A pooled data analysis estimates that 24% of teens and young people engage in unsafe listening practices from personal listening devices and 48% attend loud music venues. This translates to a potential risk of hearing loss for 0.67-1.35 billion young people worldwide.
A 3-year study of a 20 mph speed limit in Belfast found no significant reduction in road traffic collisions or driver speed, despite a notable decrease in traffic volume. The reduction in traffic volume was 57 vehicles per week after implementation.
Experts warn that poorly functioning IT systems are a clear and present threat to patient safety, resulting from inadequate investment and lack of prioritization. The British Medical Association estimates that 27% of clinicians lose over four hours a week due to inefficient IT systems, highlighting the need for urgent improvement.
Research suggests digital marketing of formula milk and commercial baby foods is linked to unhealthy parental feeding practices. Parents exposed to extensive digital marketing were less likely to exclusively breastfeed within the first 6 months and more likely to give their children processed foods and sugary drinks.
Regular use of cholesterol-lowering and diabetes-control drugs may lessen the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in European populations. The pooled data analysis involved 38,694 participants and showed a 15% lower prevalence of any type of AMD with these medications.
Research found high levels of sweet and fruit-flavour chemicals in 'tobacco-flavoured' e-cigarette liquids, particularly fruity and caramellic flavour chemicals. The study suggests manufacturers are getting around regulations by using these flavour chemicals in products marketed as 'tobacco-flavoured', raising concerns about their safety.
A UK study found substantial monkeypox transmission before symptoms appear, with 53% of cases occurring pre-symptomatically. The study's findings have important implications for infection control globally and may affect isolation and contact tracing policies.
Research published in Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found that obesity at MS diagnosis is associated with higher current and subsequent levels of disability. Reverting to a healthy weight may improve clinical outcomes for obese patients with MS, suggesting a modifiable risk factor.
A specialized triage algorithm, ROCA test, enables earlier stage diagnosis in women deferring preventive surgery, saving NHS costs. The approach results in fewer major surgical interventions and lower risk of wider disease spread.
A large UK Biobank study found that poor quality sleep, including insomnia, short/long sleep duration, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, is associated with a heightened risk of developing glaucoma. The study suggests that targeted screening of high-risk groups and sleep intervention may help prevent the disease.
A study published in BMJ Open found that quad bike injuries among children are significantly more severe and common than car injuries. The research highlights the need for public education campaigns to educate on ATV-related injuries, particularly in young riders.
A recent investigation by The BMJ reveals dozens of UK companies offering private blood tests with misleading claims, contradicting official medical guidance and potentially harming individuals. Experts argue for regulation to protect consumers and prevent unnecessary costs for the NHS.
A study published in The BMJ found a small increased risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after vaccination against the Covid-19 virus, particularly with adenovirus vaccines. Researchers recommend considering these risks when planning future immunization campaigns and vaccine development.
A pooled data analysis found that workplace exposure to gases, fumes, and aromatic solvents is associated with a decline in lung capacity. Regular check-ups are recommended for workers in these environments to prevent respiratory illness.
Research suggests that regular physical activity enhances vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 by improving antibody levels and mitochondrial function. High levels of physical activity were associated with higher vaccine protection rates, with significant reductions in hospital admissions and severe illness risk.
A large UK Biobank study found that COVID-19 infection is associated with a heightened risk of poor cardiovascular health and death, particularly among those who require hospital admission. The risk remains elevated for some time after the initial infection.
A UK trial found that offering up to £400 in shopping vouchers to pregnant women can more than double the proportion who remain smoke-free by late pregnancy. However, most women relapsed after giving birth. The study suggests that financial incentives can be an effective tool to reduce smoking during pregnancy and improve health outcomes.
The majority of pregnancy-associated homicides are linked to intimate partner violence and firearms, and are entirely preventable. Ending male violence, including gun violence, could save hundreds of lives in the US every year.
A study of over two million individuals in Denmark found that mothers with hypertensive disorder of pregnancy have a higher mortality risk in their offspring. The study shows an association between maternal HDP and various cause-specific deaths, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The editorial urges wealthy nations to step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present, and future impacts of climate change. The climate crisis has destroyed a fifth of the GDP of the most vulnerable countries.
A study found that each 10% increase in natural space is linked to a 7% fall in early deaths among under 65s. Increased availability of natural space within local areas also reduced the disparity in years of life lost between deprived and non-deprived areas.
A systematic review found scarce evidence supporting social prescribing's effectiveness in improving social support, physical function, or primary healthcare use. The link worker model showed promise in reducing hospital admissions and improving self-rated health for those with multiple conditions in deprived communities.
The FDA's warning letters issued in 2020 and 2021 revealed that the regulator is failing to target leading tobacco companies and products most popular among young people. Over 90% of warnings were sent to small online retailers, while flavoured refillable e-cigarette liquids accounted for over 90% of the products cited.
The BMJ special issue explores the climate emergency's impact on health, mental wellbeing, and hope as a driver for change. Experts argue that hope is crucial in tackling the crisis and achieving sustainability.
