A new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention found that red wine had no effect on breast cancer risk. Women who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol had a higher risk of breast cancer, regardless of the type of drink.
Researchers analyzed medical examiner records and found that swimming lessons provided some protection against drowning for young children. However, lessons alone are not enough to prevent drowning, and parents should still exercise caution when children are near water.
An analysis of European cities found that higher temperatures lead to a significant increase in respiratory-related hospitalizations. For every degree increase above 90% of the maximum apparent temperature, there was a four percent average increase in respiratory-related hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.
A new study by Queen's University reveals that Canadian long-term care facilities are not meeting recommended standards for infection prevention and control. The findings highlight a lack of essential activities, including surveillance and control measures, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and financial expense.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital completed a study on flu transmission to better understand the impact of infection control measures during a possible flu pandemic. The study found that pre-symptomatic transmission of influenza may be more significant than previously thought, and that small-particle aerosols from infected individua...
Research shows Irish children's average weight has increased by 24 kilos since 1948, with growth rates accelerating in the 1970s. The study, published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggests current economic downturn may exacerbate obesity trends.
A new study published in JAMA found that osteoporotic fractures can double or triple mortality rates for up to 5-10 years after the fracture. The risk is particularly high for hip fractures in women and men over 75, with a nearly threefold increase in mortality.
The Urban Wildlife Institute aims to mitigate wildlife and human conflicts in Chicago through holistic ecosystem health research. The institute will utilize sound science to create pragmatic solutions for zoonotic disease threats and urban habitat preservation.
A study by UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute researchers found that California's seven-fold increase in autism cases since 1990 cannot be explained by changes in diagnosis or counting. Environmental culprits such as chemicals and infectious microbes are likely responsible for the trend.
Researchers from Loyola University Health System found no significant difference between African American women in metropolitan Chicago and Nigerian women in terms of calories burned during physical activity. The study suggests that dietary intake may be more important than energy expenditure level in the rising rates of obesity.
A new study published in Epidemiology found that smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of cleft lip in newborns. The study suggests that 19% of cases may be due to maternal smoking, with a two-fold increased risk from heavy smoking and 1.6 fold risk from passive smoking.
Easton's work on BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations has significantly impacted breast cancer research. He established the Breast Cancer Linage Consortium, providing estimates of breast and ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers.
According to the study, one in three UK adults (32.1% of men, 33.1% of women) will be obese by 2012, with a significant increase in obesity prevalence among low-income groups. The findings also highlight the economic burden of obesity, with an estimated £7.4 billion annual cost to the English economy.
Increasing brisk walking and reducing television watching were found to be inversely associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The study's key finding is that vigorous activity is protective against the disease in this high-risk population.
Researchers discovered that serious gram-negative bacterial infections increase by up to 46% in summer compared to winter. The study found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are the most affected bacteria.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University Medical Center successfully recreated the bat variant of the SARS coronavirus, a major step forward in developing effective vaccines and treatments. The research could help prevent future outbreaks by identifying key pathways in virus emergence.
A comprehensive assessment of HPV-associated cancers found significant racial disparities, with higher rates among African American women and Hispanic men. The study also identified the most common types of HPV-related cancers, including cervical, anal, and oral cancers.
The study found that heart failure hospitalization rates have increased dramatically among seniors in the US, with a 131% rise from 1980 to 2006. This trend is particularly concerning for women, who experienced a higher annual percentage increase rate than men.
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that variations in a common gene pathway may affect esophageal cancer risk, with seven genotypes showing significant association and four more borderline significance. The risk of esophageal cancer increased with an increase in unfavorable genotypes present.
Researchers have identified 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that show a significant association with esophageal cancer. Individuals with more than four unfavorable genotypes are three times more likely to develop the disease.
A large prospective study found that whole grain consumption lowered heart failure risk, while high-fat dairy and egg intake increased risk. Researchers recommend increasing whole grain intake and reducing high-fat dairy and egg consumption for those at high risk of heart failure.
