nicotine

nicotine /oss/taxonomy/term/340/all en What about screening for lung cancer? /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/what-about-screening-lung-cancer <hr /> This article was originally posted in the <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-what-about-screening-for-lung-cancer">Montreal Gazette.</a> Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:39:49 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9716 at /oss The COVID Science Express: Smoking and Sex Differences /oss/article/covid-19-health/covid-science-express-smoking-and-sex-differences A weekly explanation of the emerging science behind COVID-19 and its infectious agent, SARS-CoV-2. The theory that smoking or nicotine protects people from catching the virus is based on questionable information Thu, 30 Apr 2020 18:24:01 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8230 at /oss Juul's Harmful Side Effects /oss/article/did-you-know-health/juuls-harmful-side-effects On September 25, 2019, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/business/juul-ceo-resigns/index.html">CNN news announced</a>, “the CEO of Juul is out, as a growing number of vaping-related death and threats of federal regulation present a monumental challenge for the e-cigarette company.” We are approaching a world where the problems caused by the Juul can no longer be ignored. It is fundamental that we understand it, how it affects us, and what solutions we can implement. Thu, 31 Oct 2019 21:28:07 +0000 Mark Seo, Student Contributor 7979 at /oss The Right Chemistry: The Dangers of Nicotine /oss/article/health-videos/right-chemistry-dangers-nicotine <div class="media-youtube-video media-element file-default media-youtube-1"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" id="media-youtube-pfv8rvba9jy" width="640" height="390" title="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the dangers of nicotine" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/PFV8rVba9JY?wmode=opaque&controls=&enablejsapi=1&modestbranding=1&playerapiid=media-youtube-pfv8rvba9jy&origin=https%3A//www.mcgill.ca&rel=0" name="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the dangers of nicotine" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the dangers of nicotine</iframe> </div> Mon, 29 Jul 2019 15:15:27 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7841 at /oss Eggplants Contain Nicotine /oss/article/did-you-know/eggplants-contain-nicotine Eggplant seeds (and they have many) <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sns-dailymeal-1813110-healthy-eating-eggplant-contains-nicotine-it-addictive-20170925-story.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">contain nicotinoid alkaloids</a>, which are responsible for the slightly bitter taste of the purple <a href="/oss/article/did-you-know/bananas-are-berries-raspberries-are-not" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">berry</a>. The concentration of nicotine itself is about 100 nanograms per gram of eggplant, compared with 2 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette. Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:18:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD and Ada McVean, OSS Intern 6918 at /oss Bee Buzz /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-health-news/bee-buzz Bees are critical to agriculture, there is no doubt about that. They fertilize various crops by spreading the pollen that they collect to meet their protein and fat needs. Recently there has been much concern about declining bee populations in some areas and speculation has focused on insecticides known as “neonicotinoids.” Many media reports have tried and convicted the “neonics” and urged that they be banned. But as is so often the case, media reports only scratch the scientific surface and deeper digging produces a different buzz. Neonics at a certain level of exposure can disorient or even kill bees, which comes as no surprise since they are insecticides, and bees are insects. The question is whether these chemicals can be used in a way that protects plants without harming bees. Neonicotinoids, first introduced in 2004, are modeled on nicotine, the natural insecticide produced by the tobacco plant. One advantage is that instead of spraying, these chemicals can be applied to the seeds of crops such as corn, soybeans and canola. They then end up distributed throughout the plant as it grows and are ready to dispatch any insect that dares to dine on the foliage. Bees don’t do that, they go for the nectar in the flowers which has only traces of neonics. Yet bee deaths have been linked with neonic-coated corn and soy seeds, mostly in Ontario. But curiously, not with canola seeds in western Canada which are also treated with the same pesticides. So what is going on? Mechanical planters use a jet of air to blow seeds into the soil. Commonly talc or graphite are added as lubricants to reduce friction between the seeds but these can rub off and can carry insecticide contaminated dust into the air, exposing flying insects such as bees to the neonics. The concern is that the tainted bees return to the hive where they can expose fellow bees to the neonics and wreak havoc. A novel polyethylene wax lubricant that can replace talc and graphite has shown a significant reduction in airborne insecticide during planting. There are also polymers being developed to help the insecticide stick to the seeds. The planting of canola uses different technology and doesn’t produce comparable amounts of dust. Some 20 million acres of canola are planted in Canada with neonicotinoid treated seed and there has been no impact on bee health at all. So it seems the problem may not be the neonics as much as the seeding methodology. Neonics are also commonly used on cut flowers and on plants purchased from nurseries but whether these affect pollinators is an open question. In any case, the neonics are only part of the picture when it comes to bee health. There are mites, parasites and viruses that can infect bees, and transporting hives, which is commonly done, also stresses them, as do harsh winters and long springs. Specifically, the Varroa mite can affect bee health significantly, and it is interesting to note that in Australia, which is free of these mites, no problems have been seen with bee populations in spite of extensive use of neonicotinoid coated seeds. So while the neonicotinoids may be a factor in the decline of bee populations in some areas, they are not the only factor. Furthermore, loss of bee colonies has been observed in places where neonicotinoids are not used at all, and history records many cases of unusual deaths of honey bee colonies long before neonics were introduced. Still, there are some troubling developments. A recent British study showed that bees are more attracted to a sugar solution laced with neonics than to one without, implying the bees may be getting some sort of a buzz from the chemicals and may be more likely to visit plants containing them and end up contaminating hives. And a study in Sweden showed a reduced density of wild bees, but not honey bees, in a field planted with neonic-coated seeds. Because of the cloud hanging over neonics, Europe and Ontario have decided to greatly restrict their use. It will take a while to see the effect, not only on the bees, but also on crop yields which have steadily increased since the introduction of the neonicotinoids. If yields are to be maintained, it may be back to the insecticidal sprays which come with problems of their own, not only for pollinators, but for people as well. Of course in the western world we can forego insecticides and just pay more for our locally-grown food. <a href="http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/2015/06/30/bee-buzz">Read more</a> Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:24:27 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2271 at /oss Are Electronic Cigarettes the New Trend? /oss/article/controversial-science-health-news-you-asked/are-electronic-cigarettes-new-trend These plastic cigs dispenses nicotine vapour without releasing any of the harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. The idea is to try and satisfy a smoker’s need for a nicotine fix without putting their lives at risk. And since this isn’t a real cigarette, it can be “smoked” indoors. Obviously bars and restaurants are in favour. The device is actually quite clever, invented by Hon Lik, working for the Ruyan electronics company in China. It looks like a cigarette, but is actually a plastic tube that houses a rechargeable battery, a heating coil and a cartridge that contains nicotine. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:15:52 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1915 at /oss What is snus? /oss/article/drugs-you-asked/what-snus Snus, pronounced snoos, is a smokeless form of tobacco which is produced and used essentially only in Norway and Sweden. Snus is typically placed under the upper lip, either as loose tobacco, lössnus or in prepackaged small bags, portionsnus. It is kept in place for an average of 20 minutes delivering a steady stream of nicotine. Unlike the form of chewing tobacco used in North America, snus does not require spitting. It also differs from regular tobacco in that it is steam cured rather than flue cured. This results in lowers levels of carcinogens such as nitrosamines. Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:09:24 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1744 at /oss