A new study published in Epidemiology found that night-time exposure to outdoor artificial light, especially blue light, may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The research analyzed data from over 2,000 adults and found a 60% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer among those with the highest exposures to blue light.
A study published in Lancet Global Health reveals a significant diagnostic error in almost 40% of maternal deaths in Maputo's central hospital in Mozambique. The results highlight the need to improve access to specific diagnostic tests and strengthen clinical skills among healthcare workers.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that short, frequent walks in blue spaces significantly improve well-being and mood. Researchers measured participants' blood pressure and heart rate before, during, and after walks in a beach environment versus urban environments.
A major study finds associations between air pollution, smoking, and built environment characteristics with increased childhood BMI. Exposure to maternal smoking, air pollutants PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, and densely populated areas were linked to higher childhood BMI.
A research team at ISGlobal has developed a system to induce massive sexual conversion of the P. falciparum malaria parasite in vitro, enabling deeper understanding and design of new tools to block malaria transmission. This technique allows for synchronization of parasites at the initial stages of sexual development.
A study published in Environment International found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon increases the risk of vascular damage in people living in India. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 individuals, showed a non-linear association between PM2.5 exposure and vascular injury.
Extracellular vesicles play a key role in the pathology of malaria vivax by promoting parasite adhesion to human spleen fibroblasts. The study found that EVs induce the expression of ICAM-1 on fibroblast surfaces, serving as an anchor for parasite-infected red blood cell adherence.
A new study by ISGlobal found that heat is now more lethal than cold for people with respiratory diseases in Spain, particularly women and older adults. The study analyzed data on over 1.3 million deaths between 1980 and 2016 and found a significant decline in temperature-attributable mortality during the colder months.
Research reveals that malaria parasite P. vivax adheres to human spleen cells via variant proteins, allowing it to hide from the immune system and evade elimination. This finding suggests a double role for the spleen in malaria pathology and opens new avenues for vaccine targets and exposure markers.
A new study launched by Clínica Universidad de Navarra and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health aims to determine if ivermectin can reduce viral replication in patients with mild COVID-19. The trial, which will be conducted at home, will monitor symptoms and nasal swabs over a month-long period.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that gene expression in peripheral blood cells can predict vaccine-induced protection against malaria. Boosting the immune system before vaccination may improve vaccine efficacy.
A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a strong association between the loss of green space and an increase in cardiometabolic risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and hyperglycaemia. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 adults living in an area south of Hyderabad undergoing urbanization.
A study found that increasing tree canopy to 30% of land area could prevent over 400 premature adult deaths per year, representing 3% of the city's annual mortality. Increasing green spaces can also bring significant economic benefits, estimated at almost $4 billion annually.
A new study by ISGlobal found an association between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and delays in physical growth in early childhood. The research analyzed data from over 1,700 mother-child pairs and estimated exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter during the first trimester of pregnancy.
A new study published in Jama Network Open found that childhood overweight and obesity rates have plateaued in many middle- and high-income countries, but prevalence rates remain high. The rates of both conditions have increased in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Catalonia, Spain.
A new study analyzed weight changes and their impact on lung function over a 20-year period, finding that moderate or high weight gain accelerates decline. Weight loss attenuates lung function decline in obese individuals, while maintaining low weight is crucial for preventing chronic respiratory diseases.
A study found that women living in green spaces had a later age at menopause, with an average age of 51.7 years compared to 50.3 years in areas with little green space. Lower cortisol levels and reduced risk of depression may contribute to this association.
A new study by ISGlobal found that nearly half of all childhood asthma cases in Barcelona are attributable to air pollution. The study highlights the impact of air pollution on socioeconomic groups, particularly the less disadvantaged children.
A new study found that immune system composition changes significantly during early childhood, with anaemia potentially reducing vaccine responses in low-income countries. The research, published in Science Translational Medicine, analyzed blood samples from children in Mozambique and Tanzania.
The study found that autonomous vehicles can reduce road accidents and promote physical activity, but the impact depends on factors like technology implementation and fuel use. If implemented correctly, autonomous vehicles could have a significant positive impact on public health, especially if used in electric and shared formats.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that people living in areas with high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) experience more severe rhinitis symptoms, including nasal congestion and sneezing.
A comprehensive roadmap has been established to evaluate and implement ivermectin as a complementary vector control tool against malaria. The roadmap aims to decrease malaria transmission by targeting the vector population, bypassing challenges of insecticide resistance and residual transmission.
A large-scale study by ISGlobal found that exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. The researchers estimated that 6,561 cases of bladder cancer are attributable to THM exposure in the European Union annually.
A new study has found an association between exposure to air pollution and poor bone health. Fine particles in the air were linked to lower levels of bone mass, while biomass fuel use was not correlated. The study's findings contribute to a growing body of evidence on the impact of particulate air pollution on bone health.
Combining two rapid diagnostic tests effectively diagnoses chronic Chagas disease in the field, showing a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 96.1%. High prevalence of infection was also observed in the region, highlighting the potential for these tests to detect infected individuals.
