A recent study from Amsterdam UMC and the University of Glasgow found that loneliness increases physical frailty, leading to a higher risk of depression, falls, and cognitive decline in older adults. The research analysis more than 130 studies and revealed that reduced social functioning is associated with physical decline in older adu...
A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that daily cannabis users had a 25% increased risk of heart attack and a 42% increased risk of stroke compared to non-users. The study also found significant cardiovascular risks associated with cannabis use, including coronary heart disease and the combination of heart attack and stroke.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that daylight saving time has a minimal impact on heart health. Researchers analyzed data from 36 million adults and found a slight increase in cardiovascular events during the spring and fall transitions, but this was deemed clinically insignificant.
A UCF-developed technology uses a plasmonic platform to detect the chirality of molecules with high precision, enabling more accurate drug development and therapies. The platform improves upon current methods with sensitivity nearly 13 orders of magnitude greater.
A new study reveals that Agent Orange damages frontal lobe brain tissue in laboratory rats, causing molecular and biochemical abnormalities similar to early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This research has important implications for the long-term brain health of aging veterans and people exposed to biologically similar herbicides.
A recent study at the University of Eastern Finland gathered information on psychotherapy-associated adverse events, their content and scope. The researchers found no significant negative outcomes in included studies, but highlighted the need for standardised methods to assess adverse effects.
The lack of synergy between academia and industry in drug discovery hinders the development of effective treatments. Researchers discuss why many therapeutic molecules fail to reach clinical trials despite pre-clinical efficacy.
Research finds that stable caregiver relationships in childhood may increase optimal heart health, while adversity and abuse can lead to poor cardiovascular health. Lower income as an adult may also introduce additional adversity, making the relationship between caregiver-child adversity difficult to see.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a novel approach for treating lymph node metastasis by administering anticancer drugs directly into the LNs, improving efficacy and reducing side effects. The Lymphatic Drug Delivery System (LDDS) targets sentinel lymph nodes, generating antitumor effects locally.
Korea Maritime & Ocean University researchers have developed a new method for assessing the path-following performance of autonomous ships in adverse weather conditions. The computational fluid dynamics model can provide more accurate predictions of path-following performance and enhance safety in autonomous marine navigation.
Clinicians use specific cues to detect and address drug-drug interactions, which can be addressed by investigating alternative treatments, altering dosage, or stopping a medication. The study provides recommendations for EHR system alert design to improve clinician decision-making and patient safety.
Private equity acquisition of hospitals was associated with increased hospital-acquired adverse events, suggesting poorer quality of inpatient care. These findings highlight concerns about the implications of private equity on healthcare delivery, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries.
Recent urology treatment studies have improved the reporting of harms in randomized trials, addressing adverse events, side effects, and complications. The analysis found a significant increase in reporting harms criteria from 2012 to 2020, with more than three-fourths of items addressed by 2020.
A new study examines the impact of public benefit programs on child maltreatment rates across different racial and ethnic groups. The research suggests that these programs may exacerbate existing disparities, with white children facing lower rates of investigation compared to their Black and Hispanic counterparts.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to phthalates can lower the odds of getting pregnant, but not lead to pregnancy loss. The researchers also discovered associations between preconception phthalate exposure and changes in women's reproductive hormones, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Two studies found moderate to high risk scores for cancers and non-cancer health effects associated with lead, arsenic, and cadmium exposure. Exposure to these heavy metals through contaminated food is linked to increased risks of various types of cancer, including lung, bladder, skin, and prostate cancers.
Using metformin plus insulin to treat preexisting type 2 or gestational diabetes diagnosed early in pregnancy did not show a reduction in composite neonatal adverse outcomes. The study suggests that the effect of reducing large-for-gestational-age infant risk after adding metformin to insulin warrants further investigation.
A new study by Texas A&M University researchers found a significant decrease in measles antibody concentrations with increasing urinary arsenic levels in children with low serum folate levels. Folate intake may mitigate the toxic effects of chronic arsenic exposure, but the unequal impact of arsenic by sex remains unclear.
A new study found that adverse childhood experiences are associated with greater muscle dysmorphia symptoms in Canadian adolescents and young adults. Adverse childhood experiences, such as domestic violence and emotional abuse, may lead to body dissatisfaction and the pursuit of muscularity as a coping mechanism.
Two papers advance understanding of PFOS effects on aquatic life, particularly fish, by testing multiple concentrations and confirming its presence in water. The results indicate that earlier findings were non-repeatable and likely due to biological variation rather than PFOS toxicity.
