Research on identifying and measuring risk. Covers rock-avalanche modeling, cardiovascular risk, food-toxin safety, and heart calcium scans.
A study by University of Gothenburg found that people with obesity were overrepresented among adults in Sweden receiving intensive care for COVID-19, with a 50% increase in mortality risk compared to normal-weight individuals. Obesity also boosted the risk of ICU stays lasting more than 14 days.
Researchers found that considering recidivism-free time can contribute to improved risk prediction and accurately predict recidivism among parolees. Annual assessments of parolee risk are more accurate than single pre-release risk scores, the study suggests.
A large Swedish cohort study found that obese patients (BMI >35 kg/m2) were twice as likely to experience a prolonged ICU stay or die from COVID-19. The study also showed that obesity is an independent risk factor for severe outcomes, suggesting closer monitoring for individuals with obesity hospitalized for COVID-19.
Left atrium emptying fraction derived from cardiac CTA improves predictive performance of established clinical risk scores. A reduced LAEF independently predicts all-cause mortality within 24 months post-procedure.
Researchers found that selecting the embryo with the lowest predicted risk score reduces disease risk more effectively than eliminating high-scoring embryos. However, polygenic embryo screening offers no guarantees about a baby's health and has limited effectiveness depending on factors like ancestry and age.
A new study finds that urban areas are up to 10 times more sensitive to variations in precipitation than rural areas, increasing landslide hazard. Human-made changes to topography and vegetation loss in urban areas weaken slopes and make them more prone to landslides.
A Stanford University study found higher levels of air pollutants within 2.5 miles of oil and gas wells, likely worsening negative health outcomes for nearby residents. The research reveals that wells emit toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone, posing a risk to residents' health.
A national review of nocardia infection in kidney transplant patients found that those with compromised immune responses are more vulnerable to the opportunistic agent. Nocardiosis can lead to pneumonia and brain abscess, and screening is crucial, especially in combination with pneumonia symptoms.
Scientists developed a novel method to detect hormonally active substances in products, which can cause serious health problems. The new approach uses immobilized sulfotransferases and microparticles to quickly and easily detect low concentrations of these substances.
A recent study analyzing over 10,000 community births in Washington state between 2015 and 2020 found that planned home births with licensed midwives are as safe as births at a licensed birth center. The research team discovered no increased risk for parents or babies associated with the birth setting.
Researchers found that mRNA COVID vaccines reduced symptomatic illness risk by 89% and 96% for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine recipients respectively. The vaccines' effectiveness was lower in immunocompromised individuals.
Researchers identified six major themes associated with smoking risk and protective factors among TGE adults, including experience of stress, gender affirmation, and environmental cues. The study aims to design culturally sensitive messaging for smoking cessation through social media and inform further community-engaged research.
The study provides a new framework for policymakers to consider drinking water quality data when analyzing environmental justice issues. Communities with higher ratios of Hispanic and/or Black populations were found to have statistically significant increases in cancer risk due to exposure to tap water contamination.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine found that sleeve gastrectomy is associated with lower risks of death and complications compared to gastric bypass surgery. However, patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were more likely to require follow-up surgery.
A research team at TUM has discovered that the protein TIMP1 is associated with a significantly higher risk of liver metastasis and death in male patients, particularly those with pancreatic, colon, and melanoma cancers. This finding may lead to improved diagnosis and targeted therapy options for men.
Researchers from MIT have developed a way to use carbon dioxide monitors to estimate indoor COVID-19 risk in near real-time. The model takes into account various factors such as ventilation, mask usage, and activity levels to provide an indoor reproductive number that represents the virus's transmission rate.
A study of over 29,000 American women found that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of postpartum depression. Women who breastfed for longer periods had lower rates of postpartum depression, with those breastfeeding for 6-12 months showing the greatest reduction.
A new study funded by FDA and HHS suggests that continuous manufacturing (CM) processes could make pharmaceutical production in the US more attractive than investing in China or India. The findings show that CM processes were more economical than current batch processing, particularly under current US corporate tax rates.
A new study found that men with young-onset type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop retinopathy than those diagnosed at an older age. The study also suggests that early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of complications.
