Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A new study confirms that pesticides commonly used in farmland significantly harm bumblebees. Data from 106 sites across 8 European countries shows that bumblebees encounter multiple pesticides, resulting in fewer offspring and reduced colony performance.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a stagnation in cardiovascular health trends among middle-aged adults, with low-income individuals facing higher rates of hypertension and other risk factors. The research highlights the need to address social determinants of health contributing to these disparities.
A new study found that exposure to coal particulate air pollutants is associated with a mortality risk more than double that of exposure to PM2.5 from other sources. The researchers estimated that 460,000 deaths were attributable to coal PM2.5 in the US between 1999 and 2020.
A study found that workaholics have a consistently negative mood throughout the day, regardless of workload. Women are more vulnerable to workaholism due to role conflict and cultural expectations.
Testing wastewater for COVID-19 provides a more accurate forecast of new hospital admissions than clinical data. The researchers found that wastewater surveillance improved prediction models by 11 and 15 percent over models using case data and regional estimates, respectively.
A study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that liver cancer risk increases with each successive generation of Mexican Americans, particularly among men. The research analyzed data from over 30,000 participants and found third-generation Mexicans to be 66% more likely to develop liver cancer than first-generation individuals.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a miniature, injectable glucose biosensor and wearable device that enables user-friendly, minimally-invasive continuous glucose monitoring. The device addresses challenges associated with existing CGMs, including size and skin tone compatibility.
Researchers aim to identify contaminants in ash, soil, and surface waters from the Maui fire, posing risks to human health. The study will also help educate communities on the presence and risk of contaminants, informing prevention measures for future fires.
The Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health will host its annual meeting, featuring Major General (ret) Paul Friedrichs as the keynote speaker. The event focuses on disaster medicine and public health, with discussions on vulnerable populations and AI in emergency response.
A systematic review of air filtration systems found little evidence to support their effectiveness in reducing the risk of viral infections. The study analyzed 32 studies and found no strong evidence that air treatment technologies can protect people from catching airborne respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.
A team of engineers and public health experts from USF helped decrease blood lead levels of 87% of children tested in Toamasina, Madagascar. The team replaced old car batteries with lead-free check valves in pumps, educating city technicians on the dangers of lead.
Researchers found a tradeoff between fast growth and heat tolerance in corals, with thermally sensitive algae dominating faster growth but only in cooler water. This study helps predict reef futures and inform conservation strategies, highlighting the complexity of coral growth on a reef.
A comprehensive systematic review of 25 studies over nearly 50 years reveals consistent evidence of associations between insecticide exposure and lower sperm concentration in adult men. The findings warrant concern, particularly given observed downward trends in semen quality.
A national study found that exposure to environmental hazards in neighborhoods is associated with poor cardiovascular health, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. The study used the Environmental Justice Index to assess cumulative environmental burden and its impact on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.
A special issue of Medical Care journal highlights the need to study economic impacts on patient outcomes, including trade-offs in family decision-making about health care. The studies aim to improve data collection and infrastructure to measure nonmedical economic outcomes and track economic well-being over longer periods.
A study of US neighborhoods found a strong association between environmental burden and higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Socially vulnerable neighborhoods showed the strongest associations, highlighting the need for initiatives to address poor environmental conditions and improve cardiovascular health.
Experts from Regenstrief Institute, IMIA, IAHSI and AMIA will address the role of health informatics in resolving climate-related health issues. The mini-summit aims to bring together national and international experts to form an informatics infrastructure that highlights climate change's effects on health.
A recent study published in ScienceDirect found hundreds of toxic chemicals in recycled plastic pellets from 13 countries. The findings highlight the risks associated with recycling plastics and the need to phase out harmful chemicals. The researchers urge policymakers to take action to limit hazardous chemicals in plastics.
A recent report shows 37 percent of sampled drivers reported talking on their handheld cell phone while driving, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving. The UC San Diego TREDS program aims to educate the public on safe driving practices through free online courses and materials.
