Research on identifying and measuring risk. Covers rock-avalanche modeling, cardiovascular risk, food-toxin safety, and heart calcium scans.
Researchers develop two swallowing techniques to ease pill swallowing in patients with and without difficulties. Continuity of care is associated with reduced mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenses in patients with chronic conditions.
A study found that older men are three times less likely than women to undergo osteoporosis screening and treatment after a broken wrist. This disparity increases the risk of future bone breaks and related complications in men, who already have twice the mortality rate of women following a hip fracture.
A novel software application, CANARY, can automatically analyze high-resolution CT images to classify early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients into risk groups. The tool was developed at Mayo Clinic and demonstrated accurate stratification of patients into categories with different 5-year disease-free survival outcomes.
The Suomi NPP mission team successfully repositioned the satellite on September 30 to avoid a close approach with a debris object traveling at nearly 17,000 mph. The maneuver was planned after a high-risk assessment, and the team's quick action prevented potential catastrophic damage to the satellite.
Assessing pandemic risk from flu viruses is an enormous challenge due to the vast diversity of influenza viruses. Scientists call for better integration of experimental data, computational methods, and mathematical models to predict pandemic risk. They stress the importance of remaining vigilant against unknown high-risk viruses.
A large genetic study has found no evidence of a causal link between vitamin D levels and the development of type 2 diabetes. The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge, examined the genes that control blood levels of vitamin D and found no association with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A York University psychology professor warns that perfectionism is a significant risk factor for suicide, linked to hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. The expert calls for clinicians to consider perfectionism as a separate factor in suicide risk assessment and intervention.
Researchers at UTHealth will assess the asthma risk in healthcare workers in Texas over the last 10 years. The study aims to determine if changes in hospital practices and awareness have affected the prevalence of asthma among healthcare professionals.
A new study published in Rheumatology found that NSAID users have a higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The study's lead author notes that physicians should be cautious when prescribing NSAIDs to patients already at high risk of VTE.
A large-scale analysis found statin use associated with a 12% increased risk of type 2 diabetes over four years, as well as an average weight gain of 240g. Genetic variants linked to statin efficacy also showed smaller effects on weight and diabetes risk.
A new study introduces the 'area under the curve of oxygen desaturation', which provides a more comprehensive approach to monitoring blood oxygen levels during procedures. This measure, known as AUC Desat, includes information on the depth, duration, and rate of episodes of oxygen desaturation.
A study published in BioScience argues that the US Environmental Protection Agency's pesticide risk assessment practices are flawed, inviting bias towards industry interests. The agency's reliance on manufacturer-funded studies and rigid inclusion criteria may lead to incomplete assessments. The authors recommend improving the process ...
Research in over 6,000 patients found that permanent atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of stroke compared to paroxysmal AF. The study suggests that a simple clinical assessment of the type of AF can help doctors estimate stroke risk more accurately.
Patients with resistant hypertension have higher risks for cardiovascular events than those with non-resistant hypertension, with elevated risks mainly contributing to increasing stroke events. Subgroup analysis showed that resistant hypertension increased the risks of stroke in females by 35% and in elderly patients by 20%.
A study found that clarithromycin, a widely used antibiotic, is associated with an increased risk of heart deaths in people over 40-74 years old. The absolute risk difference was 37 cardiac deaths per 1 million courses with clarithromycin.
A nationwide survey of Swedish anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists found low awareness of cognitive side effects following surgery. Postoperative cognitive impairments can have major implications for patient care. Investigators called for improved knowledge on risk factors, prevention, and management.
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine supplement provides actionable recommendations for prioritizing research on suicide prevention. The focus areas include early behavioral detection, interventions, and the use of mass media to reduce suicidal behavior.
A Mayo Clinic task force challenges recommendations in the updated ACC/AHA cholesterol treatment guideline, suggesting an individualized treatment approach with emphasis on lifestyle changes before prescribing statins. The task force also recommends considering additional tests to refine cardiovascular risk estimates.
A study of 1.7 million hospital patients found that experiencing atrial fibrillation while hospitalized for surgery was associated with an increased long-term risk of ischemic stroke, particularly following noncardiac surgery. The risk was also higher after cardiac surgery.
Researchers propose a new method of flood risk assessment that starts with the null hypothesis of 'no trend' but explicitly assesses statistical uncertainties. This approach could help water managers better estimate future flood risks and avoid wasting money on unneeded infrastructure.
