Short Takes – 8-25-25

Investigation finds hazmat train derailments strike every 2 months. EMS1.com article. Pull quote: “That data, provided by a private company called RailState LLC, showed that over the last six months at least 130,000 rail cars displaying placards for hazardous materials moved along sections of rail lines stretching from Blaine, Washington, to Amarillo, Texas. Those cars passed the homes of at least 2.5 million people living within a mile of the tracks, along with more than 1,000 schools and 80 hospitals, the analysis found.”

Your household gadgets could soon be battery-free — scientists create tiny solar cells that can be powered by indoor light. LiveScience.com article. Pull quote: “In the study, published April 30 in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, researchers used the perovskite to gather light in solar cells. This material is already in use in other solar cells and offers distinct advantages to traditional silicon-based solar panels. In particular, perovskite absorbs lower-power, ambient light more efficiently than traditional methods, according to the study, making it ideal for indoor use.”

In Abrupt Reversal, FDA Yanks Ixchiq Vaccine Over Safety Concern. MedPageToday.com article. Pull quote: “Infections with the virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, particularly for older adults. Typically emerging within a week of infection, common chikungunya symptoms include fever, severe joint pain, and rash, and may include headache and muscle pain. In as many as half of all cases, persistent disease can cause disabling polyarthritis. Treatment typically consists of fluids and over-the-counter pain medications.”

The FTC Says Products Must Back Up Health Claims. A MAHA Lawsuit Would Upend That. MedPageToday.com article. Pull quote: “The FTC has traditionally had more teeth, successfully suing companies that make unsubstantiated claims. For example, the agency won a judgmentopens in a new tab or window last year against a company that advertised a supplement as "clinically shown" to improve memory.”

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