Research found that UK children are exposed to millions of tobacco images and messages every week on prime time television. This exposure can spark an interest in starting to smoke. Doctors suggest that more stringent controls on tobacco imagery in TV programmes could help curb young people's uptake.
The European League Against Rheumatism recommends immediate use of synthetic DMARDs after diagnosis, but they are expensive. The survey found that 26 countries cannot afford biological DMARDs, excluding 320 million people from treatment.
Research found short bouts of exercise enhance higher brain functions, including memory, concentration, planning, and decision-making, in all three age groups. Short exercises improved self-control, especially in children and teens, crucial for academic achievement and daily life.
Researchers analyzed 82 million drug-related search queries from 6 million users and found that those who searched for both drugs were more likely to look up symptoms associated with high blood sugar. This suggests that online searches could be used as an early warning system for potential drug safety issues.
A Swedish-US study found that people with any mental disorder are five times more likely to be homicide victims than those without. The risk is highest among those with substance use disorders, but also affects individuals with depression, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
A UK study found that every degree fall in winter air temperature corresponds to a 1.3% drop in ambulance response time. The research analyzed data from Birmingham over five years and showed that extreme weather conditions significantly affected daily ambulance call-outs and response times.
A small study found that babies born to overweight or obese mothers already have thickened artery walls, a sign of heart disease. This finding suggests that maternal weight may contribute to a child's risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
A study found a 14-fold increased risk of narcolepsy after receiving the AS03 adjuvanted pandemic A/H1N1 2009 vaccine, with vaccination within six months associated with an even higher risk. The authors suggest that the true risk may be lower due to delayed diagnosis.
A recent study published in the BMJ found that home-based telehealth had no effect on quality of life, anxiety, or depressive symptoms for patients with chronic conditions. The study, which involved over 1,500 participants, suggests that concerns about telehealth's potential benefits are unfounded.
Researchers recommend 'low-intensity' interventions like self-help books and websites as a first step in treating depression. These interventions can provide significant clinical benefits, especially for patients with more severe depression at baseline.
Global antibiotic misuse threatens human health more than the war on illegal drugs. Dr Jonny Anomaly advocates for redirecting funds to curb excessive prescribing and promoting collective action.
A digital processing system has been found to significantly reduce medication errors in US hospitals, with a potential to avoid over 50 million incidents nationwide. The system halves the likelihood of a drug error and cuts errors by 12.5% nationally, resulting in 17.4 million avoided errors in one year.
Research finds no significant linear trend pointing to a decline in UK new drug introductions between 1982-2011, contrary to widely-held views. The number of new drugs introduced has fluctuated, with dips followed by surges, indicating an overall slight increase over the past 40 years.
A recent study found a strong association between income inequality and hospital readmission risk, particularly for patients with heart attacks, heart failure, and pneumonia. The researchers estimated nearly 40,000 extra admissions due to income inequality over the three year period.
A study of 606,877 live births in Belgium found that smoking bans led to a reduction in the risk of preterm birth, with decreases evident after each phase of legislation. The findings suggest that smoking bans have public health benefits from early life and support stricter smoke-free policies.
Research suggests a significant proportion of HIV positive patients are not disclosing their infection to NHS staff, potentially skewing estimates of undiagnosed HIV. This phenomenon may be linked to fear of judgment or stigma, highlighting the need for further study and education.
A study of 61,443 Swedish women found that high calcium intake doubles the risk of cardiovascular death, particularly among those who take supplements. The researchers suggest that diets extremely low or high in calcium can disrupt normal blood levels of calcium.
TB infection rates are forecasted to surge as antibiotics become less effective against the disease. The lack of progress in combating TB is attributed to increasing drug resistance, reminiscent of the 1930s when dedicated sanitaria and invasive surgery were common treatments.
Research reveals a steady increase in UK children's emergency hospital admissions since 2003, primarily driven by common infections. The trend shows a particularly significant rise among under-5s, with projected population increases suggesting up to 230,000 more admissions by 2020.
A large study of nearly 60,000 patients found that stage at diagnosis only partly explains the wide variation in lung cancer survival rates among different developed countries. Treatment differences also played a key role, with some countries experiencing lower survival rates due to delays in diagnosis or suboptimal staging.
Research in England and Wales reveals a significant reduction in paracetamol overdose deaths due to smaller pack sizes, with a 43% decrease over 11 years. However, the study's authors caution that this trend may not continue if further measures are not taken to limit the death toll.
A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving 116,000 participants found no evidence of an association between job strain and overall cancer risk. Stress can cause chronic inflammation, leading to unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Research finds older bikers three times as likely to be seriously injured in crashes compared to younger adults. Middle-aged bikers also face increased injury risks, particularly fractures and internal organ damage.
A large study found that one in 20 cases of pre-eclampsia may be linked to increased levels of ozone during the first three months of pregnancy. Mothers with asthma are more vulnerable, and ozone exposure was associated with a higher risk of premature birth and pre-eclampsia.
Regular sunlight exposure is linked to lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in older women due to increased production of vitamin D. However, younger women who cover up with sunscreen may not experience the same protective benefits, according to a large-scale study.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that watching TV for more than 20 hours a week can almost halve sperm count, while exercising 15 or more hours a week can improve it by 73%. Moderate to vigorous exercise also has a positive impact on semen quality.
