Free Republic

Contaminated irrigation and inadequate cold storage are fueling E. coli in lettuce. But the fix? It’s simpler—and more effective—than you might think. Credit: Shutterstock Romaine lettuce has been linked to repeated E. coli outbreaks, but new research from Cornell University uncovers how contamination happens—and how to stop it. The study highlights irrigation water, especially untreated surface water applied through spray systems, as a key culprit. Switching to drip or furrow irrigation and improving cold storage during transport can drastically reduce risk. The research urges a systems-wide rethink, showing how smarter farming and better logistics—from the field to the fridge—can prevent...

NATIONAL CHICKEN WING DAY On July 29, National Chicken Wing Day encourages a frenzy of dipping and sauce tasting with our chicken wings. With so many choices, be sure to pace yourself because there are a lot of wings to be enjoyed! #NationalChickenWingDay The day celebrates the little appetizer that could. Also known as buffalo wings, hot wings, or just wings, each of us eats about 290 per year. While a chicken has two wings per bird, it produces four of these tasty morsels. That's because when we dissect the wing, we break it down into the wingette, drumette, and...

Already prone to droughts, Iran has exacerbated the problem with poor water management policies, which Mr. Pezeshkian acknowledged on Monday. Climate change, too, has played a role; the country has weathered five consecutive years of drought. Now, the crisis has grown so extreme that the government shut down all government offices and services in Tehran and more than two dozen other cities across the country on Wednesday, creating a three-day weekend in an attempt to lower water and electricity usage. Fatemeh Mohajerani, a government spokeswoman, said cities could have similar closures once or twice a week going forward, and suggested...

Democrats are once again planning a blitz of town hall meetings in Republican-led communities, though this time they are armed with a new and polarizing topic: Jeffrey Epstein. The issue of the so-called “Epstein files” — including the details of high-profile people associated with the disgraced financier and sex offender — continues to divide the GOP, with some calling for further transparency and others, including the president himself, urging people to move on. “Let them destroy each other. If we have to throw a log on the fire, we’ll do it,” one House Democratic aide told The Hill.

Are eggs healthy or unhealthy? The debate goes on. (© alain louis - stock.adobe.com) In A Nutshell A new study found that eating two eggs per day may lower LDL cholesterol, but only when part of a low-saturated fat diet. Saturated fat intake, not dietary cholesterol, was directly linked to higher LDL and ApoB levels, which are markers of heart disease risk. The egg diet increased smaller, more harmful LDL particles and reduced a beneficial HDL subtype, raising questions about long-term cardiovascular impact. Researchers conclude that eggs are not cholesterol villains, but their effects are complex and depend on the...

Researchers at Hiroshima University have found that stevia, when fermented with specific bacteria from banana leaves, gains a remarkable ability to kill pancreatic cancer cells while leaving healthy kidney cells unharmed. This transformation enhances the plant’s natural properties through microbial biotransformation, creating a potent compound called chlorogenic acid methyl ester (CAME). The fermented stevia extract showed significant cancer-fighting potential in lab tests and may represent a new direction in probiotic-based cancer therapies. Stevia’s Surprising Anti-Cancer Potential Stevia might offer more than just a no-calorie alternative to sugar. Scientists at Hiroshima University found that when stevia extract is fermented using bacteria...

Statement from @DAGToddBlanche : This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead. The joint statement by the DOJ and FBI of July 6 remains as accurate today as it was when it was written. Namely, that in the recent thorough review of the files maintained by the FBI in the Epstein case, no evidence was uncovered that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed...

Would you look at that? Trump's tariffs are having their intended impact for American businesses. At least for now. In Alabama, farmers are showing their gratitude for President Trump's tariffs which are making business boom in the produce world. It's only been two days now and we've actually had a lot more calls of people having interest in doing business and the price hasn't even changed. So, this leveling the playing field with international trade actually ... levels the playing field? A 17% tariff was all it took?? From NBC 13 in Birmingham: Many are concerned this will mean higher...

Grapefruit and its close relatives can increase the blood levels of certain drugs and cause serious side effects. Affected drugs include some medications for blood pressure and heart rhythm, among others. Grapefruit is a delicious citrus fruit with many health benefits. However, it can interact with some common medications, altering their effects on your body. If you’re curious about the grapefruit warning on many medicines, this article will help you understand why it’s there and what your options are. Here’s a closer look at 31 common drugs that may have dangerous interactions with grapefruit, as well as some alternatives. Note:...

It’s no secret that kids (and some of us adults) love fruit juice. Many of us grew up drinking fruit juice, and parents often think 100% fruit juice is healthy. But is it really? UC Davis Health pediatricians Lena Rothstein and Dean Blumberg tackled this juicy topic in their podcast Kids Considered: We often like the taste of fruit juice because it’s a sweet drink. But it’s no secret that sweet often means more sugar, even if it’s natural sugar. Think about whole fruits that are sweeter – they have more natural sugars that make them taste sweet. Same goes...

