Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A new study from Cardiff University shows that direct messages sent via Facebook chat can significantly reduce the amount of red and processed meat consumed by individuals. Participants reported a significant decrease in their meat consumption, with some even expressing a desire to reduce other types of meat they consume in the future.
Telehealth can deliver robust outcomes for children with special education needs, particularly when barriers to services exist. Proactive biological cycle management principles can reduce the risk of COVID-19 in workplaces, promoting a safe return to work.
A new study found significant inequalities in public drinking water arsenic exposure across US regions and sociodemographic subgroups. Despite a decline in national arsenic levels, Hispanic communities and those relying on groundwater continued to exceed maximum contaminant levels, raising environmental justice concerns.
Researchers share critical information and solutions to address behavioral challenges posed by the pandemic, including new working models, digital service approaches, and learning strategies. The papers explore various aspects of human systems management, from employee engagement to occupational health and safety.
The Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI) is a new tool measuring work-attributed depressive symptoms. Researchers found that 7.6% of participants met criteria for job-ascribed depression, highlighting the need for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
The Lancet Global Countdown on Health and Climate Change highlights the devastating impact of climate change on human health, with key trends worsening unless urgent action is taken. Experts from institutions worldwide, including Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, contribute to the report's findings.
A study by USC researchers found that working from home negatively impacts physical and mental health, increases distractions, and reduces productivity. Nearly 1,000 respondents reported experiencing one or more new physical health issues, with women and parents of toddlers and infants being disproportionately affected.
Research at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health finds a 7% increase in preterm birth rates among women from MENA countries impacted by the 2017 travel ban. Anti-immigrant and Islamophobic policies are associated with detrimental shifts in health outcomes for pregnant women and infants.
A UOC project has developed a 3D virtual environment to train surgeons' psychomotor skills, providing real-time feedback and metrics. The tool has been tested with over 148 users, showing its validity in improving surgeons' performance at different stages of their careers.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that countries like Japan and China show less age bias, while individualistic nations like the US and Germany exhibit greater ageism. States in the US with high age bias also tend to have poorer health outcomes for older adults.
Researchers in Quebec have developed a first-of-its-kind cold-health watch and warning system to predict health risks associated with cold waves. The system considers temperature thresholds that trigger alerts for healthcare professionals, taking into account delays between exposure and observed health impacts.
In response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, Bay Area public health officials issued the first U.S. regional shelter-in-place order in mid-March 2020. They share their experience on crisis decision-making approach, including meta-leadership and decision intelligence, which improved routine team decisions.
Researchers have developed a virtual-reality method that measures susceptibility to psychogenic stressors by analyzing heart rate variability and locomotion data. The study's findings offer a standardized tool for measuring vulnerability to stressors based on objective markers, paving the way for early interventions.
A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that newly retired women experience a sharp rise in sedentary time, which persists 2+ years later. The research suggests that prolonged sitting is more harmful than short bouts and may be linked to social isolation and decreased physical activity after retirement.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that loneliness is highest in the 20s due to lower empathy, compassion, and self-efficacy. Levels of loneliness decrease in the 60s, with smaller social networks and sleep disturbances being consistent predictors across all age groups.
Working in farming or wood industries with asthma significantly increases the risk of hospitalization due to worsening symptoms. Asthmatics exposed to dust are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma compared to those without exposure, according to a recent Aarhus University study.
A new study from University of East Anglia found that people with dementia are at higher risk of going missing in areas with dense and disordered road networks. The research identified environmental risk factors that contribute to the issue, including complex intersections and disorganized layout.
A Dartmouth study found that involving pediatric practices in promoting private well water testing can significantly influence parental compliance. The study, which tested two interventions, showed that providing both parents and clinic access to results and follow-up reminders increased testing completion rates.
The study aims to examine the effects of gestational exposure to endocrine disruptors on fetal development in African American and white mothers. It will also explore health disparities in fetal developmental outcomes by race, with the goal of addressing significant gaps in understanding the impact of these chemicals.
Researchers developed a rapid, cost-effective method to predict lowest antibiotic concentration increasing resistance in wastewater. The SELECT assay can generate data quickly and inform decisions on safe levels of antibiotics.