A cross-sectional study found that around 1 in 10 young teens with mental health issues also drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and use cannabis on a weekly basis. The prevalence of this pattern of substance use increases with age and is linked to poorer mental and physical health outcomes.
A training program for potential bystanders has been shown to significantly reduce opioid-related overdose deaths, with a dose-related impact on death rates. However, no significant differences were found in emergency department and acute hospital use.
A study found that attending a medical school with active gift restriction policies was associated with reduced prescribing of newly marketed pharmaceuticals. Students exposed to these policies for longer periods showed further reductions in prescribing rates.
Pharmacists warn that morning after pill conscience clauses can lead to unwanted pregnancies and undermine the principle of universal healthcare in the NHS. The current 'fudge' approach, allowing pharmacists to opt out on moral or religious grounds, is not morally defensible or legally feasible.
A recent study found a link between certain antidepressants and long QT intervals, a marker for heart rhythm abnormalities. The research used electronic health records to track patients who had taken antidepressants or methadone, and discovered that some medications increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
A new study suggests that telephone physiotherapy can reduce waiting times for patients and provide equally effective treatment results. Researchers compared PhysioDirect with usual care in a randomised controlled trial involving 2,256 patients with musculoskeletal problems.
A cohort study found that patients admitted as emergencies on public holidays are more likely to die than those admitted on other days of the week. The death rate is significantly higher for public holiday admissions, with a 48% increase in 7-day deaths and a 27% increase in 30-day deaths.
A UK study found that attitudes towards speed among learner drivers are a significant predictor of unsafe driving behavior once they become licensed. The research suggests that focusing on technical skills alone may not be enough to ensure road safety, and instead, efforts should be made to develop safer driving attitudes from the begi...
A study of 7,500 British adults found strong links between jobs involving cleaning and cleaning agents and the development of adult asthma. Exposure to low-risk agents increased asthma risk by 20%, while high-risk exposure tripled it.
Researchers analyzed data from 1996 to 2008 and found obese drivers were 21-80% more likely to die in collisions than normal-weight peers, with women facing even greater risks. The study suggests car design may need to change to better protect obese occupants.
A feasibility study suggests that UK price cap regulations for tobacco could raise £500 million every year, which is enough to fund smoking cessation services in England and anti-smuggling activities UK-wide. The proposed regulation would expose companies to stricter scrutiny, curb marketing to the young, and reduce lobbying efforts.
A study found that countries consuming large amounts of milk have a higher number of Nobel laureates, possibly due to the boost in vitamin D levels which can enhance cognitive function. However, the relationship may not be solely driven by education, as some nations with high milk consumption also exhibit strong educational systems.
A recent study published in The BMJ suggests that cancer screening for patients with a life expectancy of less than 10 years may not be beneficial. The researchers analyzed data from five breast and four colorectal cancer trials, finding that the benefits of screening often outweigh the risks. However, they also emphasize that individu...
Research suggests a significant link between reduced biomass smoke pollution and decreased all-cause mortality, particularly among men. A study in Tasmania found that interventions to reduce wood heater use led to a 40% decrease in particulate air pollution and a 22.8% reduction in respiratory mortality for males alone.
Thousands of melanoma patients are undergoing sentinel node biopsy despite a lack of clear evidence, with up to 96% of cases resulting in unnecessary surgery. The BMJ calls on funders and researchers to demand prompt publication of the full results of the MSLT-I trial.
A study found that taking a triple combination of blood pressure drugs and common painkillers increases the risk of serious kidney problems, especially at the start of treatment. Patients taking this combination are 31% more likely to develop kidney injury.
A nationwide prospective cohort study found that offspring of cancer patients diagnosed at older ages are still at higher risk of developing the same cancer. The study suggests a significant genetic component to familial risks, with increased risks observed for various cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, and prostate cancer.
Every week, the UK National Poisons Information Service receives around two phone queries about snakebites, with over half of these enquiries concerning the European adder, the only poisonous snake native to the UK. Snakebite injuries can be serious due to their effects on the heart and other organs, despite being rarely fatal.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that children who ate family meals with their parents consumed more fruit and vegetables, reaching recommended daily targets. Those who always ate together had higher nutrient intake than those who sometimes or never did so.
Research reveals successful solo rock/pop stars are twice as likely to die early as those in equally famous bands. Adverse childhood experiences are also significantly more common among those who died from drug and alcohol misuse.
A recent review of cannabis extract, Sativex, found limited trial data and a lack of comparison to other treatments, casting doubt on its effectiveness for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. The review also highlighted the high cost of Sativex compared to other MS medications.
Research finds that witnessing or experiencing workplace bullying increases the risk of being prescribed antidepressants, sedatives, and sleeping pills. The study, which tracked 6,606 public service employees in Finland, reveals a significant association between bullying and subsequent prescriptions for psychoactive drugs.
An observational study found that nearly 1 in 3 pedestrians are distracted by mobile devices while crossing roads, with texting being the most distracting activity. This behavior is comparable to drunk driving and can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
The study found that tobacco smuggling in Europe is lower than expected, with availability being the primary driver. Illicit tobacco was more common in countries bordering Ukraine and Russia, as well as those with lower prices for Marlboro packs.