Recent trends indicate a significant reduction in the consumption of sugary soft drinks, marking a positive shift for public health due to the well-documented risks associated with high sugar intake.

However, this decline has been accompanied by a rise in the consumption of diet soft drinks, which are now commonly found in wastewater, raising questions about their long-term health impacts.

Diet soft drinks achieve their sweetness through artificial or natural sweeteners instead of sugar. These sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit extract, allow these drinks to mimic the taste of sugary soft drinks without the added calories.

Despite being marketed as healthier alternatives, particularly for those aiming to reduce sugar intake or manage weight, there is a general lack of awareness regarding the broader health implications of these diet beverages.

Research has raised concerns about the safety of artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which is commonly used in diet soft drinks. While food authorities in the US and Australia deem these sweeteners safe, some studies suggest a potential link between regular consumption of diet soft drinks and an increased risk of metabolic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that aspartame might be “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” although current evidence is insufficient to confirm a significant cancer risk from occasional consumption.

The effectiveness of diet soft drinks in weight management is also questionable. Although some studies indicate slight weight loss benefits from artificial sweeteners, observational research suggests that high consumption may lead to a higher body mass index and an increased risk of obesity.

Consequently, the WHO advises against using artificial sweeteners as a weight management strategy, highlighting the complex relationship between these sweeteners and overall body weight.

Concerns extend beyond metabolic health to other potential issues like inflammation and dental erosion. Early evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners might irritate the digestive system, causing symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome and potentially contributing to liver disease due to inflammation.

Additionally, the acidic content in many diet soft drinks can erode tooth enamel, leading to dental problems. Therefore, while occasional consumption of diet soft drinks is generally safe, moderation is crucial, with alternatives like plain water, infused water, and herbal teas recommended for regular hydration.

A new rapid molecular test for detecting the latest H5N1 avian influenza variants in cattle and recent human infections in Colorado has been developed by Alveo Technologies Inc. This test represents a significant advancement in the fight against bird flu, utilizing Alveo’s proprietary technology platform.

The company has confirmed through in silico analysis that their handheld, point-of-need molecular diagnostic can detect H5N1 variants based on genetic sequences from recent human cases in Colorado and infections found in cattle.

The Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) released the genetic sequence of the H5N1 virus from a dairy farm worker in Colorado on July 15 and 16, highlighting a concerning mammalian adaptation marker (E627K).

This marker suggests that cattle could be shedding a virus adapted to mammals, posing a risk of reintroducing the virus to commercial poultry or driving it toward further mammalian adaptation. Such a development increases the likelihood of H5N1 gaining the ability to spread more efficiently among humans.

According to a report by the UK Health Security Agency, the risk of H5N1 evolving to cause human transmission has increased from a previously remote chance to a higher probability, although precise risk levels remain uncertain.

Alveo Technologies underscores the critical importance of increased testing capacity for both animals and humans in combating emerging infectious diseases like avian influenza.

Alveo’s analysis of their Avian influenza A subtype H5 LAMP designs against recent human and bovine sequences from GISAID showed that their test could detect all 12 reported emerging H5 sequences. These results support the efficacy of Alveo’s LAMP Avian influenza assay in identifying clade 4.3.4.4b, H5N1 variants, including those infecting humans.

The company plans to begin shipping its Flockscreen LAMP Avian Influenza Molecular Test for poultry to Europe and the Middle East by the third quarter of 2024, pending regulatory validation and verification.

Shaun Holt, CEO of Alveo Technologies, emphasized the urgent need for rapid, precise diagnostics to prevent H5N1 from evolving into a virus that spreads efficiently among humans. Alveo’s portable molecular testing platform aims to provide accurate results quickly, supporting limited laboratory resources and capacity.

The company’s efforts, including partnerships for accessing field samples and rigorous product development, position them at the forefront of intersecting human, animal, and food health, making molecular detection and diagnostics more accessible across various settings.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues warning letters to enforce regulations, with some letters remaining private for weeks or months. Companies typically have 15 days to respond to these warnings. Issuance of warning letters often follows extensive periods during which companies are given the opportunity to rectify issues.

