Current Events in June 2022

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against Walmart, accusing the retailer of allowing its money transfer services to be used by scammers who require untraceable methods to take money from their victims.

In its complaint, the FTC charged that Walmart has “turned a blind eye” while scammers instructed their victims to use the company’s money transfer services to send them cash that could not be retrieved once the victim realized it was a scam.

The agency claims Walmart failed to properly train employees to recognize that a customer was sending cash to a criminal or to warn customers when employees suspected they were about to become scam victims. The FTC said the retailer had a financial incentive to allow the crime.

“While scammers used its money transfer services to make off with cash, Walmart looked the other way and pocketed millions in fees,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Consumers have lost hundreds of millions, and the commission is holding Walmart accountable for letting fraudsters fleece its customers.”  

Walmart pushes back

Walmart strongly pushed back against the charges, calling the suit “factually flawed and legally baseless.” In a statement, the retailer said that even the U.S. Justice Department declined to sign on to the complaint.

“Claiming an unprecedented expansion of the FTC’s authority, the agency seeks to blame Walmart for fraud that the agency already attributed to another company while that company was under the federal government’s direct supervision,” the company said. “Walmart will defend the company’s robust anti-fraud efforts that have helped protect countless consumers, all while Walmart has driven down prices and saved consumers an estimated $6 billion in money transfer fees.”

A decade ago the FTC brought a similar action against Western Union, charging the company was negligent in allowing scammers to use its money transfer services. A court ordered the company to pay millions of dollars to victims who used Moneygram to send money to scammers. In fact, victims can still make a claim – the new deadline is Aug. 31.

In its suit, the agency said it is asking the court to order Walmart to similarly compensate scam victims.

Red flag

The reason scammers prefer a money transfer service to receive money from their victims is simple. Once the money is sent it cannot be retrieved or traced, leaving the victim with no way to get their money back.

Scammers also instruct their victims to put money on gift cards and give them the numbers. Once a scammer has drained the funds from the gift cards, there is no way to get it back.

Both requirements — to pay someone with a money transfer or gift card and not a credit card — should be a huge red flag. In nearly every case it is a telltale sign of a scam.

A new study conducted by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University explored how consumers can improve their relationships with their coworkers. According to their findings, practicing mindfulness may improve interactions among coworkers, which in turn can lead to improvements in their work roles. 

“An understanding of how individuals bring mindfulness with them to work, and how these practices may contribute to interaction and relationship quality, is especially relevant as work landscapes are ever-changing and interdependence is increasingly becoming the norm,” said researcher Christopher S. Reina, Ph.D. 

Improving workplace relationships

For the study, the researchers conducted several formal and informal interviews. They spoke with consultants, managers, and professionals that practice mindfulness about their experiences in the workplace as well as other individuals who prioritize mindfulness at work. 

The researchers learned that mindfulness can have important benefits in the workplace. They found that efforts like being an attentive listener or taking a mindful moment before the start of a meeting can have a ripple effect on workplace performance and interpersonal relationships with colleagues. 

“Interestingly, interviewees noted how other individuals around them had noticed the emotional effects of their mindful behaviors on interactions and relationships,” said Reina. “We found initial evidence that our interviewees’ efforts towards bringing their mindfulness into the workplace were seen by their colleagues as having a positive effect.” 

These improved relationships resulted in improved individual functioning and better group outcomes. 

“Mindfulness reminds us that our thoughts and emotions are complex,” Reina said. “They are contextualized by prior events experienced within a social environment, and within this social environment, individuals must be aware of both their own and others’ thoughts and emotions in order to navigate these complexities with skill and compassion.” 

A new report from the American Heart Association highlighted the importance of sleep for good heart health. Experts from the organization have added sleep to its cardiovascular health checklist, which is now called Life’s Essential 8; the resource is for consumers to improve and maintain their cardiovascular health. 

With the update, the checklist now encourages adults to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, while children should aim to get even more sleep. 

“The new metric of sleep duration reflects the latest research findings: sleep impacts overall health, and people who have healthier sleep patterns manage health factors such as weight, blood pressure, or risk for Type 2 diabetes more effectively,” said American Heart Association President Dr. Donald M. Lloyd-Jones. “In addition, advances in ways to measure sleep, such as with wearable devices, now offer people the ability to reliably and routinely monitor their sleep habits at home.” 

