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In recent decades, red wine has been considered beneficial for heart health, but recent studies have called this perception into question. According to new evidence, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the polyphenols present in red wine fail to counterbalance the adverse effects of alcohol. Furthermore, there is no convincing evidence that red wine is less harmful than other alcoholic beverages. Research has raised doubts about the cardiovascular health benefits of red wine, and has demonstrated that mild/moderate alcohol consumption does not confer any significant advantage to the heart. On the contrary, alcohol consumption, including red wine, is now associated with an increased risk of heart problems and other serious health conditions, including cancer. It is important for the public to be aware of these risks in order to make informed decisions about their health. Warnings about the harm caused by even low/moderate alcohol consumption should be printed on bottles to raise awareness about the risks associated with alcohol consumption. Beverage companies have a responsibility to accurately inform consumers and to adopt responsible marketing policies. Only in this way can people become more aware of the consequences of alcohol consumption and make informed choices about their lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction In this short essay, we would like to address a severe divergence observed in Italy between Life Expectancy (LE) and Healthy Life Expectancy (Healthy LE) and a unique trend of worsening in Healthy LE, compared to the other European countries. Both issues emerge in recent data by EUROSTAT Report. Methods The analysis used by the authors of the EUROSTAT report is based on Sullivan method which combines 2 type of variables: mortality and morbidity data. Results While several European countries started to deal with comparable data about LE since 1960, in Italy, analogous data were available for the first time in EUROSTAT Report only in 1985. In Italy, in the period 1985-2008, there was a good progressive increase in L.E., following the best European values. Nevertheless, while until 2004 Italy was among the European best countries in terms of both LE and Healthy LE at birth, four years later in 2008 there was a shocking loss of 10 years of Healthy LE at birth in newborn girls. In the process, they lost their 2-years previous advantage with respect to males (the latter lost only 6 years of Healthy LE, in the same time span). Looking at healthy LE at age 65 in respect to 2004, Italian women in 2008 could expect to live healthy only about 7 years (as much as men) versus the almost 15 years of the European best values (14 years for men). Conclusions It is legitimate to wonder why no one official comment has been produced as a reaction after the first year of spectacular decline in Healthy Life Years in Italy: in counter-tendency with European values, from 2004 to 2008 there is a clear evidence of a 10 years drop in Healthy LE among newborn girls. The problem has not been taken into consideration even when the situation clearly appeared to worsen in the following years, dropping 4-6 more years for males and females in 2006 (for newborn babies); two more years of healthy life expectancy have been lost between 2006 and 2007 for each gender. One more year of Healthy Life Expectancy is lost in 2008. And data have not been made available any more, since then, from Italy.

Abstract Background Global warming and the established responsibility of the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases represent a strong push towards the construction of new nuclear power plants (NPPs) to cope with the growing energy needs. The toxicity of nuclear waste associated with the extreme difficulty of their disposal and increase in cancer mortality and incidence following occupational radiation exposure are considered the only health problems. Methods A search of scientific articles and government documents published since January 1, 1980 to July 1, 2010 was performed to evaluate cancer rate and mortality in residents, particularly children, in the vicinity of NPPs. Results A recent well conducted state-of-the-art case-control study of childhood cancers in the areas around German NPPs (KiKK study) showed a statistically significant cancers (2.2-fold increase in leukemia and a 1.6-fold increase in solid tumor) among children under five years of age living in the inner 5 km circle around NPPs when compared to residence outside this area. These findings have been confirmed by two meta-analyses. Nevertheless, other UK, France, Spain and Finland studies did not find cancer incidence and/or death increase near NPPs. Conclusions Increased cancer risk near NPPs remains in fact an open question. The stronger evidence from the KiKK study suggests there may well be such increases at least in children regardless of the country in which nuclear reactors are located. In fact, few months ago the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has asked the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to perform a state-of-the-art study on cancer risk for populations surrounding NPPs.

Lead exposure increases the risk of suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Syndrome (ASD). Recent studies have shown that twins affected by ASD, unlike the unaffected ones, had high levels of lead in the dental matrix, an expression of the influence of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of this disorder. In recent decades, new post-combustion filtration techniques have caused an increase in ultrafine dust emissions (PM0.1). The latter easily carry elements such as lead and, after being inhaled, can transport it into brain structures. The reduction of PM0.1 emissions could decrease the availability of toxic elements such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and other substances whose exposure increases the risk of suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any modality of transport can cause air pollution and contributes to climate change. In the recent past, researchers have focused their attention on damage caused by road traffic, but today we know that air and sea traffic is also an important source of pollution. Harbour activity has been demonstrated to be responsible for air and noise pollution. After a brief summary of the actual situation in some Italian and non-Italian cities, this article briefly report some technical choices that can mitigate this form of important damage to the environment and human health. Public institutions must urgently act to safeguard the environment and health, avoiding any damage for tourism Any modality of transport can cause air pollution and contributes to climate change. In the recent past, researchers have focused their attention on damage caused by road traffic, but today we know that air and sea traffic is also an important source of pollution. Harbour activity has been demonstrated to be responsible for air and noise pollution. After a brief summary of the actual situation in some Italian and non-Italian cities, this article briefly report some technical choices that can mitigate this form of important damage to the environment and human health. Public institutions must urgently act to safeguard the environment and health, avoiding any damage for tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]