A study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health estimates that reducing motorized traffic in the city would lead to a 17.6% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels and prevent nearly 200 premature deaths annually. The addition of port electrification could further increase avoidable deaths to 228 per year.
A study of the COVICAT cohort found that almost one in four people infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed long COVID, with symptoms persisting for two years or more. Risk factors included severe COVID-19 infection and pre-existing chronic diseases, while vaccination before infection and a healthy lifestyle appeared to reduce the risk.
A new study reveals that Arctic sea ice loss drives drier weather over California, especially in winter, and wetter conditions over Spain and Portugal. The research isolates the effect of Arctic sea ice melting from other climate change factors.
A study of over 2,200 children found that high ambient temperatures are associated with lower connectivity in key brain networks, potentially impacting processes such as attention and memory. The association was strongest on the day before a brain scan and decreased on subsequent days.
A study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health estimates that increasing green spaces in the city could prevent 178 premature deaths per year. The proposed Green Corridors plan would lead to a 3.64% increase in green space, reducing mortality rates and heat-related deaths.
A landmark study led by ISGlobal found that combining rapid diagnostic tests with conventional serology improves access to diagnosis for Chagas disease. The prevalence of Chagas is six times higher in an indigenous community in Paraguay compared to the capital.
A new study reveals that postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke can alter the way genes are expressed, increasing the risk of diseases such as asthma and cancer. The study found 11 regions associated with second-hand smoke exposure, six of which are linked to smoking-related diseases.
Research found that long-term exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5, NO2, and ozone increases hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract infections in adults, particularly among men and people over 65. The study used a large cohort of adults from Catalonia and found stronger associations in these vulnerable groups.
A study by ISGlobal found that exposure to cold temperatures was associated with increased internalizing problems, while heat exposure was linked to attention problems in adolescents. Psychiatric symptoms affect about one in seven adolescents worldwide, and climate change may exacerbate these conditions.
A cutting-edge molecular approach identifies three distinct clusters of children with metabolic complications, highlighting the importance of prenatal environment and exposure to industrial chemicals. The study provides a better understanding of biological pathways involved in metabolic health, beyond traditional clinical markers.
A new tablet combining albendazole and ivermectin is safe and more effective than albendazole alone in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The ALIVE clinical trial showed higher cure rates for T. trichiura, hookworms, and improved egg reduction rates compared to albendazole alone.
A landmark study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that Brazil's Bolsa Família Program reduced TB cases and deaths among extreme poverty, indigenous groups, and improved healthcare access. The program's effects were stronger among the poorest and indigenous populations, with a 50-60% decrease in TB cases.
Researchers measured RF-EMF levels in various environments in Switzerland, finding exposure increases with population density. Exposure was highest when using the phone for maximum data download or upload, with average levels reaching up to 16 mW/m².
A new study found that exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 increases the risk of persistent long-COVID symptoms, which can last for months or even years after a COVID-19 infection. Vaccination was shown to reduce this risk.
A new study by the CHAMPS network reveals that meningitis contributes to higher child mortality rates than estimated by the WHO, with 7% of deaths attributed to the disease. The study also highlights the shift towards antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly in hospital-associated cases.
A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that more than half of European heat-related deaths in summer 2022 were related to human-induced climate change. The research showed a higher number of heat-related deaths attributed to climate change among women and people aged 80 and over.
Research led by ISGlobal reveals that children younger than five months of age may benefit from the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines if they live in areas with low malaria transmission, where mothers have less antibodies to the parasite. The study analyzed blood samples from over 600 children and infants and found that high levels of mat...
The risk of medical leave in Spain on days of extreme heat decreased from 19% to 13% between 1989 and 2019, according to a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Workers in agriculture and hospitality sectors remain most vulnerable to heat-related injuries.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity suggests that extending overnight fasts and eating an early breakfast may be associated with a lower body mass index. The research, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, involved over 7,000 volunteers who answered questionnai...
A large cohort study found that early exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides can alter the development of white matter in the brain, with some effects persisting throughout adolescence.
A recent study by ISGlobal found a vast range of viable bacteria and fungi transported by air masses from northeast China to Japan, some potentially pathogenic to humans. The research team identified over 266 fungal and 305 bacterial genera in aerosol samples, including species resistant to commonly used antibiotics.
A new study by ISGlobal reveals that nearly half of children with severe illnesses in low- and middle-income countries exhibit neurological symptoms before death. The most common causes of death were lack of oxygen, meningitis, and cerebral malaria. However, lumbar punctures are seldom performed, making diagnosis challenging.
A study led by ISGlobal estimates that heat caused over 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023, with southern European countries being the most affected. The mortality rate was higher in women and people over 80 years old, and without societal adaptation processes, it would have been 80% higher.
A meta-analysis of 35,000 children from eight European countries has found a robust link between exposure to green spaces and better lung function. Children living in greener neighborhoods had higher forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), indicating improved airway function.
A study by ISGlobal analyzed 919 European cities, identifying four urban configurations: compact-high density, open lowrise-medium density, open lowrise-low density, and green-low density. Compact high-density cities have lower carbon footprints but higher mortality rates due to poorer air quality and less green space.
