Research on identifying and measuring risk. Covers rock-avalanche modeling, cardiovascular risk, food-toxin safety, and heart calcium scans.
Researchers found that PROCAM and SCORE accurately predict cardiovascular risk in liver transplant patients, outperforming the Framingham risk score. The study analyzed data from 303 patients who received a liver transplant between 1988 and 1994.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of preparing health ministries for progressive liberalization of trade in health services. The WHO should continue to provide guidance on international standards and advice on trade rules from a public-health perspective.
A new blood test has been developed to identify individuals at high risk for ischemic stroke in middle-aged adults. The PLAC test measures Lp-PLA2 and CRP levels, finding an 11-fold increased risk of stroke associated with elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and C-Reactive Protein.
The center aims to develop tools for early detection and a deeper understanding of microbial disease transmission, connecting science to the community.
A new study using a risk analysis model shows that soft drink consumption from school vending machines has a minimal impact on adolescent body mass index (BMI) or overweight. The authors used publicly available data sets to estimate consumption and found that regular soft drinks have little to no effect on adolescents.
The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis examines the health effects of fish consumption, finding that moderate intake reduces stroke risk by 17% and coronary heart disease mortality by 3.9%. However, high mercury exposure may harm cognitive development.
A study analyzing 13,000 Scottish individuals found that excluding deprivation from heart disease risk scoring can exacerbate social gradients in disease. The researchers call for guidelines to be adjusted to take account of deprivation, potentially saving thousands of lives.
A new method predicts the risk of emergency caesarean section for women attempting a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section. The method takes into account several factors, including maternal age and sex of the baby, to identify those at low risk of complications.
In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers found that monkeys overwhelmingly preferred to gamble by looking at the 'risky' target, even when it yielded smaller rewards. The neurons in the posterior cingulate cortex of the brain were found to be signaling the monkeys' subjective valuation of the target.
Researchers analyzed data from 12,461 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 1996 and 2003. The study found that elderly patients were more likely to undergo emergency surgery, but their chances of survival were 50% better after the first year of surgery compared to their younger peers.
Researchers found no significant difference in tests for depression and anxiety between children of people with Alzheimer's disease who were tested and those who were not. Participants reported high satisfaction with the genetic risk assessment process, with 95% saying they would choose it again.
Researchers found that nearly 60% of patients with a minor ischaemic stroke died within 10 years, and 54% experienced at least one new vascular event. Event-free survival after 10 years was just 48%. The risk of vascular events decreased over time, but continued secondary prevention is crucial.
The NIST-developed Cost Effectiveness Tool for Capital Asset Protection (CET) Version 1.0 aids in creating a cost-effective risk mitigation plan by assessing damage scenarios, identifying potential strategies and evaluating life-cycle costs.
A comprehensive analysis of 1,721 estimates from 188 studies covering 46 countries found schizophrenia is more common in developed countries but overall less common than thought. The study revealed that immigrant populations have higher rates of the disease than native-born individuals.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that troubled girls in the juvenile justice system face unique challenges, including family-related issues, mental health concerns, and increased risk of psychopathy. The findings emphasize the need for specialized support and resources to address these specific needs.
The study highlights substantial risks of farm salmon escapes into the North Atlantic and other regions, threatening native fish populations. Escapes lead to interbreeding, loss of fitness, and genetic diversity, as well as parasite transmission to wild stocks.
A Harvard School of Public Health study analyzed dietary habits and found no strong association between western or prudent diets and pancreatic cancer risk. Participants who adhered to the prudent diet had healthier lifestyle behaviors, suggesting individual dietary components may still play a role in risk.
A study of postmenopausal women found that a high white blood cell count is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death. Women in the highest quartile had a doubled risk for coronary heart disease death, 40% higher risk for nonfatal heart attacks, and 50% higher risk for total mortality.
A new institution is proposed to measure and prioritize all major global threats, enabling governments to formulate informed policies. The World Institute for Risk Evaluation (WIRE) would gather evidence, quantify risks, and provide data-driven conclusions.
