandas have a notoriously difficult time reproducing, especially as they age,” the statement said. “As a first-time mother, Ying Ying was understandably nervous throughout the process. She spent much of her time lying on the ground and twisting.”Giant pandas have one fertile period throughout the year, lasting just one to three days, and their preference to live alone in their natural habitats means they rarely mate.Native to southwest China, Beijing has spent decades attempting to boost the population of the iconic bears, creating sprawling reserves across mountain ranges in an effort to save them from extinction.Giant pandas are infamously hard to breed in captivity, but after years of decline, their numbers in the wild have increased in recent years.In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the species from “endangered” to “vulnerable” after their population grew nearly 17% over the previous decade.It is estimated that around 1,800 pandas remain in the wild, mostly in the mountains of Sichuan, western China. There are around 300 pandas in captivity and Beijing loans some of them to about 20 countries.

Push to keep Chiefs at Arrowhead continues [Video]
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Push to keep Chiefs at Arrowhead continues [Video]

Theres a new twist to a plan to keep the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca plans to introduce an amendment on Monday to change a Chiefs-only sales tax plan to renovate Arrowhead.The current plan calls for a 40-year extension of a three-eighths-of-a-cent sales tax.Abarcas amendment calls for a 20-year extension with the sales tax reduced to one-quarter of a cent.Another provision from legislator Sean Smith would end the sales tax if the Chiefs and Royals leave the Truman Sports Complex once theres enough money to demolish the stadiums.I think people are going to start to realize, this is our last shot here for the Chiefs. Theres not really another opportunity for us if we lose a second vote, Abarca said.This new Chiefs-only plan comes after Jackson County voters defeated a 40-year, three-eighths-of-a-cent sales tax to help fund a new Royals ballpark in the Crossroads and renovations to Arrowhead.Green Dirt on Oak was about to open when that April vote took place.The owner and operators of that business and several others in the Crossroads were strongly opposed to the plan because the blueprint for the Royals ballpark included their locations.Now that threat is gone.I think its a priority for the city government and the people who live here to keep the teams here and to keep them happy, said Oskar Arevalo, executive chef of Green Dirt on Oak. I dont think we have any intention of putting our political beliefs out there to try to influence votes, unless its existential, like it was in April, he said.According to Abarca, to get the Chiefs-only sales tax plan before Jackson County voters in November, the legislature must act either this Monday or the next one.He says Jackson County Executive Frank White must support the plan because theres not enough time to override a veto.In a statement March 28, just days before the April vote, White said, I am open to considering a Chiefs-only ballot issue as early as August or November of this year. This is contingent upon reaching a fair and equitable agreement and finalizing enforceable leases and community benefits agreements well ahead of placing it on the ballot.I think theres going to be something, but its not as robust as it once was. We had nearly $400 million of direct community cash to help support a myriad of different issues. Were not going to see that level of community benefit at this point outside of some small contributions, Abarca said.White was not available for comment Friday.When asked if the county executive is working with the Chiefs on the issues he outlined in his March statement, his spokeswoman Marshanna Smith said, The lines of communication are open.She also said White wants to keep both the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County.The Royals have indicated they plan to leave Kauffman Stadium once their lease expires.Team owner John Sherman says he wants a new ballpark.

Cars fall into Menorca storm drain as heavy thunderstorms hit Spain | News [Video]
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Cars fall into Menorca storm drain as heavy thunderstorms hit Spain | News [Video]

Cars were swept into a fast flowing storm drain in Menorca as Spain’s Balearic Islands were hit by heavy flooding on Thursday, 15 August. Local media reported roads were submerged by water following heavy rain and thunder storms. There were reports of flights being delayed and power cuts. Civilians had to be rescued from the roofs of their homes, and officials warned locals to stay indoors and not to go on beaches. In Majorca, emergency services said they attended incidents including fires started by lightning strikes.