TIME is reporting that a new Gallup poll indicates Americans are drinking less alcohol, continuing a downward trend across all age groups. It said health concerns, driven by scientific evidence suggesting no amount of drinking is safe, appear to be a significant factor.
TIME is also reporting on new dream research by Karen Konkoly of the University of Cambridge, who explores how unusual pre-sleep tasks can influence dreams. It said her experiments involved participants learning to play a harmonica duet using only nasal inhalations and competing in a bubble-blowing contest with nasal exhalations. TIME noted that participants often dreamed about these tasks, especially when musical cues were played during sleep, though real-time breathing changes linked to dreams were not clearly observed.
The U.S. is experiencing a summer surge in COVID-19 cases, TIME is reporting, with Marlene Wolfe of Emory University noting a 120% increase in SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater in August compared to July. It said this reflects a typical gradual summer climb, with concentrations similar to last year. TIME attributed the rise to factors like summer travel and increased indoor gatherings due to hot weather, which facilitate virus spread, and potentially waning protection from fall vaccinations.
Separately, TIME is highlighting a report from Becker’s Hospital Review about the first FDA-authorized standalone machine capable of finding a vein, inserting a needle, and collecting blood samples without human assistance.
TIME is also noting a report from MedPage Today that the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed a lawsuit against HHS and the USDA. It said the lawsuit alleges the new U.S. dietary guidelines, released in January, were developed by a "secret panel" with "conflicts of interest."
Finally, TIME is reporting that the FDA is investigating a Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened 10,930 people, conducting onsite inspections at iceberg-lettuce growers in Mexico. It said the recalled lettuce is no longer available on the market.