A study found that the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a quick predictor of patient risk after heart failure administration. The researchers used anonymized patient information from Japan and found that CFS scores were strongly correlated with physical and cognitive impairment, as well as increased mortality risk.
A new study published by Yonsei University reveals that air pollution is a significant contributor to workplace accidents, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities by 2.6 times when PM2.5 concentrations double. The study estimates economic losses of up to $10 billion annually.
According to the BfR Consumer Monitor, only 10% of respondents expressed concern about raw milk's health risk. Raw milk can transmit pathogens, posing a risk to vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Healthy adults also face an increased risk of mild to severe food poisoning from unboiled raw milk.
A cross-sectional study found that FDA-cleared AI-enabled medical devices lack standardized efficacy, safety, and risk assessment, highlighting the need for dedicated regulatory pathways and post-market surveillance to address these challenges.
Ensemble projections suggest vaccinating high-risk groups reduces disease burden, while broader vaccine availability saves more lives. Averted COVID-19 burden due to vaccination is robust across immune escape scenarios.
Researchers conducted a survey of published studies on the transmission risk of 39 pathogens and diseases, finding that only 7.4% consider hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. The study recommends integrating these components for reliable models and guiding public policies.
A recent study published in the Journal of Safety Research found that rented e-bikes have an eight times higher crash risk than rented e-scooters, calculated based on trip distance. The researchers used GPS data to compare micromobility in seven European cities and found a surprising result.
A comprehensive review of new pollutants in China highlights knowledge gaps and strategic recommendations for pollution control. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaborative efforts to address complex environmental challenges.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology used machine learning algorithms to predict bearing layer depth and assess liquefaction risk. The study found that random forest models outperformed others, especially with increasing spatial data density.
A personalized approach to recommending CPAP machines for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may decrease adverse cardiovascular events. However, CPAP use can also increase cardiovascular risk for those with low-risk OSA markers.
Researchers found that mobile users were less likely to click on phishing links compared to PC users, especially for lower-risk URLs. The study suggests that device use settings affect users' risk assessment abilities, leading to more avoidant behavior on mobile devices.
Researchers developed a robust framework using deep learning and contextual data to accurately predict mountaineering accident risks in advance. The model achieved over 60% accuracy for two types of accidents, identifying critical predictors such as time of day, terrain, weather conditions, and climber demographics.
A new analysis suggests that preventive mastectomy is a cost-effective way to reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer compared to breast screening and medication. Women aged 30 or above with a lifetime breast cancer risk of 35% or more may benefit from this treatment option.
Researchers developed a new testing method to assess floor slipperiness caused by dry contaminants, revealing particles like salt and flour can be just as dangerous as oil or water. The study found that even sparse layers of salt can reduce friction by up to 28%, making tile far slicker than permitted safety thresholds.
The BfR emphasizes that vitamins and minerals are essential but unnecessary additional intake can lead to health issues. The institute also discusses various health risks associated with food supplements, including plant-based ingredients.
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that an average of 21% of teen drivers engage in distracted driving, with many believing their peers drive distracted due to social norms. The study suggests encouraging strategies like 'Do Not Disturb' mode and ensuring teens get adequate sleep can mitigate this behavior.
A large-scale study found no association between medication use and the development of microscopic colitis, contradicting previous findings. SSRIs were linked to a slightly higher risk, but also increased the likelihood of receiving a colonoscopy.
Researchers found that individuals with European ancestry have a higher inflammatory response to the dengue virus, which can lead to severe disease. In contrast, those with African ancestry have a lower inflammatory response, making them less susceptible to severe dengue fever. The study's findings could lead to precision medicine appr...
Australian scientists developed a new method to evaluate the risks posed by toxicants like insecticides in waterways. The Temporal Response Surface (TRS) approach integrates exposure duration into ecosystem protection guidelines, providing a more accurate assessment of delayed and time-cumulative aquatic ecosystem risk.
A circulating tumor DNA-based blood test demonstrated acceptable accuracy for colorectal cancer detection in an average-risk population. However, it struggled to detect advanced precancerous lesions, highlighting the need for further improvements.
A new study published in Science finds that strong climate policy can preserve twice as much ice as current warming trajectories, even if temperatures stabilized today. At a 1.5°C temperature increase, 53% of global glacier mass could be preserved, alleviating hazards like flooding and freshwater deficiency.