A recent study at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that investors' willingness to take risks is primarily driven by their fear of losing money, rather than spending habits. The researchers analyzed data from a risk tolerance survey and found that loss aversion plays a significant role in shaping investors' risk tolerance.
Research suggests that shift work is associated with a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly among men and those working rotating shift patterns. The study found a 37% increased risk for men and a 9% increased risk for all participants compared to working normal office hours.
A recent study suggests that dog bites pose an unknown public health risk, while ignoring the health benefits of dog ownership. Research is needed to improve care and estimate dog bite incidence to develop effective risk management strategies.
Patients with a history of stroke are at higher risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and death after elective non-cardiac surgery. A recent study found that the time elapsed between stroke and surgery is critical in determining this risk, with those experiencing a stroke less than 9 months prior being particularly vulnerable.
A recent study of over 500,000 Danish women found no increased risk of venous thromboembolism following quadrivalent HPV vaccination. The research, published in JAMA, used data from national registers to evaluate the potential link between the vaccine and blood clots.
Three previously unrecorded volcanoes have been found in southeastern Australia, adding to the Newer Volcanics Province's 400 volcanoes. The discovery provides new insights into an area of volcanic centres already known to geologists.
A national study reveals that mental health patients are two and a half times more likely to be victims of homicide than the general public. The study found that 6% of homicide victims had been under mental health care in the year preceding their death, with many cases involving substance misuse and a history of violence.
A standardized prevention program implemented in a hospital department of surgery significantly reduced the rate of deep venous thromboses (DVT) and pulmonary emboli among patients. The program, which scored individual risk factors and provided risk-based prophylaxis, led to an 84% drop in DVT rates and a 55% decrease in pulmonary emboli.
Researchers develop a new framework for risk assessment that incorporates sociological perspective and human risk perception, leading to more effective mitigation plans. The framework helps decision-makers understand public perception of natural hazards, resulting in better policy decisions.
A new real-time disease surveillance system successfully monitored public health risks among 5 million pilgrims from 184 countries during the Hajj 2012 and 2013. The system rapidly relayed demographic and health data to guide investigation and intervention.
A meta-analysis of 20 studies found that eating more fruits and vegetables can lower stroke risk, with a 32% decrease for every 200g of fruit consumed daily and an 11% decrease for every 200g of vegetables consumed daily. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is highly recommended to meet micronutrient and macronutrient requirements.
Researchers found subclinical disease in half of the studied firefighters, but traditional methods were insufficient, requiring specialized imaging for detection. The study suggests a high risk of cardiovascular disease among firefighters, emphasizing the need for early intervention and prevention strategies.
A recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that the World Health Organization's Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) underestimates the true dangers for people who are younger than 65 or have been treated for a single broken bone. The study used the Canadian BMI-FRAX form of...
A UK public health expert calls for more research on the health impacts of shale gas extraction, citing studies showing a direct link between proximity to extraction sites and adverse birth outcomes.
The AXA Research Fund has awarded €2 million to two Spanish researchers, Professor Ben Lehner and Professor David Ríos, to study age-related diseases and adversary risk analysis. Their research aims to predict a person's health future, combine experiments with computational data analysis, and examine threats with intelligent behavior.
Researchers at Lifespan have developed a blood test that can predict a person's risk of sudden cardiac death with high accuracy, enabling more targeted and efficient assessment of patients' needs for implantable cardiac defibrillators. The test is expected to refine the need for such devices and reduce overuse of ICDs.
The CDC won the 2014 Franz Edelman Award for its collaboration with Kid Risk, Inc. to combat remaining polio pockets globally using analytics and operations research. The award recognizes the impact of this work on the polio eradication program over the last decade.
The meta-analysis found that ACEIs reduce the risk of death from all causes by 13%, cut the risk of CV deaths by 17%, and lower the risk of major CV events by 14%. In contrast, ARBs did not affect all-cause mortality, CV death rate, or major CV events in patients with diabetes.
A new analysis found that using risk equations can help guide statin therapy for heart disease patients, suggesting they are helpful for clinical decision making. The study also suggests the Pooled Cohort risk equations are valid for informing clinical management decisions.
A study found that self-expanding TAVR significantly lowers death rates compared to traditional surgical valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The treatment resulted in lower all-cause mortality and heart attack/stroke-related deaths at one year.
