Heads up: We're about to test a new email design, so don't be alarmed if things look a little different soon. Don't worry; this doesn't mean fewer stories or less of Matt's writing...even the eyeroll-inducing puns — Ed. |
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Lady Jane Would Disapprove |
Lady Jane, as we all know, is a cow's milk cheese produced by Farmhouse Natural Cheeses in the lush Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. It has a cheesecake-like creamy and dense paste, with a tangy flavor and earthy notes of mushroom. Lady Jane was also a beloved character on the BBC antiques drama Lovejoy, which aired between 1986 and 1994. The main role of a corrupt antiques dealer was played by Ian McShane, who American viewers may recognize as potty-mouthed tavern owner Al Swearengen on the HBO show Deadwood. But McShane was a pin-up back then, and my mum used to make us tune in on Sunday nights just to watch him, much to my father's chuckling amusement. You can watch the first season on PBS right now. Lovejoy's friendship with Lady Jane showed that a roguish antiques dealer and an aristocrat can be chums, and so was rather charming. Today's cheddlines, meanwhile, begin on an approving note. Tsk, tsk! —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor P.S. Watch Cheddar's new investment show, Go Fund Yourself!, on our 'gram. |
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1. FDA Approves Alternative to Opioids |
Good news in the fight against America's opioid crisis: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new non-opioid, non-pronounceable pain medication called Journavx, offering a significant alternative to opioids for pain management without the risk of addiction.
It's the first approval of its kind in over 20 years. Developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Journavx contains the slightly more pronounceable active ingredient suzetrigine and will cost $15.50 per pill, to be taken every 12 hours. Vertex began researching the drug in the 2000s, when opioid overdoses first started rocketing up. By 2022, the number of people who died from an opioid overdose was 10 times the number in 1999.
Opioids reduce pain by binding to receptors in the brain that receive nerve signals from different parts of the body — those chemical interactions also give rise to opioids' addictive effects. Journavx, meanwhile, operates by blocking pain signals in the peripheral nervous system before they reach the brain. The drug is primarily used for acute pain, which is often sudden and short-term, like when you get slapped in the chops for saying something dumb. That's a good time to take Journavx. Read More |
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2. Plane Crash 'Was Not An Attack' |
Military Times reporter Jen Judson joined us to talk about the tragic collision between an Army Blackhawk helicopter and a commercial airplane in D.C. last week.
Judson emphasized the complexity of the airspace around the airport, stating, "This is like a Tetris game. It's a very complicated airspace at all times."
While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, Judson shed light on potential factors, including pilot error and spatial disorientation. "Often what happens in some of these situations is spatial disorientation. It's when a pilot gets confused about where the aircraft is in terms of its position with the ground and the sky, its surroundings."
She also addressed the challenges of night flying. Judson acknowledged the Army's ongoing efforts to maintain pilot proficiency, especially in light of decreased operational tempo since the withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. "Being able to keep up with those flight hours, being able to maintain the level of expertise within the Army aviation branch has been very hard," she said.
Regarding the possibility of the crash being intentional, Judson firmly stated, "No, there has been no whisper. This is not an attack. This was an accident." Read More |
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3. How Celebrity Smiles Are Reshaping Cosmetic Dentistry |
Want a smile like Kylie Jenner or Jennifer Lopez? How about getting some veneers? Me, I grew up in Britain, so it was a relief to spend some money getting my teeth whitened last year. They're still terrible teeth, but they don't look it now. And I can see the value in investing in some cosmetic dentistry!
It can improve your appearance, boost your confidence, and make you feel better about yourself. It can also help you to make a good first impression and to succeed in your personal and professional life. (Not long after my whitening, I got this Need2Know job. Coincidence?) Michael Apa is a cosmetic dentist who is known for his smile makeovers, using a unique process that involves creating custom temporaries for each patient so that they can see what their new smile will look like before they commit to the permanent veneers.
The first step is a consultation, during which Dr. Apa will take a scan of your teeth and create a wax model of your new smile. You will then be able to try on the temporaries and see how they look and feel. Dr. Apa will make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you are happy with the results. Once you are satisfied with the temporaries, they will be scanned and sent to the lab to create your permanent veneers. The entire process takes about two weeks, which is about 40 years less than it took to make my teeth look like this. Read More |
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4. Let's Redefine 'Healthy,' Says KIND Snacks CEO |
Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Snacks, is a vocal advocate for food regulation reform. He believes that the FDA has been "captured" by the food industry, leading to the proliferation of unhealthy foods and the difficulty of getting healthy foods labeled as such.
He shared his own experience with the FDA, recounting how the agency once told him that he couldn't use the term "healthy" on his actually fairly healthy KIND bars. "We found that the regulation allowed sugary products that just put some nutritional supplementation in to call themselves healthy," Lubetzky explained. "Well, it's stuff like salmon or avocados or almonds. Couldn't call themselves healthy because of their healthy fat content they have."
Lubetzky challenged the FDA's ruling and eventually won. "The FDA came around," he said, "and they now look at the wholesomeness of the product itself, not just this artificially isolated particular components, but whether the product itself has all the key benefits."
Lubetzky is also a judge on the popular show Shark Tank. He said that he enjoys working with all of the other sharks and that he's particularly interested in investing in companies that are "authentic" and "sustainable."
"We're looking for companies that are going to help with longevity, that will help people live more fulfilling lives longer and that more helpful lives and that will help with aging populations," he said. Read More |
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5. Time to Get Your Super Bowl LIX Collectibles |
As the hype for the Super Bowl LIX ramps up, Mattel Creations, the hub of limited-edition, specialty items from Mattel, has seized the moment to appeal to avid fans and collectors alike. Merging the excitement of NFL memorabilia with the nostalgia of classic toys, Mattel's lineup features an array of Mattel favorites, all dressed in the glory of the Super Bowl LIX's finalists—the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Collectors and fans can look forward to owning Barbie dolls donning jerseys of the competing teams, Fisher-Price Little People figures styled after star players, and themed UNO cards complete with one collectible foil card in each pack. Only the winning team's themed collectibles will be shipped post-game, with orders canceled and refunds issued for collectibles of the team that doesn't win. So, there's no point ordering if you're an Eagles fan, right? Read More |
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