A new study by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that teen drivers who practiced more had 30% fewer crash or near-crash incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 82 teen drivers monitored for 22 months, revealing that supervised driving experiences and safety education are crucial for reducing novice driver risks.
A 1,200-tonne boulder in Tonga is one of the largest known wave-transported rocks, providing new insights into past tsunamis. Numerical modelling suggests tsunami heights of 50m lasting 90 seconds dislodged the boulder from its cliff-edge origin.
A new study finds that nano-encapsulated pesticides have dramatically lower environmental risks than conventional formulations, reducing freshwater ecotoxicity impact scores by up to five orders of magnitude. This breakthrough highlights the importance of life-cycle assessments in developing safer agrochemicals.
A decrease in first-generation students was found among U.S. medical student matriculants, with high risks of attrition due to intersectional factors. This study emphasizes the need for targeted recruitment and retention efforts to better reflect physician workforce diversity.
A study proposes five action fronts for civil defense units to increase their organizational capacity, including professionalization and resource allocation. Municipalities face challenges such as monitoring urban expansion, lack of financial resources, and social participation.
A new study suggests that urban agriculture alone can only feed about one fifth of a city's population, but combining it with near-urban farming can ensure food security for the entire city. Peas are found to be the best crop for maximizing protein and calories while minimizing land requirements in normal climate scenarios.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 7, 2025
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed RiskPath, an Explainable AI toolkit that predicts disease progression years before symptoms manifest. The technology analyzes health data to identify high-risk individuals with unprecedented accuracy, offering new insights into risk factor interactions and disease development.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons has launched a new risk calculator for patients undergoing ascending aorta and aortic root surgery, which provides real-world data collected through the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. The calculator supports more accurate assessments of expected outcomes, including mortality and major morbidity.
A new study found that some bird species with large geographic ranges and big brains are actually more susceptible to climate change than previously thought. Researchers analyzed data from citizen scientists and found that birds adapted to narrow climate niches, such as the Arctic, are at higher risk from climate change.
Researchers found that adults under 50 with migraine headaches and certain heart defects are at increased risk of stroke. The study highlights the importance of assessing both traditional and nontraditional risk factors in younger people to prevent strokes.
A study mapped US counties with high rates of water system violations and inequalities in access to safe drinking water. Counties in West Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania ranked among the top 10 for violations, while Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas topped the list for water injustice.
New research suggests that conservation efforts can better protect bird species at greatest risk from climate change by understanding the specific climatic conditions they need to thrive. The study found that species with narrower climatic niches are more susceptible to population declines.
A new study reveals that two dam failures and flawed risk assessment amplified the Derna Flood, which was nearly twentyfold more destructive than expected. The research highlights the urgent need for improved flood mitigation strategies, especially in dryland regions.
A new machine learning model improves risk assessment for patients with myelofibrosis seeking a transplant, identifying high-risk patients with a 40% chance of dying within a year. The open-access model provides a practical tool for clinicians to enhance shared decision-making with their patients.
A large cohort study found living alone to be a critical factor in suicide risk assessments for individuals with depression and anxiety. The study of 3.7 million individuals highlighted the importance of preventing mental illness while addressing living arrangements.
The study reveals that riders who deliberately crash or cause dangerous situations when riding are a significant concern. The researchers also found that one-handed steering and group riding increase the risk of crashing by six times and almost triples it respectively.
The BfR conference discusses the role of microorganisms in food production, focusing on both beneficial and pathogenic properties. The event explores topics such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and the importance of food microbiology in ensuring public health.
Researchers found that lifestyle and health factors linked with heart disease have a stronger impact on women than men. Women were more likely to have fewer negative risk factors but faced a greater increase in cardiovascular events if they had more negative risk factors compared to men.
A large crack was unexpectedly found in a T-38 Talon's cockpit longeron, prompting the US Air Force to ground its entire fleet for visual inspections. SwRI's risk and damage tolerance analyses helped determine an optimal inspection schedule, minimizing downtime and maintaining safety.
A new study from Murdoch University found that companies adopting Integrated Reporting and Combined Assurance practices can significantly improve their stock market performance. Key findings include the importance of non-financial information, the detection and reduction of earnings management, and the enhancement of report credibility.
