The European Union's complex and unpredictable decision process is hindering the introduction of genetically modified trees to the market. The current procedure involves extensive risk analyses, which are costly and time-consuming, making it difficult for scientists to predict the long-term consequences of GM tree use.
A study of 399 participants found an association between higher mindfulness scores and healthier glucose levels. The researchers identified obesity risk and sense of control as potential mediators of this link, with mindful individuals being less likely to be obese and more likely to believe they can change their lives.
Research found that sleeping seven to eight hours per night reduces stroke risk by 25%, while excessive long sleep increases the risk by 146%. Regular exercise of 30-60 minutes, three to six times a week, also significantly decreases stroke risk. A computerized analysis of health data from 288,888 adults revealed these key findings.
A recent study in JAMA found that all provinces in China exceeded the recommended daily maximum intake of salt (5 g/d) and sodium (2 g/d), highlighting a persistent public health concern. The study suggests that total diet studies underestimate sodium consumption due to increased use of processed foods and seasonings.
Embedded projectiles can pose significant risks to surgical teams, and identifying them requires careful consideration of clinical and radiological factors. Radiological studies, including CT scans, are crucial for determining the presence and potential explosive nature of embedded ordnance.
Researchers developed an algorithm to predict five-year dementia risk from UK patient records, identifying 930,395 patients. The Dementia Risk Score could help rule out low-risk patients and aid primary care clinicians.
Researchers found that airlines focus on near misses linked to past accidents, but overlook those that haven't yet caused an incident. Airlines can improve by expanding data collection and vigilance towards deviations from normal procedures.
The American College of Prosthodontists has published its first national clinical practice guidelines, emphasizing the importance of routine dental examinations every 6 months to maintain restored teeth and implants. The guidelines also highlight the need for continuous education on individualized at-home maintenance regimens.
A nationwide Danish study found that oral fluconazole exposure during pregnancy is associated with a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion compared to unexposed women or those treated with topical azole antifungals. The risk was not significantly higher for stillbirths, but further investigation is warranted.
A study by UC Riverside researchers found that almost 9% of popular apps download from Google Play interact with malicious URLs, posing a risk to users' security and privacy. The team developed a tool called AURA to evaluate app riskiness before downloading.
A new study examines trade flows of 71 mineral commodities between 107 countries and finds that regional shortages of essential minerals can lead to cascading shocks and instabilities in the global market. The research proposes policy measures, such as commodity risk taxes, to create more stable markets.
A new breast cancer risk-prediction model for Hispanic women has been developed using data from the San Francisco Bay Area Breast Cancer Study. The model incorporates factors such as age at first full-term pregnancy, age at first menstrual period, history of benign breast disease, and family history of breast cancer to estimate risk.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine analyzed CRIC data to find that larger left atrium size is associated with an increased risk of heart failure among CKD patients. This finding provides valuable insights into identifying high-risk patients who require closer monitoring and targeted interventions.
Researchers have found a link between the origins of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and small mammals, specifically bats and rodents. The study provides novel insight into the evolution of HAV and how it spread to humans, highlighting the importance of analyzing animal reservoirs for risk assessment of emerging viruses.
Baruch Fischhoff reviews four types of analysis to guide policymakers' decisions: estimating risks, deciding on worst-case scenarios, achieving maximum benefits with minimal risk, and weighing risks and benefits. He proposes making the analysis process more transparent and relevant to increase trust.
A study of patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Sweden found no link between transfused red blood cell storage duration and mortality rates, serious complications, or adverse outcomes. Blood services follow national guidelines, allocating the oldest available unit first.
A trial found that a collaborative care model using health risk assessment and counseling reduced the number of risk factors and preventative care deficits among older participants. The study demonstrated improved 8-year survival rates, with a mortality rate of 3.16 per 100 person-years in the intervention group.
A meta-analysis of six studies found that people with high stress jobs had a 22% higher risk of stroke than those with low stress jobs. Women with high stress jobs were 33% more likely to experience an ischemic stroke.
A new framework provides eight key ways to improve the advice of experts, including using groups with diverse members and minimizing psychological bias. The framework aims to balance conventional expert advice with methods that alleviate biases and ensure accountability.