Amid disastrous green diktats and crippling cuts to farmers’ livelihoods, the out-of-touch elites in Brussels seem to have forgotten where their food comes from. This afternoon, farmers from all over the European Union met outside the European Parliament to march on the Berlaymont, the European Commission’s HQ. Organised by COPA-COGECA, the umbrella body for 22 million European farmers, the demonstration should by all rights be a wake-up call for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The unions will hand over a petition signed by 6,335 organisations, along with a symbolic pair of boots, in protest of the EU’s plans to...

In A Nutshell Researchers found that dipping mangoes in ozonated water for 10 minutes before refrigeration reduced cold-related fruit damage by over 60%. The treatment extended storage life from the typical 14 days to up to 28 days without affecting taste or quality. This method boosts the fruit’s natural antioxidant defenses, helping it survive cold temperatures better. The technology is simple, chemical-free, and compatible with existing post-harvest washing systems, making it a practical tool to cut food waste and expand market reach. ============================================================================== PERTH, Western Australia — Mango lovers might soon find their favorite tropical fruit staying fresh much longer,...

The health benefits of potatoes are misunderstood, according to research by professor Neda Akhavan in UNLV’s Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences. Nutrition sciences professor Neda Akhavan’s recent research identifies potatoes as a potential superfood for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. New research reveals that properly prepared potatoes can offer significant health benefits, including cardiovascular improvements, for people with Type 2 diabetes, challenging their negative dietary reputation. The potato is small enough to fit inside a person’s hand yet contains enough nutrients to whittle waistlines and lower blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Yet, despite the fact that...

An overturned truck spilled its load of milk into a road in New York's Columbia County. Photo courtesy of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office/Facebook July 15 (UPI) -- A tractor-trailer hauling a load of milk overturned in New York's Columbia County, resulting in what the local sheriff's office described as a "significant spill." Columbia County Sheriff Donald J. Krapf said in a social media post that investigators are probing the cause of the single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Gahbauer Road and State Route 217 in Claverack. "The tractor-trailer, which was hauling milk, overturned on its side, resulting in a...

The “Cola Wars” has apparently hit the White House. President Donald Trump said he suggested to Coca-Cola to change its formula use real cane sugar in Coke in the U.S. However, the company is mum so far, per the Associated Press. Other markets, such as Mexico and Australia, use real cane sugar. The U.S. production uses high-fructose corn syrup. “I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so,” Trump wrote on social media. “I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This...

Americans’ unpaid medical bills will remain on their credit reports after a federal judge last week vacated a Biden-era Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule that would have removed such debt. Judge Sean Jordan of the US District Court of Texas’ Eastern District found that the rule exceeded the bureau’s authority under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, agreeing with the arguments of two industry associations, which had filed a lawsuit against the rule that was later joined by the Trump administration. The court found that “every major substantive provision of the Medical Debt Rule” exceeded the CFPB’s authority, Jordan, a...

Israeli settlers set fire to St. George Greek Orthodox Monastery and the Christian cemetery in the Christian village of Taybeh, West Bank. This is the place Christ sought refuge in John 11:54 before His passion and death called Ephraim.

The Trump administration is suing the state of California to block animal welfare laws that it says unconstitutionally helped send egg prices soaring. But a group that spearheaded the requirements pushed back, blaming bird flu for the hit to consumers’ pocketbooks. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California on Wednesday, challenges voter initiatives that passed in 2018 and 2008. They require that all eggs sold in California come from cage-free hens. The Trump administration says the law imposes burdensome red tape on the production of eggs and egg products across the country because of the state’s outsize role in...

Pfizer's Delayed Myocarditis Study A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing Now for the not-so-hidden easter egg. CDC’s Captain Dr. Sarah Meyer (CDC/NCEZID), during her recent ACIP presentation titled “COVID-19 safety update” regarding long-term outcomes from COVID-19 mRNA product myocarditis, assured the nation that post mRNA vaccine myocarditis, while a real risk, resolves completely without long-term problems. Frankly, that statement was verifiably false. Whether the post-Comirnaty-associated clinical myocarditis OR the post-COVID-associated clinical myocarditis afflicting those unfortunate few who develop this disease (note the hopeful, optimistic forward-looking statement…) fully recover without long-term consequences is not known. Because the...

Key Points Candy maker Ferrero is buying cereal giant WK Kellogg for $3.1 billion. WK Kellogg, which makes cereals such as Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes, spun off into a standalone company in 2023. ================================================================= Chocolate maker Ferrero has agreed to buy cereal giant WK Kellogg in a deal valued at $3.1 billion. WK Kellogg, which makes U.S. childhood staples such as Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes, spun off into a standalone company in 2023. A separate publicly traded business, Kellanova , now houses snack brands such as Pringles and Cheez-It. M&M owner Mars agreed to buy Kellanova for $36...