The Montly Check-UP

Nose Spray EpiPen 

Skyler Dunphy 

Edited by Open AI (Chat GPT) 

 

Needles No More 

Neffy Offers a Life-Saving Alternative to Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. For many people with severe allergies, the fear of needles has long been a barrier to using life-saving epinephrine. But now, thanks to a new product called Neffy, that fear may be a thing of the past. Neffy, a needle-free nasal spray, has just received approval from the **U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)**, offering a new, more accessible option for those who need epinephrine in emergencies. Developed by **ARS Pharmaceuticals**, this innovative product delivers 2 mg of epinephrine in a simple nasal spray—eliminating the need for the large needles traditionally associated with auto-injectors like the EpiPen. 

 

The Problem with Needles 

 

Research has shown that many people with severe allergies often hesitate to use epinephrine auto-injectors due to the fear of the large needle, which can range from 1.17 to 1.6 cm in length. This hesitation could be life-threatening in an emergency. Neffy’s nasal spray eliminates that barrier, potentially improving adherence and saving lives during critical moments. 

 

Neffy’s Benefits 

 

Approved for adults and children who weigh at least 66 pounds, Neffy offers a fast-acting alternative to traditional auto-injectors. Without the anxiety-inducing needle, users can quickly administer the medication themselves, making it easier to respond to allergic reactions promptly and effectively. 

 

Possible Side Effects 

 

Like all medications, Neffy does come with some side effects. The most common include throat irritation, headaches, nasal discomfort, and sensations of nasal congestion, runny nose, or jitteriness. Some users have also reported a fast heartbeat after using the spray. People with a history of nasal polyps or recent nasal surgery should be cautious, as these conditions may affect how well the epinephrine is absorbed. 

 

Is Neffy the Right Choice for You?  

 

While Neffy offers a promising alternative to the traditional auto-injector, it’s important to consult with your doctor before switching treatments. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons of Neffy, considering your unique health needs and medical history. 

 

At the end of the day, Neffy represents a major step forward in making life-saving medication more accessible and user-friendly for those at risk of severe allergic reactions.  

 

*Note: This article is not sponsored by Neffy or ARS Pharmaceuticals. The Varsity News has no affiliation with either company. * 

 

Sources  

  • Parikh, Purvi. “New Epinephrine Nasal Spray for Anaphylaxis May Be Coming Soon | Allergy & Asthma Network.” Allergyasthmanetwork.org, 9 Aug. 2024, allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/epinephrine-nasal-spray-for-anaphylaxis/. 

  • Song, T. Ted. “Epinephrine Needle Length in Autoinjectors and Why It Matters.” The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, vol. 6, no. 4, July 2018, pp. 1264–65, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2017.11.035. 

  • "Story above" Edit story. ChatGPT, OpenAI, 16 Nov. 2024. https://chatgpt.com. 

 


What is With All the Energy Drinks?

Skyler Dunphy

 

There has been an uptick in how many teens are buying energy drinks. But before you head over to Walgreens and

buy a case, there are some health concerns you should learn about first. Some of them can have lifelong effects!

Starting with the pros of energy drinks. According to healthline.com, caffeine is the only good thing in energy drinks.

Caffeine has many beneficial effects; some of them improve brain function, leading to an increase in mental

alertness. Caffeine specifically improves memory, concentration, and reaction time. Since caffeine is a stimulant,

there has been some talk on whether caffeine can be good for people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive

disorder) or ADD (attention deficit disorder), since most medications that treat these conditions are stimulants.

Although, some scientists believe that it is not caffeine alone that gives the positive effects. Some scientists believe

that the sugar in the drinks helps so much that we would not work as effectively if it were removed. However, this has

not been proven and with all good, there is bad. Energy drinks can cause heart problems in some people. It has been

reported that 20,000 ER (emergency room) visits have been associated with energy drink use annually in the US

alone. It has also been shown that energy drinks may increase blood pressure, and heart rate, and decrease

important markers of blood vessel function; this can be bad for the heart’s health. Experts have stated that heart

problems occur when energy drinks are consumed in excessive amounts. In addition, it is recommended to not

consume more than 16 ounces (about 473.18 ml) of caffeine a day, which is about one normal-sized energy drink. As

with everything you read, you should take everything with a grain of salt, as they say, and do your research,

especially regarding your body and health, as everyone is different.

