A study published in Toxicological Sciences suggests that computer algorithms can predict toxic properties of chemicals more accurately than standard animal tests. The researchers developed a large database of known chemicals and used machine-learning algorithms to create a map of chemical structures and their associated toxic properties.
A new study suggests that developmental screening and surveillance rates remain low in the US, with only about one-third of young children receiving recommended screenings. The study found significant variations in rates across states, with Oregon performing as the top state and Mississippi struggling to meet the 17% benchmark.
Breast cancer research has long neglected social factors like race and socioeconomic status, missing opportunities to understand and reduce disparities in risk and outcomes. Studies have shown that only a small percentage of clinical trials reported findings stratified by these factors.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that health insurers have not done enough to combat the opioid epidemic. The researchers analyzed coverage policies for drugs to treat chronic lower-back pain and concluded that these policies missed opportunities to steer patients towards safer treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have developed a method to determine diet adherence from a blood sample. By analyzing small molecules called 'metabolites' in the blood, they found that levels differed significantly between participants following a prescribed diet and those not adhering to it.
Researchers found that positive results for glucose and HbA1c in one blood sample are a highly accurate predictor of diabetes and major complications. The study suggests a single blood sample may be sufficient to diagnose diabetes, potentially reducing the need for repeat tests.
Since 2000, conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae have prevented a significant decline in child mortality from these bacterial infections, with estimated reductions of 90% and 51%, respectively. The introduction of these vaccines has been instrumental in reducing the global burden o...
A Baltimore campaign found that automated phone calls were more effective than Facebook ads in encouraging residents to request free smoke alarm installations. The campaign, which ran in 2014, reached over 90,000 households via landline and resulted in 458 requests for smoke alarms, compared to just 25 from Facebook ads.
A study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that states adopting handgun licensing laws are associated with a 14% reduction in firearm homicides in large, urban counties. In contrast, states with comprehensive background check-only laws see a 16% increase in firearm homicides.
A new study finds that child sexual abuse has a profound economic impact on the US, with estimated annual costs of $9.3 billion and lifetime costs per victim ranging from nearly $200,000 for nonfatal abuse to over $1 million for fatal cases. The study's authors hope to inspire policymakers to invest in prevention efforts.
A national public opinion survey finds widespread agreement on key gun policies, with minimal gaps in support between gun owners and non-gun owners. The majority of respondents (85.3% of gun owners and 88.7% of non-gun owners) support universal background checks.
A new study found that many Airbnb rentals in the US are missing critical safety features such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The analysis of 120,691 venues across 16 cities showed that only 56% had carbon monoxide detectors and 42% had fire extinguishers.
A recent study found that many academic institutions in the US are unprepared to comply with stricter requirements for clinical trial registration and reporting. The institutions face challenges in allocating staff time and resources to meet these new regulations. As a result, some organizations have not implemented policies to punish ...
A smartphone app designed to promote proper child car seat use has been shown to improve safety practices among parents. The app, Safety in Seconds v2.0, was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving over 700 participants and reported significant improvements in several child car seat behaviors.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health identified 11 safety measures that could potentially save over 250,000 lives annually in low- and middle-income countries. These interventions include speeding enforcement, formal swimming lessons for young children, and crèches to supervise young children.
A single foodborne outbreak could cost a restaurant millions of dollars in lost revenue, fines, lawsuits, legal fees, insurance premium increases, inspection costs and staff retraining. Foodborne illness outbreaks can have large, reverberating consequences regardless of the size of the restaurant.
Many forensic methods used in criminal cases lack scientific backing, and traditional pattern-matching methods continue to be used despite insufficient understanding of their accuracy and reliability. Experts hope that by drawing attention to the problem, they can inspire reforms, such as mandatory empirical testing of admissible methods.
A recent study found that a focus on boys and young men is crucial to continue progress in reducing new HIV infections. Researchers suggest that improved health counseling and engagement with peers can encourage more adolescents to undergo circumcision, which reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 60%. The study also highlights the ne...
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that frequent public drug users who witness more overdoses are likely to be good candidates for naloxone training. These users tend to engage in riskier drug use and use drugs in a wider range of settings.
A study found that adults with a history of cancer treatment exhibit higher levels of fatigue and reduced endurance compared to those without a cancer history. The researchers discovered a significant association between a history of cancer treatment and increased fatigability, particularly in older adults.
Researchers discover FUS plays a crucial role in the microRNA-mediated gene silencing system, which regulates cellular activity. Disruption of this system may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and FTD. The study suggests that FUS facilitates guiding and targeting of messenger-RNAs by microRNAs.
Scientists have developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 system that can delete genes from mosquitoes, making them resistant to the malaria parasite. The FREP1 gene is identified as a malarial host factor and its deletion significantly reduces malaria parasites' ability to survive and multiply.
New studies suggest that concentrating control measures in high-incidence districts and areas surrounding cholera victims' homes can significantly reduce the disease's impact. By targeting these hotspots, Africa could cut its cholera burden by 50 percent.
A special receptor called dectin-1 recognizes a protein found in house dust mites, cockroaches, shellfish, and other invertebrates, suppressing immune reactions to these common allergy triggers. The discovery suggests new ways to treat or prevent allergies and asthma, which affect tens of millions in the US.
A national survey found that more than half of US gun owners do not safely store their guns, with 54% reporting not storing all firearms securely. Safe storage practices are linked to reduced risks of unauthorized access or use.
