Research on identifying and measuring risk. Covers rock-avalanche modeling, cardiovascular risk, food-toxin safety, and heart calcium scans.
A recent study published in the journal Age and Ageing found that stressful life events significantly raise the risk of falls in older men. The research, conducted on 5,994 community-dwelling men over 65, showed that men who experienced serious financial problems or the death of a loved one were more likely to fall.
Research shows that general practitioners underdiagnose and undertreat women with atrial fibrillation (AF), particularly those with a high stroke risk. A study of over 15,000 French patients found that women were less likely to receive anticoagulant treatment than men, regardless of their age or comorbidities.
A study found that forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who believed they were working for the prosecution assigned higher risk scores to sexually violent offenders than those who thought they were working for the defense. The researchers hope this finding will prompt experts to re-examine their training and practice methods.
A paper by MIT economist Alp Simsek suggests that financial innovation does not reduce portfolio risk, but instead raises it by spreading risk through new financial instruments and creating situations where parties hold opposing views. This can lead to increased average portfolio risks as speculative variance becomes dominant.
A large population study of over 20,000 psychedelic users found no link between LSD and mental health problems. Instead, researchers discovered a significant association with fewer mental health issues.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that nearly 20% of women did not believe their breast cancer risk, citing concerns about family history and personal health habits. The study highlights the need for improved communication and understanding of risk information to make informed medical decisions.
Calabrese's research reveals how the linear no-threshold dose-response approach was adopted despite experimental support for a threshold model. He accuses two geneticists of suppressing evidence to prevent consideration of an alternative model.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 100 million US residents, costing $635 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. To address this issue, physicians must consider the psychological, social, and cultural contexts of their patients, as well as medication risks and benefits.
A new two-minute assessment tool has been developed to help hospital staff identify patients at risk of developing delirium, a condition characterized by severe confusion and disorientation. The tool, termed AWOL, uses elements that can be assessed quickly in the fast-paced environment of a hospital.
Researchers found that smoking cessation lowered the risk of coronary heart disease among postmenopausal women with and without diabetes. However, weight gain after quitting weakened this association, particularly for women who gained 11 lbs or more, according to a study using data from the Women's Health Initiative.
A recent study suggests that genetic risk assessments could predict which children with asthma are likely to grow out of the condition. The analysis of data from a 40-year longitudinal study revealed that higher-risk genetic variants linked to asthma were associated with a greater likelihood of developing life-long-persistent asthma.
A new study by the University of Manchester found that patient suicide and homicide risk is often poorly assessed, with unsatisfactory assessments in about a third of cases. The researchers emphasize the need for individually tailored risk management, moving away from a 'tick-box' approach.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that up to 83% of birds, 66% of amphibians, and 70% of corals are highly vulnerable to climate change but not currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This means they may not be receiving focused conservation attention, putting their survival at risk.
Researchers developed a new risk assessment scoring system that better identifies high-risk adults, especially African Americans, for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The scoring system considers sex and racial-ethnic differences, leading to earlier prevention and treatment.
A common standard for Design, Application and Communication of Population Viability Analyses (PVA) is proposed to enhance communication and repeatability of PVAs. The protocol, accompanied by an interactive website, aims to strengthen the credibility and relevance of PVAs for policy and management.
Researchers analyzed soil lead in an urban garden plot and found highly variable concentrations across the 49x98 foot garden. A prominent hotspot was detected in the northwest corner, where a paint shop had been located, exceeding the EPA's 400 ppm threshold for safe levels.
New UK coins made of nickel-plated steel will increase exposure to nickel, potentially causing a four-fold rise in skin allergies. Scientists analyzed the new coins and found that handling them for one hour can deposit four times more nickel onto the skin than copper-nickel coins.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with a higher risk of device-related complications compared to single-chamber ICDs. The study analyzed over 32,000 patients and discovered that rates of complications were lower for single-chamber devices.
Helbing's research reveals that global networks can amplify vulnerability to disasters, making it difficult to predict and control complex systems. By redesigning these networks with real-time data, we can enhance transparency, adaptive control, and mitigate catastrophic failures.
A large study found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with a 10% increased risk of adverse outcomes after surgery, including bleeding and transfusions. The study suggests that patients on SSRIs should discuss their medication with their surgeon or primary care physician before undergoing surgery.
