Consumer News: Norovirus outbreak sickens more than 150 on Princess cruise ship

Specialty vehicles, Volvo crossover are part of this week's auto recalls

Here are the latest vehicle and equipment recalls announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Researchers combine human data and lab experiments to investigate possible brain effects

• Long-term exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos was associated with more than a 2.5-fold higher risk of Parkinsons disease.

• The study combined human population data with experiments in mice and zebrafish to examine how the chemical affects brain cells.

• Researchers found the pesticide may damage dopamine-producing neurons by disrupting the brains natural protein-cleanup process.

A widely used agricultural pesticide may be linked to a significantly higher risk of Parkinsons disease, according to a new study from researchers at UCLA Health published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration.

The research focused on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that has been used on crops for decades. While residential uses were banned in the United States in 2001 and agricultural uses have been restricted more recently, the chemical is still used on some crops domestically and remains widely used in other countries.

Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can cause symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination. Scientists have long suspected that environmental exposures including pesticides may contribute to the condition in some cases, alongside genetic factors.

The new research aimed to identify whether a specific pesticide might play a role and to better understand the biological mechanisms that could connect exposure to Parkinsons disease.

The study

To explore the potential link, the researchers analyzed health data from 829 people diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and 824 people without the condition. All participants were part of UCLAs long-running Parkinsons Environment and Genes (PEG) study.

The team estimated participants exposure to chlorpyrifos by combining residential and workplace address histories with detailed pesticide-use records from California. This allowed them to determine whether people had lived or worked near areas where the pesticide was applied over time.

The researchers also carried out laboratory experiments to examine how chlorpyrifos might affect the brain. In one set of tests, mice were exposed to aerosolized chlorpyrifos for 11 weeks using inhalation methods designed to mimic how people could encounter the pesticide in real life.

Additional experiments were conducted in zebrafish, which scientists often use to study neurological processes, to investigate the biological pathways that might be involved in the chemicals effects on nerve cells.

The results

The analysis showed that people with long-term residential exposure to chlorpyrifos had more than a 2.5-times higher risk of developing Parkinsons disease compared with people who were not exposed.

Results from the laboratory experiments provided clues about why this association might occur.

Mice exposed to the pesticide developed movement problems and lost dopamine-producing neurons the same type of brain cells that are damaged in Parkinsons disease. The exposed mice also showed brain inflammation and abnormal buildup of alpha-synuclein, a protein known to accumulate in Parkinsons disease.

Experiments in zebrafish suggested the pesticide disrupts autophagy, a cellular process that normally helps clear damaged proteins from cells. When this cleanup process was restored or when the problematic protein was removed, researchers observed that neurons were protected from damage.

Together, the findings suggest that chlorpyrifos exposure may contribute to Parkinsons disease risk and point to specific biological pathways that scientists could study further in future research.

This study establishes chlorpyrifos as a specific environmental risk factor for Parkinson's disease, not just pesticides as a general class, researcher Dr. Jeff Bronstein said in a news release.

By showing the biological mechanism in animal models, we've demonstrated that this association is likely causal. The discovery that autophagy dysfunction drives the neurotoxicity also points us toward potential therapeutic strategies to protect vulnerable brain cells.

A travel expert shares the top dos and donts of spring break trips plus smart ways to save money this year

• Spring break travel isnt fading Experts say demand is still strong, but travelers are choosing more flexible, budget-conscious ways to plan their trips.

• Road trips, vacation rentals, and last-minute bookings are trending, as travelers look for more space, better value, and simpler travel plans.

• Saving money often comes down to flexibility, like booking closer to your travel date, traveling midweek, and choosing destinations within driving distance.

For decades, spring break has been practically a rite of passage a chance for students, families, and friend groups to escape to the beach, the mountains, or anywhere with a little sunshine and a break from routine.

But with rising travel costs, changing work and school schedules, and more flexible vacation habits, some travelers are starting to rethink the traditional spring break getaway.

So is spring break travel still as popular as it used to be? And if youre planning a trip, what should you do and avoid to make it worth the time and money?

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Alex Alioto, co-founder and head of growth at Whimstay, to learn about the common booking mistakes, simple ways travelers can stretch their budget, and what to do and what not to do when booking spring break.

Is spring break as common as it once was?

Alioto said that spring break travel isn't just alive it's thriving.

If anything, we're seeing more intentional travel during this window than ever before, he said. Families and young travelers alike have come to treat spring break as a non-negotiable reset, especially post-pandemic. The appetite for a true getaway hasn't slowed down; if anything, people are more motivated to make it happen.

What has changed is where people are going and how they're planning. Travelers are getting smarter, more flexible, and more value-conscious than they used to be.

Spring break travel trends

Ahead of the spring break rush, Alioto shared three of the top trends to consider:

• The rise of the domestic road trip. International destinations have gotten expensive and, frankly, complicated between airfare costs, currency exchange, and ongoing safety concerns in some popular corridors, a lot of families are rediscovering how incredible the U.S. actually is.

