New research shows tiny airborne particles speed up the damage in Alzheimers brains

• Living in areas with higher levels of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) is linked to more severe buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in Alzheimers disease.

• The study used post-mortem brain tissue from over 600 individuals, combined with pollution mapping, to compare those exposures and brain pathology.

• Even just one year of higher exposure was associated with faster cognitive decline, worse judgment, and more rapid Alzheimers progression.

We already know air pollution isnt great for our lungs and heart.

Now, a study from Penn Medicine suggests it also accelerates the damage in Alzheimers disease.

The research makes a clear case that fine particulate matter in the air (PM2.5) doesnt just raise dementia risk it appears to make Alzheimers neuropathology worse, and speeds up symptoms like memory loss and trouble with daily tasks.

This study shows that air pollution doesnt just increase the risk of dementiait actually makes Alzheimers disease worse, researcher Edward Lee, M.D., Ph.D., said in a news release.

As researchers continue to search for new treatments, its important to uncover all of the factors that contribute to the disease, including the influence of the environment in which they live.

How the study was done

The researchers studied more than 600 brains donated to the Penn Medicine Brain Bank. These were brains from people who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease.

They also collected data about how much PM2.5 pollution each person had been exposed to based on where they lived. To measure pollution, researchers used a mix of satellite data and local air quality monitors.

The team focused on amyloid plaques and tau tangles the two kinds of protein build-ups in the brain that are hallmarks of Alzheimers disease. These protein deposits are thought to disrupt brain communication and contribute to cognitive decline.

The researchers also reviewed medical records to see how fast each persons cognition (thinking, memory) and daily functioning got worse.

The results

The findings were pretty striking. For every 1 microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 exposure (a small rise), there was a 19% higher chance of more severe amyloid and tau buildup.

Additionally, people living in more polluted areas showed faster cognitive and functional decline. That means things like memory loss, trouble speaking, impaired judgment, and difficulty with personal care set in more quickly.

An important detail: even one year of elevated pollution exposure showed measurable effects on brain pathology.

The study also notes some limitationsit didnt measure each persons exact exposure (for instance inside their homes, or workplace exposures), so there could be additional pollution effects not captured.

In the United States, air pollution is at the lowest levels in decades, but even just a year living in an area with high levels of pollution can have a big impact on a persons risk for developing Alzheimers disease, Dr. Lee said. It underscores the value of environmental justice efforts that focus on reducing air pollution to improve public health.

What you can do to lower your risk

While we cant always control the air we breathe, there are some practical steps you can take to reduce exposure and protect your brain health:

• Check your local air quality. Apps like AirNow or most weather apps show daily air quality. If levels are unhealthy, try to limit time outdoors.

• Use air filters at home. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can reduce fine particles indoors, especially if you live near busy roads or industrial areas.

• Close windows on high-pollution days. Keeping doors and windows shut can help prevent polluted outdoor air from seeping inside.

• Avoid outdoor exercise during peak pollution. If possible, plan walks or workouts in the early morning or later evening when pollution levels are often lower.

• Support clean air policies. Community-wide effortslike cleaner public transportation, reducing emissions, and promoting green spacesmake a big difference in lowering long-term risk.

The probe followed a 2024 midair door plug blowout

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• Federal regulators cite hundreds of quality-control failures tied to 737 production

• Proposed penalties follow January 2024 midair door plug blowout

• Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAAs allegations

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed more than $3.1 million in fines against Boeing, citing hundreds of safety violations in its 737 aircraft production lines and accusing the company of pressuring its own safety inspectors.

In penalty letters issued this week, the FAA said the violations occurred between September 2023 and February 2024 and included actions linked to the January 5 midair door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9. The agency said it used the maximum civil penalty allowed under federal law.

According to the FAA, inspectors found widespread failures in Boeings quality system at its 737 factory in Renton, Washington, as well as at Spirit AeroSystems subcontractor facility in Wichita, Kansas. Regulators said Boeing presented two planes for certification that were not airworthy and failed to follow required quality-control procedures.

The agency also found that a Boeing employee pressured a company safety representative to sign off on a 737 Max aircraft even though the inspector believed it did not meet federal standards. The FAA called that interference a violation of rules meant to ensure inspectors remain independent from company production pressures.

Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAAs allegations and proposed fines.

What it means for travelers

• Safety oversight: The FAAs findings suggest ongoing problems with Boeings 737 production, an aircraft flown by major U.S. carriers. Regulators say they are increasing scrutiny of the company.

• Passenger impact: The proposed fines dont immediately affect flight schedules, but repeated safety concerns have led to more inspections and occasional flight cancellations while planes are checked.