A landmark study found that wearing masks and using hand sanitizers may reduce the spread of flu-like symptoms by as much as 50 percent. The study involved over 1,000 students from seven U-M residence halls and showed significant reductions in influenza-like illness symptoms after implementing mask use and hand sanitizer protocols.
The US suicide rate has increased for the first time in a decade, with the largest annual increase seen among middle-aged white women. This trend is part of a broader shift in the epidemiology of suicide, with middle-aged whites emerging as a new high-risk group.
The SAPIT trial shows that integrating TB and HIV treatment saves lives, reducing mortality among co-infected patients. The study found that providing antiretroviral therapy at the same time as TB treatment significantly reduces mortality, especially in South Africa where 70% of TB patients are infected with HIV.
A large review of 38 studies found regular NSAID use associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Aspirin and Advil showed significant protective effects, with a 13-21% relative risk reduction.
Harvard Initiative for Global Health will develop a curriculum in nutrition and global health, addressing infectious disease, perinatal/child health, and chronic diseases. The grant also supports partnerships with Indian and Brazilian research institutions.
Researchers have identified a new gene variant linked to non-diabetic end-stage renal disease in African Americans, increasing their risk of kidney failure. The MYH9 gene variant is found more frequently among individuals with West African ancestry and may interact with environmental factors to cause the disease.
A new test for West Nile virus in horses has been developed, which could be modified for use on humans and wildlife. The test is highly effective at diagnosing infections and provides accurate results, making it useful for tracking the ecology and epidemiology of the disease.
A study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that affluent mothers living within 200 meters of highways are at a higher risk of delivering low-weight infants (81% increase) and preterm babies (58% increase). The research team evaluated data from Quebec's birth registry over five years.
The National Human Genome Research Institute has awarded $31 million in grants to study the relationship between genetic variants and common diseases. Researchers will examine how genetic factors interact with environmental factors to influence health outcomes.
A commentary discusses common pitfalls of epidemiological research that lead to false-positive results, including chance, systematic errors, and inadequate accounting for confounding variables. To mitigate these issues, researchers should use more rigorous methods and evaluate results critically.
Dr. Gary Slade has been recognized with the H. Trendley Dean Memorial Award for his distinguished contributions to research in behavioral science, epidemiology, and public health. His work has focused on population oral health surveillance and the impact of oral conditions on quality of life.
Dr. Childers' research on mucosal immune responses and dental caries vaccine development has contributed to a better understanding of oral health. He currently supervises projects funded by NIDCR, investigating host/parasite relationships in dental caries high-caries-risk populations.
A study of 635 men found that radiation therapy significantly prolongs survival in those with recurrent prostate cancer, particularly those with rapidly growing tumors. This breakthrough suggests that radiation can be a life-extending treatment option for these patients.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health discovered that the prevalence of pre-cancerous masses in the colon is similar between patients aged 40-49 and 50-59. The study suggests that starting colon cancer screening at age 40 may help decrease its prevalence and save more people from the disease.
Recent research shows a strong connection between type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, with up to 40% of OSA patients having diabetes. IDF recommends education and screening for both conditions, as well as weight reduction, CPAP treatment, and further research.
Researchers found that patients who gained weight over time had lower mortality rates, suggesting that a reasonable amount of weight gain may be a sign of adequate insulin control. The study also found no significant difference in mortality between those with an overweight or normal BMI and those with an underweight BMI.
A UNC study found a consistent association between six-month to one-year persistent HPV infections and high-grade cervical lesions or cervical cancer. The study suggests that measuring HPV persistence could optimize screening for cervical cancer by increasing sensitivity while maintaining specificity.
Researchers found that common versions of FGFR2 and TNRC9 genes increase breast cancer risk in women carrying damaged BRCA2 gene. The study suggests that knowledge of a BRCA mutation is necessary but not sufficient to fully understand cancer risk.
A study found that genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor gene are associated with an increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Vitamin D has been shown to play a role in preventing cancer, but its effects on specific genetic variants and breast cancer risk were unclear until this research.
