A new study has found that adults with asthma are more likely to become obese later in life. The research, which included over 8,700 participants from 11 European countries and Australia, revealed that non-allergic asthma, longer disease duration, and corticosteroid treatment were associated with increased obesity risk.
A recent study found that children living in areas with tree cover had better early childhood development than those in areas with grass or paved surfaces. The research also showed that tree-filled spaces mitigate air pollution, noise, and heat better than more open green spaces.
Researchers have identified associations between DNA methylation patterns and gene expression levels in children's blood samples. The study provides a powerful tool to understand the link between early environmental exposures, epigenetic changes, and disease.
A study by ISGlobal used an electronic personal health record system to collect data on migrant populations arriving in southern Europe between 2016 and 2019. The results showed a young and healthy population with acute respiratory infections, HIV/TB, and chronic conditions such as diabetes. The system proved useful for collecting effe...
A new study found that the health impacts of 2020 lockdowns varied across three European cities, with physical activity levels declining by up to 95% and resulting in increased diagnoses of heart attacks, strokes, depression, and anxiety. In contrast, decreases in air pollution and noise had positive effects on health.
A study of 749 European cities found nearly 60 million adults subjected to unhealthy vehicle-generated noise, with compliance to WHO guidelines potentially preventing 3,600 annual deaths from ischaemic heart disease. Over 11 million adults were highly annoyed by road traffic noise, leading to increased stress and health problems.
A study of over 3,000 mother-child pairs from six European countries found an association between prenatal bisphenol A exposure and increased risk of asthma and wheezing in school-age girls. The study revealed a high prevalence of BPA in maternal urine during pregnancy.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine demonstrated 31% protection against symptomatic COVID-19 after one dose and 65% after the second dose in a Brazilian favela community. The study aimed to assess vaccine effectiveness in socially vulnerable populations, which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
A study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that exposure to vegetation is associated with lower levels of oxidative stress in children. The association was observed regardless of the children's physical activity levels, suggesting that green spaces may have a direct impact on biological processes.
A study of 37,000 children in Vancouver found a significant association between air pollution and ADHD, as well as the protective effects of green spaces. Children living in areas with higher PM2.5 exposure had an increased risk of ADHD, while those in greener neighborhoods had a lower risk.
A new study by ISGlobal found no association between overall mobile device exposure and sleep disturbances in pre-adolescents, but suggested an effect on sleep when exposure occurs in the evening. The study of over 1,500 children aged 9-12 years old found that those making phone calls in the evening had reduced sleep time.
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particles is associated with increased beta-amyloid protein deposition and neurofilament light in cerebrospinal fluid, indicating a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution to mitigate this risk.
Women living in neighborhoods with more green space experienced fewer PMS symptoms, including anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, and breast tenderness. Long-term exposure to green space was found to have beneficial effects on psychological symptoms of PMS.
Researchers detected antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in saliva of over 1,500 children, finding 3.2% developed new antibodies between samples, compared to estimated infection rates. The study also found asymptomatic individuals had higher levels of protective antibodies in saliva.
Research found that individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is improved by regular vigorous physical activity. The study assessed participants' ability to increase heart rate during exercise and recover afterwards, finding a relationship between vigorous physical act...
Research team discovered mRNA vaccines induce antibodies recognizing Spike and N protein fragments, potentially leading to misclassified breakthrough infections. The study suggests using multiple viral antigens for accurate detection of vaccine effectiveness.
A study found that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms, especially among older men and those living in poverty. However, no association was found between infection and exposure to air pollutants.
A health impact assessment shows that European cities can avoid 109,188 and 57,030 premature deaths per year by meeting the new PM2.5 and NO2 guidelines, respectively. Meeting these standards could prevent up to 125,000 and 79,000 annual premature deaths.
A study found that built environment, green spaces, and air pollution impact children's cognitive and motor function. Exposure to greenness during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal abilities, while connectivity and land use diversity were linked to lower verbal abilities.
A new study by ISGlobal provides robust evidence that COVID-19 is a seasonal infection linked to low temperatures and humidity. The research team found a negative relationship between the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 and both temperature and humidity at the global scale.
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that 62% of Europeans live in areas with less than recommended green space, leading to 42,968 premature deaths. The study suggests that European cities should focus on reclaiming urban land for green spaces and implementing nature-based solutions.
A new study found that maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with changes in placental DNA methylation and poor birth outcomes. The research suggests that these epigenetic changes may affect fetal growth by altering the expression of genes involved in environmental responses, growth, and inflammation.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that exposure to high levels of air pollutants like NO2 and PM2.5 and low distance to green or blue spaces are associated with worse health-related quality of life in COPD patients.
A new study finds that early-life exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with accelerated biological ageing in children. The analysis of over 1,000 children in six European countries revealed that maternal tobacco smoke during pregnancy and indoor exposure to black carbon are linked to an acceleration in epigenetic ageing.
A new study led by ISGlobal has identified a gene called PfAP2-HS that allows the malaria parasite to defend itself from febrile temperatures and other adverse conditions within the host. The study found that this gene activates a protective response against high temperatures, helping the parasite survive in the host's environment.
A study found that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remained stable or increased in healthcare workers seven months after infection, indicating potential protection from pre-existing antibodies against common cold coronaviruses. The results suggest that individuals with higher levels of anti-HCoV IgG and IgA had lower susceptibility to COVID-19.