A novel diagnostic test combining LAMP molecular amplification with a 3D printer-based DNA extraction system shows comparable sensitivity to PCR, offering a simple and rapid solution for detecting T. cruzi infection in newborns. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment, which was successfully applied in the study.
A study of 1,106 newborns from five countries found that prenatal exposure to ethylene oxide is associated with lower birth weight and smaller head circumference. The results suggest that reducing exposure to ethylene oxide could protect fetal health and improve birth outcomes.
Forecaster.health predicts temperature-related mortality risks for different population subgroups based on sex and age. The system issues color-coded warnings for 580 European regions, considering social determinants of vulnerability.
Researchers analyzed data from over 184,000 cancer patients to assess COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. The study found that vaccination significantly reduces mortality and serious complications among cancer patients, especially those who received the booster dose.
A study of over 2,000 preadolescents found that early life exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to slower white matter maturation, which may impact cognitive function. Children living in poorer neighborhoods are more vulnerable to the effects of cold and heat, with differences in windows of susceptibility observed.
A recent study by ISGlobal and partners reveals that imported ground-level ozone (O3) contributed to over 88% of all deaths attributable to O3 across 35 European countries. Most transboundary O3 came from hemispheric sources, accounting for 56.7% of total attributable mortality.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to a combination of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is associated with poorer metabolic health in childhood, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Mixtures of metals, PFAS, and organochlorine pesticides were linked to higher risks.
A nationwide study in Spain found that high summer temperatures increase the risk of hospital admission for metabolic disorders, obesity, renal failure, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. The study also revealed differences in vulnerability among age groups, sexes, and pre-existing health conditions.
A study by ISGlobal found that high primary health coverage significantly reduced child mortality in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. The analysis predicts that increasing PHC coverage could avoid 142,285 child deaths by 2030 in these countries.
A survey across 23 countries found that the global population's overall trust in vaccination did not diminish despite COVID-19 pandemic challenges. More than 60% of participants reported increased willingness to get vaccinated for diseases other than COVID-19, suggesting a general openness to vaccination. The study emphasizes the impor...
Research in Paraguay highlights the importance of collecting better data to estimate the true burden of snakebites, which claim around 80,000-140,000 lives annually. The study found that most cases occur among men of productive age working in agricultural or livestock settings.
A Brazilian study shows that primary health care, social pensions, and conditional cash transfers have prevented over 1.4 million deaths since 2004. Expanding these programs could avert up to 1.3 million more deaths by 2030.
A study published in Environment International found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the first two years of life is associated with poorer attentional function in children aged 4-8, particularly in boys. The association persists even after adjusting for other factors.
A study in southern Mozambique found that sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) remains effective for preventing malaria infections in pregnant women, even in areas with high drug resistance. The study showed increased clearance of P. falciparum infections and lower antibodies resulting from parasite colonisation.
A new study published in Thorax reveals that increased physical activity and higher body mass index can help recover early-life lung function deficits, leading to normal values in adolescence. The study analyzed data from over 1,100 children and adolescents aged 4-18 years, identifying four trajectories of lung function growth.
A recent study published in Annals of Neurology suggests that midlife stressful events may be a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease in older ages. Researchers found associations between stress and higher levels of beta-amyloid protein, neuroinflammation, and brain atrophy, particularly in men.
Genomic analysis of malaria parasites in pregnant women reveals reduced diversity in areas with elimination interventions implemented. Routine sampling of pregnant women can inform about changes in transmission and complement clinical data.
A study reveals significant improvements in European air quality over the last two decades, with declining levels of PM10 and NO2. However, 98.10% of the population lives in areas exceeding WHO recommended levels for PM2.5, leading to 86.34% experiencing unclean air days annually.
A study in Paraguay found that people deprived of liberty are at a high risk of tuberculosis (TB) during and after incarceration. The risk persists for years after release, with the incidence of TB declining but remaining 10 times higher than in the community.
The MAMAH trial found that preventive treatment with DHA-PPQ significantly reduces the risk of malaria infection and disease in pregnant women living with HIV. Women in the treatment group had almost eight times lower risk of clinical malaria and half the risk of becoming infected compared to the placebo group.
A study published in Environment International found that air conditioning reduced heat-related mortality in Spain by up to 31.5%, while heating systems contributed to a decrease of 50.8% in extreme cold-related fatalities. However, the effect may be attenuated by an ageing population.
A genomic analysis in southern Mozambique found that new molecular tests are needed to detect a wider range of mutations conferring resistance to first-line TB drugs. The study identified high numbers of isoniazid-resistant cases, which were also missed by the Xpert/Ultra test.
A new study developed a theoretical framework to re-evaluate the impact of record summer temperatures on European mortality. Using daily temperature and mortality records from 147 regions, researchers found that weekly, 2-weekly, and monthly models underestimated heat-related mortality, with errors increasing with aggregation period.
A study in Brazil found that social pensions and conditional cash transfers significantly reduced child mortality rates between 13-16%. The impact was greater in poorer communities. Expanding these programs could avert nearly 150,000 child deaths by 2030.
A multinational study of almost one million individuals found a strong association between exposure to radiation from CT scans in young people and an increased risk of blood cancers. The study confirms that the benefits of computed tomography outweigh the risks, but emphasizes the need for strict radiological protection measures, parti...