A study found nearly 9 million children are susceptible to measles, with nearly 4% of 17-year-olds unvaccinated. The percentage of vaccinated children must remain above 92% to prevent outbreaks.
Scientists developed a new method to analyze air pressure data from thousands of measurements, revealing key gateways for teleconnections between climate changes. The East Pacific, Indonesia, and tropical Atlantic are most important regions, where air masses play a crucial role in transmitting perturbations.
A meta-analysis of 21 studies found pesticide exposure increases diabetes risk by 61%, with some pesticides linked to higher risks for type 2 diabetes. The study suggests environmental contaminants like pesticides may play a role in diabetes pathogenesis, but results require caution due to observational data.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $27.5 million in research grants to study ways to predict and respond to natural disasters. Researchers will focus on topics such as hurricane risk assessment, wildfire resilience and drought policy.
A study published in The BMJ found that patients admitted to NHS hospitals on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays have a higher risk of death compared to those admitted during the week. This "weekend effect" is attributed to reduced support services and increased severity of illness.
A small left ventricle with thick walls is the strongest predictor of morphologic remodelling, a first step towards heart failure. This unexpected finding could change risk stratification among patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who received antithrombotic management according to ESC guidelines had better outcomes than those who did not. Guideline-adherent patients had significantly lower rates of major adverse events during one year follow up compared to over- or under-treated patients.
A survey of primary care physicians found significant variation in how doctors make decisions in situations of uncertainty, with those least likely to encounter Ebola patients being most likely to choose overly intense management. The results highlight the need for additional resources and responsible reporting by news media.
Researchers at Leuphana University developed a new screening-based procedure to assess environmental risks caused by veterinary antibiotics. The Usage Pattern-Based Exposure Screening (UPES) method aggregates data on antibiotic usage patterns and models consumption to predict environmental impact.
The field of risk analysis is entering a new phase with real-time probabilistic risk analysis, enabling better management of complex systems. New methodologies and technologies are being used to predict risks and improve global resilience.
A study of 41,000 Danish women found unsuccessful fertility treatments do not increase depression risk. Becoming a mother is a greater trigger for clinically diagnosed depression than fertility treatment stress.
SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateAug 3, 2015
Analysis of 835 studies shows that even low weekly physical activity is associated with a 22% lowered risk of death. The most significant health benefits were found among those who increased their physical activity, particularly women.
Researchers found that normal-weight carriers of the PNPLA3 mutant genotype are at higher risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and renal function dysfunction. The study suggests this mutation may be used to identify individuals at high-risk for NAFLD, regardless of weight status.
A meta-analysis published in The BMJ found that women who experience a stillbirth have up to a fourfold increased risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy. Pregnancies should be closely monitored, and antenatal interventions offered for women at high risk. Improved care and research are needed to address this major public health concern.
A large-scale analysis found that postmenopausal women who were overweight and obese had a higher risk of invasive breast cancer compared to those of normal weight. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, suggests that obesity may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.
A new tool can accurately predict the risk of death for patients within 1 year after hospital admission, using routinely collected data. The Hospital-patient One-year Mortality Risk (HOMR) model takes into consideration patient characteristics such as age, sex, and number of illnesses.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that re-inflating a balloon in the vessel after stent placement can double the risk of stroke and death. The common practice, known as 'ballooning,' is intended to prevent complications but may actually cause them.
Researchers assess building collapse risk due to ground-shaking aftershock tremors after main earthquakes, considering factors like site-to-source distance and aftershock magnitude. The study introduces a logical method for predicting collapse probability based on these variables, allowing for quantification of risk.
A new guide provides a systematic approach to evaluating the safety of e-cig flavorings, considering toxicological thresholds and thermal breakdown products. The guide aims to fill data gaps and provide guidance for regulatory standards, ensuring safer e-cigarette production.
A large analysis found that subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased risk of hip and other fractures, including spine. The study pooled data from over 70,000 participants and found no association between subclinical hypothyroidism and fractures.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that frailer older patients are at a higher risk of readmission to hospital or death within 30 days after discharge. The researchers assessed the use of the Clinical Frailty Scale, which can help identify patients at high risk of poor outcomes.