Discover Fresh Foods LLC, located in Greenville, South Carolina, has received a warning from the FDA due to significant regulatory violations. These violations include multiple positive Listeria test results from the FDA, USDA FSIS, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). These issues were detected in the company’s ready-to-eat (RTE) manufacturing facility and products.

The company produces refrigerated RTE dips and spreads. An inspection conducted from December 11, 2023, to January 22, 2024, uncovered serious breaches of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulations. Environmental samples collected during this inspection revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that poses serious health risks.

The inspection findings, detailed in a June 26, 2024, warning letter, included an FDA-483 form listing deviations observed. Major violations involved inadequate preventive controls for hazards, particularly concerning Listeria contamination. The firm’s safety plan lacked effective measures to prevent pathogen recontamination and ensure sanitary conditions.

Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread bacterium capable of contaminating food processing facilities and causing listeriosis, a severe illness. Despite the severity of the contamination, no clinical illnesses have been linked to the company’s products. However, environmental samples collected on December 13, 2023, showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua on non-food-contact surfaces.

The USDA FSIS had previously detected Listeria monocytogenes in the company’s products and environmental samples in 2018 and 2023. FDACS also found the pathogen in a retail sample in 2017. The repeated presence of Listeria monocytogenes suggests long-term contamination issues within the facility.

In response to the FDA’s findings, the company implemented various corrective actions, including intensified cleaning, sanitation upgrades, and changes to their food safety practices. Despite these efforts, further detections of Listeria monocytogenes occurred, including in finished products, indicating that the corrective measures were insufficient.

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from various samples indicated that a single strain has persisted in the facility since at least November 2017. This persistence points to an unresolved contamination issue within the company’s environment.

On March 18, 2024, USDA FSIS identified Listeria monocytogenes in both finished products and environmental swabs. The strain was consistent with the one found in previous years. This continued presence despite corrective measures suggests that the company’s efforts to address the contamination have been inadequate.

Further investigations revealed that a piece of equipment, which had been previously removed due to contamination concerns, was reintroduced into the processing area. This reintroduction is believed to have contributed to the recontamination of products.

The FDA remains concerned about the company’s ability to maintain a sanitary environment and implement effective controls. Recommendations include continuing to identify and address potential harborage sites and improving procedures to prevent Listeria contamination. The firm has been urged to enhance its sanitation practices and ensure that such issues do not persist.

At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, health care topics were notably absent from prime-time speeches, despite the substantial role health care plays in the federal budget and the U.S. economy. This lack of focus contrasts with the 2016 convention, where repealing the Affordable Care Act and overturning Roe v. Wade were prominent themes.

The shift reflects political calculations, as the GOP’s failed attempt to repeal Obamacare in 2017 led to a significant loss in the 2018 elections, and with broad public support for the ACA and widespread opposition to a national abortion ban, these issues have become politically risky for Republicans.

Instead of addressing health care in detail, the GOP’s 2024 platform, largely shaped by Trump’s views, includes a pledge to protect Social Security and Medicare without proposing new health care initiatives.

Trump’s acceptance speech promised to protect Medicare and find cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer but lacked specific health care proposals. This aligns with the GOP’s strategy of focusing on issues like inflation, crime, and immigration, which are seen as more advantageous for the party according to polling data.

Immigration, a prominent topic at the convention, intersected with health issues such as the opioid crisis and public insurance. Speakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Monica De La Cruz, linked immigration to drug overdoses and alleged misuse of government benefits by unauthorized immigrants.

However, these claims are often disputed by data showing that most fentanyl enters through legal ports and most traffickers are U.S. citizens. De La Cruz’s assertion that the Biden administration cut Medicare Advantage was also misleading, as federal spending on these plans remains higher than on traditional Medicare.

The GOP platform reflects a broader trend of avoiding detailed health care discussions. It promises to expand veterans’ health care options and access to affordable health care and prescription drugs but lacks specifics.

The platform’s stance on abortion has also shifted, omitting the long-standing call for federal limits and instead suggesting the 14th Amendment prohibits abortion while supporting state-level decisions on the issue.

This marks a significant departure from the 2016 platform, which included multiple references to abortion and comprehensive health care policy proposals.

During the convention, a video surfaced of a conversation between Trump and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting Trump’s alignment with vaccine skepticism. Despite his administration’s efforts in developing COVID-19 vaccines, Trump’s comments reflected a growing vaccine skepticism within the Republican Party.