A global survey of over 30,000 people found that those from the Global South are more hopeful about climate change, leading to increased support for climate interventions. Meanwhile, European countries express strong anger and sadness towards climate change, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives in addressing the crisis.
Researchers have shown that earthquakes in the Marmara region transport a large amount of energy towards Istanbul, with most quakes exhibiting an eastward rupture direction. This finding has important implications for urban planning, emergency response, and seismic hazard maps, which will be taken into account in future studies.
Recent studies have identified over 1,000 new chemicals in food contact materials, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates. The updated FCCmigex database now includes 5,294 chemicals from 1,500 scientific studies.
Researchers Garett Sansom and Lindsay Sansom will evaluate soil conditions in Settegast and Lakewood neighborhoods for cancer-causing heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The project aims to identify residents' environment-related concerns and develop a better understanding of local priorities and challenges.
Breast cancer mortality rates have stopped decreasing in two age groups: women under 40 and those over 74. This shift is attributed to an increase in stage IV breast cancers at diagnosis, leading to poor prognoses.
Veterans with access to firearms, suicidal thinking, and history of mental health inpatient stays had highest risk of dying by suicide after receiving a CSRE assessment. The study found that even after going through the CSRE process, these veterans were more likely to die by suicide.
A new study developed a computer model to predict household displacement duration in US communities after disasters, accounting for socioeconomic factors. The model combines physical damage estimates with socioeconomic characteristics to help inform risk mitigation strategies.
A deep learning model, CGMformer, leverages large-scale continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data to extract individual glucose dynamics. The model captures a continuous picture of glucose fluctuations, identifying patterns that may indicate early metabolic dysfunction.
Researchers on the SONNE310 expedition investigate canyons on active and passive continental slopes in the southwest Pacific. The study aims to identify factors that determine landslide frequency, size, and location, enhancing global risk assessment and protecting coastal areas.
Researchers found that squat toilets release higher concentrations of bacteria than bidet toilets, but ventilation fans significantly lower these levels. Installing efficient exhaust fans can effectively reduce bioaerosol concentrations and exposure risks for the public.
A study of 153 people between the ages of 60 and 89 suggests a modification to the well-established clinical test for assessing balance in the elderly to make it more efficient, accessible, and predictive. The assessment can predict the risk of falling over a six-month period with accuracy.
A new clinical study by the BfR found that tattoo ink contains smaller amounts of liquid components than previously thought. The researchers were able to detect metabolites in blood samples shortly after tattooing began and showed that metabolism functions differently when substances are taken up through the skin.
A new AI-based analysis of almost 10,000 pregnancies has discovered previously unidentified combinations of risk factors linked to serious negative pregnancy outcomes. The study found that there may be up to a tenfold difference in risk for infants who are currently treated identically under clinical guidelines.
Southwest Research Institute's Risk Evaluation & Medical Decision Efficacy (REMEDY) tool supports agile medical decisions on countermeasures for chemical and biological threats. The REMEDY mission risk evaluations quantify risks and benefits of medical countermeasures, enabling operational planners to make informed decisions.
Dr Tewes Tralau is a renowned biologist with extensive experience in scientific management and risk communication, succeeding Professor Dr Tanja Schwerdtle as Vice-President of the BfR. He aims to contribute significantly to ensuring the BfR remains an internationally recognized reference for consumer protection.
A new AI-powered software, EmbryoNet, can automatically detect defects in animal embryos and link them to underlying signalling pathways. This technology has the potential to replace lengthy animal studies in drug research, speeding up conventional processes while reducing costs significantly.
According to hygiene expert Dr. Heidi Wichmann-Schauer, small negligence in everyday life can transfer pathogens to food, causing serious illnesses and fatalities, especially among vulnerable groups. The BfR advises proper kitchen cleanliness, handwashing, and cooking meat thoroughly to prevent cross-contamination.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute found elevated suicide risk in children as young as eight years old, emphasizing the importance of universal screening. The study suggests that children with neurodevelopmental differences have comparable risks to their peers, highlighting the need for inclusive screenings.
The BfR exhibition at Grüne Woche focuses on the importance of kitchen hygiene, highlighting the risks of foodborne infections. Visitors can explore an interactive world of bacteria through games and quizzes to minimize health risks by adopting simple hygiene practices.