 

Sources

·      Barclay, Rachel. “How Does Caffeine Affect ADHD?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 27 Feb. 2015, www.healthline.com/health/adhd/caffeine. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

·      Pearson, Keith. “Are Energy Drinks Good or Bad for You?” Healthline, 13 Apr. 2017, www.healthline.com/nutrition/energy-drinks. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.

 

Editorials

Earth’s Temporary Moon

Kayla Bergen

   

For 53 days the Earth will be accompanied by another “mini moon”. From September 29 to November 25 an asteroid will be

falling into Earth's orbit for a limited time. This asteroid has been named 2024 PT5.

 

2024 PT5 will not be completing a full orbit around Earth, making it an unofficial mini-moon. Instead, it will be making a

horseshoe shape around Earth before falling back into its respective asteroid belt. This asteroid belongs to the Arjuna asteroid

belt, which follows a similar orbit to Earth’s. Scientists think that 2024 PT5 may be a part of Earth’s moon that fell off at a previous impact in the past.

 

            2024 PT5 was discovered on August 7 of this year. It was discovered from ATLAS or the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last

Alert System.

 

Some people may be wondering if this “mini-moon” will be visible from Earth’s surface. Unfortunately, the answer is no. 2024

PT5 will not be visible with your bare eye, nor with a typical home telescope. Scientists estimate that the 2024 PT5 is around 33

feet and is not a bright enough object. 

 

            It is not extremely uncommon for these astronomic events to happen. The last time an asteroid entered Earth’s orbit was

two years ago during the Summer of 2022. 2022, however, was not the first time that that asteroid entered Earth’s orbit. It made

an appearance in 1981 and is expected to return in 2051. This coming asteroid, 2024 PT5, is expected to return by 2055.

 

Citations:

Strickland, A. (2024, September 20). A space rock is about to become Earth’s new “mini-moon.” CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/science/earth-asteroid-mini-moon/index.html 

 

Los Angeles Times. (2024, September 19). What you need to know about Earth’s new, temporary mini-moon. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-19/earth-second-mini-moon-2024-pt5 

 

 

 

Eclipses Explained                                               

By: Kayla Bergen, 2024          

 

A solar eclipse, not to be confused with a lunar eclipse, is a special event that occurs when the moon is positioned between

the sun and the Earth. A total solar eclipse usually lasts only a few minutes and can only happen during the daytime. Solar

eclipses are rare and do not occur on a set date. However, at least one total solar eclipse is likely to happen somewhere on

Earth within three years.  

 

A lunar eclipse, however, is the opposite of a solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is likely to occur twice a year somewhere on

Earth. This happens when the Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon. That results in a shadow on the moon,

causing the moon to have a reddish appearance. This event will only happen at night. You probably know it takes the

moon about 27 days to orbit the Earth. That may lead one to wonder why we don’t have a lunar eclipse every month. You

probably also know that the moon orbits the Earth at a tilt. Because of this tilt, the moon does not always get in the Earth's

shadow. 

 

You should note that there is a difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs

when the moon covers the entire sun, making the sky appear as if it is in the middle of the night. A partial solar eclipse

occurs when the moon blocks out just a bit of the sun's light; this could last up to an hour. 

The most recent total solar eclipse in the United States was on April 8, 2024. That eclipse was visible from Texas to Maine.

Parts of Mexico and Canada were also able to view the eclipse. The last total solar eclipse before that to be visible from the

United States was in 2017. This eclipse was visible from Oregon to South Carolina. The Next total solar eclipse in the world

will be in 2026. That eclipse will be viable from parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. The next total solar eclipse to be

visible in the United States is predicted to happen on August 23, 2044. It will start in Greenland and make its way to

Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

 

Scientists have discovered much from the eclipses recorded in the past. Scientists discovered that Earth’s rotation has

slowed down by 47 thousandths of a second per day in the past 3,200 years. Scientists were also able to give a probable

date to when Jesus was crucified using what the bible says about eclipses. They came up with the date April 3, 33 C.E. 

 
 Sorces

NASA. (2024, March 29). Lunar eclipses and solar eclipses. NASA. https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/eclipses/en/  

NASA. (n.d.). History of eclipses - NASA Science. NASA. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/history/  

National eclipse. Eclipse Maps | August 23, 2044 - Total Solar Eclipse. (n.d.). https://nationaleclipse.com/maps/map_08232044.html