A comprehensive meta-analysis led by Dr. Micheal Sandbank reveals that many low-quality studies are driving intervention recommendations and patient outcomes in early childhood autism care. The study highlights the need for more rigorous research to understand the positive and negative effects of various interventions.
A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. However, it does not appear to increase the risk of birth defects or death within one year.
A study of 54,000 participants found that diabetes was associated with an elevated risk of colorectal cancer. The association was attenuated for those who completed colonoscopies, highlighting the potential benefits of preventative screening.
A study of 213 participants found that reducing dietary sodium significantly lowered blood pressure, with consistent results across subgroups. The decline in blood pressure was also not associated with excess adverse events.
A longitudinal study found that nine-to-10-year-old children who drink daily caffeinated soda are twice as likely to try alcohol within a year. Daily caffeine intake is associated with low working memory and high impulsivity, recognized risk factors for substance use disorders.
A new study finds that heat-related cardiovascular deaths may more than double in the US by the middle of the century, with elderly and Black adults being most at risk. The projections suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can mitigate this impact, but infrastructure interventions such as increasing tree cover may also be effe...
Studies using controlled experimental-ecosystem chambers found that even low intensities of light pollution have profound effects on individual species' responses and ecological networks. Artificial light alters the timing of key behaviors in mosquito populations, which may carry wide-scale consequences for disease transmission.
A global study has found that nearly half of patients with skin disease suffer from sleep disturbances, affecting their quality of life. These sleep disturbances were particularly influenced by symptoms such as itching and burning sensations, leading to fatigue and reduced productivity at work.
Cannabis legalization in Canada has yielded mixed results, with most consumers obtaining their cannabis from legal sources and a significant decrease in arrests and stigma. However, concerns persist about the impact on public health, particularly regarding increased emergency department visits and impaired driving.
A new study suggests that life satisfaction has limited benefits for cognitive function in older adults experiencing health or socioeconomic challenges. High life satisfaction was associated with increased cognitive functioning among most individuals, but it was less beneficial for those with low SES, poor health, or adverse psychologi...
A new NIH grant will investigate the impact of combined alcohol and e-cigarette use on the blood brain barrier, a cell layer regulating substance passage into the central nervous system. The study aims to identify mechanisms behind damage and potential biomarkers for clinical use.
Pediatric patients experience pain that can be detrimental to their brain structure and lead to emotional and behavioral problems. Validated tools such as the Wong-Baker FACES scale and COMFORT scale help healthcare providers assess pain effectively.
Climate change exacerbates cardiovascular disease through poor air quality and extreme temperatures, according to a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. Experts review environmental influences, exposures, and practical tips for healthcare providers to mitigate these effects.
Research found alterations in proteins that can affect autophagy, a self-eating process of damaged cells. Healthy newborns showed individual responses to prenatal exposure to air pollution, with some more vulnerable than others. The study aims to understand the impact on breathing problems during infancy and childhood.
A study of health care workers found that co-administering COVID-19 and influenza vaccines was not associated with reduced immune response or increased adverse events. The results support the co-administration of these vaccines, suggesting a safer and more efficient vaccination strategy.
A groundbreaking study by UNIST researchers reveals that high levels of endotrophin in fat cells disrupt autophagy, leading to inflammation and insulin resistance. Inhibiting ATG7 protein function or neutralizing endotrophin shows promise as a potential treatment for obesity-related metabolic diseases.
Research found that cold weather slightly increases blood pressure and decreases blood pressure control rates during winter months. Participants' systolic blood pressure increased by up to 1.7 mm Hg in the winter months compared to summer, while blood pressure control rates decreased by up to 5%.
A new opinion piece highlights the safety gap in clinical trials and drug labeling for people with obesity, arguing that correct dosing instructions should be included on labels. The authors recommend a three-pronged approach to address this gap, including conducting studies in people with obesity before market approval.
A randomized clinical trial of psilocybin treatment found a clinically significant sustained reduction in depressive symptoms and functional disability. The study's findings support the potential of psilocybin as a novel intervention for major depressive disorder when administered with psychological support.
A recent analysis of published studies reveals a lack of evidence to determine the dosing, safety, and efficacy of medical marijuana or cannabis-containing products for managing symptoms experienced by children with cancer. The study found that cannabinoids performed better in managing nausea and vomiting, but data are lacking on their...
