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Everyday mindfulness linked to healthy glucose levels

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.

SourceBrown University·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateFeb 23, 2016

Salt and sodium intake remains high in China

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 16, 2016

Link between small mammals and evolution of hepatitis A virus to humans discovered

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.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2015

Improving risk-cost-benefit analysis

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.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·DateOct 29, 2015

Survey finds many physicians overestimate their ability to assess patients' risk of Ebola

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.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 27, 2015

Aftershock assessment

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.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Reliability and Safety·DateMay 28, 2015

Frailer older patients at higher risk of readmission or death after discharge from hospital

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.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 25, 2015

Burying the climate change problem

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.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Warming·DateApr 13, 2015

Ice hockey helmets to get safety stars

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.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateMar 30, 2015

Drinking raw milk dramatically increases risk for foodborne illness, analysis finds

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAIDS Patient Care and STDs·DateMar 25, 2015

Predicting your risk of infection

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 12, 2015

Most clinical 'calculators' over-estimate heart attack risk

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...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015

Risks of youth rugby need urgent scrutiny

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 7, 2015