Heart health benefits of sleep

The AHA launched its original cardiovascular health checklist in 2010, and the organization has continued to update it based on data in the more than 2,400 research papers on the topic published over the last 12 years. Currently, the checklist includes items on health behaviors and health factors, including diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration, weight, blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), blood sugar, and blood pressure. 

“We felt it was the right time to conduct a comprehensive review of the latest research to refine the existing metrics and consider any new metrics that add value to assessing cardiovascular health for all people,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones said. 

While several of the items on the checklist were updated to reflect the latest research, sleep duration was the only new addition to the list. Experts gave consumers a goal to aim for each night. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, while kids require different amounts of sleep depending on their age. Kids between 13 and 18 should get eight to 10 hours of sleep each night; kids between six and 12 should get nine to 12 hours of sleep; and kids ages five and under should sleep 10 to 16 hours every 24 hours. 

Other updates to the checklist include:

• A new scoring system, which averages the score of each component from 0 to 100
• A new guide to assessing the quality of diet
• Adjustments to cholesterol and blood sugar measures
• Accounting for smoke exposure 

The researchers also reviewed data on factors like stress, mental health, and social determinants of health. Leaders in the field plan to do more work in this area to see how these factors impact consumers’ heart health. 

“We considered social determinants of health carefully in our update and determined more research is needed on these components to establish their measurement and inclusion in the future,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones said. “Nonetheless, social and structural determinants, as well as psychological health and well-being, are critical, foundational factors in an individual’s or a community’s opportunity to preserve and improve cardiovascular health. We must consider and address all of these issues for people to have the opportunity for a full, healthy life as measured by Life’s Essential 8.” 

COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 87,411,319 (87,233,810)

Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 1,017,470 (1,016,792)

Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 546,499,530 (545,690,489)

Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,334,660 (6,332,965)‌

FDA advisors recommend a modified vaccine

An independent advisory committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted this week to recommend new COVID-19 shots that specifically target the Omicron variant this fall, when public health officials are expecting a new wave of infections.

The current vaccines, introduced in late 2020 and early 2021, were shown to be highly effective against the original strain of COVID-19. However, successive variants have more easily evaded its protection.

If the panel’s recommendations are accepted, the FDA could ask Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson to produce modified vaccines that target Omicron or its subvariants.

Cases level off but don’t drop in New York City

New York City health officials are keeping a wary eye on the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron as COVID-19 cases begin to rise again across the city. Some say BA.5 appears to be “the worst form” of Omicron to emerge so far.

Dr. Jay Varma, formerly then-mayor Bill de Blasio's top public health advisor during the pandemic, said COVID-19 infections appear to have leveled off but do not appear to be dropping. He says they remain at a high level.

"The decline of reported COVID-19 cases in NYC has stopped,” he wrote in a tweet. “Reported cases are at a high plateau, which means actual transmission is very high when you account for the >20x under-counting. This is likely the beginning of a BA.5 wave." 

Around the nation

• California: The San Francisco Chronicle reports Alameda County’s mask mandate did little to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Compared with neighboring counties that did not reimpose the mandate, cases of COVID-19 did not fall. The mask mandate was lifted June 25.

• New Jersey: All of New Jersey has slipped into the category of “high” COVID-19 transmission. The state recorded nearly 2,200 new cases Wednesday, with the latest testing data showing a positivity rate of 12.17%. Federal health officials consider anything above 10% to be high.

• Louisiana: The state Legislature has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would allow parents and students to sue schools that require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of enrollment. It’s not clear if Gov. John Bel Edwards, who recently tested positive for the virus, will sign it.

• Michigan: A study of Michigan residents who had long COVID found they were more likely to be women, Hispanic, and low-income. The Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study also found that people with a body mass index over 30 are also more likely to have long-term post-COVID symptoms.

• Illinois: Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady has expressed concern about the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron, which is spreading throughout the state. Arwady says the two variants are not only highly transmissible, but that people infected with them can be contagious for up to 10 days.