New research found that plant water use efficiency has stalled since 2001 due to climate change, contradicting earlier hopes it would help improve water consumption. The study's findings suggest that rising temperatures and atmospheric CO2 may be undermining nature-based methods to achieve carbon neutrality.
A large US study found that social determinants of health are a major factor contributing to higher cardiovascular disease mortality rates in Black individuals compared to Whites. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 adults and found significant associations between social factors such as unemployment and food insecurity with CVD m...
A pooled data analysis found that at least 25 minutes/day of slow walking can counteract the negative effects of bed rest on older hospital patients. Daily 50 minutes of slow walking or a mix of physical activities is even more effective in improving their functional capacity.
A large head-to-head comparison study of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines found that the Moderna vaccine was associated with a slightly lower risk of adverse events for older adults. The study also showed that the Moderna vaccine was linked to a 4% lower risk of pulmonary embolism and a 15% lower risk of diagnosed COVID-19.
A recent study analyzing over 2 million UK dogs found that mixed-breed, Labrador retrievers, and Jack Russell terriers are the most common breeds. Meanwhile, flat-faced breeds like French bulldogs and pugs increased health risks, with predictions of a canine healthcare crisis in the UK.
Researchers found that Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) can restore spatial working memory and reduce withdrawal symptoms in mice exposed to alcohol. KRG suppresses the PKA-CREB signaling pathway and inhibits neuroinflammation, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic intervention for treating alcohol use disorder.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that antipsychotic drugs interact with a different neuron type than scientists originally believed, which could lead to better treatments for schizophrenia. The study's findings suggest that the effect of antipsychotics on dopamine receptors has little bearing on their efficacy in humans.
A new study published in Human Reproduction found that women with endometriosis are more likely to experience a reduction in live births before receiving a definitive diagnosis. The research, which included over 18,000 women with surgically-confirmed endometriosis, showed that the number of first live births among these women was half ...
Researchers developed outcome indicators to measure health issues in children with cancer, allowing for improvement in care and treatment. The indicators consider physical, psychosocial, and neurocognitive outcomes, providing a clear and comparable measurement of quality of survival.
An animal study suggests that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like PCBs during pregnancy may lead to impaired cognitive function in future generations, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-like behaviors. The study found that grandchildren of rats exposed to these chemicals performed worse on behavioral tasks a...
A new analysis of secret industry documents reveals that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS but failed to disclose this information to the public and regulators. The study examines how the industry used tactics to delay public awareness and regulations, with devastating consequences for human health and the environment.
A significant increase in illicit ketamine seizures in the US has raised concerns about the risks of non-medical and recreational use, as well as the presence of fentanyl. The study found a 349% rise in seizures from 2017 to 2022, with the highest numbers reported in Tennessee, Florida, and California.
A study of 390,000 infants found that those born to mothers with opioid use disorder or neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome had a higher risk of postneonatal infant mortality. The study highlights the need for supportive interventions during and after pregnancy to reduce adverse outcomes.
A new study found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector has substantial adverse impacts on air quality and human health, resulting in 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and $77 billion in annual health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production were respo...
KNT-127 exhibits anti-stressing and anti-depressant effects in mice, improving social interaction and reducing stress-induced hormone levels. The agent suppresses neuronal inflammation and newborn death without affecting neurogenesis.
A study found that psychological factors, such as beliefs and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine, significantly contribute to the onset and severity of adverse effects. The researchers investigated how fear, trust, and expectations affect side effects and explained 30% of the intensity of symptoms.
A cohort study of 196 people treated with tecovirimat found that HIV status did not impact treatment outcomes. Only 22% of participants experienced nonsevere adverse effects, and 4 serious adverse events occurred, with 3 being persons with HIV. The findings contradict previous uncertainty about HIV's role in mpox acquisition.
A new study found that people exposed to moderate aircraft noise were less likely to get the minimum recommended sleep each night. The risk increased among those living near airports or large water bodies, as well as those with no hearing loss. Exposure levels as low as 45 dB were associated with short sleep duration.
Researchers used a novel machine-learning technique called causal forest, which found that treating individuals with high estimated benefits provided better population health outcomes than the traditional high-risk approach. This approach targets those with high blood pressure and could lead to more effective treatment strategies.
An international panel of experts has developed standardized definitions for immunotherapy side effects, providing a shared vocabulary for clinicians to standardize clinical practice guidelines. This will help support clinicians in offering the best treatment to patients and enable research into biomarkers predicting adverse effects.