Research on identifying and measuring risk. Covers rock-avalanche modeling, cardiovascular risk, food-toxin safety, and heart calcium scans.
A new risk-management model developed by researchers at the University of Illinois combines genetic algorithms, fate and transport simulation models, and risk assessment modules to identify potential remediation designs. The model evaluates tradeoffs among cost, risk, and cleanup time under conditions of uncertainty.
A recent UCSF study found that older women experiencing frequent urge incontinence are 26% more likely to fall and 34% more likely to fracture a bone. This increased risk is attributed to the need to frequently urinate at night, leading to trips and falls.
A broad analysis by UC San Francisco researchers found that oral contraceptives generally double the risk of stroke, especially with high estrogen doses. The added risk is miniscule and remains low even when doubled, but caution is advised for smokers and those with high blood pressure.
A new study by Northwestern University Medical School researchers found that high blood sugar levels are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer death. The study analyzed data from nearly 40,000 men and women who were screened for cardiovascular disease risk and followed up for an average of 25 years.
Researchers found that even mild to moderate sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of hypertension, with graver levels associated with higher likelihood. The study used data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study and found a substantial risk of hypertension in those with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
A study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that depression increases the risk of coronary heart disease in both men and women. In contrast, depressed men have a higher risk of death from CHD compared to their non-depressed counterparts.
A nine-year study found that African-American women are 2.4 times more likely to develop diabetes due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise. The study suggests that adopting a healthier lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes in this population.
Studies found dementia patients had significantly longer hospital stays than those without the condition, translating to higher costs. Early detection of dementia is crucial in reducing treatment costs and improving patient outcomes.
A new study found that smokers carrying the gene GSTT1 face almost twice the risk of heart problems as non-smokers. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found that individuals without the gene had a 60% greater risk of heart problems if they smoked.
A study of over a thousand babies born after ICSI found an increased risk of abnormalities compared to babies born without fertility treatments. However, most abnormalities were linked to conditions associated with multiple or premature births rather than the ICSI technique itself.
Studies found that individuals with major depressive episodes and borderline personality disorder are at greater risk of suicide, while those with high serum cholesterol experience a doubled risk of violent suicide. Comprehensive mental health care is essential to address these co-existing illnesses.
Teenage drivers face increased risks of fatal crashes when transporting more passengers, particularly those under 30 years old. Researchers recommend graduated licensing systems to mitigate this risk and reduce motor vehicle crashes among teenagers.
A new study found that having a passenger in a vehicle increases the risk of fatal injuries for young drivers, with three or more passengers posing the highest risk. The researchers suggest that graduated licensing systems could help reduce accidents by prohibiting teen-age drivers from transporting passengers.
Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that divorced and separated men are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as married or partnered men. The study analyzed data from a long-term US research project, which included around 472,000 men and women.
A study found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scans are significantly better than traditional risk factors in categorizing heart disease risk. Combining EBCT with risk factors improved the ability to assess an individual's heart disease risk, making it a useful tool for early treatment and prevention.
Researchers found that office staff, drivers, and unloaders were exposed to similar levels of diesel exhaust due to poor ventilation. This challenges traditional risk assessments based on occupational groups, emphasizing the need for individual testing.
A large case-control study of nearly 1,000 Connecticut women found no significant association between PCBs or DDE exposure and breast cancer risk. The research suggests that previous studies on the topic have been inconclusive due to small sample sizes and lack of consideration for modifying factors.
A new study reveals that tiny increases in creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) can indicate heart damage and predict increased risk of death. Elevated CK-MB levels are associated with higher rates of stroke, shock, and other complications.
A recent study found that alcohol dependence eliminates any protective effect of moderate drinking, intensifying risks associated with heavy drinking. Light and moderate drinkers have lower mortality rates than heavier drinkers and abstainers due to lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet.
A new study by doctors at the University of Washington found that there was a complication in one out of every 476 circumcisions. The study suggests that for some parents, the risks may outweigh the benefits of circumcision. However, the vast majority of children will gain no medical benefit or suffer no complications as a result of ci...