Researchers found that adding genetic information to a smoker's clinical risk profile results in improved lung cancer screening adherence, with higher-risk individuals more likely to adhere to follow-up CT scans. The study suggests that gene-based risk assessment can improve screening compliance and reduce the need for reclassification.
Researchers at Plymouth University have developed EpSMon, an app that helps people with epilepsy assess their risks in between visits to doctors. The app aims to encourage people to register for the safety tool to better manage their condition.
A new study found that lung cancer surgery patients have a higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTEs) than previously thought. The study, which analyzed data from 157 patients, showed that the incidence rate was 12.1%, with most events occurring after discharge from the hospital and without symptoms.
New research found that over one-third of patients without established heart disease who underwent Agatston-scored CT scans were reclassified as being at very low risk for cardiovascular disease. This shift in classification could spare these patients from unnecessary statin therapy, according to the study.
A team of Brazilian researchers review the risk assessments for carbon geological storage technology and suggest caution is needed due to uncertainty about leakage from geological deposits. The scientific consensus emphasizes the importance of reducing emissions at source rather than relying on this method.
Researchers found that specific BRCA mutations are linked to higher breast cancer risk and lower ovarian cancer risk, potentially leading to more personalized risk assessment and prevention strategies. The study analyzed data from over 31,000 women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations.
A study of over 31,000 women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations found that the risk of breast and ovarian cancer varies by mutation type. The findings suggest that knowledge of mutation-specific risks could inform clinical decision-making among carriers.
Researchers developed a new Hockey STAR rating system to evaluate helmet protection against concussions and head injuries in ice hockey. The system assigns a value to each helmet based on its ability to protect players from head impacts, driving manufacturers to advance helmet design.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed over 81 published journal articles and found that raw milk is associated with nearly 100 times more risk of foodborne illness than pasteurized milk. The study strongly discourages the consumption of raw milk, especially among elderly, pregnant women, and children.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has published a report assessing the status of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) risk science in nanotechnology. Stakeholders identified four key areas for improvement: communication resources, decision tools, data resources, and standards and guidance resources.
A French team found a significant correlation between loyalty and infection risk by analyzing past contact data from livestock trade movements and time-stamped sexual encounters. This study can help guide the prioritization of interventional resources to control disease spread, applicable to various epidemic scenarios.
Researchers found a simple fiber-rich diet to be nearly as effective as the American Heart Association (AHA) diet for weight loss and improving metabolic health. However, AHA diet's many rules may make adherence challenging for some. Meanwhile, clinical risk calculators seriously overestimate heart attack risk. Sore throats in young ad...
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that four out of five widely used clinical calculators significantly overestimate the likelihood of a heart attack. The researchers found that these algorithms calculate heart attack probability using factors such as gender, age, smoking history, and cholesterol levels, but may not accurate...
A meta-analysis of ten high-quality cohort studies found that women with a history of spontaneous preterm delivery are at increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. The association was described as 'robust' and similar in strength to classic CVD risk factors.
The article highlights the lack of injury data in youth rugby, putting junior players at risk. Creative match scheduling and preseason training can help improve safety, but a comprehensive dataset is needed to set rational policies.
A novel risk exposure model helped Ford identify previously unrecognized risk exposures and develop optimal contingency plans. The model assesses the impact of disruptions on a firm's supply chain, enabling informed decision-making.
A study by Harvard Medical School found that police officers are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death when performing physically demanding and stressful duties. The research analyzed over 4,500 US police officer deaths and found a significant association between these tasks and cardiovascular deaths.
A study of over 40,000 soldiers found a significantly elevated suicide rate among those hospitalized for psychiatric disorders, with the highest-risk group accounting for 52.9% of post-hospital suicides.
A new study suggests that big data predictive analytics can identify high-risk US Army soldiers prior to hospital discharge, highlighting a targeted approach for suicide prevention. The analysis of 53,769 soldiers revealed that 5% of hospitalized individuals accounted for 52.9% of post-hospital suicides.
The TRACE Matrix tool assesses countries' business bribery risks across four domains and nine sub-domains, providing a score from 1 to 100. This allows companies to tailor their compliance practices more effectively.