New studies using gap analysis and high-quality global databases reveal significant gaps in coverage of protected areas, affecting up to 43% of terrestrial species. The research suggests that expanding protected areas in tropical environments could improve conservation efforts for over 11,000 vertebrate species.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School found that preparing for extreme events depends on a complex interplay between risk assessment, perception, and management. Understanding cumulative effects can increase people's willingness to take actions to mitigate risks.
Researchers found a 29% increased risk of all strokes and an 82% higher risk of ischemic stroke in women taking tamoxifen, compared to controls. The absolute increase in risk was small.
A new approach to assessing glaucoma risk, inspired by the coronary heart disease model, aims to identify individuals at risk and guide treatment decisions. This initiative has the potential to shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention and earlier intervention for those at risk.
A Baltimore study finds that EPA's ambient model estimates grossly underestimate cancer health risks from indoor air toxins. The researchers used passive air sampling badges to measure personal, outdoor, and indoor concentrations of VOCs, finding a factor of three underestimation of actual risk.
Global food safety experts gather to discuss new approaches to assessing risk of microbiological foodborne hazards. The symposium aims to create mathematical models that predict the number of illnesses that can occur and help managers control food safety strategies.
A clinical trial was stopped early after showing an unacceptably high risk of breast cancer recurrence in women who received hormone therapy. The study found that even short-term use of HRT poses a significant risk, prompting the need for alternative safe and effective strategies for managing menopausal symptoms in these women.
A study of 116,544 women found that active smoking was associated with a 30% higher risk of invasive breast cancer, especially among young smokers and those who smoked heavily. However, no link was found between passive smoking and breast cancer risk in nonsmokers.
A Canadian study found that 96% of substantiated child abuse cases did not result in serious physical harm, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of investigative procedures and risk assessments. The study's findings also raise concerns about the emphasis on rapid intervention over longer-term service needs.
The HealthGrades study found that hospital care quality differs markedly by state, with better-performing hospitals concentrated in northern states. States such as Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan consistently ranked high across various procedures and diagnoses.
Women taking long-term combined HRT face a significant increase in breast-cancer risk, doubling the risk for invasive lobular and ductal breast cancer. The study found that both sequential and continuous progestin regimens were associated with similar increases in breast-cancer risk.
The guidelines recommend close monitoring of modifiable risk factors like obesity and immunosuppressive therapy, as well as careful selection of immunosuppressive agents. Effective management can reduce patient numbers affected and ensure long-term success of the transplant, maintaining quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
Researchers found that schools with condom availability programs had higher rates of condom use among sexually active teens, but not an increase in sexual activity. This suggests that condoms may be an effective means of preventing HIV/STDs and pregnancy when used by those who are already sexually active.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive imaging method that predicts abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk better than traditional methods. The method, which analyzes aneurysm wall stress, was found to be 25 times more accurate in predicting rupture risk than maximum diameter.
A new index by Yale researcher Sharon Inouye assesses the risk of mortality in elderly populations by identifying high-risk medical diagnoses. The index identifies 10 conditions associated with higher mortality risk within one year of hospitalization.
A 40% higher risk of chromosomal anomalies was found for residents living close to landfill sites compared to those further away. The study suggests that proximity to landfill sites is associated with an increased risk of congenital chromosomal abnormalities.
Sandia experts have developed a vulnerability assessment methodology to evaluate and improve security at over 10,000 US facilities that manufacture, store, or use hazardous chemicals. The methodology assesses the adequacy of efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and blunt their effects at US chemical plants.
A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that boating deaths are more closely tied to alcohol consumption than previously thought. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from over 3,900 boaters and 221 boat-related deaths between 1990 and 1998.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that only 3.1 percent of North Carolinians are talking on cell phones while driving at any given time. The prevalence rate varied by region, with higher rates in the Piedmont and lower rates in the mountains and coastal plain.
The NIST report provides the first estimates of sublethal exposures to fire smoke's magnitude and impact on people in the United States. It also evaluates lethal and incapacitation values for smoke and identifies further research needed to improve fire hazard and risk assessment.
The Declaration of Helsinki 2000 has been criticized for its inadequate revision process, with only 2 weeks available for comment and critique. Key changes include guidance on monitoring and oversight, but also deficiencies in assessing risks and ambiguous wording that may affect application.
