VA Research Findings on Agent Orange, Parkinson’s Disease and Opioid Use

 

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Research plays a crucial role in improving lives, and new discoveries can benefit people well beyond the Veteran community. For Veterans, ongoing research helps support healthier, happier lives, especially for those who return from service with physical or psychological injuries that can lead to additional challenges. Continued support and funding for research strengthens the scientific community and helps multiple populations. Below are some of the recent findings from the VA Office of Research and Development, which you can explore further in the article.

Summary below of the article VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on Agent Orange, Parkinson’s disease and opioid use

• a VA Boston study found a possible link between exposure to Agent Orange and a rare form of skin cancer called acral melanoma, showing that Veterans with documented exposure had about 30 % higher odds of developing this type of melanoma compared with both healthy controls and Veterans with more common melanoma forms, marking the first time this association has been reported.

• Researchers led by a team at a New Mexico VA site investigated the gut bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris, finding it much more common in people with Parkinson’s disease and showing that the bacteria can cause a build-up of alpha-synuclein protein and suppress an enzyme important for dopamine function, suggesting a possible role for gut microbes in the development of Parkinson’s disease.

• Iowa City VA investigators used a mouse model to study opioid withdrawal and found that prolonged withdrawal triggers changes in brain synapses related to an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase 4, and that giving the heart disease drug acetazolamide blocked that enzyme’s expression, prevented those synaptic changes, and reduced opioid-seeking behavior, indicating potential for repurposing this drug to treat substance use disorder.

*This article is for a project for veterans. 

Campfire Goulash: Chaos in a Pot and Much More than Slop!

 

This goulash chili is shockingly easy to make—so easy that even a raccoon could probably do it if it had opposable thumbs. Grab a can of beans, a potato, a little onion, some beef, tomatoes, maybe toss in some extra vegetables if you’re feeling fancy, a bouillon cube, and a handful of pasta shells.

Throw everything into a pot, bring it to a boil, and give it a stir so it looks like it actually belongs together. Then turn it down to a simmer. I simmered mine for about an hour, tossing in garlic, some chili powder, and whatever else tickled my fancy. Honestly, you don’t really need a recipe here—if you want exact instructions, just Google “chili.”

The best part? If you’re camp cooking, you basically only need a pot, a knife, and a few canned things you probably already have lying around. Didn’t bring meat? No worries, you’re either a vegetarian… or a very forgetful camper. Just swap in extra beans and veggies—it works. I once did something like that with some monks in the California mountains. No meat, just good vibes and hearty beans.

Camping chili: easy, forgiving, and slightly magical. Also, it makes you feel like a wilderness wizard.

Comments on Pesonal Income and Outlays, December 2025 (Sam Improves His Savings Rate and Invests in a Side Business in Escanaba)

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Sam realizes he is not 
rich so he adjusted his
person spending to save more,
and started a side business
making maple syrup 
and sells that
through an agreement with one of
the stores downtown Escanaba.
It helps brand the area
and he can pick up a little 
money using his
property. An exportable 
product. 

Think of a few ways
you can make side money
and put that away or
reinvest in your side
hustle.

Looking at December 2025 personal income and spending, the economy is stable but not growing much. Over the year, growth is modest, and it’s important to remember that high earners can skew the data. Many people don’t have the same disposable income as they did in prior generations, which is something that needs attention.

 (Getting more and more but leaving people with less in part from aggressive marketing and selling things we don't necessarily need. Awareness can lead to stronger personal choice versus automatic response. Neuroeconomics. What I'm reviewing is clusters is partly related to deeper human choice and innovation through subtransactions.).

The savings rate is historically low at 3.6% of disposable income, so increasing it is important. Budgeting carefully and focusing on essentials—like cooking at home instead of eating out—can help save money (Be creative with other ways.). Savings can then be invested to grow wealth over time.

Raising wages is another key factor. This can happen through education, learning new skills, starting small businesses, or policies that support workers and small- to medium-sized businesses. Adapting to new technology and being flexible in your work can increase your value and income.

Job mobility can also help if wages aren’t rising where you are. But higher income doesn’t automatically mean more savings—people often spend more when they earn more. Change the pattern.