A study found that cultural identity influences mental health in adolescents, with different effects for girls and boys. Clothing preferences were also a significant factor, with traditional clothing associated with improved mental health outcomes.
Research suggests that young people who dress according to their own ethnic group are less likely to have subsequent mental health problems than those who don't. Cultural identity expressed through clothing is found to be a healthier option for adolescents in multicultural societies.
A study of 5,840 people found a connection between low birth weight, excessive weight gain during adolescence and young adulthood, and an increased risk of developing heart disease. Chronic inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein levels, may play a key role in this association.
New data on 3M's Tegaderm CHG shows it significantly suppresses skin flora regrowth, with superior prevention of flora regrowth on prepped skin compared to transparent dressings and BIOPATCH.
A study published in Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health found that pathological gamblers exhibit cognitive rigidity, which hinders their ability to learn from mistakes. This rigidity affects the prefrontal region of the brain, leading to impulsive behavior and compulsive gambling.
The APIC Research Foundation's first national C. difficile prevalence study aims to gain a better understanding of the spread of this virulent pathogen, which causes diarrhea and serious intestinal conditions. The study will provide the first national estimate of C. difficile infection in U.S. healthcare facilities.
Researchers developed a mathematical model estimating asymptomatic infections in malaria transmission. The model predicts that regions of moderate transmission can be eradicated below a threshold, making industrialized nations highly unlikely to experience re-emergence.
The study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program and found that non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients showed significant improvements in five- and 10-year survival rates, with increases ranging from 26.8 to 27.1 percentage points across all age groups and tumor subtypes.
Researchers have discovered a link between the bacteria Oxalobacter formigenes and a reduced risk of recurrent kidney stones. The study found that O. formigenes can metabolize oxalate, reducing the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation by up to 70%.
After Italy's comprehensive smoking ban in 2005, acute coronary events among adults decreased significantly, particularly in younger age groups, with a 11.2% reduction for those aged 35-64 and a 7.9% decrease for those aged 65-74.
A genome-wide association study identified a new gene locus associated with LDL cholesterol levels, potentially providing insight into biological mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. The discovery may aid in the development of new drugs to fight cardiovascular disease.
Research by the Whitehall II study found that work stress is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine function. Chronic work stress was associated with lower heart rate variability and poor vagal tone, leading to cardiac instability.
The study found an annual bone fracture rate of 3.6% in the UK population, with men having a higher rate than women, and manual workers more prone to fractures. The lifetime fracture rate among white people was almost double that of black and minority ethnic people.
A study in rural South Africa found that young people in school reported fewer sexual partners and engaged in protective behaviors, leading to lower HIV infection rates. The researchers suggest that increased access to education can play a critical role in HIV prevention.
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has launched the 'Targeting Zero' initiative to eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which include C. difficile, UTIs, central line catheter-associated blood stream infections, and mediastinitis.
A study published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention found that pre-malignant mammary lesions in dogs and humans display similar characteristics. The research, conducted by Purdue University scientists, could lead to better understanding of breast cancer progression and prevention for both people and pets.
A nationwide survey of epidemiologists found that the HIPAA privacy rule is delaying or curtailing clinical studies, making them more costly and time-consuming. The study, commissioned by the Institute of Medicine, reported that two-thirds of respondents believed HIPAA had made research 'a great deal' more difficult.
A survey of clinical scientists reveals that the HIPAA Privacy Rule has a negative influence on health research, causing uncertainty, increased costs, and delays. The study found that researchers believe the rule adds significant complexity to their work, compromising participant confidentiality.
Darwin Labarthe, a renowned epidemiologist and educator, has been recognized by the American Heart Association for 40 years of mentoring young physicians and research fellows. He directed the training of over 885 participants during the annual seminar's 33-year existence.
A new study from McGill University finds that the HPV screening test outperforms the traditional Pap test in detecting pre-cancerous lesions without false negatives. The HPV test achieved an accuracy of 94.6%, while the Pap test only reached 55.4% accuracy, making it a more reliable method for cervical cancer screening.