Chrysler is recalling 15 model year 2022 Jeep Wranglers.

The side marker lights may not function due to an incompatible tail light assembly wiring harness.

Nonfunctional side marker lights may reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will replace the tail light assemblies free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 1, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Z43.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 310,203 model year 2016 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, F-450s and F-550s.

Dust may accumulate in the steering wheel clock spring, causing a disconnection in the electrical connection, resulting in the driver airbag not deploying as intended.

Failure of the driver airbag to deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will replace the steering wheel clock spring free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 5, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S35.

With the planet now in its seventh year of the hottest in recorded history, not only are people trying to keep cool, but their smartphones would like to, as well. Phones already have enough heat-producing processes on their own – enabling a device’s camera, apps, and calls – but added environmental heat can lead to battery drain, performance problems, and even a complete shutdown.

There are ways to prevent this from happening, though. ConsumerAffairs surveyed the landscape of advice and found these tips from AT&T, T-Mobile, Xfinity, Asurion, and others. We’ll start with AT&T’s six best tips:

Don’t subject your wireless device to extreme temperature changes. If you and your phone are out in 90+ degree temperatures, it might seem logical that the best way to cool down is to quickly move to an air-conditioned area. Turns out that idea isn’t a smart one, though. “Bringing your electronics from a 90+ degree sunny day to a well air-conditioned room is a great way to moisten the interior of your device,” AT&T told ConsumerAffairs. “Allow your phone to transition gradually to the cooler temperatures by putting it in your purse or pocket before entering the room.”

Keep multiple wireless devices stored separately.  Another hmm-worthy tip AT&T offered was that if you’re carrying both your smartphone and a tablet or laptop, keep them separated and away from each other. The carrier said that since each electronic device conducts heat of its own, stacking them or keeping them pressed up against each other intensifies the heat and obstructs airflow that can keep them comfortably cool.

Don’t leave your wireless device in the car. If you go shopping or running errands in the sweltering heat, it would be wise to take your phone with you instead of popping it in the glove box. Heat is heat, and compartments in the car can suffer just as much as things that are exposed to direct sunlight.

Reduce the risk of overheating from within your phone

While keeping the phone out of the sun's glare can help immensely, AT&T said there are several apps that can help monitor your phone’s temperature and alert you when overheating is a risk. Here are 10 that ConsumerAffairs found expressly for Android phones. As for iPhones, How To's Guru suggests the CPU-Z or System Monitor apps.

In offering suggestions for keeping phones cool, TechRadar suggests removing the case and turning off some of the more intense energy-sucking apps, like games. 

Additional pieces of advice offered by Asurion – the tech insurance provider – were lowering your screen brightness, turning off Bluetooth, and turning on airplane mode, especially if your phone has little or no signal.

When ConsumerAffairs surveyed tips from Xfinity (previously known as Comcast), it suggested that on top of turning off Bluetooth, phone users should also turn off GPS and Wi-Fi to reduce the device’s energy demands.

Finally, device users can go the insurance route, too. Most wireless providers have insurance options that cost a fraction of the price it would cost to replace your phone. Here are AT&T’s device coverage options, T-Mobile’s, and Verizon’s. 

A new study conducted by researchers from University College London and the University of Helsinki explored how conception via infertility treatments may affect children long-term. According to their findings, these children may be at a higher risk of struggling with their mental health by the time they become teens. 

“Whilst we don’t have the data to explain why those born by medically assisted reproduction (MAR) are at a slightly higher risk of mental health disorders, we believe that this may be due to different mechanisms,” said researcher Hanna Remes. 

“The fact that MAR-conceived children tend to be firstborn – around 60% of the children in the study – explained some of the excess risks. It is also possible that because of the process they went through, parents of children conceived by IVF, for example, may have been exposed to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, which may, in turn, have put the children themselves at higher risk of having mental health problems.” 

Mental health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 280,000 Finnish children born between 1995 and 2000. They followed up with the kids when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and assessed their mental health and academic performance. Among the children involved in the study, nearly 270,000 were conceived naturally, and nearly 14,000 were conceived through MAR. 