A group of 35 scientists calls out conflicts of interest in global plastic treaty negotiations, which have hindered timely action on health and environmental issues. They recommend implementing guidelines to prevent industry influence on the UN's Science Policy Panel on chemicals, citing past examples of pollution protection dilution.
A new Northwestern University study estimates that approximately 171,000 premature deaths per year are linked to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure, with a disproportionate number occurring in marginalized communities. The study found that NO2 pollution affects predominantly Black census tracts 47% higher than the national average.
The OBCT Project aims to identify the causes of obesity and design guidelines to tackle the problem. The study will analyze data from millions of individuals across Europe and map 'obesogenic environments' that promote weight gain or prevent weight loss.
A meta-analysis of studies found guilt has only a small persuasive effect, making it less effective than previously thought. Existential guilt appeals better for broader issues like environmental and educational topics, while personal responsibility-based guilt is less effective in health communications.
A new study found that prenatal and childhood exposure to manganese may be beneficial for verbal learning and memory in adolescence. Manganese levels were linked with fewer errors in adolescents, particularly males.
Two new studies reveal that depression, anxiety and chronic stress increase the risk for heart and brain health complications. Researchers found that these mental health conditions can accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Research highlights short-term increases in fine particulate air pollution associated with increased health care visits for heart attacks and unstable chest pain. The risk for each cardiac event differs by season, with summer wildfires causing immediate hospitalization needs for chest pain but delayed action for heart attacks.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that approximately 1 in 5 mothers delayed or forgoed needed care in the postpartum year. Medicaid beneficiaries reported lower health care use and higher social needs, such as food insecurity and intimate partner violence.
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.
The study highlights the significant role petrochemicals play in cancer risks through every stage of processing, from extraction to disposal. Communities like East Palestine, Ohio, face increased cancer risks due to air pollution, while climate change worsens healthcare disruptions for patients with cancer.
A new study reveals that the coral microbiome changes after just 48 hours when oxygen levels drop, with some bacteria increasing in abundance. The research suggests that changes in the microbiome may influence coral resilience to low oxygen conditions and warming seas.
A new Duke University-led study finds that Gulf War Illness significantly reduces the ability of white blood cells to make energy, creating measurable biochemical differences in veterans with the disease. The study reveals impaired mitochondrial function, leading to lower levels of extracellular acidification and oxygen consumption.
A large USGS study assesses methylmercury in adult amphibians, finding it to be a toxic compound that bioaccumulates in animals as they feed. The study's results provide new methods and baseline data for assessing mercury risk in endangered species, including those listed under the Endangered Species Act.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found a significant relationship between soy expansion and childhood leukemia deaths in Brazil. Pesticide use in the region has been linked to increased cancer mortality, with an estimated 123 children under 10 dying from ALL associated with pesticide exposure between 2008 and 2019.
The Children's Environmental Health Center will investigate the cumulative health impacts of early exposure to pollutants and non-chemical stressors among children in underserved communities. The center aims to reduce environmental health disparities and promote environmental justice for children.
A recent study found that people living in areas with high levels of fine particulate matter have a 56% greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The Mississippi-Ohio River Valley and parts of Texas, Kansas, and eastern Michigan were identified as regions with higher rates of the disease.
A new analysis from Penn researchers projects a significant increase in US cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat over the next four decades. Older adults and Black adults will experience greater increases in excess cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat, according to the study.
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...
Researchers from Texas A&M University's Department of Geography and collaborating departments aim to improve understanding of how environmental hazards influence human health outcomes. The project, 'Climate-LEAD,' will create robust models using localized data to inform decision-making in vulnerable communities.
The study reveals that human-driven global nutrient imbalances are linked to increased risk of diseases such as coeliac and cancer. The research proposes a new strategy for managing fertilizers by adjusting the N:P ratio, potentially enhancing therapy effectiveness against certain cancers.
A new UN study finds that global Bitcoin mining activities have substantial water and land footprints in addition to a significant carbon footprint. The top 10 Bitcoin mining countries are responsible for 92-94% of the global environmental impact.