Researchers discovered zebrafish neurons that monitor prediction errors to efficiently avoid danger, creating a 'hazard map' in the brain. This study sheds light on brain circuits shared across vertebrates, including humans.
A BfR study confirms that perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) does not accumulate excessively in human lung and kidney tissue. Only one sample contained a measurable PFBA value, supporting the conclusion that PFBA is unlikely to cause health problems.
A new study found that benzo(a)pyrene plays a small part in the global risk of developing PAH-associated cancer, with 89% of the risk coming from other unregulated chemicals. Degradation products formed in the atmosphere can also be more toxic than the emitted PAHs.
Researchers developed an AI model to classify patients with localized breast cancer as high or low risk of metastatic relapse. The study shows that AI can accurately assess relapse risk with an AUC of 81%, providing a valuable aid for therapeutic decisions and avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy.
A common blood test could identify patients with schizophrenia at high risk for cardiovascular disease, enabling early intervention. Elevated white blood cell counts are suspected to be a signal, and a large-scale analysis of over 20,000 patients will examine its associations.
Researchers from the University of Oxford have identified vaccinated groups at greatest risk of severe COVID-19 leading to hospitalisation or death. The study used national linked datasets to analyze over 6.9 million vaccinated adults, finding elevated risks to specific age, sex, and ethnic group groups.
A comprehensive study found that marching band students are at risk of heat-related illnesses due to their physical demands and lack of protective measures. The study analyzed news reports of heat illnesses among band members from 1990 to 2020, revealing nearly 400 cases, including hospitalizations and heat stroke.
Individualized breast cancer risk estimates led to a significant increase in annual mammography rates among women at high risk. The study found that nearly all Hispanic or Black women who received personalized risk assessments used mammography more frequently, with rates rising from 37% to 51%.
A new study analyzes millions of Twitter posts during three major hurricanes to develop a method for measuring social cohesion. The researchers found that monitoring social media chatter can help decision makers understand how communities communicate during disasters and identify areas for improvement.
A new study found that Black and Latino families are most likely to experience financial stress due to student loan debt, even with lower levels of debt. The research analyzed data from the 2007-2009 Survey of Consumer Finances and discovered that higher levels of student loan debt increased financial stress for these households.
Researchers found that remnant cholesterol levels above 24 micrograms per deciliter were associated with a 40-50% higher risk of major heart disease or stroke. The study suggests using remnant cholesterol as an additional metric for predicting cardiovascular disease and stroke risk, in addition to LDL cholesterol levels.
A team of researchers characterized different bacterial populations isolated from the International Space Station's potable water system, exploring their functional properties and long-term interactions. The study aimed to improve microbial risk assessments for human-built environments in space and on Earth.
A research team from Kyoto University assessed eight flight routes during five ground level enhancements to evaluate the risks of solar particle events. The study found that the maximum flight route dose and dose rate arising from major GLE events would need to exceed 1.0 mSv and 80 µSv/h, respectively, for countermeasures to be deemed...
A single-center retrospective study found that preoperative thoracic CT findings can complement preoperative clinical risk factors to improve risk assessment for the need of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Bronchial wall thickening, pericardial effusion, and anteroposterior chest diameter were identified as independent predictors...
The Safeguard project will assess the status and trends of European wild pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. It will also explore effective ways to halt declines in different scales, from local to global.
A new USC study found that infants with histories of reported maltreatment are two to three times more likely to die from medical causes. Foster care placement was also found to reduce the risk of infant death due to medical causes by roughly half.
A new assessment indicates that higher emissions will significantly impact Venice's flood risk, emphasizing the need for improved projections and protection infrastructure. The study highlights the importance of accurate sea level projections and the potential for extreme events like meteotsunamis to exacerbate flooding.
A study of 68 patients found that most had good long-term outcomes with minimal complications, while others faced significant risks. The research provides insights into the potential consequences of COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
Residents in states that lifted eviction moratoria had a higher risk of receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis 12 weeks later compared to those with still-active moratoria. The association grew stronger over time, especially among individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and lower socioeconomic status.
A large-scale international study found that edoxaban is non-inferior to warfarin for efficacy in preventing adverse events, but led to higher bleeding complications. The trial suggests that treatment with edoxaban can be valuable in managing AF patients after TAVR, especially when a lower dose of edoxaban is used.