The study showed that a link between MAR conception and mental health struggles existed only when the researchers factored in family circumstances. They explained that while many couples who undergo fertility treatments tend to be financially secure, they may struggle with stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns as a result of struggling to conceive. The team said that this early exposure to mental health issues from their parents may make them predisposed to their own mental health issues as teens. 

“We explicitly put a lot of focus on the social demographics of families who conceived through medically assisted reproduction – and our findings underscore the importance of integrating this perspective in studies of medically assisted reproduction and its consequences,” said researcher Alice Goisis. 

The study also showed that children born via MAR had better academic outcomes than children conceived naturally. Similar to mental health outcomes, the researchers learned that the kids’ family demographics also played a role. Stable home environments led to fewer kids dropping out of school, better grades, and a lower risk of leaving home early. 

“What we’re seeing is mostly reassuring; children conceived through medically assisted reproduction do better overall and are in fact not more disadvantaged in terms of mental health outcomes,” said Goisis. “However, the fact that we observe an increased risk of mental health disorders once we account for family characteristics could be a cause for concern and merits further attention in future research.” 

While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected consumers in countless ways, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland explored the risks to women’s long-term health and longevity. According to their findings, rates of maternal mortality have spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The increase was really driven by deaths after the start of the pandemic, which are higher than what we see for overall excess mortality in 2020,” said researcher Marie Thoma. 

Risks for women’s longevity

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics. They looked specifically at maternal mortality from before the pandemic (2018 to March 2020) and then during the pandemic, from April 2020 to December 2020. 

Ultimately, the team observed significant increases in maternal mortality during the pandemic. The maternal death rate increased by nearly 35%, while late maternal deaths increased by more than 40% during the pandemic. 

The researchers explained that the COVID-19 virus itself was responsible for nearly 15% of these maternal deaths. Additionally, women with diabetes or cardiovascular concerns – two conditions that worsened COVID-related symptoms – were at a higher risk of maternal death. 

It’s also important to note that Black and Hispanic women were at a much higher risk of maternal death than white women. The maternal death rate spiked by nearly 75% in Hispanic women and by 40% in non-Hispanic Black women. 

“For the first time in more than a decade, the maternal mortality rate for Hispanic women during the pandemic was higher than that for non-Hispanic white women, a shift that may be related to COVID and deserves greater attention moving forward,” said researcher Eugene Declercq. 

Moving forward, the researchers plan to do more work in this area to better understand the effect that COVID has on women’s health and longevity. 

“We need more detailed data on the specific causes of maternal deaths overall and those associated with COVID-19,” Thoma said. “Potentially we could see improvements in 2021 due to the rollout of vaccines, as well as the extension of postpartum care provided for Medicaid recipients as part of the American Rescue Act of 2021 in some states. We’re going to continue to examine this.” 

Gassing up the car for a Fourth of July road trip? Make sure you have plenty of money in your bank account or an ample credit limit.

It’s not just the cost of the fuel you have to worry about. When you use a credit or debit card at the gas pump, the gas station takes temporary possession of enough of your money or credit to cover even more than your purchase and holds it until the purchase settles.

With the price of gasoline and diesel fuel at record highs, The Wall Street Journal reports those “holds” can amount to $175. While most of the time the money is returned in a couple of hours, there are cases where it can take longer.

Visa and Mastercard began allowing the larger holds earlier this year when gas prices surged. At $5 a gallon, filling up a truck or SUV can cost over $100.

When gas prices were $3 a gallon or less, the holds were much smaller. Now that the price is over $5 a gallon in several states, the larger hold on a debit card purchase could mean trouble if the consumer has $100 or less in their bank account.

“When you set a hold that is a high number, it increases the likelihood that a consumer will overdraft because of that hold,” Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives at the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, a trade organization, told the Journal. “However, if you set a number that’s too low, you also risk not getting paid for that transaction.” 

What to do

For consumers buying gas with a credit card — especially one with a low credit limit — there is a similar risk. A $50 gas purchase using a card with only $125 in credit limit remaining might seem safe, but it isn’t. The $175 hold, even for a couple of hours, will result in an overdraft charge.