Researchers at Yale University have developed a non-invasive procedure using Doppler ultrasound to detect fetal anemia, which can save up to $50 million annually. The new method is more accurate than traditional invasive tests and does not pose any risk to the mother or fetus.
A new study found that eating three servings of vegetables daily can cut a man's risk of prostate cancer nearly in half. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage have the strongest effect, decreasing risk by 41% when consumed regularly.
A new analysis by Futron estimates the risks faced by NASA's space station crew, including serious illness, deaths, and accidents inside the station. The consultancy predicts a 93% probability that a micrometeorite impact will cause disaster if it occurs.
Researchers found a link between reduced TGFb receptor expression and increased breast cancer risk in women with benign breast disease. The study identified 54 women who developed invasive breast cancer after initial hyperplasia diagnosis, highlighting the importance of molecular markers in predicting breast cancer risk.
Elderly caregiving spouses who report experiencing strain are at a 63% higher risk of death than noncaregivers. Caregivers with prevalent disease are particularly vulnerable to mortality, with a 33% risk of dying within four years.
A third of menopausal and postmenopausal women are undecided about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), with their risk levels, values, and preferences differing. HRT can reduce osteoporosis and heart disease risks but may increase uterine cancer risk.
The current WTO approach to risk assessment assumes new technologies are safe until proven otherwise, but this places excessive faith in limited knowledge. In contrast, a precautionary approach requires better testing and monitoring of new products' effects on the environment and people's health.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that illness severity, rather than age, is a key predictor of death among seriously ill patients. The research analyzed data from over 9,000 hospitalized patients and found that those with the sickest conditions were at highest risk of dying within six months.
A team of scientists at CIIT published an up-to-date risk assessment for cancer from inhaled formaldehyde, integrating the latest mechanistic knowledge and incorporating a two-stage clonal growth model. The new model predicts lower risks for environmental and workplace exposures compared to earlier models.
Airline safety expert Arnold I. Barnett says flying with major carriers on the same route doesn't significantly reduce risk. The death-risk statistic for US domestic jet carriers is 1 in 7 million, and frequent flyers face minimal cumulative risk.
Women at high risk for ovarian cancer experience depression when concerned about passing the disease to their daughters. A study found that 33% of participants were depressed during initial assessments and 38% during follow-ups, with concern for daughters being a leading source of distress.
Research published in Heart shows that over 400 heart attacks occur annually among young women smokers and could be avoided with cessation of tobacco use. The risk of heart attack increases significantly with daily cigarette consumption, with even light smokers facing more than double the danger.
A large study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found no association between vasectomy and increased prostate cancer risk. Additionally, dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E was linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. Men who took zinc supplements also saw a significant reduction in risk.
Researchers found that treating small, asymptomatic, unruptured cerebral aneurysms may increase health risks and death. The study's complex analysis suggested that in some cases, aneurysm treatment is unnecessary, highlighting the need for personalized care.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that brisk walking can reduce the risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks in women by 30-40%. The study analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study, estimating one-third of coronary events among middle-aged women result from physical inactivity.
A special news briefing will be held on August 23rd to discuss the latest research on children's environmental health risks. The symposium, part of the American Chemical Society meeting, features a panel of experts who will share their findings on the dangers of chemicals in the environment and pet products.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found no link between mitral valve prolapse and stroke in young people, contradicting earlier studies. The study's authors used advanced imaging techniques to diagnose mitral valve prolapse accurately, revealing the condition occurs in only about 2% of the population.
A University of Toronto study found the chance of needing a second operation following primary knee replacement surgery was between four and eight percent, half the rate expected by family doctors and rheumatologists. Younger patients with active lifestyles and those living in urban centers had slightly higher risks of follow-up surgery.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found a strong association between magnetic field exposures in residences and the risk of developing childhood leukemia. Children exposed to higher levels of magnetic fields were two to four times more likely to develop leukemia, with risks highest for those diagnosed before age six.
