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Researchers say distance from fuel pumps could play a bigger role in health than previously thought

• A new Canadian study found higher rates of childhood leukemia among children living close to gas stations.

• Researchers focused on exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen found in gasoline fumes.

• The study suggests vapor-control systems and buffer zones could help reduce potential risks.

A new study is raising fresh questions about how living near gas stations may affect childrens health.

Researchers from Canada found that children born close to gas stations appeared to face a higher risk of developing leukemia, with the risk increasing the closer they lived to fuel pumps. The findings add to growing concerns about long-term exposure to air pollutants tied to gasoline and vehicle emissions.

Research suggests that only 5 to 10% of childhood cancers are attributable solely to genetics, while the rest are due to other factors, particularly environmental ones, researcher Stphane Buteau said in a news release.

The study

The study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, followed more than 824,000 children born in Quebec, Canada.

Researchers looked at where children lived at birth and compared that information with later childhood cancer diagnoses. They specifically examined whether there were gas stations within 250 meters about 820 feet of a childs home.

The researchers focused on gas stations because gasoline releases benzene, a chemical already linked to leukemia and other health concerns in adults. Benzene can enter the air during fuel storage, refueling, and fuel deliveries by tanker trucks.

In the absence of residential history, postal codes at birth were used to estimate exposure during the prenatal and early-life periodstimes of heightened susceptibility to environmental hazards, said Buteau,.

What the study found

According to the study, children living within 250 meters of a gas station had a higher risk of childhood leukemia, and the risk appeared highest for those living within 100 meters, or roughly 328 feet.

The study also found an interesting difference in Montreal, where local rules require vapor recovery systems at gas stations to reduce emissions during fueling. In that city, the connection between nearby gas stations and cancer risk appeared weaker, suggesting pollution-control measures may help lower exposure levels.

Researchers cautioned that the study does have limitations. For example, they used postal codes at birth rather than tracking where families lived over time. The findings also do not prove that gas stations directly cause cancer. Instead, the study identifies an association that researchers say deserves further investigation.

What these findings mean for consumers

For consumers, the study highlights how environmental factors may play a role in health risks, particularly for children.

Researchers suggested that cities could consider creating buffer zones between gas stations and places where children spend time, such as homes, schools, and daycares. They also pointed to vapor recovery systems as a relatively simple way to reduce emissions.

Such measures are simple and not costly to implement, and they would deliver major health benefits and help reduce inequalities in exposure levels, Buteau said.

New research suggests long-term weight management may slow cognitive decline in older adults

• A new University of Georgia study found that higher BMI over time was linked to faster cognitive decline in adults over 50.

• Researchers tracked more than 8,200 people for 24 years and found the strongest effects in adults over 65.

• The study suggests that managing weight may help slow declines in memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.

As people get older, some degree of memory loss and slower thinking is considered a normal part of aging. But new research from the University of Georgia suggests that long-term weight gain could speed up that process more than previously thought.

According to the study, adults with higher body mass index (BMI) over time experienced faster declines in memory, executive functioning, and overall cognitive health compared to people with lower BMI levels.

Researchers say the findings highlight an important connection between physical and brain health, especially as the population ages. The study was published in the Journal of Neurology and focused on adults over the age of 50.

We found that if people managed their weight, they could significantly lower their rate of cognitive decline in just two years, researcher Suhang Song said in a news release. That makes BMI one of the most easily modifiable risk factors when it comes to aging well.

The study

The research team analyzed data from more than 8,200 participants who were followed for 24 years as part of a large national health study, the Health and Retirement Study (1996-2020).

Rather than looking at weight at a single moment in time, researchers tracked BMI trends over many years to better understand long-term effects on the brain.

Additionally, the researchers measured cognition using a standardized composite score of memory and executive function.

The findings

They found that every increase in BMI was associated with faster declines in areas tied to memory, concentration, planning, emotional regulation, and decision-making.

The link between weight and cognitive decline appeared strongest around year eight of the study, and the impact was most noticeable among adults older than 65. Researchers noted that obesity may affect the brain through several possible pathways, including inflammation, insulin resistance, and reduced blood flow. These changes may contribute to conditions like cognitive impairment and dementia over time.

Still, the researchers emphasized that the findings are not meant to be discouraging. In fact, they noted that weight management may be one of the more changeable risk factors tied to brain aging.

For consumers, the takeaway is less about chasing a perfect number on the scale and more about understanding how overall health habits may influence brain health later in life.

The study does not prove that weight directly causes dementia, but it does suggest that maintaining a stable, healthy weight over time could play a role in supporting cognitive function as people age. Researchers also pointed out that dementia rates are expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, making preventive lifestyle factors increasingly important.

There are no cures for dementia, Song said, which is why it is critical to identify and address any modifiable risk factors we can find to prevent it.

Digital price tags have arrived and theyre not going away

• Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods Market are replacing paper shelf tags with digital price labels that update instantly.

• Retailers say the labels improve efficiency, but many shoppers worry they could eventually lead to grocery surge pricing.

• Experts recommend checking shelf prices closely, reviewing receipts, and photographing expensive item prices before checkout.

Have you been to a store recently and noticed the tiny digital screens where the shelf price sticker used to be? Well, youre not alone, and theyre starting to cause a lot of concern among shoppers.

