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Cases of the neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, have risen in the U.S. over the last decade. (Bendix, 8/4)

German scientists have identified bacteria in cows’ digestive systems and manure that may help children avoid developing asthma. The catch: They have to inhale the germs. (Hille, 8/4)

For years, scientists have known that wildfire smoke is bad for people. Data published in the scientific journal Environmental Research shows that wildland firefighters have higher rates of mortality from lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Now, for the first time, the Forest Service is recommending the use of N95 respirators in federal wildland firefighting, along with increased decontamination protocols in the forms of showers, gear cleaning and clean air recovery. (8/4)

Wildfires in central Oregon continue to funnel smoke into Southwest Idaho and the air quality in the Treasure Valley remains poor. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has issued several advisories since July 20. As local air quality readings remain in the unhealthy to hazardous range, what are the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on people's health? (Luchetta, 8/4)

The proportion of new buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid use disorder (OUD) that were never dispensed or filled increased from 2020 to 2024, according to a retrospective cohort study. (Firth, 8/4)

Tiny, near-invisible fragments of plastic shed from the products we use every day through sunlight and mechanical wear have been quietly working their way deep into the human body. Microplastics have already been found in the human brain, semen and even the placenta. A recent study investigated how these micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) might move through the placenta and whether they affect a baby's development. (Mondal, 8/4)