• The shift toward vacation rentals over hotels. People want space, a kitchen, a backyard they want to actually live somewhere for a week rather than just sleep in a room.

• Last-minute booking. Travelers have figured out that flexibility is a superpower. Waiting until closer to your travel dates can unlock significantly better value, and that mindset is becoming mainstream.

Dos and donts of spring break travel

If youre thinking of booking a spring break trip, consider Aliotos top three dos and donts:

Dos:

• Set a realistic budget before you start searching it keeps the excitement from running away with your wallet.

• Consider destinations that are a short drive rather than a flight; you'll save on airfare and have more control over your experience.

• Travel with a loose itinerary have one or two anchor plans and leave room for spontaneity, because the best memories usually aren't scheduled.

Donts:

• Don't assume peak spring break destinations are your only options. The crowds and the price tags that come with them are optional.

• Don't overlook travel insurance this year. Conditions change fast, and a little protection goes a long way.

Cost-saving strategies

With costs of just about everything on the rise, are there ways to save money on travel? Alioto says there are some strategies to help cut costs on your spring break trip.

• Booking within 30 days of your travel dates is one of the most effective ways to access accommodations at a fraction of what you'd pay if you planned months ahead.

• Traveling shoulder days arriving on a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than a Saturday can make a meaningful difference.

• Cooking even a few meals at your rental instead of eating out every night adds up fast.

• Choosing a single, well-located home base rather than moving around cuts both cost and stress considerably.

Whens the best time to travel cost-wise?

If you want to plan a trip this year, but youre not sure the best time to travel cost-wise, Alioto says that spring break sits in the middle of the pack. If you want the best value, you may want to consider what he calls the shoulder seasons.

You're not paying peak summer rates (during spring break), but you're also not getting the deep discounts of, say, early November or late January, he said.

That said, how you book matters more than when you travel. If you stay flexible on exact dates and destination, spring break can absolutely be affordable. The travelers who overpay are usually the ones who locked in plans months ago at rigid rates.

Alioto said that the sweet spot for value is typically during the shoulder seasons late September through October and February through early March. This is when the weather is still nice, but its not prime travel season.

If spring break is the window you have, don't let cost be the reason you skip it, he said. Work smarter, book later, and the value is absolutely there.

Costco hints at price cuts if tariff money comes back

• Tariff refunds could lower prices.Costco CEO Ron Vachris said the warehouse club would likely pass any tariff refunds back to members through lower prices or better deals.

• Refunds are still uncertain. The Supreme Court ruled certain tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act exceeded presidential authority, but refund timing and amounts remain unclear.

• Imported goods may drop in price. Items like cookware, electronics, and home goods could see small price decreases if refunds are issued.

In a recent earnings call, Costco CEO Ron Vachris said if it receives refunds tied to recently overturned tariffs, the warehouse giant plans to pass that value back to members.

While a rebate check in the mail would be the best-case outcome for most members, the savings would most likely appear through lower prices or better deals.

The promise reinforces Costcos long-standing approach to keeping their margins low while focusing on delivering the best value.

Tariff refunds remain uncertain

Costco is one of more than a thousand companies that challenged tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Supreme Court recently ruled those tariffs exceeded presidential authority, opening the door for potential refunds to businesses that paid them.

However, the refund process remains unclear, including how much Costcomight get, or when the money would arrive.

If Costco does receive money back, the company says it plans to return that value to members.

As weve done in the past our commitment will be to find the best way to return this value to our members through lower prices and better values, Vachris said.

Why Costco handles savings differently

Unlike many retailers, Costco earns a large portion of its profits from annual membership fees rather than product markups. That business model allows the company to keep margins thin and focus on maintaining the lowest possible prices.

Analysts say returning tariff savings to shoppers fits perfectly with Costcos strategy of protecting membership loyalty and renewals.

It also explains why the company has historically absorbed some cost increases rather than immediately raising prices. In fact, executives noted that in many cases, Costco did not pass the full cost of tariffs on to members over the past year.

Actionable tip for Costco shoppers

If tariff-related savings start flowing back to retailers, keep an eye on categories heavily affected by import taxes, including cookware, home goods, textiles, and electronics.

Costco executives have already said they are lowering prices on some affected items as tariffs shift, which means shoppers may start seeing small price drops appear on shelves before any formal refund process is finalized.

• Watch for price adjustments on imported goods. Tariffs primarily affect imported products. If refunds flow back to retailers, categories like kitchen appliances, cookware, small electronics, furniture, and home goods are the most likely to see gradual price drops at Costco.
• Track prices on items you buy regularly.Costco doesnt typically advertise every price reduction. Pay attention to the shelf price of items you buy often. If tariffs are refunded, you may notice subtle price decreases over time rather than a big promotional event.
• Time bigger purchases around seasonal sales. Even if tariff refunds do end up lowering some everyday prices, be aware that Costco runs its biggest deals during end-of-season resets, often in conjunction with their monthly coupon book. By waiting for those promotions, you can stack seasonal discounts along with any tariff-related price drops.