Researchers propose a new theory that suggests the existence of a biodynamic interface between humans and their environment, which mediates interaction between biological and environmental systems. This interface considers social, behavioral, and cultural dynamics, allowing scientists to assess its impact on health outcomes.
Researchers at Lancaster University are exploring the use of cold atmospheric plasma jets to decontaminate medical equipment contaminated with Covid-19. This innovative approach aims to reduce cleaning time, eliminate risk of chemical exposure, and decrease the potential for antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers improved Uppstroms' performance by incorporating personal and population-level social determinants of health, leading to fewer false positives. The algorithm identifies patients at risk, allowing clinicians to offer referrals to specialized services before a crisis occurs.
Researchers found daily average sound levels dropped approximately 3 decibels during the pandemic, which could have a significant impact on people's overall health outcomes. The analysis shows that digital devices can be used to evaluate daily behaviors and exposures.
A recent study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that cannabis use is not a substitute for non-medical opioids among adults with opioid use disorder. The research examined 13,271 days of observation and found that opioid use remained prevalent on days when cannabis was used.
A new study suggests that banning menthol cigarettes could avert over 630,000 deaths and benefit communities of color. The research highlights the disproportionate preference for menthol among young smokers, Black smokers, lesbian and gay smokers, bisexual smokers, and those with mental health problems.
A new study by Silent Spring Institute found that consumers who avoid products containing endocrine disruptors, such as parabens and BPA, have significantly lower levels of these chemicals in their bodies. The study showed that reading ingredient labels and avoiding certain products can reduce exposures to these harmful chemicals.
Two studies found that dealing with rude emails at work creates lingering stress and affects productivity, sleep, and family life. Researchers urge employees to psychologically detach from stressful workdays and managers to set clear expectations regarding email communications.
A study analyzing county and ZIP code-level data reveals consistently higher rates of COVID-19 illness and death among people living in more-disadvantaged communities. The analysis also showed that counties with higher percentages of poverty, crowding, and people of color had significantly higher COVID-19 death rates.
A new brief survey called the Brief Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (BREESI) can help identify individuals with chemical intolerance by answering just three yes-or-no questions. The BREESI was developed to address the growing concern of chemical intolerance, which affects 8-33% of individuals, and its impact on health.
Researchers found exposure to warmer temperatures improves bone strength, preventing bone density loss typical of osteoporosis. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in this phenomenon, adapting to heat by disrupting polyamine synthesis and degradation, which affects osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
A new study reveals that autistic individuals are 1.5 to 4.3 times more likely to have chronic physical health conditions, including low blood pressure, arrhythmias, asthma, and prediabetes. Autistic females also face increased risks of these conditions, depending on their biological sex.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Medicaid expansion reduces the percentage of low-income women going uninsured or changing insurance plans during pregnancy and postpartum. The findings suggest that expanding Medicaid can improve access to care and reduce adverse events for pregnant women.
Current understanding of safe antibiotic levels in rivers may not prevent evolution of antibiotic resistance and fully protect human health. The study suggests introducing thresholds to help combat the spread of resistant bacteria.
Researchers have found that the number of tentacle arms in sea anemones is determined by their food intake, with muscle cells playing a crucial role in this process. This discovery sheds light on how environmental factors can influence morphological changes in organisms.
Researchers have discovered that younger cycad seeds contain higher levels of neurotoxins, increasing the risk of exposure. The study provides new models for estimating seed age, adding clarity to future research and shedding light on the origins of a neurological disease prevalent on Guam.
A survey of nurses caring for children with heart problems found that more than half were emotionally exhausted. Good working environments were linked with less burnout, with an 81% fall in emotional exhaustion when improving the workplace environment was implemented.
A study of 61,751 pregnant women found that frequent indoor insecticide use increased neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy by 1.21 times, while frequent spray or lotion-type repellent use decreased it by 0.70 times. Asian mothers are twice as likely to exhibit jaundice than Caucasians and blacks.
The study found that sedentary behavior increased by 3.9% in Spain, 7.4% in Germany, 17.8% in France, and 22.5% in Great Britain between 2002 and 2017. The authors suggest that increasing physical activity and reducing screen time could help mitigate the risks associated with prolonged sitting.