A recent study published in eBioMedicine found an association between certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and an increased risk of thyroid cancer. The researchers investigated plasma PFAS levels in thyroid cancer patients and non-cancer controls, finding a significant positive association with exposure to n-PFOS.
A model reveals that corn farming in the US Midwest incurs significant health and environmental costs, with air pollution being a major contributor. Implementing alternative management practices can increase profits beyond these costs, but retiring land may be necessary for some counties.
Researchers at UC Riverside successfully engineered a plant to turn beet red in the presence of a banned pesticide, enabling an environmental sensor without damaging its native metabolism. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for detecting other toxic substances like drugs and birth control pills in water supply.
A new Australian study suggests harnessing genomic surveillance technology can detect the rise of deadly 'superbugs', slowing their evolution and spread to improve global health outcomes. The study highlights the need for a multifaceted 'One Health' approach to surveillance, with practical recommendations for implementation.
Asian female immigrants working in the US beauty service industry face numerous workplace health challenges. Researchers suggest that outreach and education at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels can address these issues, including cultural competency, better wages, training, and paid time off.
A new study found that racial and ethnic disparities persist in access to chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain, with Hispanic adults being less likely to use these services. The study also found that policy changes are needed to address these gaps in access, particularly in underserved communities.
New research from MIT found that germicidal UV lights can produce potentially harmful compounds in indoor spaces. The study suggests that the lights should be used with appropriate ventilation to minimize health risks. Researchers emphasize that the new UV lights are not a replacement for ventilation but rather a complement to it.
A new study found that residents of neighborhoods with more greenspace tend to have longer telomeres, indicating better cellular health. However, the positive impact of greenspace is not enough to compensate for other environmental challenges like air pollution and racial segregation.
A WVU team is providing free technical assistance to local industrial facilities to reduce their impact on environmental and community health. The project aims to support businesses in making changes that benefit their communities while maintaining profitability.
A new study reveals that prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is linked to accelerated BMI gain in children from birth to nine years old. The study found that certain mixtures of these chemicals increase the risk of childhood obesity and its related health consequences.
A new specimen collection system has been developed to enhance assisted reproductive technologies by providing a simple one-step method for selecting high-quality sperm for ICSI. The system, known as NovaSort, uses a barrier mesh to isolate mobile sperm without damaging their DNA.
A comprehensive study found that an enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) may damage mental health for some single adults without dependent children. The Paycheck Plus Experiment, conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, revealed mixed results between two cities, Atlanta and New York.
Researchers will study the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among deer, including captive and wild populations, as well as its relationship with humans and the environment. The project aims to understand disease ecology in whole systems and inform better management practices for deer producers.
A study by researchers in the US and Indonesia found that women exposed to the 2004 tsunami had lower cortisol levels 14 years later, linked to stress and 'burnout' of the HPA-axis. The research provides insights into the long-term impacts of climate change on populations worldwide.
Researchers at UCSF found a feedback loop between immune protein IL-31 and nerve cells, which dials back nearby inflammation and promotes skin healing. This discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions like eczema, allergies, and asthma by targeting the nervous system's role in regulating the immune response.
The new Global Center on Climate Change, Water, Energy, Food, and Health Systems program will address the impacts of climate change on rural and refugee communities in Jordan. The three-year program will focus on health effects research, health equity, intervention research, and training and capacity building.
The article highlights that mental health problems and disorders are common in the working population, affecting 15% of adults of working age. Interventions focus on individual-level support, but proactive measures are needed to protect and promote workers' mental health and wellbeing.
Researchers measured metabolite concentrations of two herbicides in urine samples from Ecuadorian adolescents and found negative associations with attention, memory, and language. Glyphosate was also linked to social perception issues.
A study found that renting in the private sector is associated with faster biological ageing, but this effect can be reversed through policy changes. The research emphasizes the importance of housing policy in improving health outcomes.