A study found that e-cigarette heating coils release potentially hazardous levels of lead and other toxic metals into the aerosols vapers inhale. Chronic exposure to these metals can cause lung, liver, immune, cardiovascular, and brain damage, as well as cancer.
Young adults who were undernourished as preschool children were nearly twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss. Nutritional interventions in South Asia could help prevent hearing loss, a condition affecting an estimated 116 million young people.
A new study found that farmed fish and shrimp convert protein and calories in feed to edible products at rates similar to livestock. Researchers assessed feed composition, feed conversion ratios, and nutritional content to provide a more complete understanding of feed efficiency across species.
A study found life expectancy gains slowing globally since 1950, with the sharpest declines in low-lifespan countries. The slowdown, attributed to factors such as governance failure and inadequate public health measures, suggests that efforts to improve life expectancy must focus on promoting political will and social consensus.
A new study examined prosecutions in Pennsylvania and Maryland following changes in firearm transfer laws, finding increased prosecutions after tougher sentencing in Pennsylvania but decreased prosecutions in Maryland after a court decision redefined private firearm transfers. The study highlights the importance of proper implementatio...
A study found that adults who ate more than two tomatoes or three portions of fresh fruit per day had slower lung function decline over a 10-year period. The researchers suggest that certain components in these foods might help restore lung damage caused by smoking.
A new study suggests that children who were required to register as sex offenders are at a higher risk of suicidal intent and victimization experiences. The researchers found that registered children were four times more likely to report a recent suicide attempt than non-registered children.
A new study found that under 5% of those referred for opioid treatment from the criminal justice system were directed to medication-assisted programs, while 40% of clients referred by other sources attended these programs. This referral gap highlights a missed opportunity for effective treatment among at-risk groups.
A study published in Addiction found that low- and high-volume prescribers both play a significant role in opioid prescriptions, challenging the focus on 'pill mill' doctors. The study also identified other high-risk patient groups, such as concomitant users and chronic high-dose users, who pose a greater public health threat.
A US-funded global effort to curb HIV infection in high-risk populations appears to be working, with a 42% decline in new HIV infections. Male circumcision was shown to have a direct risk-lowering effect, while antiretroviral therapy increased the likelihood of viral suppression.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a genetic mutation in the FluMist intranasal flu vaccine that has the potential to be altered to enhance its protective effect. The mutation reduces virus production, but reversing it makes the virus more active and induces a stronger immune response.
A neighborhood's quality has a significant impact on the number of problem behaviors displayed by children during elementary and teenage years. The study found that children living in poor-quality neighborhoods had significantly more serious behavior problems compared to those in excellent neighborhoods.
A large survey of breast cancer patients found that nearly one-third went against their doctor's advice and chose not to complete recommended adjuvant anti-cancer therapy. Patients with higher distrust in the healthcare system were more likely to report noncompliance, highlighting the need for strategies beyond boosting physician trust.
Researchers analyzed blood and brain tissue data to find epigenetic marks that control gene expression, revealing key connections between genes and immune function. This study suggests that understanding epigenetic connections could lead to new treatments for autism by targeting specific biological pathways.
A new study suggests that increased screening by primary health care providers is yielding a bigger proportion of diagnoses, leading to more opportunities for treatment. The study found that the proportion of missed cases of diabetes dropped significantly over time, from 16.3% to 10.9%, and targeted screening in high-risk populations c...
A new study suggests that the risk of developing HPV-related throat cancer remains generally low, making mass screening for oral HPV infection unnecessary. The study found that current tests for oral HPV infections are not very predictive of oropharyngeal cancer risk.
A new study found that state laws mandating autism coverage by private insurers resulted in a large jump in spending on care for children with autism. Children in states with mandates were more likely to receive treatment, with increased spending on outpatient services and a significant impact on their lives.
A USAID-funded campaign in Tanzania linked to increased prenatal visits, birth planning, and improved maternal health outcomes. The study found that women exposed to the campaign were more likely to create birth plans, attend prenatal appointments, and give birth at a health facility.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discover two new strategies to combat malaria: genetically modified bacteria that spread rapidly in mosquito populations and boost the immune system of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. These innovative approaches aim to reduce the need for continuous malaria control measures, p...
A new study suggests that weight loss in adults leads to significant cost savings, peaking at age 50. The research found that an adult who goes from obese to overweight can save $17,655 in direct medical costs and productivity losses over their lifetime, while losing weight from obese to healthy results in a savings of $28,020.
A new study found that opioid prescription use increased significantly between 1999 and 2014, driven by patients taking medication for 90 days or longer. Long-term use was associated with greater risk for addiction and overdose, as well as concurrent use of benzodiazepines.
Suicide rates in rural areas of Maryland are 35% higher than urban settings, driven by significantly greater use of firearms. Removing firearms from the equation reveals comparable suicide rates between rural and urban areas.
A review of clinical trials and observational studies found that cholera vaccines reduce the risk of getting cholera by 58% in adults but only 30% in children under 5. The findings could inform policymakers on how to use the vaccine, particularly in outbreak settings like Yemen.
A four-year program led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) increased modern contraceptive method use by 10 percentage points and desire for fewer children in six Nigerian cities. The program's successes were attributed to its coordinated campaign to create demand for family planning services.
A new saliva test developed by Johns Hopkins researchers matches the performance of a widely used blood test for diagnosing hepatitis E virus infection. The test has the potential to ease and speed up research into the disease, which affects an estimated 20 million people worldwide each year.