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How the pandemic limited access to opioid addiction treatment for racial and ethnic minority groups

A Rutgers study reveals that racial and ethnic minority groups were less likely to obtain prescriptions to treat opioid addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is particularly concerning, as minority groups face more barriers to healthcare and are already disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2022

Air pollution and climate change take a growing toll on children's health

Climate-related events and air pollution disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged children, exacerbating health issues such as preterm birth, respiratory illness, and malnutrition. The authors emphasize the need for simultaneous adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect children's health.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 15, 2022

Stanford researcher discusses climate change and air pollution impacts on children’s health

Children are at higher risk of health changes due to air pollution and climate change impacts, including increased asthma rates and vector-borne diseases. Caregivers can take steps to minimize exposure by making personal and family changes such as using electric cars, reducing meat consumption, and improving indoor air quality.

SourceStanford University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 15, 2022

Nordic walking improves functional capacity in people with heart disease

A novel study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology demonstrates that Nordic walking provides greater long-term improvements in functional capacity compared to high-intensity interval training and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training. Nordic walking engages core, upper, and lower body muscles, resulting in a sig...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 15, 2022

Increased overdose and mental health risks persist two years after opioid dose reduction

A UC Davis Health study found that patients on stable but higher-dose opioid therapy who had their doses tapered by at least 15% had significantly higher rates of overdose and mental health crisis in the second year after tapering compared to their pre-tapering period. The risks were greatest in patients with the highest baseline doses.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 13, 2022

Singapore study: Highly scalable multi-pronged intervention could cut hypertension-linked morbidity, mortality globally

A cluster-randomised trial in Singapore showed a low-cost, multi-pronged intervention improved BP control, reduced cardiovascular risk and increased use of antihypertensive medications. The intervention could cut hypertension-linked morbidity and mortality globally with rapid scalability.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2022

Spinal anesthesia associated with more pain, prescription analgesic use after hip surgery compared with general anesthesia

A randomized controlled trial found that spinal anesthesia was associated with worse pain immediately after surgery, but differences diminished over time. Researchers also found higher rates of pain reliever prescriptions at 60 days in the spinal anesthesia group.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2022

Physical activity should be encouraged during pregnancy, even for socially vulnerable women

Research in western Amazonia found that at least 150 minutes of exercise per week correlated with lower birth weight and reduced risk of childhood obesity and diabetes. The study also showed that physical activity during pregnancy may help prevent excessive weight gain, contributing to a reduced birth weight.

Study shows people with a high omega-3 DHA level in their blood are at 49% lower risk of Alzheimer’s

A new study published in Nutrients found that individuals with higher red blood cell DHA levels have a 49% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted on 1,490 participants aged 65 and older, suggests that increasing dietary omega-3 DHA levels may slow the development of the disease.

SourceWright On Marketing & Communications·JournalNutrients·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2022

Smoke break: UNLV study strengthens link between smoking and increased fracture risk in men

A UNLV study analyzed nearly 30,000 broken bone cases and found that smoking increases the risk of breaking a bone by as much as 37%. The study also found that men are more likely to experience fractures, particularly in the wrists, spine, and shoulders, due to nicotine's negative impact on bone cells and calcium absorption.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 8, 2022

New LLU study associates intake of dairy milk with greater risk of prostate cancer

A new Loma Linda University study associates high dairy milk intake with a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer. Researchers found no association between non-dairy calcium and prostate cancer risk, suggesting substances other than calcium contribute to the increased risk.

SourceLoma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022

Pregnant women’s drinking correlates with their partner’s drinking

A new study found that pregnant women's use of alcohol correlates with that of their partner, highlighting the importance of both parents reducing their alcohol consumption. The research, which analyzed data from 14,822 Finnish women and their partners, showed that exposure to alcohol can have detrimental effects on fetal development.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAlcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research·DateJun 8, 2022

Transgender, sexual minority teens at high risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts

A new study finds that transgender adolescents are at a significantly higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared to their cisgender peers. The research suggests that targeted interventions, such as suicide prevention programs and gender-affirming care, can help reduce the burden of suicidality among this group.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2022

A model of improved safety for LNG storage

Researchers have developed a rigorous computer simulation technique to optimize LNG tank design, reducing construction costs while improving safety against catastrophic failures. The new model can be used to mitigate environmental and economic consequences of failure, enabling Australia to store more energy at the right time.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalBulletin of Earthquake Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 2, 2022

Good news, bad news on risky medication use in nursing homes

A decade-long effort to reduce medication risks for nursing home residents with dementia has shown some positive results, but also unintended consequences. Fewer people are receiving antipsychotic and anti-anxiety drugs, which can raise the risk of falling or dying, but more are receiving alternative behavior-changing medications with ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

Long COVID poses risks to vaccinated people, too

A new study found that vaccinated people with mild breakthrough COVID-19 infections can experience debilitating long COVID symptoms. Vaccination reduced the risk of death by 34% and long COVID by 15%, but not all manifestations were prevented. Researchers emphasize the need for additional layers of protection to mitigate risks.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 25, 2022

Contraceptive counseling and provision in clinical practice increases its use and reduces unintended pregnancy

A review of 38 randomized controlled trials found that counseling patients about contraceptive use and providing contraceptives increases use without increasing STI risk or reducing condom use. The interventions also decrease unintended pregnancy in trials designed to evaluate this outcome.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 23, 2022

Medication treatment of pediatric psychiatric disorders reduces the later onset of substance use problems

Early treatment with psychotropic medications in children and adolescents significantly reduces the risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) by 30-35% for ADHD and major depressive disorder. Longer treatment durations also show positive results, especially when initiated before age nine.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 19, 2022

International study identifies most important vascular risk factors for dementia

A new international study has identified the most critical vascular risk factors for dementia, highlighting the importance of controlling high blood pressure and diabetes. The research, led by Professor Emer McGrath, found that individuals with these conditions are four times more likely to develop dementia than those without them.

SourceUniversity of Galway·JournalNeurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 19, 2022

Common gene variant in three seemingly unrelated gynecologic disorders suggests new options for personalized screening and surveillance for cardiovascular disease and cancers

Researchers found a common genetic variant that may protect women with endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome from future heart disease. The variant also appears to lower the risk of breast and other cancers in women who experience preeclampsia.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalHuman Reproduction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 10, 2022

Study points to ways of involving visually impaired people in environmental disaster prevention

A Brazilian study found that inclusion of visually impaired individuals is crucial for effective disaster prevention policy. The research highlighted barriers to their participation and proposed solutions such as smartphone apps and education to mitigate vulnerability to environmental hazards.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Science·DateMay 10, 2022

A Concordia-made tool assessing indoor COVID-19 transmission risks expands across North America

CityRPI, a web-based tool developed by Leon Wang, calculates the probability of COVID-19 infection through aerosol transmission in indoor spaces. The tool can be expanded to project this likelihood in cities across North America using customizable assessments based on building type and mitigation measures.

SourceConcordia University·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 3, 2022

Shrinking gap in surgical safety outcomes benefits older black patients in South Carolina

A recent study by MUSC shows that quality improvement efforts have decreased complications for all patients and narrowed the gap in surgical outcomes between black and white patients. The research, led by Dr. Thomas Curran, analyzed data from over 30,000 patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2020.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2022

UC researchers looking for the Goldilocks of exosuits

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are searching for the ideal exosuit design to reduce muscle load and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The study found that commercially available exosuits have limitations, with the Auxivo LiftSuit being stiff and uncomfortable during prolonged wear.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalApplied Ergonomics·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 26, 2022