JEDDAH: Passive smoking is associated with infertility and early menopause in women, according to a recent study.
The researchers said that compared to women who never smoked and those who were exposed only to a minimum level of passive smoking, the women who were exposed in a major way were more likely to not fall pregnant and to reach menopause before the age of 50, according to a report in a local publication.
According to Andrew Hyland from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, the administrator of the study, the results of previous studies already found a link between smoking and reproductive health problems in women. “But very few such studies linked passive smoking with infertility and early menopause,” said the study.
Hyland and his research team analyzed data from 88,732 women who participated in the study carried out between 1993 and 1998 when the women were between the ages of 50 and 79.
Based on the questionnaire, 15 percent of the participants who answered the questionnaire at the beginning of the study said they suffered infertility for at least one year, and about 40 percent said they suffered premature menopause before the age of 50.
In comparison with women who never smoked, researchers found that 14 percent of heavy smokers during one period of their lives were more likely to be infertile, while 26 percent said they suffered premature menopause.
Researchers found that heavy smokers suffered early menopause two years before those who never smoked. Eighteen percent of women who never smoked but were exposed to passive smoking were more likely to suffer infertility and premature menopause, the study found.
Study: Passive smoking leads to infertility
Study: Passive smoking leads to infertility
Apple to update EU browser options, make more apps deletable
- iPhone maker came under pressure from regulators to make changes after the EU’s sweeping Digital Markets Act took effect on March 7
- Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options
STOCKHOLM: Apple will change how users choose browser options in the European Union, add a dedicated section for changing default apps, and make more apps deletable, the company said on Thursday.
The iPhone maker came under pressure from regulators to make changes after the EU’s sweeping Digital Markets Act took effect on March 7, forcing big tech companies to offer mobile users the ability to select from a list of available web browsers on a “choice screen.”
The new rules require mobile software makers to show the choice screen where users can select a browser, search engine and virtual assistant as they set up their phones, which earlier came with preferred options from Apple and Google.
In an update later this year, Apple users will be able to select a default browser directly from the choice screen after going through a mandatory list of options.
A randomly ordered list of 12 browsers per EU country will be shown to the user with short descriptions, and the chosen one will be automatically downloaded, Apple said. The choice screen will also be available on iPads through an update later this year.
Apple released a previous update in response to the new rules in March, but browser companies criticized the design of its choice screen, and the Commission opened an investigation on March 25 saying it suspected that the measures fell short of effective compliance.
The company said it has been in dialogue with the European Commission and believes the new changes will address regulators’ concerns.
It also plans to introduce a dedicated area for default apps where a user will be able to set defaults for messaging, phone calls, spam filters, password managers and keyboards.
Users will also be able to delete certain Apple-made apps such as App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos and Safari. Only Settings and Phone apps would not be deletable.