Stores like Whole Foods Market, Kroger, and Walmart have started rolling out digital shelf labels across their U.S. stores.

The technology allows stores to instantly change prices electronically without employees manually swapping paper tags.

Retailers, of course, say the move is all about efficiency and reducing the number of staffing hours needed to update price stickers. But many consumers and lawmakers are worried it could eventually open the door to surge pricing for groceries and other goods.

Why shoppers are nervous

Consumers are already keenly aware that airlines, hotels, Uber, and concert tickets use dynamic pricing systems where they raise prices when demand spikes.

Now many shoppers are smartly wondering if grocery and big-box stores will eventually start doing the same thing.

Some lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have publicly raised concerns that digital shelf labels could someday allow stores to increase prices based on:

• Time of day
• Weather
• Holidays
• Demand spikes
• Emergencies

That could theoretically mean bottled water prices rise before a heat wave or snacks jump in price before a major sporting event.

And with grocery prices already consuming a larger portion of household budgets than they have in decades, shoppers are paying close attention.

What grocery chains are saying

So far, the major retailers rolling out digital labels strongly deny they are using surge pricing or plan to start.

Whole Foods, for example, said the technology is designed to:

• Simplify price-tag updates
• Reduce paper waste
• Improve customer experience

Walmart said price changes are still reviewed by employees and are usually updated outside shopping hours so prices stay stable during the day.

Kroger also denied claims that the labels would be used for dynamic pricing at their Fred Meyer stores.

Instead, companies say the labels mainly help stores:

• Correct pricing faster
• Launch promotions more efficiently
• Reduce labor costs
• Keep shelf prices more accurate

The good news for shoppers

At the moment, theres little evidence U.S. grocery stores are actively changing prices throughout the day based on demand.

In fact, digital labels can sometimes benefit shoppers because stores can quickly markdown products nearing expiration instead of throwing them away.

Still, experts say the technology clearly creates the ability for real-time pricing if retailers ever decide to move in that direction.

That alone makes many shoppers uncomfortable.

How shoppers can protect themselves

Even if surge pricing never becomes widespread, digital pricing makes it more important than ever to pay attention while shopping.

A few smart habits:

• Double-check prices at checkout.
• Review your receipt before leaving.
• Use grocery apps to compare prices.
• Take photos of shelf prices for expensive items.
• Watch weekly sales carefully.

Pro tip: If an item rings up higher than the shelf price, many states have consumer pricing laws that may require the store to honor the lower advertised price.

The bottom line

Digital shelf labels are likely the new norm and youll start seeing them at more grocery stores because they absolutely save retailers a lot of time and money.

But the bigger question still to be answered is whether stores continue using the technology for efficiency only, or whether grocery prices will start fluctuating prices often based on a bunch of external factors.

Doxo study finds Americans spend a median of $2,095 a month on essential bills

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new doxo report finds the average U.S. household now spends $2,095 per month on essential bills, about 30% of median household income.

• California has the nations highest household bill burden in raw dollars at $2,892 per month, while West Virginia is the least expensive at $1,116.

• The report highlights wide geographic disparities, with household bills in the most expensive states running nearly 2.5 times higher than in the most affordable states.

As inflation pressures continue to weigh on household finances, a new national report suggests where Americans live can dramatically affect how much they pay for essential monthly bills.

Seattle-based financial technology company doxo released its 2026 State-by-State Bill Pay Market Report, which found the median U.S. household spends $2,095 each month on recurring household bills roughly 30% of the nations median household income.

The report examines what doxo calls the nations Bill Pay Economy, estimating Americans collectively spend about $5.03 trillion annually on recurring household obligations.

The study analyzed costs across 13 common household bill categories, including mortgage and rent payments, auto loans, auto insurance, utilities, health insurance, mobile phone service, and cable or satellite bills.

A widening gap

According to the report, the gap between the nations most and least expensive states has widened significantly. Households in the highest-cost states pay as much as 38% above the national median, while residents in the most affordable states spend up to 47% less.

Providing transparency into the bill pay economy is essential for helping Americans navigate their everyday financial lives, said Steve Shivers, co-founder and CEO of doxo. Household expenses are growing, and many households are straining to cover their most essential services.

California ranked as the most expensive state for household bills, with residents paying a median of $2,892 per month. Hawaii followed at $2,735, while Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland rounded out the top five.

The report also found California households face the highest bills-to-income ratio in the nation at 33%, tying Hawaii and Mississippi for the largest share of household income devoted to recurring bills.

West Virginia is the most affordable

West Virginia ranked as the nations most affordable state, with median monthly bills totaling $1,116, or 22% of household income. Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Oklahoma also ranked among the least expensive states in raw monthly costs.

However, the report noted that lower overall bills do not always translate into greater affordability. Mississippi and Arkansas, despite relatively low monthly costs, ranked among the states with the heaviest financial burdens because incomes there lag behind national averages.

By contrast, states such as Utah and Virginia reported monthly bill totals at or above the national median, but households there devoted a smaller percentage of income to essential expenses due to comparatively stronger earning power.

The 10 most expensive states for household bills were California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, New York, Connecticut, Colorado and New Hampshire.

The least expensive states were Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

Doxo said the report is intended to help consumers better understand regional cost disparities and manage their finances amid continuing economic uncertainty and concerns about rising energy and utility costs.