Researchers from Southern Methodist University found that high-volume Bitcoin exchanges are less likely to fail but more likely to suffer a security breach. The study analyzed 40 exchanges and found that those with higher transaction volumes were less likely to shut down but more prone to breaches, posing a risk to customers' funds.
Researchers found that even light smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, with a doubling of risk for those who smoke 1-7 cigarettes per day. Stopping smoking after 15 years reduces the risk, but it remains higher than non-smokers.
Katsuichiro Goda, a renowned civil engineer, has been awarded the Charles Richter Early Career Award for his groundbreaking work in seismic risk assessment and mitigation. His research has developed new ground-motion equations and spatial correlations models to estimate seismic losses, enabling practical solutions in risk mitigation.
A UCLA brain-imaging tool has helped identify early signs of cognitive decline and stroke risk in individuals without dementia symptoms. The study used a brain scan to measure amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
A meta-analysis of published evidence found a link between male pattern baldness and an increased risk of coronary heart disease, especially on the crown of the head. Men with extensive vertex baldness were 44% more likely to develop coronary artery disease than those with a full head of hair.
A new study published in Conservation Biology analyzed data on marine mammal and ecosystem research surveys in the Southern California Bight to identify areas with high whale densities. The researchers found that certain shipping routes pose a higher risk to fin whales, while others may be safer for humpback whales.
The study proposes that half of a concept's meaning is a summary of how rewarding and risky an object is. The researchers used internet blogs to estimate the number of good or bad things associated with objects, finding that 'evaluation' and 'activity' dimensions were strong predictors of word usage.
A new virtual patient program, Denise, is being tested to help future physicians feel more comfortable and capable assessing suicide risk. The program aims to improve mental health education and reduce stigma around discussing suicidal thoughts.
A new study found that heart calcium scans can identify people with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for developing potentially fatal cardiovascular disease, as well as those at low risk. The test can help doctors provide more effective treatments and improve outcomes by diagnosing a precise risk level.
The insurance industry is taking a proactive role in addressing climate change by managing risks and investing in emission-reduction technologies. The sector has developed new products and services to encourage sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient homes and renewable energy investments.
Research suggests that benzodiazepines may increase the risk of contracting pneumonia by as much as 50% and dying from it within 30 days. The study analyzed health records of over 9 million patients, finding a significant association between benzodiazepine use and increased risk of pneumonia and mortality.
Researchers found that adding fall history to risk assessment tools improves fracture prediction accuracy, especially in men. The study used data from the Hertfordshire Cohort and showed that incorporating fall history into models increased predictive capacity by six percent.
Current risk models have modest-to-acceptable discriminatory performance but require better calibration and external validation to inform clinical guidelines. Few studies tested the models in diverse populations, highlighting the need for further research.
A study of 13,451 US adults found unemployment, job losses, and short work periods were associated with increased risk for acute myocardial infarction. The risks were highest within the first year of unemployment, but also linked to multiple job losses, regardless of time unemployed.
Stanford expert Elisabeth Paté-Cornell argues that 'black swan' events are rare, while 'perfect storms' can be assessed using systematic risk analysis. She recommends considering dependent events and external factors to make better management decisions.
A new study found that using electronic health records (EHRs) can identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease and encourage them to receive cholesterol-lowering medication. The study showed that patients who received personalized risk assessments via mail were twice as likely to receive a prescription for lipid-lowering m...
A new report by IOF calls for the implementation of coordinator-based post-fracture care to prevent secondary fractures. The report highlights a significant care gap in diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing falls risk among fracture patients.
A European-wide network for systematic GMO impact assessment aims to improve the regulatory system by harmonizing environmental risk assessment and post-market monitoring. The framework proposes various methodologies, including indicator and field site selection, agro-environment typology, and state-of-the-art sampling approaches.
Research found that antidepressant use, particularly SSRIs, increases the risk of intracranial and intracerebral hemorrhages by 50% and 40%, respectively. However, the actual increased risk for most people is extremely low, occurring at a rate of one additional stroke per 10,000 people per year.
A new video article in Journal of Visualized Experiments uses fMRI to characterize subjective risk assessment while subjects choose between different lotteries. The research aims to understand normal and pathological behaviors, such as substance abuse and over-eating, by examining how individuals evaluate risk.