A study found that two nutritional screening approaches, one for identifying hospitalization risk and another for detecting warning signs of poor health, were comparable in recognizing elderly at risk. The screenings assessed factors such as weight change, eating habits, medication use, and functional limitations.
A large clinical trial found that hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progestin did not increase or decrease the risk of stroke among postmenopausal women with heart disease. The study's lead author cautioned that the results may not apply to all women taking hormone therapy, and more research is needed.
A major review reveals osteoarthritis is a complex disease, but outlines new approaches to understanding, preventing, and treating the condition. The study emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and weight management, in reducing disability and slowing disease progression.
A study found that children with personal exemptions from immunization are 22.2 times more likely to acquire measles and 5.9 times more likely to acquire pertussis than vaccinated children. Exemptions also increase community risk, particularly in schools with outbreaks.
A new study suggests that increasing folic acid and vitamin B12 intake can lower homocysteine levels in the blood, which are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The researchers estimate that this intervention could lead to significant cost savings and potentially increase life expectancy.
A comprehensive study found that women who underwent tubal sterilization have no greater risk of menstrual abnormalities than those who did not. However, the study also reported a secondary finding of reduced menstrual pain and bleeding among sterilized women, which may be due to chance or unknown factors.
Research in Tobacco Control found that young healthy smokers took more time off work than non-smokers, with a significant increase in hospital admissions and lost workdays. Men smokers were more likely to take time off work and be admitted to hospital, while women smokers had higher admission rates as well.
A recent study found that young healthy smokers had substantially more lost work days than their non-smoking colleagues. The risk of lost work days was increased by 60% among men who smoked and by 15% among women smokers, with 14% of lost workdays among men and 3% of those among women directly linked to smoking.
A Mayo Clinic study challenges the long-held notion that people with depression are at a higher risk of suicide. The research found a stair-step hierarchy of suicide prevalence based on treatment history, with hospitalized patients being at the highest risk level. This new understanding aims to minimize hysteria surrounding depression ...
A study of nearly three million fitness club members found a small but definite increase in risk of exercise-related fatal heart attacks or strokes among sporadic exercisers. Regular exercise is recommended to lower this risk, particularly for those with cardiovascular disease.
A study found that ephedra-containing dietary supplements can cause cardiac arrests, strokes, and permanent brain damage, with some users experiencing unreported adverse effects. Researchers urge the FDA to establish safe daily doses and mandatory labeling.
Experts warn of a high risk of 700-800 deaths in US airport runway collisions over the next two decades. The study, which analyzed data from 1983 to 2022, found that most fatal accidents involved large jet planes and occurred during reduced visibility conditions.
A study of 3000 women found that those who have sex with women are equally likely to contract STIs as heterosexual women. High rates of genital warts and herpes were also detected among all participants.
A recent UB study found no association between high-normal iron levels and risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease or heart attack. However, black men with low levels of excess iron were at three times the risk of death from any cause.
A physicist claims that scientists have underestimated the devastating potential costs of creating killer strangelets at a new US particle accelerator. The probability of such an event is tiny, but Kent argues that the scale of the destruction should be considered in risk assessments.
A study analyzing Ontario data found that immigration officials' referrals and region of origin are key determinants of tuberculosis risk. Immigrants from Vietnam had the highest incidence rate, emphasizing the importance of targeted prevention efforts to protect both migrant populations and native Canadians.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a strong inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Consuming 10 or more servings per day reduced the risk by 32%, while smokers still experienced a significant risk reduction.
Researchers at UNC-CH found that small studies reported higher cancer risks than larger ones, and that the general public is unlikely to get esophageal cancer even with heartburn. The study's findings suggest that widespread testing for Barrett's esophagus may not be necessary.
Researchers found a strong association between high calcium scores and heart disease in people with Type 1 diabetes. The study suggests that a non-invasive heart scan may identify patients at high risk for heart disease earlier, allowing for potential interventions to lower their risk.
Research found that low dietary vitamin C intakes are associated with higher rates of periodontal disease, particularly in smokers. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties play a crucial role in maintaining healthy connective tissue and combating oxidative stress.