Nicotine

The ravages of smoking cigarettes on human health have long been established. Now a new study says that contact with cigarette smoke, even if it's on your clothes after coming from a smoky environment, can damage your dog's health as well.

Nicotine is one of the more harmful compounds in electronic cigarette vapor, so non-vapers should avoid breathing it in whenever possible. A new skin-worn sensor could help, by monitoring airborne nicotine levels in the wearer's immediate vicinity.

Two observational studies have found a link between e-cigarette use and cognitive complaints such as memory impairments and brain fog. The research doesn't present evidence of a causal link but calls for further long-term study into the relationship.

The FDA has finally approved two new low-nicotine cigarettes for the US market. The announcement comes less than a month after the FDA faced criticism for seemingly backing down on a 2017 initiative to regulate nicotine levels in cigarettes.

Weight gain has often been noted as a side effect of quitting smoking, and research has found that nicotine can function as an appetite suppressant. A study has now uncovered a novel mechanism showing how nicotine directly activates a protein that signals a type of fat cell to start burning energy.

While some researchers have been busy developing a possible vaccine to help humans beat their nicotine cravings, others have been getting bumblebees addicted to the stuff to see whether or not the drug could influence the insects' ability to learn the color of flowers.