A new study suggests that a simple, structured risk assessment tool can improve the accuracy of clinicians in evaluating the risk of violence among patients with severe mental illnesses. The tool, called HRC-20-C, has been shown to be effective in reducing errors and improving safety for staff and patients in high-risk settings.
A simple assessment checklist improves the predictive accuracy of inexperienced psychiatrists when assessing violence risk in patients. The tool, called HCR-20-C, is a brief and straightforward checklist with five items that can be assessed by trained mental health professionals.
Experts say that younger men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease. A thorough non-invasive cardiovascular disease evaluation is recommended for all men diagnosed with organic ED due to low testosterone levels and other risk factors.
A recent study published in JAMA found that coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans are superior to other assessment tools in identifying individuals at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease. The CAC scan uses a CT scan to detect calcium build-up in the arteries, allowing for more precise prediction of heart disease risk.
A study found that coronary artery calcium provides superior discrimination and risk reclassification compared to other risk markers for intermediate-risk individuals. The marker offers the highest improvement in discrimination over traditional risk scores, supporting its use in refining cardiovascular risk prediction.
The NYBG has developed a streamlined method for evaluating the conservation status of large numbers of plant species using Geographic Information Systems technology. This approach identifies which plant species are widespread in a region and those with restricted ranges, making them more susceptible to extinction.
Scientists have created a new, harmonized earthquake catalogue for Europe and the Mediterranean that spans over 1,000 years. The catalogue, known as the European-Mediterranean Earthquake Catalogue (EMEC), covers earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 3.5 and larger in the northern part of the region, and Mw 4.0 in the southern part.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are conducting a new study, REVEAL, which will provide genetic testing and Alzheimer's risk estimates for individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The goal is to evaluate how well participants understand the risk information and adjust their behavior in response.
A UCLA-led study found that reporting models for mortality may unfairly skew hospital rankings if stroke severity isn't considered. The researchers discovered that more than half of hospitals initially classified as having higher-than-expected mortality rates were reclassified after adjusting for stroke severity.
A large retrospective cohort study found that the live zoster vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of shingles in patients with immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The study showed a significantly reduced longer-term risk of HZ in these patients after vaccination.
A new method for calculating seismic risk incorporates social factors like crime rates and healthcare, providing a more accurate assessment of urban areas. The approach, developed by Spanish scientists, uses fuzzy logic theory to incorporate qualitative information from expert opinions.
The Endocrine Society has released new clinical practice guidelines for managing osteoporosis in men, highlighting the importance of bone density testing for those at risk. The guidelines estimate that one in five men aged 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime, with mortality rates higher in men than women.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients face a higher risk of early death and cardiovascular disease due to inflammation. Conventional predictors of risk are inadequate for estimating this risk, emphasizing the need for more accurate tools to assess heart disease danger in these patients.
The M-CHAT is a scientifically validated tool for screening children between 16 and 30 months to assess their risk for ASD. The automated version now available on the Autism Speaks website offers free online scoring and recommendations, enabling parents to identify potential issues early.
The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings program has released its 2012 ratings for adult football helmets, with three models earning a 5-star mark. The top-rated helmets are the Riddell Revolution Speed, Rawlings Quantum Plus and Riddell 360, which demonstrate improved safety features.
Researchers at Zoological Society of London developed a method to assess disease risks associated with translocations, guiding successful reintroduction programs. The approach is now used on all reintroduction programs in Natural England's Species Recovery Programme.
A study analyzing individual data from prospective studies suggests that subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, CHD death, and incident atrial fibrillation. The risk is highest when thyrotropin levels are below 0.10 mIU/L.
A dirty bomb attack on downtown Los Angeles' financial district could lead to significant economic losses, with estimated costs of nearly $16 billion over a decade. The study found that the public's fear and risk perception would have a larger impact than the immediate damage, with employees demanding higher wages to return to work.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast reveals women face a higher risk of care home admission due to their partner's age. The research found that on average, women have partners who are approximately 5 years older, and those with limiting long-term illnesses were more likely to be admitted to care homes.
New research reveals women are 40% more likely to be admitted to care homes than men, primarily due to their partners' age-related frailty. The study highlights the importance of considering age differences in future health planning as life expectancy gaps between men and women narrow.