Health Highlights: March 3, 2016

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Scott Kelly Two Inches Taller After Long Stay in Space

American astronaut Scott Kelly grew two inches while spending nearly a year aboard the International Space Station.

He became taller in space because his spine lengthened due to the fact there was no gravity to compress it, NBC News reported.

Kelly said he “feels pretty good” and will have his health monitored for the next year as part of an effort to learn more about how long periods in space affect a person’s body, mind and spirit.

The assessment will include comparing Scott to his twin brother Mark, a former astronaut who spent the last year on Earth. This will help researchers detect any genetic changes that may have occurred in Scott during his long stay in space, NBC News reported.

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Raw Milk Blue Cheese Recalled by Whole Foods Market

Possible listeria contamination has led to a nationwide recall of Maytag Raw Milk Blue Cheese sold at Whole Foods Markets.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly or frail people, and others with weakened immune systems, and miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The recalled cheese was sold cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap in various weights with labels reading “Maytag Blue Raw Milk,” “Maytag Blue” or “Maytag Iowa Blue Cheese,” with PLU numbers beginning with with 293308 and “sell-by” dates of 1/20/2016 and 3/21/16.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled cheese.

Consumers who bought the product should throw it out and can bring their receipt to a Whole Foods Market store for a full refund. For more information, call the company at 512-477-5566, ext. 20060.

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U.S. Bans E-Cigarettes on Commercial Flights

Electronic cigarettes have been banned from commercial flights, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.

The new rule — meant to protect passengers from exposure to harmful chemicals — applies to flights into and out of the U.S., and to domestic and international carriers, the Washington Post reported.

Traditional cigarettes have long been banned on U.S. flights.

The new regulation “is important because it protects airline passengers from unwanted exposure to aerosol fumes that occur when electronic cigarettes are used onboard airplanes,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement, the Post reported.

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