KFF polling indicates low confidence among Republicans in the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and a preference for parental discretion in vaccinating children against diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, even at the risk of public health.

X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a new feature to enhance its fact-checking system, Community Notes, which originated as Twitter’s Birdwatch. This update allows users to request clarifications for posts that may contain misleading information.

The new capability, currently available through a pilot program on the web version of X, will soon extend to Android and iOS platforms. This feature aims to address problematic posts by soliciting fact-checks from top contributors within the Community Notes system.

Eligible users can request fact-checking by selecting the “•••” menu on a post and submitting a request for a Community Note. If a post receives at least five requests within 24 hours, a Community Note will be added.

Initially, only users with verified phone numbers can make these requests, and they are limited to five requests per day. This limitation is intended to prevent spam and ensure that contributors focus on posts deemed to need clarification.

Top contributors, whose status is determined by the helpfulness and impact of their notes, will be notified to respond to requests for Community Notes. Contributors can lose or gain their top status based on user ratings of their notes.

The platform emphasizes the importance of notes containing accurate and high-quality information, and partners with professional reviewers to maintain these standards. X aims for the notes to be broadly helpful and not just seen as valuable from a single perspective.

During the pilot phase, half of the top contributors will also have the ability to request notes, helping X assess the benefits of allowing contributors to both write and request notes.

The platform’s criteria for requesting notes are simple initially, with plans to refine them based on the pilot’s results. This iterative approach aims to enhance the value of requests while minimizing noise.

The launch of this feature aligns with growing concerns about misinformation. The World Economic Forum has highlighted misinformation as a major global risk, potentially leading to severe consequences such as civil unrest and increased government control over information.

Despite X’s efforts with Community Notes, some officials, including those from the EU, question the effectiveness of this approach compared to direct content removal.

X has implemented measures to address potential abuse of Community Notes, including monitoring for declining quality and adjusting thresholds as needed. While Community Notes has gained significant traction, its impact on X’s news and information ecosystem, including its chatbot Grok, remains unclear.

Recent reports suggest that Grok, despite its integration with Community Notes, still struggles with distinguishing between accurate news and misinformation, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing content on the platform.

Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple Labs, recently disclosed that the company is in the process of repurchasing up to $1.4 billion of its stock from investors. He shared this information during his speech at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech Conference in Utah.

The speech addressed various issues facing Ripple and the broader crypto industry, including regulatory efforts in Europe, Ripple’s legal disputes with the SEC, and the company’s plans for an IPO.

Garlinghouse highlighted that Ripple’s IPO plans are currently on hold due to ongoing issues with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He clarified that the delay in the IPO is not due to regulatory uncertainties about XRP, as Judge Analisa Torres ruled in July 2023 that XRP is not a security. This ruling provides XRP with regulatory clarity, similar to Bitcoin, in the United States.

Garlinghouse emphasized that while Ripple Labs is actively repurchasing its shares, going public is not the company’s ultimate goal but merely a step in its larger strategy.

The ongoing buyback from investors and employees, expected to total $1.4 billion, is part of Ripple’s broader plan to consolidate its ownership structure. Despite the repurchase efforts, Ripple does not have immediate plans to pursue an IPO.

During his speech, Garlinghouse also addressed the politicization of cryptocurrency in the United States, noting his surprise that crypto has become a partisan issue.

He contrasted this with other regions where both public and private sectors recognize the advancements and benefits of cryptocurrencies. He highlighted the significant legal costs Ripple has incurred, amounting to approximately $150 million, due to its prolonged battle with the SEC.

In response to the ongoing SEC lawsuit, Garlinghouse refrained from providing a specific date for the final hearing. He noted that Ripple’s legal battles have had an impact on XRP’s market performance, with the cryptocurrency trading below $1.

However, he expressed optimism that a favorable ruling against the SEC could lead to XRP reaching its all-time high again. This sentiment is echoed by crypto enthusiasts who believe that resolving legal uncertainties will allow XRP to retest key resistance levels and potentially benefit from the positive trends in the broader crypto market.