A study of over 2,000 children in Barcelona found that living in urban areas with high levels of air pollution, noise, and traffic was associated with higher body mass index and a higher likelihood of being overweight or obese. The researchers proposed several mechanisms, including air pollution's potential to disrupt molecular mechani...
A new study predicts that global warming will lead to a sharp increase in heat-related deaths, outstripping the decline in cold-related mortality, unless strong mitigation measures are taken immediately. The Mediterranean Basin is expected to be disproportionately affected due to its greater vulnerability to heat.
A study with healthcare workers found that most individuals retain anti-Spike antibodies for at least one year after infection, suggesting a long-lasting immune response. Vaccine-generated immunity is also expected to be long-lasting, according to the research.
A study published in Environmental Pollution found that organic food intake is associated with better scores on tests of fluid intelligence and working memory. Poor nutrition, house crowding, and indoor air pollution were also linked to poorer cognitive function.
The Barcelona Institute for Global Health has identified 10 key principles for integrating health components into urban design, aiming to reduce premature mortality. The study provides a checklist for urban planners to incorporate public health into their work, promoting active and public transport, green spaces, and mixed land use.
A new study validates the Xpert Ultra molecular test as a frontline tool in routine conditions, showing improved sensitivity over its predecessor. The test detects tuberculosis cases with lower bacterial burdens and can identify asymptomatic cases in early stages of the disease.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that Histoplasma infections are a leading cause of death among people with HIV in the Brazilian Amazon. The research highlights the need for sensitive detection methods to combat this fungal disease.
A study of over 70,000 European children found that prenatal exposure to paracetamol was associated with a 19% increased risk of developing autism spectrum symptoms and a 21% increased risk of developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms. The researchers also found no association between postnatal paracetamol exposure and the de...
A new study estimated that improved air quality during the first wave of COVID-19 in Spain's provincial capital cities prevented around 150 premature deaths. The reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels by 51% during lockdown periods led to a significant decrease in premature mortality.
A recent study found that prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and increased residential traffic density are strongly associated with child behavioral problems. Children who received more hours of sleep, ate a healthy diet, and had strong parental ties or social connections exhibited fewer behavioral issues.
A new study by ISGlobal estimates that poor urban and transport planning is associated with over 1,000 premature deaths per year in Barcelona and Madrid. The study found that fine particulate air pollution was the leading cause of death, accounting for 524 deaths per year in Barcelona.
A large study found a strong association between ultra-processed food consumption and an increased risk of colorectal cancer, with a 10% increment in consumption leading to an 11% increase in risk. Ultra-processed foods were also linked to less healthy diets among breast cancer cases, while no association was found with prostate cancer.
A study published in Nature Communications found that climate change can directly impact malaria transmission in Africa, particularly in highland regions. The research analyzed data from Ethiopia and showed a strong correlation between regional temperatures and malaria cases.
A small pilot study suggests that early administration of ivermectin can reduce viral loads and symptom duration in patients with mild COVID-19. The treatment also showed a reduced duration of certain symptoms, including loss of smell and taste.
A health impact study estimated the mortality burden attributable to air pollution in over 1,000 European cities. The research found that 51,000 premature deaths could be prevented annually by reducing PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations to recommended levels.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely strained Brazil's healthcare system, particularly in vulnerable regions. Nearly half of hospitalised patients under 60 years old died, with mortality rates as high as 80% for those on ventilators.
A new study by ISGlobal has identified six microRNAs that may be used as biomarkers to predict disease severity in children with severe malaria. The findings provide a potential breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms underlying severe malaria and improving treatment outcomes.
A new study found that IgM and IgA antibodies decay quickly, while IgG antibody levels are maintained for at least three months after infection. The study also showed that infected healthcare workers had higher levels of IgG1 and lower levels of IgG2 compared to asymptomatic cases.
A study by ISGlobal found that exposure to high levels of air pollution, particularly during pregnancy, is associated with higher blood pressure in childhood. The research team analyzed data from 4,279 children living in six European cities and found a significant link between NO2 levels and diastolic blood pressure.
A large longitudinal study found that exposure to air pollution during early childhood may lead to an increase in body mass index (BMI), while living in areas with greater green space and a more favorable built environment mix may be associated with a decrease in BMI. The study analyzed data from nearly 80,000 children and suggested th...
A new study led by ISGlobal found that blood transfusions can increase the survival of children with severe malaria, even at higher haemoglobin levels than recommended thresholds. In cases with complications, such as impaired consciousness or acidosis, transfusion improved survival even at high haemoglobin levels.
Research suggests that performing physical activity in the morning can significantly reduce breast and prostate cancer risk. The study found that exercising between 8-10 am had the strongest protective effect, particularly for individuals with late chronotypes.
A study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that children with accelerated weight gain before age four have higher lung function at age seven, but also exhibit airflow limitation. The research suggests that early childhood growth patterns can be a useful tool for identifying respiratory health issues.
A three-year intervention in southern Mozambique averted almost 40,000 malaria cases and reduced disease transmission by 85%. Despite this drastic reduction, the study finds that disease transmission was not interrupted, highlighting the need for new strategies to achieve elimination.