Consumer News: Could financial stress be aging your brain? Here's what you can do about it

A viral challenge involving popular toys has safety experts warning parents about hidden risks

• A social media trend encourages kids to microwave squishy toys, which can cause serious burns if the toys burst.

• Fake and counterfeit versions may contain hazardous chemicals, water beads, or other materials that don't meet federal safety requirements.

• Parents can help by checking the seller and packaging, inspecting toys for damage and keeping squishies away from heat.

Squishy toys may look harmless, but a social media trend involving these popular collectibles has prompted new safety warnings. Videos circulating online show children and teens putting squishy toys in microwaves to watch them expand, change texture or burst. But heating these toys can cause their contents to become extremely hot, creating a serious burn hazard.

Johns Hopkins Medicine warns that if a heated toy breaks or explodes, its contents can shoot onto the skin, face, or eyes. Those burns can lead to significant health risks.

Many children watch these videos online and think theyre harmless. What they dont realize is that these burns can leave permanent scars and could require surgery or even skin grafts, Alejandro Garcia, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center Pediatric Burn Program, said.

No online challenge is worth a trip to the hospital.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is also warning about fake and counterfeit squishy toys that may not meet federal safety requirements for children's products.

Why some squishy toys can be dangerous

Some squishy toys contain water beads, gels, liquids, powders, or sand. If the outer covering tears or bursts, children can come into contact with the filling.

Water beads can also expand if swallowed, potentially causing intestinal blockages, choking, aspiration, or injuries if they're inserted into the nose or ear.

Counterfeit toys may also contain excessive levels of lead, prohibited phthalates, or other hazardous chemicals.

Heat is another concern, even outside the microwave. Squishy toys can become dangerously hot when they're left in direct sunlight, inside a hot vehicle, or near a heater. If a heated toy bursts, its sticky filling can adhere to skin and continue transferring heat, potentially worsening a burn.

How to keep children safe

The CPSC shared some tips for parents to help keep their children safe while playing with these popular toys:

• Know the seller. Purchase toys from reputable retailers and verified sellers with clear contact and return information.

• Beware of bargains. Prices substantially below those charged by established retailers may signal a counterfeit or substandard product.

• Check the packaging. Avoid products with misspelled words, poor-quality printing, missing manufacturer or importer information, or no age grading or safety warnings.

• Inspect the toy regularly. Stop using any toy that is torn, punctured, leaking, sticky, unusually soft, discolored, or beginning to deteriorate.

• Keep damaged toys away from children. Do not allow children to touch, swallow, inhale, or play with material released from a toy.

• Keep toys away from heat. Never microwave or intentionally heat squishy toys. Do not leave them in hot cars, prolonged sunlight, near heaters, or on other hot surfaces.

• Use caution during cleanup. Avoid direct skin contact with material released from a heated or burst toy.

• Follow age restrictions. Keep toys containing small parts or ingestible materials away from young children.

If a burn does occur, cool the area with cool water for about 20 minutes. Do not use ice, butter or other home remedies. Then, seek medical attention, says Dr. Garcia. Parents should also talk to kids about the danger of these trends. If an online video tells them to heat, set fire to, or modify a toy, they should simply not do it.

New research suggests regular cardio could help strengthen certain thinking skills in post-menopausal women

• A six-month study found greater improvements in executive function among post-menopausal women who did aerobic exercise.

• Researchers studied 93 women ages 20 to 67 who were not regularly exercising and had below-average fitness levels.

• The benefits were specific to executive function, rather than memory or processing speed.

Exercise is already well known for supporting physical health, but new research suggests it may also benefit certain thinking skills particularly after menopause.

A Rutgers-led study found that post-menopausal women who participated in regular aerobic exercise experienced greater improvements in executive function than women who participated in stretching and toning exercises.

Executive functions are the mental skills that help you plan, stay focused, switch between tasks, and manage everyday activities. These abilities can sometimes feel more challenging during and after the menopause transition.

