FDA Seeks to Limit Arsenic in Apple Juice: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed to limit the acceptable level of arsenic in apple juice to under 10 parts per billion, the same level set for drinking water. The FDA stated that while it believed most apple juice to be safe, they enacted the new limits to “help prevent public exposure to occasional lots of apple juice with arsenic levels above those permitted in drinking water.” In 2011, The Dr. Oz Show conducted its own test of store-bought apple juice and found levels of arsenic exceeding those recommended for drinking water. Following further correspondence with the FDA over these findings, the FDA agreed to review the issue and subsequently issued the new arsenic limits. 

New Screening Method May Catch Ovarian Cancer Early: A study published in Cancer found that a simple blood test tracking levels of protein CA-125 might provide an effective screening method for ovarian cancer. The study, which included over 4,000 women between the ages of 50 and 74, classified the subjects as low, intermediate or high risk based on their initial CA-125 levels. High-risk women were referred to get a transvaginal ultrasound and consult with a specialist, and 10 women ultimately underwent surgery. Four of those women were found to have invasive ovarian cancer, which was caught early. All women survived treatment. A similar but larger study including about 200,000 women should have results by 2015, after which screening recommendations could potentially change.

23,000 People Killed Yearly by Drug-Resistant Germs: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated and released for the first time the number of Americans infected and killed by drug-resistant bacteria every year. The government organization reported that approximately two million people were infected and 23,000 killed by dangerous bacteria that aren’t susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), drug-resistant gonorrhea and Clostridium difficile were identified as “urgent” threats and 12 others were identified as “serious.” The CDC cited overuse and misuse of antibiotics as the largest factor contributing to the development of drug-resistant organisms.