Toxic hazards follow Maui wildfires

+ 'functional' foods; climate ruling sets precedent US Edition - Today's top story: After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings [View in browser]( US Edition | 16 August 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( It’s been heartbreaking to follow the news of last week’s devastating wildfire in Maui. As recovery efforts continue, Purdue University environmental engineer Andrew J. Whelton explains the [many public health hazards that follow wildfires](. These include the release of toxic gases and particles, as well as harmful chemicals that can affect drinking water and wildlife. “Cleanup and recovery from a disaster of this magnitude takes years,” he writes. As with many of our stories on food and nutrition, this one on “functional” foods was widely read and provides more nuance on the role of food in health. Nutrition and food science professor Janet Colson explains how certain foods, such as apples, carrots and peppers, contain [bioactive substances that bring particular health benefits](. Researchers are getting a better understanding of what those bioactive components are and the various health benefits they provide, she writes. A panel of experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently updated its guidelines on skin cancer screening, concluding that there isn’t enough evidence to recommend annual exams of adults and adolescents by a clinician. But catching signs of skin cancer early remains crucial. Dermatology experts from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offer a [guide on what individuals can do](, without visiting a professional, to lower the risk of skin cancer. One tip that I may well start following: Check the local UV index, where 2 is considered safest and 11 represents extreme danger. Also in this week’s science news: - [Hawaii’s wildfire risks poised to rise]( - [Pipeline standoff a “defining issue” for future of Great Lakes]( - [The science of carbonated beverages]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin LaMonica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Today's newsletter supported by [Anthropocene magazine]( Fire sites like Lahaina, where residents were allowed in on Aug. 11, 2023, are filled with hazards, both obvious and unseen. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer [After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings]( Andrew J. Whelton, Purdue University Maui County issued an ‘unsafe water’ alert and urged precautions. Residents can face several toxic hazards from fires, as an expert in the chemical risks from fires explains. While apples aren’t considered a superfood, they are considered a functional food. Caterina Oltean/500px Prime via Getty Images [Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? A nutritionist explains the science behind ‘functional’ foods]( Janet Colson, Middle Tennessee State University Functional foods − which should not be confused with ‘superfoods’ − possess specific components that contribute to better health. A history of sunburns may put people at greater risk of developing skin cancer. dnberty/iStock via Getty Images Plus [Skin cancer screening guidelines can seem confusing – three skin cancer researchers explain when to consider getting checked]( Enrique Torchia, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Neil Box, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Tamara Terzian, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Widespread screening for skin cancer may not be necessary, but it is important to understand the risks behind UV overexposure and to get checked early if you have concerns. [The same people excel at object recognition through vision, hearing and touch – another reason to let go of the learning styles myth]( Isabel Gauthier, Vanderbilt University; Jason Chow, Vanderbilt University The idea that each person has a particular learning style is a persistent myth in education. But new research provides more evidence that you won’t learn better in one modality than another. [As the mental health crisis in children and teens worsens, the dire shortage of mental health providers is preventing young people from getting the help they need]( Steven Berkowitz, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Millions of young people in the US are suffering, whether from abuse at home, pressure from social media or exposure to violence. But navigating the mental health care system can be disheartening. [What is most likely going on in Area 51? A national security historian explains why you won’t find aliens there]( Christopher Nichols, The Ohio State University You’re not allowed to visit the part of Nevada known as Area 51. That’s because it’s a top-secret government facility. But the secrecy has to do with spy planes, not space aliens. [New data reveal US space economy’s output is shrinking – an economist explains in 3 charts]( Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University With commercial space tourism on the rise and NASA planning to return to the Moon, you might think the US space economy is booming – but the data paint a more complex picture. - [Montana kids win historic climate lawsuit – here’s why it could set a powerful precedent]( Amber Polk, Florida International University The case hinged on Montana’s ‘green amendment,’ which guarantees a constitutional right to ‘a clean and healthful environment.’ Other states have similar amendments, and more are considering them. - [Why does your hair curl in the summer? A chemist explains the science behind hair structure]( Tara S. Carpenter, University of Maryland, Baltimore County A chemist explains how the structure of your hair follicles, your genetic code and environmental factors like humidity influence how hair behaves on a day-to-day basis. - [Michigan pipeline standoff could affect water protection and Indigenous rights across the US]( Mike Shriberg, University of Michigan A pipeline that has carried Canadian oil and gas across Wisconsin and Michigan for 70 years has become a symbol of fossil fuel politics and a test of local regulatory power. - [Hawaii’s climate future: Dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk − while wet areas get wetter]( Kevin Hamilton, University of Hawaii Projections for Hawaii’s climate future are raising concerns about fire risk, ecosystems and freshwater supplies for homes and agriculture. - [Diverse teams can improve engineering outcomes − but recent affirmative action decision may hinder efforts to create diverse teams]( - [The bubbly chemistry behind carbonated beverages]( - Like this newsletter? 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