A study published in BMC Public Health found a significant increase in sedentary behaviour across Europe, with 54.3% of adults spending more than four-and-a-half hours sitting per day in 2017. The research also showed that young and older adults were equally affected, but the age group with the largest increase was those aged 35-44.
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has published a set of general guidelines for safely returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines address various aspects, including clinical manifestations of COVID-19, developing a successful return-to-work policy, and industry-specific guidance.
A study published by the University of Helsinki found that an active lifestyle can significantly reduce fearfulness in dogs. The research revealed significant breed differences, with some breeds, such as Chinese Crested Dogs, being less fearful than others, like Cairn Terriers.
A critical EPA insecticide study on chlorpyrifos was found to have been based on incomplete data, leading to an incorrect safe exposure limit. Researchers argue that this oversight had significant public health implications and potentially allowed approvals for unsafe uses of the chemical.
A study by the University of Oxford found a connection between traffic noise and obesity, with long-term exposure associated with a 2% increase in obesity prevalence. Lifestyle factors were accounted for, but air pollution was also considered.
A study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that past discriminatory housing practices may be impacting maternal and infant health today. Neighborhoods with worse HOLC ratings had significantly more adverse birth outcomes, including premature births and low birth weight babies.
The WVU toxicologist aims to improve health and well-being in susceptible populations by studying the impact of air pollution on lung regeneration. He plans to identify adverse outcomes of carbon black and ground level ozone inhalation, and study mechanisms leading to lung injury and impairment of lung regeneration.
A study analyzing dolphin blood biomarkers reveals age-related declines in hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, platelets, and lymphocytes. This variation in aging rates suggests potential strategies for slowing disease progression and preventing chronic conditions in humans.
A new study found that children's pester power significantly influences their family's dietary intake and parenting practices. The research suggests that children's influence on their homes may be an underdeveloped potential target for future interventions.
Dream Tech LLC will develop a more comprehensive and reliable modeling and library system for chemical risk assessment using its BBMD system. The grant will allow the startup to analyze diverse types of dose-response data from various studies, providing effective solutions to practical dose-response assessment.
A study by Syracuse University found that Americans who live in blue states tend to live longer than those in red states, primarily due to state policies. Liberal state policies could raise US life expectancy by over 2 years, while conservative policies could reduce it by 2 years.
A study published in Health Affairs found that one in four US younger women reported cost-related nonadherence to prescription medicines compared to one in seven younger men. The largest disparities were observed among US women versus men in other high-income countries, with significant health implications.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found that RGGI successfully reduced PM2.5 emissions and improved children's health between 2009-2014, avoiding 537 asthma cases, 112 preterm births, 98 ASD cases, and 56 low birthweight cases. The initiative also generated economic savings of $191-$350 million.
A University of Cincinnati ergonomics expert warns that workers' discomfort levels are increasing after months of remote work. To combat this, he recommends using a laptop stand, placing a cushion on the chair, and taking regular breaks to stretch and move around.
Research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a link between elevated BPA levels and increased asthma symptoms in low-income children. The study also did not find a statistically significant association between BPS and BPF levels and asthma symptoms.
A new study shows that community-based genetic screening can identify individuals at increased risk for three common inherited conditions, including Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Lynch Syndrome, and Familial Hypercholesterolemia. The study found that up to 90% of carriers were not previously identified in a clinical setting.
A team of bioethicists from Johns Hopkins University emphasizes the need for informed consent in public health activities, including those related to COVID-19. The authors suggest that good governance of public health surveillance infrastructure is crucial to maintain public trust and prevent research abuses.
Researchers estimate aerosol emissions from simulated individuals with asymptomatic to moderate COVID-19. The study aims to provide insight into the potential for airborne transmission of the virus.
Researchers detected novel fluoroethers in 85% of participants' blood, representing 24% of total PFAS, and showed faster excretion rates compared to legacy PFAS. The study aimed to understand the effects of these chemicals on human health.
Experts say mask requirements protect workers at retail stores and restaurants from COVID-19. Mandatory mask-wearing could normalize in the US like it has in east Asia.
Dr. Lewis A. Lipsitz outlines his vision for a healthy longevity at 84, emphasizing the need for social connections, sense of purpose, and accessible healthcare. He envisions multigenerational communities with technology-enabled support, affordable housing, and community-based health services.