Summary of Personal Income and Outlays, December 2025

• Personal income rose 0.3% ($86.2 billion) in December 2025

• Disposable personal income increased 0.3% ($75.7 billion)

• Personal consumption expenditures went up 0.4% ($91.0 billion)

• Personal outlays rose $90.2 billion

• Personal saving was $830.8 billion, saving rate 3.6% of disposable income

• Real PCE (inflation-adjusted spending) increased 0.1% ($11.5 billion)

• PCE price index (inflation) rose 0.4% month-to-month, 2.9% year-over-year; excluding food and energy, rose 0.4% MoM, 3.0% YoY

• Data includes updates for October and November 2025 due to government shutdown

Exploring Broad-Based Capitalism and Economic Perspectives

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A downtown thriving
because there is less concentration 
of wealth and more
small business capital. 
The concept of more
resources for the development 
of small and medium businesses
becomes highlighted. 
One may also focus
on exportation of products and 
services to help the trade balance. 
Over concentration may
limit market nimbleness,inovation,
and long-term performance
through decision making
and opportunity
thereby slowing societal
and economic participation.
There are natural mechanics at 
play.
Economic Needs Fulfillment
Evolutionary Economics
The Potato Eaters

This article is meant for philosophical discussion and explanation. The topic came up recently during a casual conversation about the advantages and disadvantages of different economic systems. People pointed to issues such as the cost of healthcare and education, limits on free speech through narrowly accepted narratives, the rising cost of living, fairness in justice outcomes, and struggling downtowns. These were seen as symptoms of an over-concentration of power, wealth, and opportunity, which shapes how people experience the world.

There is no single right or wrong answer—just an open, free-flowing discussion. It is ok to disagree as the point is discussion and not necessarily conclusion. Perspectives naturally differ depending on whether someone is wealthy, middle class, poor, educated level, or a small business owner. Each group views these challenges through a different lens.

From this conversation, the idea of broad-based capitalism emerged. The concept suggests that when money circulates more freely across different social classes, it strengthens innovation, supports growth, and creates a more balanced economic environment. Not to mention social stability. Natural cycles should lead to regeneration at community levels and a balance between the large companies and the smaller mom & pop that serve everyday people.

Capitalism and Socialism

Capitalism and socialism have been debated for a long time, and people often feel strongly about one side or the other. Capitalism focuses on free markets and individual choice, allowing people to make decisions and shape their own economic path. Socialism, on the other hand, involves greater government control and a more collective approach to distributing resources. Neither system is perfect, because each offers benefits while also creating risks and limitations.

Strengths and Weaknesses

In capitalism, people have more freedom to build businesses, make investments, and choose how they want to work. However, wealth can become concentrated among a small group, leaving workers with fewer protections and fewer financial benefits. Socialism aims to reduce this inequality by having the government manage more of the economy. Supporters believe this can create fairness, but critics argue it may reduce innovation, limit free trade, and weaken economic motivation. This discussion is not meant to resolve the debate—only to highlight the ideas that often fuel passionate political arguments.

Broad-Based Capitalism

A concept that helps reframe the discussion is “broad-based capitalism.” This idea focuses on spreading economic opportunity more evenly by strengthening small and medium-sized businesses. As wealth becomes concentrated, it becomes easier for those at the top to stay there, and harder for new businesses to enter the market. Supporting smaller enterprises encourages innovation and helps build wealth within local communities. It also broadens the economic base rather than allowing only large corporations to dominate.

Long-Term Risks

If wealth continues to concentrate among a small group, society may drift toward having two economic tiers with limited mobility between them. Small and medium businesses may struggle to grow, while large corporations gain more influence over government policies. Over time, these corporations may move operations overseas, merge with competitors, or decline, creating new economic vulnerabilities.

Why Broad-Based Capitalism Matters

Broad-based capitalism offers a path that keeps the strengths of a market economy while reducing some of its weaknesses. By ensuring that wealth circulates more freely and that new businesses can emerge and thrive, society becomes more resilient and dynamic. This approach encourages innovation, supports communities, and avoids the pitfalls of extreme concentration of wealth—providing a more balanced and sustainable form of capitalism.

The following was taken as a summary of the article Capitalism vs. Socialism: An Overview. This is the traditional discussion but you may want to read.

What the debate is about

• Two major economic systems that differ in who controls resources and how they’re shared.

Capitalism (main ideas)

• Private ownership of goods and services.

• Free market competition determines prices and success.

• Supporters say it encourages innovation and consumer choice.

• Critics say it can cause inequality and concentration of wealth.

Socialism (main ideas)

• Government (or society) controls production and distribution.

• Resources are shared more based on contribution.

• Supporters say it reduces inequality and provides social services.

• Critics say it can limit personal initiative and create inefficiency.

How they interact

• Most real countries mix both systems in various ways.

• The debate shapes political and economic policy around the world.

The Role of Justice in Economic Development: When the People's Concerns Make More Sense

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Ancient Rome

and the average people

arond an institution

of jutice.

Aristotle-

The weak are always

anxious for justice

and equality. The strong pay

no heed to either.

Justice is fundamentally important because it creates a level playing field in society. Everyday transactions—whether economic or social—rely on trust. Just as social movements or interest rates can influence economic behavior, justice shapes how people make decisions and act. When you enter into a contract or buy a product, there’s an expectation of fairness. Crime and corruption erode that trust, damaging both individuals and the broader economy.

Supporting good officers and officials who serve their communities honorably is crucial. But we cannot support those who cheat the system, because they break down these essential transactions of trust, leading to poor economic outcomes.

