Articles tagged with Risk Assessment
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.
Researchers found that high-impact weather events can be extreme, especially in context of human activities. Detailed hypothermia risk forecasts were not available for the race site, contributing to tragedy. The study highlights the need for improved warning systems and collaborations among scientists, governments, social media, and ci...
A new study by the University of Notre Dame links toxic pollution and climate risks to human health, with a focus on addressing these issues in countries most at risk. The study identifies the top 10 countries that require urgent attention, including Singapore, Rwanda, China, and India.
Regular physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior are linked to lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Studies found that exercising for just two hours a week can lower OSA risk by 54%, while spending less than four hours watching TV daily reduces the risk by 78%. Increasing physical activity in leisure time or reducing se...
A Skoltech team developed a model to assess infection risks for supermarket customers. The composite model incorporates social forces and retail space layout, suggesting that social distancing is the primary factor in reducing infection rates. Filling stores to capacity has little economic sense during the pandemic.
A new study warns of devastating impacts from an oil spill in the Canadian Arctic, affecting vulnerable indigenous communities. The risk assessment model predicts socio-economic impacts of up to $7.5 billion over five years.
The Horizon 2020 projects RISK-HUNT3R and TOX-Free aim to develop animal-free strategies and tools for chemical risk assessment, combining in vitro and computational approaches. The projects will improve the accuracy and efficiency of safety assessments, enabling the development of sustainable alternatives.
Researchers created a hybrid neural network called NAIMS that accurately predicts premature baby mortality risk using demographics and vital signs. The technique has shown strong performance in predicting an infant's risk of mortality within 3, 7, or 14 days, with potential to analyze responsiveness to treatment.
Researchers developed machine-learning tools to predict tooth loss based on medical characteristics and socioeconomic factors, outperforming traditional clinical indicators. The approach could be used globally to screen people and improve early interventions, potentially delaying or preventing tooth loss.
Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are at high risk for uveitis relapses after discontinuing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The study found that patients are more likely to experience uveitis events within the first 3-24 months after DMARD withdrawal.
A new study suggests that cooperative strategies for providing emergency power during long-duration outages can cost up to 40 times less than individual generators. The analysis focused on two hypothetical communities in New Hampshire and found that shared generator costs were significantly lower, making collective options more accessi...
The nationwide monitoring programme found significant pesticide contamination in over 80% of water bodies, exceeding governmental thresholds. The loss of biodiversity can only be halted if the environmental risk assessment of pesticides is radically revised.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's are developing an automated risk assessment system using natural language processing and machine learning to analyze student interviews and predict violent outcomes.
Researchers warn that karst aquifers are vulnerable to contamination due to fast infiltration of pollutants during rainfall events. The study highlights the risks of degradable pollutants like glyphosate exceeding safe levels by 19 times.
A survey study in California found that public awareness of extreme risk protection orders is low, and many people are unwilling to use them to prevent firearm-related harm. The study suggests that targeted education and awareness campaigns can improve public understanding and encourage the use of these orders.
Researchers developed an analytical model to predict contaminant spreading in fractured porous media, considering geological and physical parameters. The model can help assess the risks associated with waste disposal facilities and chemical spills, enabling informed decision-making for public health and resource allocation.
A Rensselaer-developed deep learning algorithm can identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease using low-dose CT scans used for lung cancer screening, potentially expediting diagnoses and accelerating treatments.
A new framework connects climate mitigation scenarios and financial risk assessment, enabling a more accurate understanding of the financial system's impact on the transition. By integrating climate-financial risk assessments into IAMs, investors' expectations can be adjusted to enable or hamper the low-carbon transition.
The special issue explores various aspects of risk sciences and resilience analytics to guide decision-making and operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Papers cover topics such as risk perception, human health and infection risk, and risk management strategies.
University of Maryland faculty members Shelby Bensi, Gregg Duncan, Katrina Groth, and Katharina Maisel have received CAREER grants for their innovative research in hazard assessment, gene therapy, risk assessment, and immunotherapy. Their work aims to advance the fields of civil engineering, bioengineering, and mechanical engineering.
A study found that obese people with an evening chronotype, characterized by later waking and peak activity, have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This increased risk is independent of sleep quality, age, gender, and body mass index.