Twitch has lifted the three-year ban on former President Donald Trump, who is currently the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election. The platform confirmed this in a statement, emphasizing the importance of allowing presidential nominees to communicate directly with the public.

Trump’s reinstatement on Twitch marks a significant change in the platform’s approach to his presence, considering the context of his previous ban.

Initially, Twitch suspended Trump’s account in 2020 for violating its policies on hateful conduct and harassment, briefly reinstating it two weeks later.

However, the platform permanently disabled his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, citing “extraordinary circumstances” and Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric. This indefinite suspension was intended to prevent further incitement of violence during a tumultuous period.

The January 6 Capitol riot had severe consequences, with four people dying during the attack and 174 police officers injured. Additionally, three more officers involved in the riot died in the subsequent days and weeks. This context underscores the gravity of the situation that led to Trump’s initial ban from Twitch and other social media platforms.

Twitch’s decision to reinstate Trump’s account follows similar actions by other major platforms. Meta, for instance, recently restored Trump’s access to Facebook and Instagram. This trend of reversing bans indicates a broader shift in social media companies’ policies towards Trump’s online presence as he campaigns for the presidency once again.

Trump originally joined Twitch in 2019 to leverage the platform for his campaign against Joe Biden, using it to stream rallies and other campaign events.

Since then, Twitch has become a notable venue for political content, including live broadcasts of conventions, political events, and speeches, as well as debates hosted by commentators across the political spectrum. Trump’s return to Twitch reflects the platform’s evolving role in political communication and engagement.

Cultivated meat has made a significant breakthrough in Europe, but its initial application will be quite niche: it’s first approved for pet food. London-based startup Meatly has received regulatory approval to sell lab-grown chicken specifically designed for pets, marking a milestone as the UK becomes the first European country to commercialize this type of meat.

Meatly’s cultivated chicken is expected to serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional dog food. By focusing on pet food, Meatly aims to address both environmental concerns and market entry challenges.

The company’s CEO, Owen Ensor, emphasized that this development could represent a shift towards a more sustainable model of meat production, highlighting the benefits of lab-grown meat over conventional methods.

The process behind Meatly’s pet food involves extracting cells from a single chicken egg, which are then cultivated in controlled environments. These cells are nurtured with the right nutrients to grow and eventually transformed into pet food.

This method promises a more eco-friendly approach compared to traditional meat production, which is resource-intensive and contributes significantly to carbon emissions.

While various European startups have also ventured into cultivated meat, they primarily target human consumption. Meatly’s decision to focus on pets is driven by the need for a less regulated entry point into the market and the considerable impact of pet food consumption on global meat demand.

Pets are estimated to consume around 20% of the world’s meat and fish, making this a significant market for alternative protein sources.

As Meatly prepares to launch its pet food products later this year, it faces challenges related to scaling production and managing costs.

Despite these hurdles, Ensor remains optimistic about the future of cultivated meat, envisioning broader applications beyond pet food. The success of Meatly’s initiative could pave the way for more widespread use of lab-grown meat in various sectors.

In recent years, the phenomenon of founder-influencers has become increasingly prevalent within the direct-to-consumer (DTC) landscape. As founders build their brands, they often leverage social media to showcase their entrepreneurial journeys and successes, thereby enhancing both their personal and company brands simultaneously.

This dual growth strategy can be beneficial for attracting investors interested in the potential synergy between a charismatic founder’s personal influence and the growth of their business.

However, this approach isn’t without its complexities, as highlighted in discussions within the DTC investor community. There is concern that some founders may prioritize cultivating their personal brand over the long-term sustainability and growth of their companies.

This can pose challenges for investors who seek a balanced commitment from founders towards both aspects, ensuring that the brand’s success isn’t overshadowed by the founder’s personal fame.

The current state of the DTC market adds another layer of complexity. With instances of brand failures and closures becoming more common, there is a heightened sensitivity around authenticity and transparency in founder-influencer dynamics.

Some investors caution against founders who excessively tout their achievements without substantive results to back them up, perceiving such actions as potentially misleading and damaging to their credibility within the industry.

In the evolving marketing playbook of DTC brands, influencer marketing, particularly through founder-influencers, has emerged as a significant strategy. It offers efficiency and authenticity in connecting directly with consumers through the personal narratives and endorsements of the brand’s creators.

