First disturbance more than a month before official start of 2024 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonPainting rain barrels for a good cause
Infants who eat rice products have higher arsenic concentrations: Usually the first solid food introduced to babies. JAMA Pediatrics study from Dartmouth College. WHO = 200 ng/g inorganic arsenic in polished white rice. FDA = limit for infant cereal is 100 ng/g Arsenic affects growth, immunity and neurodevelopment. Findings: Many infant cereals contain too much arsenic. Inorganic and organic arsenic pose health risks. Cumulative amount of arsenic is most important. Urinary arsenic concentrations were studied. Water and apple juice could be hidden sources. Music exposure benefits babies’ brains: Aids development of perceptual skills. Helps babies learn to speak. Improves ability to process musical sound and speech. Improves auditory skills Results: Improved nerve cell activity in hearing part of the brain. Improved nerve cell activity in prefrontal brain region. Better processing of sounds. Better predictive coding Results in better speech and pattern recognition. Gender stereotypes may influence perception of babies’ cries: Stereotypes start at birth – 3 months of age. Involves: clothes and activities. Pitches of babies cries were studied. Higher-pitched cries = feminine Lower-pitched cries = masculine Results: Not until puberty – differences in voices of boys and girls. Adults wrongly apply gender to cries based on pitch. High-pitched cries = more discomfort Men perceive greater discomfort in baby boys’ cries. Concern: child’s welfare and attention to needs.