The researchers wanted to better understand whether a woman's menopausal status might affect how her brain responds to exercise. The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Post-menopausal women who completed aerobic exercise showed greater improvements in executive function measured through standardized assessments of task-switching speed and error management compared to women in the stretching group and more than pre-menopausal women doing the same aerobic program, researcher Sharon Sanz Simon said in a news release.

We observed measurable cognitive gains at three months into the program, and those benefits continued to strengthen through the six-month trial period.

How the study worked

Researchers analyzed data from 93 cognitively healthy women between the ages of 20 and 67. About 43% were post-menopausal. None of the participants were regularly exercising when they entered the study, and all had below-average cardiorespiratory fitness.

The women were randomly assigned to one of two six-month programs. One group participated in aerobic exercise four days a week, while the other completed stretching and toning exercises.

Researchers assessed participants' cognitive performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and other health measures at the beginning of the study and again after three and six months.

The cognitive testing looked at several areas, including executive function, processing speed, attention, working memory, and episodic memory.

What the results mean

The post-menopausal women in the aerobic exercise group showed greater improvements in executive function than post-menopausal women in the stretching-and-toning group. Their improvements were also greater than those seen among pre-menopausal women completing the same aerobic exercise program.

Researchers detected measurable improvements after three months, with the benefits continuing through six months. About eight in 10 participants completed at least three months of the program, while about seven in 10 completed the full six months.

Importantly, the results didn't show the same benefits for every aspect of thinking. The improvement was specific to executive function; researchers did not find similar gains in processing speed, memory, attention, working memory, or language.

For consumers, the findings suggest that consistent aerobic exercise may be worth considering as part of a brain-health routine after menopause. Researchers point to activities such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, dancing, and light jogging. They emphasize consistency over choosing one particular activity.

Higher petroleum prices can increase the cost of more things than gas

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Oil prices above $100 a barrel are already raising gasoline and diesel prices, immediately increasing transportation costs.

• Higher diesel and shipping expenses can eventually appear in the prices of groceries, deliveries, and other consumer goods.

• Airfares, utility bills, and products made with petroleum may also become more expensive if oil remains elevated.

Because of supply disruptions in the Persian Gulf, oil prices are back over $100 a barrel. If prices remain at that level, consumers may feel the effects of $100-a-barrel oil in many places besides the gas station.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, has moved above $100 a barrel, while the U.S. benchmark has approached that level.

AAA reported this week that regular gasoline averaged approximately $4.32 a gallon nationally. Diesel reached a record average of about $6.23, compared with $3.69 a year earlier.

If oil stays above $100, these seven household expenses could rise.

1. Gasoline

Gasoline is the most immediate expense. Crude oil is the largest component of the retail price of gasoline, although refining costs, taxes, distribution, and local market conditions also matter.

Price changes at the pump generally lag movements in oil markets. That means gasoline could keep rising even if crude prices level off, particularly if refineries or shipping routes experience additional disruptions.

2. Groceries

Most food must travel through several stages before reaching a supermarket. Farmers use diesel-powered equipment, refrigerated trucks move perishable products, and stores pay to keep food cold.

Higher fuel costs can therefore raise expenses throughout the supply chain. Fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and frozen foods may be especially vulnerable because they require refrigeration and frequent deliveries.

Consumers might not see an immediate, across-the-board increase. Retailers and suppliers sometimes absorb higher expenses temporarily, but prolonged fuel costs are more likely to be passed along.

3. Package and food deliveries

UPS, FedEx, Amazon contractors, and other delivery companies use enormous amounts of gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel. Some carriers impose fuel surcharges that rise as market prices increase.

Online shoppers could encounter higher shipping fees, larger minimum-purchase requirements for free delivery, or price increases built into merchandise. Restaurant delivery services may also adjust fees to compensate drivers for higher fuel costs.

4. Airfares

Fuel is one of an airlines largest operating expenses. Airlines frequently protect themselves against short-term increases through fuel-hedging contracts, so ticket prices do not always move immediately with oil.

However, sustained high prices may lead airlines to raise fares, reduce flights on less profitable routes, or increase other charges. Travelers booking holiday or winter trips could be among the first to notice the effects.