Rapid urbanization exposes French cities to significant seismic risk, with old structures posing a major vulnerability. The study found that if the 1909 Lambesc earthquake were to occur today, the region would suffer serious consequences, including damage to over 15,000 buildings.
New algorithm assesses risks and determines safest locations for cloud data refuge, mitigating impacts of disasters on networks. Integrated wireless-optical system enables temporary emergency networks with high-speed wireless technology.
A major new study found that pre-enlistment mental disorders are a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation among US soldiers. The study, which surveyed over 975,000 Army personnel, reveals that nearly 60% of soldier suicide attempts can be traced to these conditions, with the vast majority developing them before enlistment.
A recent study found that Burmese pythons present a low risk to people in Everglades National Park, with all reported incidents involving biologists being minor and non-fatal. The study suggests that pythons may abort strikes upon realizing the size of their potential prey, indicating they can assess size mid-strike.
A new decision tool, Ottawa COPD Risk Scale, identifies patients with COPD who are at risk of serious complications or death. The scale provides a quantitative estimate of risk for adverse events in patients with COPD.
A study of nearly 100,000 kidney donors found a small increased lifetime risk of developing end-stage renal disease following donation compared to healthy nondonors. The estimated cumulative incidence of ESRD at 15 years after donation was higher in donors than healthy nondonors, with blacks having the highest absolute risk.
A study led by UCSF breast cancer expert Laura J. Esserman recommends biennial mammography screening for women aged 50-74 to save $4.3 billion in healthcare costs. This approach is equally effective as annual screening while reducing false positive results and improving women's well-being.
A systematic review found that patient decision support interventions have inconsistent results in reducing healthcare spending, with some studies predicting savings ranging from $8 to $3,068 per patient. The impact on treatment utilization rates was mixed and the quality of economic analyses varied.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal found that coronary artery calcium screening is an accurate and personalized assessment for individuals at high or low risk of a heart attack or death from coronary artery disease. The study used data from almost 7,000 adult participants and showed that 15% of those considered at very...
A texting service, txt4health, motivated people to change behavior and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, but less than half of enrollees stuck with the service. The program led to significant improvements in diet and physical activity habits among participants.
The new guideline broadens cardiovascular risk assessment to include stroke, providing new gender- and ethnicity-specific formulas. It aims to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from lifestyle changes or drug therapy.
A study by University of California, Riverside psychologists found that people who are unrealistically optimistic about their health risks take preventive action when faced with worse-than-expected news, but those with pessimistic views do not change their behavior after receiving better-than-expected feedback. This poses a dilemma for...
A recent study presented at CHEST 2013 found that beta-blocker use before, during, or after noncardiac surgery increases the odds of having an acute coronary event. This may lead to a higher risk of adverse cardiac events, irregular heartbeat, and worsening symptoms in patients with existing heart disease.
A large-scale study found no evidence of an increased risk of depression, self-harm, or suicidal behavior among patients prescribed varenicline or bupropion compared to those using nicotine replacement therapies. The findings are reassuring for users and prescribers of smoking cessation medicines.
Researchers found that white race is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, with non-Hispanic whites having a higher likelihood of developing the condition. In contrast, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans had lower risks compared to whites.
A virtual simulation program is being developed to train home health workers in recognizing and responding to risks. The program will use realistic scenarios and interactive elements to equip workers with the skills to evaluate home environments and adapt their tasks to protect themselves.
A study in JAMA found that repeating bone mineral density (BMD) tests every 2 years provides little additional value for assessing fracture risk. The study, conducted on a cohort of older men and women with untreated osteoporosis, showed that BMD change provided little information beyond baseline BMD for clinical management.
The updated guidelines offer recommendations for vaccination of household pet cats, shelter house cats, and cats in breeding catteries based on risk assessment. The new protocols prioritize comprehensive physical examinations and consultation to determine each cat's specific vaccination requirements.
The NTA IPM team developed a science-based framework to assess Bt crop risks on beneficial non-target arthropods. Their research and outreach information validated the tier-testing system used by regulatory agencies.
The symposium aims to improve science-informed hazard prediction and risk assessment for pesticides and other agrochemicals. New approaches, including high-throughput methods, are being developed to reduce the use of animal testing and increase transparency in risk assessments.