• Whats next: Boeing could contest the fines, negotiate a settlement, or accept the penalties. The company is already under pressure from airlines, regulators, and Congress to overhaul its safety culture.

Wheelchairs, service dogs, other aids must be accepted under federal law

• Lawsuit says Uber drivers continue to turn away riders with service animals and wheelchairs

• Justice Department accuses company of violating Americans With Disabilities Act

• Uber rejects claims, says it enforces zero-tolerance policy for discrimination

The U.S. Justice Department has sued Uber Technologies Inc., alleging the ride-sharing company has repeatedly failed to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in Northern California, claims Uber drivers routinely refuse rides to people traveling with service animals or stowable wheelchairs. Federal attorneys said such denials violate the Americans With Disabilities Act, which guarantees equal access to public services and businesses.

This is not the first time Uber has faced disability-related complaints. In 2021, the company agreed to pay more than $2 million to tens of thousands of riders and make policy changes after the government accused it of charging discriminatory fees to people with disabilities.

Uber pushed back against the new lawsuit. Riders who use guide dogs or other assistive devices deserve a safe, respectful, and welcoming experience on Uber full stop, a spokesperson said. The company said it enforces a zero-tolerance rule for confirmed denials of service and may permanently remove drivers who violate the policy.

Every driver must agree to the companys U.S. service animal policy and accessibility rules before they can use the Uber app. The company also offers an option for riders to alert drivers in advance if they will be traveling with a service animal. But the Justice Department said those measures havent stopped ongoing discrimination.

Ubers shares trimmed earlier gains after the lawsuit was announced, rising 0.7% in New York afternoon trading.

What it means for riders

• Service animals: If you rely on a guide dog or other trained animal, Uber drivers are required by law and company policy to accept your ride. Any confirmed denial can result in a drivers permanent removal.

• Wheelchairs: Riders who use foldable or stowable wheelchairs must also be accommodated. Refusal of service may violate federal disability law.

• How to report problems: Riders can file complaints through the Uber app or with the Justice Department if they experience repeated denials. Past settlements have shown that federal regulators are willing to pursue compensation.

Dollar stores are now the fastest-growing food retailer in the U.S.

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Dollar store food purchases nearly doubled between 2008 and 2020, according to new research.

• Lower-income households and people of color are most likely to turn to dollar stores for food.

• While dollar store food is less healthy overall, most families balance purchases with healthier options elsewhere.

In many rural areas of America, supermarkets are few and far between. That gap is increasingly being filled by dollar stores, according to new research from Tufts University and the USDA-Economic Research Service.

The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, shows that calories obtained from dollar store purchases nearly doubled between 2008 and 2020, rising from 3.4% to 6.5% of total household food purchases.

The analysis, which tracked food-buying habits of 180,000 U.S. households over 12 years, sheds light on how the rapid expansion of dollar stores has influenced American diets. While dollar store food purchases were found to be less nutritious than items bought from grocery and club stores, researchers say families appear to be using them strategically, often supplementing with healthier foods from other outlets.

The trend is particularly pronounced among lower-income households and families led by people of color, groups that often face limited access to full-service grocery stores. In rural areas, dollar stores frequently serve as the most convenient option, especially where the nearest supermarket may be miles away.

People go to different types of stores for different reasons, and the dollar store is one that people choose because of the price advantage, said study lead author Wenhui Feng, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. There are a lot of concerns that foods on dollar store shelves are less healthy, but whats on the shelf does not equal what each household takes home.

Dollar stores expanding footprint

Dollar stores are now the fastest-growing food retailer in the U.S., with more than 37,000 locations nationwide. Their presence is particularly strong in the South and in communities outside of major cities. While they offer low prices, most dollar stores primarily sell packaged foods and sugary beverages, with limited fresh produce or meat options.

Concerns about the spread of dollar stores have prompted at least 25 local governments to impose restrictions on their expansion. Critics point to potential public health risks, competition with local grocers, and even safety issues tied to understaffing. But the study suggests more research is needed before policymakers can fully assess their impact.

On average, U.S. households still obtain more than half (55%) of their non-restaurant calories from grocery stores and another 22% from club stores. While foods from dollar stores scored lower on measures of healthfulness, the researchers found evidence that shoppers may be offsetting those purchases with better choices elsewhere.

Some people seem to be going to dollar stores strategically to buy sweets and snacks, along with other packaged foods, said senior author Sean Cash of Tufts University. We need more data on the real effects of dollar stores on healthy eating, as some communities may be putting the policy cart before the horse.