5. Heating and electricity

Households that use heating oil are directly exposed to petroleum-price increases. Propane prices can also be affected, although supplies and local weather conditions play important roles.

Electricity prices could rise in markets where oil or natural gas is used to generate power.

Higher transportation costs may also increase expenses for utilities maintaining equipment and delivering materials.

6. Household products and clothing

Petroleum is used to manufacture plastics, synthetic fibers, packaging, cosmetics, detergents, paint, and many other everyday products.

Polyester, nylon, and acrylic fabrics are petroleum-based. If oil prices remain high, manufacturers may pay more for materials, production, and transportation three separate pressures that can eventually raise retail prices.

7. Home repairs and construction

Oil prices affect asphalt roofing, insulation, plastic pipes, vinyl flooring, paint, and other building materials. Contractors also operate trucks and heavy equipment that consume large amounts of fuel.

Homeowners could see higher estimates for roofing, paving, landscaping, and renovation projects. New-home construction costs could also rise, adding another obstacle for buyers already facing elevated mortgage rates and home prices.

How long before consumers feel it?

Gasoline and diesel respond most quickly. The effects on groceries, airline tickets, and consumer products may take weeks or months to appear as companies use existing inventories and negotiate new supply contracts.

Industry analysts say the duration of the oil increase is critical. A brief price spike would produce less lasting damage than oil remaining above $100 for several months.

Higher energy prices could also complicate the Federal Reserves effort to control inflation. If the increase spreads into other prices, interest rates could remain elevated longer adding borrowing costs to the growing list of expenses facing consumers.

Ford, Freightliner, and Bombardier are part of this week's auto recall roundup

Introducing common allergens before age 1 could help babies build tolerance to common allergens

• Experts recommend introducing common food allergens after babies begin eating solid foods, rather than waiting until age 3.

• Parents should introduce allergens one at a time and watch for possible reactions.

• Children with eczema or an existing food allergy may have a higher risk of developing additional food allergies.

If youve heard that babies should avoid foods like peanuts and eggs until theyre older, you may be surprised by todays guidance.

Experts now recommend introducing common food allergens before a babys first birthday, shortly after the child starts eating solid foods, as this may help reduce the likelihood of developing allergies.

Most babies are ready for solids at around six months old. Before introducing new foods, parents should look for signs of developmental readiness, including good head control, the ability to sit upright without assistance, and an active interest in food.

Feeding babies these foods early helps their immune systems build tolerance, making them significantly less likely to develop food allergies later in life, Jonathan Tam, M.D., Medical Director of the Gores Family Allergy Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), said in a news release.

How to introduce common allergens safely

Once a baby is comfortable eating basic solid foods, parents can begin introducing common allergens one at a time. These include eggs, milk, wheat, soy, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, and shellfish.

There are some important preparation details to keep in mind:

• Liquid cows milk should wait until 12 months, but whole-milk plain yogurt and cottage cheese are options.

• Whole nuts can be a choking hazard, so smooth, unsweetened nut butter is a safer choice. Parents can thin it with water or breast milk or mix it into a food the baby already tolerates.

• Eggs can be mashed.

• Thoroughly cooked fish and shellfish can be softened with a fork.

• Whole wheat bread can also be softened with breast milk or water.

What parents should watch for

A reaction can happen within minutes or up to two hours after eating a food. Hives and vomiting are common signs in infants, while coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath can also occur. Parents should also photograph a new rash so they can monitor whether it changes.

CHLA recommends introducing a new food for three days before moving on to another new food, while continuing foods the baby already eats.

Your babys body needs enough time to actually ingest the food to understand how they do with it, Dr. Tam said.

Children with eczema or an existing food allergy are more likely to develop additional food allergies, so parents should discuss allergen introduction with their pediatrician if they're unsure how to proceed.

Once a baby successfully eats a food, keep offering it regularly rather than treating the introduction as a one-time event.

Food introduction is not one-and-done, Dr. Tam said. After introducing a food, it's helpful to maintain consistency in your babys diet.