A long-term study found that older patients with type 2 diabetes treated with glitazones had a 22% lower risk of developing dementia. These drugs may effectively prevent dementia in high-risk patients and are now worth prioritizing for future clinical studies.
Research suggests e-bikes won't help users reach weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity targets due to fewer and less physically demanding trips. However, they may encourage older people to take up cycling who wouldn't otherwise do so.
Babies born during the pandemic were less likely to meet social communication developmental milestones, such as expressing a word or pointing, but more likely to crawl. Researchers suggest that lockdowns may have reduced language exposure and face-to-face interactions, leading to these delays.
The British Journal of Sports Medicine has retracted nine non-research articles authored by Dr. Paul McCrory, who was the journal's editor-in-chief from 2001 to 2008. The retraction follows an internal investigation into allegations of publication misconduct made by researcher Dr. Nick Brown.
A US study found that mothers' consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity in their offspring. The study suggests refining dietary guidelines and removing financial and social barriers to improve nutrition for women of childbearing age.
A study by the BMJ found that less than a third of FDA regulatory actions are backed by published research findings or public assessments. The researchers analyzed drug safety signals from 2008 to 2019 and found that most regulatory actions were based on changes to drug labeling, with only about 30% corroborated by relevant studies.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to assess retinal vasculature, predicting cardiovascular disease and death. The model captured half to two-thirds of circulatory disease deaths in those most at risk, outperforming traditional risk frameworks.
A study of 15 transgender women found they exceeded the cardiopulmonary capacity and muscle strength of their cisgender peers even after years of hormone therapy. However, their performance was lower than that of cisgender men. The findings could inform policy on transgender women's sports participation.
Research has found that former Scottish international rugby union players are at a significantly increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and motor neurone disease. The study's findings suggest that strategies to reduce head impact and traumatic brain injury in all sports are necessary.
A UK-based trial found that texting young people to encourage safer sex behaviors did not reduce rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea reinfections. The study suggests that health communication interventions should be rigorously evaluated to improve outcomes for this age group.
A new study published by The BMJ found no significant differences in mortality or complication rates between male and female gastrointestinal surgeons in Japan. Female surgeons were more likely to be assigned high-risk patients, but the results show that their performance was equal to that of their male counterparts.
Recent media releases from UK government agencies and NHS organizations lack objectivity and provide unbalanced information on prescription-only medicines. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin expresses concerns over the use of hyperbolic language and omission of key information about potential harms and benefits.
The use of voice control smart devices in children may impede critical thinking, empathy, and compassion. Devices can't teach children how to behave politely and lack non-verbal communication skills.
Research suggests that regularly exercising with weights is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, excluding cancer. A weekly combination of weights and aerobic exercise appears to have an additive effect on mortality risk.
A study published in The BMJ found that adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 90% in women with a history of gestational diabetes. Women who adhered to five key lifestyle factors had a significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, regardless of their weight or genetic risk.
Women with a history of gestational diabetes are at substantially higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke. Continuous monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.
The analysis found that inadequate margin widths may result in higher risks of distant recurrence and breast cancer mortality, as well as increased local recurrence. The researchers recommend a minimum tumour free distance of 1mm from the margin for optimal oncological outcomes.
A pooled data analysis found that deep brain stimulation reduced OCD symptoms by 47% and improved substantial outcomes in two-thirds of participants. This treatment approach showed promising results in addressing severe OCD with substantial improvement in approximately half of the patients.
Research finds that short-term air pollution exposure increases risk of hospital admission for autistic children, with boys more at risk than girls. The study suggests that reducing air pollution could lower these risks and improve quality of life for affected individuals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends against the use of sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab in COVID-19 patients due to their limited effectiveness against currently circulating variants, such as Omicron. In contrast, remdesivir is recommended for severe COVID-19 cases with a modest survival benefit.
Three widely used rapid antigen tests showed declined performance when only nasal self-sampling was used, but improved with combined throat and nasal sampling. Only one test met WHO standards, emphasizing the need for manufacturers to consider extended testing protocols.
A large-scale study reveals that clinicians suffering from burnout are twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents and four times more likely to be dissatisfied with their job. Burnout is also associated with lower career engagement and poorer job satisfaction, particularly among hospital doctors working in emergency med...
Investigative journalist Paul Thacker found that fossil fuel companies funded research on climate change to weaken messages and protect their interests. Many students at elite universities are now calling for them to cut ties with the industry, citing examples such as carbon capture technology as a prime example of the problem.
A study published in Injury Prevention found that adolescents who experienced a concussion in the past 12 months were 25% more likely to be in poor academic standing. This association was stronger with a history of repeated concussions, and varied by race/ethnicity.
Long-term opioid use after lung cancer surgery is associated with a 40% heightened death risk within two years, according to research. The study found that male sex, older age, and chemotherapy treatment are among the factors linked to long-term opioid use.
A large French study found a potential direct association between higher artificial sweetener consumption and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The researchers suggest that these food additives should not be considered a healthy alternative to sugar.