Data is helping us understand the justice system in new ways. Courts are starting to connect information that was previously isolated, revealing possible patterns that explain why trust may be declining—especially among the next generation. Improvements are possible: removing “bad apples,” making diverse hiring decisions, and ensuring top-down policies don’t favor the wealthy or well-connected over the average person, so on and so forth.

Justice systems exist to serve everyone, not just those within the institution, politicians, or the wealthy. Most do the right thing but not everyone. When there’s a gap between public perception and what is promoted at the top, there’s an opportunity to align the system with the needs of the people. By supporting what works, eliminating what doesn’t, and continuously improving, we strengthen both economic and social development at their root.

The study below highlights how changing data can reveal disparities and problems within the justice system. If judges and politicians recognize these opportunities for improvement, meaningful progress is possible.The Role of Development in Justice

• Strong courts help the economy by enforcing contracts, supporting businesses, and protecting people.

• Efficient justice systems reduce crime and build trust in institutions.

• Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can solve disputes where the rule of law is weak.

• Digital tools and data make courts “data-rich but information-poor,” creating chances to improve efficiency.

• Using data can help evaluate reforms and address post-COVID-19 justice needs.

What the Latest Leading Indicators Say About 2026? The Predictions of Forecasting!

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Resources, mining, wood 
products, new businesses, 
cost of moving goods, data
processesing, AI businesses,
etc. depend on infrastructure
and new business investment.

The rise of small and medium businesses
that can adapt to environmental
and social factors could
help improve innovation
and employment. The 
concept of economic clusters
might help. 

Economics is always evolving. It’s an ongoing story of how people, markets, and industries interact. Analysts constantly try to predict where things are headed, but solid forecasting relies on scientific methods—clear data, defined markers, and comparisons to past situations with similar conditions.

Even then, predictions are never perfect. Unexpected events can shift the entire landscape, and the economy is full of unpredictable variables. It’s large, complex, influenced by human behavior, and ultimately expressed through numbers that can only capture part of the picture.

Current indicators suggest that early 2026 may start slowly, which aligns with what we’re seeing so far. Manufacturing growth isn’t as strong as hoped, and unemployment questions remain. AI also plays a role—its adoption may change how jobs function and reduce the creation of some traditional roles, reshaping parts of the labor market.

Still, some projections paint 2026 as a reasonably stable year. Ultimately, we’ll have to watch how events unfold.

U.S. Leading Indicators — Quick Summary Leading Market Indicators

• The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) tracks signals that point to future U.S. economic activity.

• The LEI fell 0.2% in December 2025, the fifth straight monthly decline, suggesting slow growth heading into 2026.

• Over the previous six months, the index dropped 1.2%, a smaller decline than earlier in the year.

• Financial components such as the yield spread and building permits helped support the index.

• Negative pressures came from weak consumer expectations, reduced manufacturing hours, lower new orders, and rising unemployment claims.

• The Coincident Economic Index (CEI), which reflects current economic conditions, rose 0.2%, showing modest growth.

• The Lagging Index slipped slightly after a small gain in the prior month.

• Overall, the indicators suggest continued economic softness but not an immediate downturn.

The Fish Pizza Experiment (Camp cooking)

Some of us love to cook and come up with great recipes. It’s a journey—you burn things, you undercook things, you question your life choices—and then one day it finally works. For me, bread was the troublemaker. No matter what I did, it came out looking like a sad paperweight. Eventually I realized the problem wasn’t the universe punishing me—it was just bad proportions. Once I fixed that, suddenly I was a “bread person.”

Over the last few months, I’ve leveled up. Now I can make regular bread, pita bread, pizza dough… basically, if it involves flour and yeast, I’m in. And once you know the basics, you get to do the fun part—tinkering with it like a mad scientist who smells like dough.

This pizza started the usual way: water, yeast, a bit of sugar to make the yeast happy, then flour until it becomes dough instead of soup. Let it sit somewhere warm for an hour—I usually pretend it’s at a spa—then punch it down like it owes you money, roll it out, and add sauce and toppings.

Now, toppings are where things get interesting. I like experimenting, sometimes too much. This time I put sardines on the pizza because why not? I once had shrimp on pizza and it was great. Sardines? Also pretty solid. Smelt might work. Tuna? Absolutely not. Never again. That was a one-time mistake, like cutting your own hair at 2 a.m. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone unless you want your pizza to taste like regret.

Camp cooking makes all of this even more entertaining. You don’t have all your fancy tools or the exact ingredients you want, so you improvise. You become part chef, part survivor, part magician. But knowing the basics—like how to make dough that doesn’t double as a doorstop—gives you freedom. You can throw whatever you have on hand onto the pizza and hope for the best.

And honestly, that’s the fun of cooking. You experiment, you fail, you succeed, and sometimes you discover that sardines belong on pizza and tuna absolutely does not. It’s all part of the adventure.