Before you head out on a holiday trip that will require a refueling stop, it’s a good idea to check your bank balance if you’re paying with a debit card. By logging into your credit card account, you can make sure you have enough credit to cover the hold.

If you think you’re dangerously close to the edge, carrying plenty of cash to pay for fuel could offer some peace of mind.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 88 model year 2021 GLB 250s. 

The level sensor linkage on the rear axle might not have been installed properly, which could affect the headlight leveling function.

Improperly leveled headlights may project a glare, which can impact other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and repair the level sensor linkage -- as necessary -- free of charge. 

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 8, 2022. 

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at (800) 367-6372.

SunVilla Corporation of Chino, Calif., is recalling about 433,000 10’ Solar LED Market Umbrellas sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The lithium-ion batteries in the umbrella’s solar panels can overheat, posinHag fire and burn hazards.

The firm has received six reports of the lithium-ion batteries overheating. This includes three reports of solar panels catching fire while charging via the AC adapter indoors and two reports of umbrellas catching fire when the solar panel puck overheated and caught fire while attached to the umbrella and one smoke inhalation injury. 

This recall involves all 10’ Solar LED Market Umbrellas sold in a variety of colors.  

The umbrellas have LED lights on the arms of the umbrella and a black solar panel battery puck at the top of the umbrella.  

The solar puck has a black cover marked with “YEEZE” or “YEEZE 1.”

The umbrellas, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at Costco warehouses nationwide and online at www.costco.com from December 2020, through May 2022, for between $130 and $160.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the umbrellas, remove the solar panel puck containing a lithium-ion battery from the top of the umbrella, store the puck out of the sun and away from combustible material, and do not charge the puck with the AC adapter. 

Consumers may return the umbrellas and solar puck to any Costco Warehouse nationwide for a full refund. Consumers unable to return the product to Costco may contact the firm for instructions on how to receive a refund. 

SunVilla and Costco are contacting all known purchasers.

Consumers may contact SunVilla toll-free at (866) 600-3133 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) Monday through Friday, by email at LEDRecall@sunvilla.com, or online at https://sunvilla.com/pages/recall for more information.

Nissan North America is recalling 322,671 model year 2013-2016 Pathfinders.

The secondary hood latch may malfunction on certain vehicles and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.

An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while the vehicle is being driven, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The remedy is in development.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 18, 2020.

Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at (800) 867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are R22A2 and R22A3.

Since Amazon shared a sneak peek of what it had in store for this year’s Prime Day on July 12 and 13, shopping sleuths have been in full detective mode identifying the best things to buy on Prime Day as well as which ones are worth waiting on.

The price pundits at BlackFriday.com say that – like other Prime Days – Amazon will take care of itself first by featuring some of the best deals of the year on its own Amazon Echo devices and Amazon Fire TV products, as well as the company’s in-house lines of clothing, home goods, and fitness accessories at deeply marked down prices.

BlackFriday.com says that with a return to school only two months away or less, prices on back-to-school supplies are likely to get slashed, too.

What to avoid buying on Prime Day

While there are going to be lots of deals on Prime Day, there might be even better prices for consumers who can hold off a bit, according to BlackFriday.com.

High-end TVs: “Amazon is already showcasing great deals on Smart TVs, and we expect to see even more during Amazon Prime Day. If you are in the market for a high-end Samsung or LG TV, we recommend waiting until Black Friday to find the best deals,” BlackFriday.com’s Mackenzie Shand says, reasoning that because newer TV models are still relatively new to the market, consumers are likely to find steeper markdowns later this fall.

Only items found on Amazon: Shand also cautioned shoppers that while Prime Day is an Amazon-exclusive event, Target and Walmart are also trying to take advantage of Amazon’s hoopla by doing promotions of their own. “Target has revealed it will be hosting Deal Days from July 11 to 13, and we expect other retailers to announce major sales during this time as well. If you're shopping for a specific product, we recommend checking out all your options to ensure you're getting the best deal possible,” Shand said.

And some extra Amazon store credit too

CBS News reports that shoppers can pick up some almost-free money from Amazon ahead of Prime Day that they can turn around and use during the July 12 and 13 event. Mind you, it’ll take time clicking here and there, signing up for things, and filling out forms, but in today’s world, an extra $10 here and there adds up.