However, there is debate among investors about whether this approach is essential for DTC success or if it’s more of a strategic choice based on individual circumstances and market conditions.

Ultimately, while the founder-influencer model can be effective in driving brand visibility and consumer engagement, its success hinges on a delicate balance. Founders must navigate the dual roles of CEO and influencer responsibly, ensuring that their personal branding efforts complement rather than overshadow the strategic imperatives of their companies.

This ongoing discussion underscores the evolving nature of DTC strategies and the importance of aligning personal branding efforts with the genuine, long-term interests of the brands they represent.

The failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13 has led to significant movements in the cryptocurrency market, particularly Bitcoin. Following the incident, Bitcoin experienced its largest 30-day accumulation since April 2023, with whales amassing over 85,000 BTC.

This event sparked a notable rise in Bitcoin’s price, up by 9.29% since the assassination attempt and 12.58% in the past week. The global crypto market also saw an 8.45% increase, reflecting a broader bullish sentiment.

The meme coin market has mirrored Bitcoin’s performance, with a market cap increase of 5.33% in the last 24 hours and a 17.26% surge in trading volume. These gains suggest a revitalized interest in cryptocurrencies, potentially marking the end of Bitcoin’s bottoming phase and the onset of a bullish market.

Analysts from CryptoQuant and other firms are optimistic about this trend, pointing to the recent accumulation by large investors as a positive signal.

Donald Trump’s promise to be a ‘crypto president’ and his support for the crypto industry have further boosted market confidence. Following the failed assassination attempt, Bitcoin’s price climbed to $63,000, with a market cap of $1.24 trillion and a 22.98% increase in trading volume over 24 hours.

Ethereum also saw significant gains, with a 5.05% daily increase to $3,364 and a 28.63% rise in trading volume. These developments suggest a strong bullish sentiment despite previous concerns over the Mt. Gox repayment and Germany’s Bitcoin sale.

Trump’s scheduled speech at the Bitcoin 2024 conference on July 27 is anticipated to further solidify the bullish outlook, potentially pushing Bitcoin beyond the $71,000 resistance level.

The event could be a catalyst for sustained market enthusiasm and higher prices. Meanwhile, analytics firm Santiment reported an increase of 261 wallets holding at least 10 BTC in July, indicating growing confidence among larger investors.

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a bullish phase driven by significant Bitcoin accumulation, rising prices, and supportive statements from influential figures like Donald Trump.

The lack of major negative impacts from recent challenges, such as the Mt. Gox repayment, has strengthened investor confidence. Upcoming events, like Trump’s speech, are expected to maintain or enhance this positive momentum, suggesting a promising future for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.

Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly Twitter, is accused of breaking the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by misleading users. Margrethe Vestager, a top official at the European Commission, pointed out several issues: using tricks to deceive users, not having a proper ad database, and blocking researchers from accessing data. These actions raise worries about transparency and how the platform treats its users.

One significant issue raised is X’s account verification process. Unlike other social media platforms that carefully verify public figures, X offers the blue verification check mark to anyone who pays for a monthly subscription.

This approach allows users with malicious intent to gain undue trust and credibility, potentially deceiving other users. The EU agency criticized this practice for not meeting industry standards and contributing to user deception.

Additionally, X faces accusations of violating the EU’s advertising policies, particularly regarding data access. The DSA mandates that companies maintain a searchable ad repository, a requirement X has allegedly failed to meet. Furthermore, X has been criticized for not providing adequate access to its public data for researchers and for increasing the prices for data access while banning data scraping activities on the platform.

The consequences for X could be severe if it is found guilty of these DSA violations. The platform could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

The EU’s formal investigation into X began last year following the discovery of Hamas and Hezbollah-related accounts on the platform, which were reportedly granted verification and allowed to disseminate hate content. This has prompted further scrutiny of X’s content moderation practices and efforts to combat misinformation.

The DSA, introduced last year, aims to regulate online entities and ensure they operate transparently and responsibly. One key rule is the avoidance of “dark patterns”—design elements that subtly manipulate users into sharing personal data or making decisions that benefit the company. The DSA seeks to prevent such manipulative practices, ensuring users have a clear and fair online experience without being tricked into unwanted actions.