A new study presented at the American Lung Association/American Thoracic Society International Conference reveals that men are more likely to smoke when angry or anxious than women. The findings also suggest that male donors' lungs may be more prone to rejection in female recipients, increasing the risk of graft failure and death.
A new study found that women with birth defects are less likely to survive and have fewer children than those without them. However, their children face a higher risk of developing similar birth defects.
A 10-year study found that parenthood led to reduced leisure time physical activities in women, with a greater decrease observed among white women. The study suggests that mothers may need more time to exercise or design programs allowing them to exercise with their children present.
Researchers found that a one-nanometer decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size is associated with a significant increase in heart disease risk, ranging from 30 to 230 percent, depending on the population studied. The study analyzed data from three different groups and controlled for various factors.
The American Heart Association reports that higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced inflammation. Additionally, researchers found that smaller LDL particles are an independent risk factor for heart disease.
The American Heart Association reports that high dietary salt intake is linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke in overweight individuals. Snoring may also be a warning sign for cardiovascular disease, as it activates the sympathetic nervous system. Additionally, controlling weight through exercise can reduce cardiovascula...
A study found that low educational level increases the risk of congestive heart failure by 35% compared to those with more education. The strongest risk factors for developing CHF were diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight, smoking, and physical inactivity.
Researchers have identified three types of oral bacteria most likely to increase the risk of heart disease: B. forsythus, P. gingivalis, and C. recta. These bacteria can contribute to plaque formation, narrow blood vessels, and induce platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of heart attack in persons with periodontal disease.
A Cornell University study found that middle school students who used an adjustable computer tray improved their posture and reduced their risk of musculoskeletal problems. The improvements were statistically significant for the forearm, neck, wrist, and trunk, but only modestly beneficial.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine program offered HIV testing to emergency department patients, identifying nearly 6.4% of those tested as positive. The study found that voluntary screening improved early detection rates, particularly among high-risk groups such as males and blacks, who had higher rates of HIV positivity.
Researchers found that one-time H pylori screening could save thousands of lives due to the high mortality rate of gastric cancer. The study suggests that a simple blood test followed by antibiotics can effectively reduce cancer risk at an affordable cost.
A large study has identified a microscopic change in breast tissue that may double the risk of breast cancer in some women. Radial scars were found in nearly 100 out of 1,400 women with benign breast biopsies, doubling their risk of breast cancer independently of other tissue abnormalities.
A new ergonomic framework measures office productivity by analyzing task time, posture, and sequence. This approach allows companies to evaluate the impact of ergonomic interventions on worker productivity, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the benefits of this approach.
A Cornell University study found that almost 40 percent of third-to-fifth graders used computer workstations with heights, keyboards, and monitors that put their musculoskeletal development at risk. The research highlights the need for ergonomic considerations in elementary school settings to prevent health problems.
The study estimates that one out of every two men and one out of every three women aged 40 will develop CHD, with risks remaining high at age 70. Heart disease is a major killer in the US, affecting 12-13 million Americans, and prevention measures such as healthy lifestyle choices are crucial.
A new study by NHLBI shows that ultrasonography can predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in older adults, even before traditional risk factors appear. The test measures artery wall thickness, providing valuable information for early treatment and prevention.
A UCSF study shows that alendronate significantly reduced the risk of spine and hip fractures by almost half among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The drug also improved bone density in these women, reducing the risk of fractures by 30 percent compared to placebo.
A large longitudinal study found that job strain is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease. Men with highly demanding jobs experience higher blood pressure, while those who move to less demanding roles see their blood pressure decrease over time.
A new study by Merrill F. Elias and colleagues found that individuals with one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, obesity, and smoking, are more likely to experience cognitive decline, including memory and learning impairments.
Research found that hostile women with 'up-front-and-in-your-face' anger are at higher risk for high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, those who express anger less frequently or feel angry but don't show it outwardly have lower cholesterol levels.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has published the List of MAK and BAT Values 1998, revising health risks from exposure to ethanol vapors and aerosols, as well as sidestream smoke. The new classifications include significant updates on carcinogenic substances, with 22 evaluations or revisions for human cancer risk.