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has proposed a research-based concept to identify chemical combinations with potential health effects. The concept aims to provide a feasible approach to identify potentially health-relevant mixtures and background exposures across regulatory silos.
A new study from the University of California, Santa Cruz, develops a comprehensive framework to determine when short-term changes in behavior caused by human activities have biological significance. The framework highlights the importance of life history traits and specific characteristics of disturbances in assessing vulnerability.
The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.
A study found that combined drinking and smoking after the first trimester may be associated with a significantly increased risk of late stillbirth. The observational study suggests that this exposure may be particularly concerning for women who do not have pre-existing health conditions.
A new study by Tufts University researchers identifies a high risk of forced labor in US fruits and vegetables, with most food-country combinations coded as high risk. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers, farmers, and food companies to address systemic issues in food supply chains.
A deep learning tool for sarcopenia assessment on CT scans shows similar utility in predicting hip fractures and death at both L1 and L3 vertebral levels. Muscle attenuation measurements performed better than muscle area assessments, likely due to the inclusion of intramuscular fat.
The Stoffenmanager and Advanced REACH Tool models have significant deficiencies in their use, affecting chemical safety assessments. The models are based on subjective parameter values and lack physical principles, leading to uncertainty in exposure values.
Researchers will track oral health behaviors and caries risk in low-income urban young children over five years, collecting data on caregiver-reported habits, dental plaque scores, and social risk factors. The study aims to understand the impact of community-level factors on individual behaviors.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found no substantial link between limited in-person attendance at NFL and NCAA football games and increased local COVID-19 cases. The research suggests that the events were not a significant source of transmission for the virus.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that cannabis use disorder (CUD) may be a risk factor for poorer COVID-19 outcomes due to a genetic predisposition. CUD was found to account for up to 40% of genetically influenced risk factors, such as body mass index and diabetes, for severe COVID-19 presentations.
A large-scale population-based study confirms that COVID-19 vaccines far outweigh the risk of Bell's palsy. The study found a small increased risk of Bell's palsy associated with CoronaVac vaccination, but not with BNT162b2.
A study analyzing 7,000 tree falls in São Paulo City found that most occurrences occur in the rainy season due to weather conditions. However, a significant number of trees fell during the dry season, attributed to poor management and inadequate conditions for street vegetation.
Researchers say surprise is a key factor in disastrous river floods, with improved flood warnings and protection measures contributing to declining casualties. Asia is the worst-hit region, with over 125 million people affected annually by such disasters.
A recent UNSW study found that women who received their polygenic risk score (PRS) for breast cancer experienced minimal regret and reduced distress compared to those who declined. The researchers also discovered that more women reported regret about not knowing their PRS score, highlighting the importance of providing clear informatio...
Countries lagging behind in renewable energy adoption risk lower industrial competitiveness and economic instability. Uneven transition patterns can exacerbate existing international tensions, making it difficult for late decarbonizers to catch up with early movers.
The study suggests that COVID-19 eradication is technically possible due to the availability of safe vaccines, lifelong immunity, and effective government management. However, securing high vaccine coverage and responding quickly to variants are major challenges.
Researchers analyzed association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with breast cancer (BC) by molecular subtype among 296 cases and 259 healthy controls. High hsCRP was associated with increased odds of triple-negative BC, luminal A BC, and HER2-enriched BC.
Researchers identified seven 'pinch points' where moderate eruptions could have catastrophic global consequences, including disruptions to global supply chains and financial systems. These regions include Taiwan, North Africa, the North Atlantic, and the US state of Washington.
A systematic evaluation of COVID-19 studies in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis found high risk of bias and quality issues. The median score for all studies was 47.2% indicating a high risk of bias, mainly due to selection bias.
A new ultrasonic method improves fetal weight prediction accuracy by analyzing three-dimensional limb volumes and abdominal circumferences. The algorithm outperforms traditional formulas in predicting macrosomia and birth weights.
Researchers found no evidence of increased suicide risk among patients taking recently developed antiseizure medications. The study suggests that the FDA's blanket warning on anti-seizure medications may not be justified, highlighting concerns about its impact on patient treatment and trial results.