TV News LIES

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Texas on June 3, marking the first known U.S. case in decades and the closest the parasite has come to reestablishing itself north of the Mexico border since its eradication in the 1960s.

So far, the Texas case appears isolated, with no additional detections reported. Still, authorities are treating it as a worst‑case scenario. A quarantine zone roughly 12 miles wide has been established around the McAllen Ranch and surveillance has ramped up across the region, according to the USDA.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned residents to brace for a “challenging summer" during a June 4press conference, as agencies mobilize to prevent the parasite from gaining a foothold. Experts say the coming weeks will be critical. With increased surveillance, rapid treatment and strict containment, authorities hope to stop the outbreak before it spreads beyond a single case and avoid potentially billions in losses for ranchers and the broader food supply.

Because the parasite can infect any warm-blooded animal, the public concern extends beyond beef prices. Wildlife, pets and even people could find themselves occupied by flesh-eating larvae - but experts say that's not reason to panic. Here's why.

More...

A smart drug that stops cancer cells “hiding” from treatment can shrink tumours by at least 30% in six of the world’s most common forms of the disease, early trial results show.

While immunotherapy treatments have improved survival rates for many patients, their effectiveness can stall or fail when tumour cells hide and then spread.

Researchers in Oxford have developed a drug designed to stop cancer cells concealing themselves from the immune system, allowing immunotherapy treatments to identify and destroy them.

In a trial spanning the UK, France, Spain and Australia, 83 patients with cervical, bladder, liver, bowel, lung or head and neck cancers were given the experimental drug, GRWD5769, alongside the immunotherapy treatment cemiplimab.

More...

Claude Lemieux’s brain is being donated to the Boston University CTE Center to research the long-term effects of repetitive brain injuries, his family said Saturday in a statement released by daughter Claudia Lemieux Bishop.

Lemieux died of suicide at age 60 on Thursday, according to authorities, after earlier in the week serving as the Montreal Canadiens’ torchbearer prior to a playoff game. He played nearly 1,500 NHL games with six teams from 1983-2009 and was known for his hard-hitting style and ability to perform in big games on the way to winning the Stanley Cup four times.

The family said it gave the CTE Center permission to publicly share any findings with Lemieux’s name, adding that no conclusions should be drawn regarding any diagnosis.

“Claude dedicated his post-playing career to helping the next generation,” the family said, referring to Lemieux becoming an agent. “By allowing his name to be connected to this research, we hope his life can contribute to greater understanding, more honest conversations and better protection for athletes and families in the years ahead.”

More...

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to New Hampshire Friday to announce the federal government is launching a major effort to combat Lyme disease.

As part of his “Take Back Your Health” tour, RFK Jr. was at the state capital in Concord talking ticks and Lyme disease.

“We are launching one of the most ambitious federal efforts ever to undertake and combat Lyme disease,” Kennedy said.

Lyme disease is most prevalent in the Northeast. Last year in Vermont, there were more than 2,200 probable cases of Lyme disease, according to the Vermont Department of Health. They said that’s the highest yet. It’s estimated that 56% of adult ticks in the state have the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause lifelong neurological problems.

“NIH is already investing nearly $50 million in Lyme disease research and another $122 million in tick-borne disease research,” Kennedy said.

Treatment is available if Lyme disease is diagnosed early. A human vaccine trial is also underway.

More...

99% of chemicals in our food right now were added without FDA approval. Many were added in secret, through a sneaky loophole built into the 1958 Food Additives Amendment.

It was supposed to require FDA approval for new additives. But food companies and chemical makers found a workaround. And the FDA formally okayed the loophole in the 90s — in the process bringing attention to a loophole to the loophole.

The FDA has essentially admitted it doesn't have the capacity to verify the safety of new food chemicals. So they leave it up to food companies and chemical makers to declare their brand new chemicals are safe. These chemicals are used in everything from chocolate and smoked fish, to tea bags, protein drinks, popcorn, and seeds.

More...

Hikers along Southern California's Pacific Crest Trail have been smacked with fast-spreading cases of a "winter vomiting disease" – and they aren't the only ones.

east two dozen hikers have fallen ill along the trail near Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains of San Bernardino County over the last two weeks, according to the Victorville Daily Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, resulting in at least one air rescue. All are believed to have norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness that causes unpleasant symptoms.

While the hikers may be in one of the less ideal situations to contend with an illness known for causing vomiting and diarrhea, California is not the only home to a current outbreak.

Data from WastewaterSCAN, a Stanford University-led tool that tracks disease presence by testing wastewater samples nationwide, categorized norovirus activity as "high" and on an upward trend nationwide in late May. Norovirus was in 100% of samples taken in May, and concentrations were especially high in the Northeast and Midwest.

The latest CDC data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System also showed a recent, multi-week increase in cases after a sharp seasonal decline beginning in March. About 11.2% of administered norovirus tests came back positive the week ending April 28, while 12% did so the week ending May 2.

More...