A study led by ISGlobal found that living near green spaces reduced the risk of excess weight and obesity in women. Genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions also played a role in the association.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found no conclusive evidence supporting the safety of ivermectin administration among pregnant women. The studies included in the analysis reported some adverse events, but the number of cases was too low to be conclusive.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that television watching is the strongest lifestyle habit associated with childhood obesity. The research found that limited physical activity, inadequate sleep time, and high ultra-processed food consumption also contribute to weight gain in children.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine longitudinal studies involving over eight million people found that increasing green areas can prevent premature all-cause mortality. The analysis revealed a 4% reduction in premature mortality per each increment of 0.1 in vegetation score within 500 meters of the residence.
A new study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found a strong association between air pollution and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in peri-urban South India. People exposed to higher levels of fine particles had a higher CIMT index, indicating a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A new study found a link between prenatal exposure to particulate matter and structural changes in the corpus callosum, associated with ADHD and ASD. Children exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 showed reduced corpus callosum volume and increased hyperactivity.
Two studies by ISGlobal found that the quality of green spaces influences physical activity, social contacts and emotional well-being. The presence of green space was associated with a higher frequency of physical activity, more time spent performing health-related activities, and increased social contacts with neighbours.
A team from ISGlobal developed a new statistical climate model that can predict El Niño episodes up to two-and-a-half years in advance, improving long-term forecasts. The model uses sea temperatures and winds in the tropical Pacific as predictor variables.
Eating a seafood-rich diet during early pregnancy is associated with better attention outcomes in children, according to the study. The researchers found that consuming fatty fish and lean fish had a positive effect on children's attention capacity, while canned tuna and shellfish were linked to lower scores.
A new study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that long-term exposure to green spaces can prevent metabolic syndrome and its individual components. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 adults in the UK and found a significant association between green space exposure and lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
A large study found that people who walk the most live in areas with good public transport service and a higher density of households, services, and installations. Walking is associated with improved health and reduced air pollution.
The study found that the creation of 503 superblocks would reduce annual air pollution by 24% and prevent 291 premature deaths per year. Additionally, the project would increase life expectancy by almost 200 days on average per inhabitant and generate an annual economic saving of 1.7 billion euros.
A new exposome-based approach analyzing over 200 environmental exposures found associations between certain exposures and higher blood pressure in children. Moderate fish intake during pregnancy was linked with lower blood pressure, while exposure to tobacco smoke and bisphenol-A were associated with increased risk.
A study led by ISGlobal found that vaccination with RTS,S increases levels of antibodies recognizing 'P. falciparum' antigens not included in the vaccine, potentially leading to natural immunity. This effect was observed mainly in regions with low to moderate transmission levels.
Researchers have developed nanovectors that can transport two drugs with different properties, improving their efficacy and delivery. The strategy targets the sexual phase of the parasite, reducing the emergence of antimalarial resistance.
A study published by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that air pollution from particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and black carbon is responsible for 33% of new childhood asthma cases in Europe, highlighting the need to update WHO air quality guidelines to better protect children's health.
A post-mortem study in a Mozambican hospital reveals that tuberculosis (TB) cases were often missed by clinicians and traditional autopsy methods. The study found that 28% of patients had the disease at the time of death, with a higher prevalence among HIV-positive adults.
A new study found that girls who were moderately to highly physically active in childhood had higher exhalation capacity and greater forced expiratory volume than their inactive peers. The research suggests that promoting physical activity in childhood may have long-term benefits for respiratory health, particularly in adolescent girls.
A study by ISGlobal found that women using kerosene lamps for lighting had significantly higher exposure to black carbon particles, leading to increased risk of tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and low birth weight. The study's findings highlight the need for alternative energy sources in rural areas.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that Acinetobacter bacteria commonly acquired in hospitals can also be transmitted through contaminated food, specifically raw meat. The research analyzed 138 meat samples and identified 12 isolates of the ACB complex, suggesting that raw meat may serve as a reservoir for these pathogenic bacteria.
A study found that certain genetic variants in children may make them more vulnerable to the toxic effects of prenatal methylmercury exposure. The research, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, suggests around 30% of children carry a gene variant increasing their risk.
A study of 5,531 adults in peri-urban villages near Hyderabad found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increased hypertension prevalence by 4% in women, with significant associations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found a significant decline in heat- and cold-related cardiovascular disease mortality in Spain, with temperature-related mortality decreasing by 38.2% over the four-decade period.
A study published in Environment International found that exposure to airborne metal pollution is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The research used moss samples to estimate human exposure to metal particles and found that participants exposed to higher concentrations of anthropogenic metals had a higher risk of death.
A new study found that exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 μm during pregnancy and childhood is associated with reduced fundamental cognitive abilities, such as working memory and executive attention in boys. The study included 2,221 children between 7 and 10 years old attending schools in Barcelona.