For starters, consumers can get a free $10 Amazon promotional credit when they purchase an Amazon e-gift card for the first time ($50 minimum). Plus, Amazon is throwing in another $10 when they reload that gift card with $100 or more. Then, yet another $10 is available when they activate and complete their 2022 Prime Stampcard by exploring the perks of an Amazon Prime membership.

Finally, Amazon shoppers can get up to $60 more by visiting and making purchases through Amazon's new Prime Day Offers hub. CBS also said that shoppers can earn even more free money if they buy movie tickets, shop for goods made by Procter & Gamble, and consider alternative financing options from Affirm.

A new study conducted by researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia explored how teens’ experiences with cyberbullying may have detrimental effects on their mental health. Their findings showed that young people are more likely to attempt suicide and have suicidal thoughts when they’re bullied online. 

“At a time when young adolescents are spending more time online than ever before, this study underscores the negative impact that bullying in the virtual space can have on its targets,” said researcher Dr. Ran Barzilay. “Given these results, it may be prudent for primary care providers to screen for cyberbullying routinely in the same way that they might screen for other suicide risk factors like depression. Educators and parents should also be aware of the substantial stress bullying in the cyberworld places on young adolescents.” 

Mental health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 U.S. children between the ages of 10 and 13 who were enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The kids answered questions about their experiences with cyberbullying and any history of suicidal thoughts or attempts. They also answered another survey about any traditional, offline bullying that they’d experienced or engaged in. 

The study showed that children who experienced cyberbullying were at a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts and attempting suicide. Nearly 9% of the group reported a history of cyberbullying, while 7.6% of the kids reported dealing with suicidality in some way. 

One interesting note from the study is that kids who were bullied online weren’t necessarily being bullied in person. The study showed that traditional bullying also differed from cyberbullying in how it affected the bullies. While those who cyberbullied others weren’t affected from a mental health perspective, offline bullies and targets of offline bullying were likely to struggle with suicidal thoughts and attempts. 

The researchers also found that children who were victims of cyberbullying were likely to struggle with mental health regardless of outside factors, such as school environment, family conflict, racial discrimination, parental relationships, and negative life events. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that experts utilize these findings to improve suicide prevention strategies for young people. 

“Our findings suggest being a target of cyberbullying is an independent risk factor for youth suicidality,” said Barzilay. “For policymakers wishing to optimize youth suicide prevention efforts, this study should further encourage interventions for those who are being bullied online.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University explored how consumers’ eating habits while dieting may affect their food choices long-term. According to their findings, eating more protein while on a diet may prompt consumers to choose healthier options overall. 

“The impact of self-selected dietary protein on diet quality has not been examined before, to our knowledge, like this,” said researcher Anna Ogilvie. “Exploring the connection between protein intake and diet quality is important because diet quality is often suboptimal in the U.S., and higher-protein weight loss diets are popular.” 

Improving diet long-term 

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 200 overweight or obese men and women between the ages of 24 and 75 involved in a six-month clinical trial. The participants followed a calorie-deficit diet for the duration of the study, and they recorded everything they ate. The team then assessed the quality of their diets to understand how healthy the participants were eating.

While the researchers recommended that the participants allot 18% of their daily calories to protein, the participants fell into two groups: 18% of calories coming from protein or 20% of calories coming from protein. Though the team found that both groups lost the same amount of weight, eating more protein improved the participants’ diets overall. 

Those who ate more protein were more likely to adopt other healthier eating habits. The study showed that higher-protein eaters reached for sugary foods less often and for green vegetables more often. Additionally, eating more protein helped the participants retain more of their lean muscle mass, as opposed to eating less protein on a regular basis. 

The researchers hope that these findings highlight the benefits associated with eating diets higher in protein, as they can help consumers adopt healthier habits long-term. 

“It’s somewhat remarkable that a self-selected, slightly higher protein intake during dieting is accompanied by higher intake of green vegetables, and reduced intake of refined grains and added sugar,” said researcher Sue Shapses. “But that’s precisely what we found.”