Articles tagged with Environmental Health
The American Osteopathic Association's comprehensive whole-person health poll found that 71% of Americans have good or excellent health and wellness. However, socioeconomic disparities emerged, with lower-income individuals facing greater challenges in accessing healthcare. The poll also highlighted concerns about mental health, financ...
A new UCI-led study reveals that early life adversity is directly linked to opioid addiction vulnerability by affecting brain development and function. The research highlights the importance of attention to sex differences in future studies and prevention strategies, which could help address the growing opioid crisis.
A new study in Frontiers in Neuroscience used virtual reality to determine how people plan their movements by
This special issue of Science explores safer and more sustainable chemicals to address environmental and health concerns. Reviews argue for rethinking chemistry and considering inherent properties in early stages of design.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher is studying the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on breast density in college-age women, a strong risk factor for breast cancer. High breast density has been linked to increased breast cancer risk in older women, and this study aims to shed light on the link in younger women.
Research found that PFOS changes the gut microbiome of mice, suggesting potential mechanisms outside human cells and metabolic effects on microbes. The study supports emerging ideas that chemical exposures can impact gut microbes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago report that hospital visits associated with homelessness have tripled since 2011. Their findings show that annual conservative estimates of homelessness using hospital-based data have exceeded HUD estimates since 2016.
A recent study by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare found that indoor air quality is connected to respiratory and general symptoms like colds and headaches. However, the association was too weak to reliably assess indoor air quality based on reported symptoms.
A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals a relationship between lead exposure risk and brain structure in children from lower-income families. The research found that an increased risk of lead exposure is associated with decreases in cognitive performance and brain volume, but not in mid- or high-income families.
Researchers at Silent Spring Institute found that anonymized environmental health data can be traced back to individuals. The study highlights the need for greater protections for participants in human research studies, particularly with the proposed federal rule by EPA requiring scientists to make their data public.
Researchers identified three main themes that shape people's experience of living with loneliness, including individual differences, social isolation, and lack of meaningful activities. The study suggests that effective interventions can be developed by understanding the underlying causes of loneliness in senior housing communities.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that hospital-based palliative care services reduce treatment intensity at the end of life, with a 10% reduction in ICU use. This could lead to cost savings of approximately $265 million per year in the US.
The prevalence of marijuana detected in homicide victims increased significantly between 2004 and 2016, with a notable rise among adolescent victims. The study found that over two-thirds of victims aged 15-20 years tested positive for marijuana, highlighting the potential risks associated with marijuana use.
A UK study found that poor sexual health affects women in diverse ways and is often overlooked by current intervention efforts. The research identified distinct groups at risk, including women with low interest in sex and those experiencing depression, alcohol or drug use. Tailored programs may be needed to address these vulnerabilities.
A longitudinal study of 209 New York City women and their offspring found a decrease in fine-motor functions among girls following prenatal exposure to specific phthalates. The analysis identified three phthalates most linked to the deficits: mono-butyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, and mono-isobutyl phthalate.
A recent study found a 50% increase in total mortality and three-fold increase in heart disease deaths in individuals with high 3-PBA levels, a metabolite of pyrethroids. The study's findings challenge the assumption that these insecticides are safe, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Traffic-related air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women, with exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) associated with a 50% higher likelihood of developing preeclampsia. The study highlights the need for further research into the impact of environmental exposures during pregnancy.
A study led by ISGlobal found that living near green spaces reduced the risk of excess weight and obesity in women. Genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions also played a role in the association.
A new study from the University of California San Francisco and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health challenges assumptions about contraceptive use among women. Despite having a strong preference against pregnancy, over half of the women studied used a contraceptive method.
Research led by UMass Amherst scientist Alexander Suvorov identified the mechanism responsible for flame retardant's effect: an altered liver epigenome. Perinatal exposure permanently changed liver metabolism in rats, potentially applicable to humans.
A new study by Columbia University researchers estimates the per-case costs of six childhood health conditions linked to air pollution, including preterm birth and asthma. The study suggests that policies to clean the air and address climate change will yield numerous benefits for children's health.
Research suggests a significant increase in cannabis use among individuals with depression over the past decade. The prevalence of cannabis use was approximately twice as common among those with depression compared to those without it. Daily cannabis use was also more common among those with depression, particularly young adults.
A new blockchain algorithm called Proof-of-Search (PoS) has been proposed to reduce the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining by redirecting wasted energy towards solving optimization problems. The algorithm preserves the robustness of PoW while introducing miniblocks to prevent corruption.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a new version of the Mediterranean diet incorporating lean pork, which delivers cognitive benefits while catering to Western tastes. The Med-Pork diet outperforms low-fat diets in delivering higher cognitive processing speeds and emotional functioning.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests there is a two-way relationship between bullying perpetration and internalizing problems among US youth. Bullying perpetration increased the risk of developing internalizing problems, while experiencing internalizing problems increased the probability of bullyi...
Environmental health professionals in US report challenges in six areas: drinking water quality, wastewater management, healthy homes, food safety, public health pests, and disaster risk reduction. The study emphasizes the need for professional training, expanded partnerships, and translational research to address these issues.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study estimates the non-cancer health effects of breathing airborne PCBs around New Bedford Harbor, affecting thyroid hormones in people living close to the harbor. The levels of PCBs in the air are high enough to raise risks of diabetes, low birth weight, and impaired neurodevelopment.
A pro-meat campaign on social media may have swayed undecided Twitter users towards the #yes2meat movement, surpassing balanced communications by six times. The study, published in The Lancet, analyzed 8.5 million tweets and found that critics of the planetary health diet reached 26 million people, despite having fewer followers.
Researchers found that MRSA on people and pets can spread through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated surfaces, and environmental factors. Frequent handwashing and high cleanliness scores reduce the risk of staph transmission.
A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that fentanyl-involved overdose deaths are concentrated in resource-deprived neighborhoods. The research used census block group-level data to examine the local geographic distribution of drug overdoses, revealing a unique perspective on overdose locations.
The article highlights the importance of behavioral sciences in dentistry, expanding the understanding of oral health beyond 'disease' to a broader concept. Recent studies have shown promising results in employing cognitive behavioral therapy for managing dental anxiety and pain, as well as addressing oral health inequalities.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have decoded how visual inputs alter the activity of compass neurons in fruit flies, maintaining an accurate sense of direction. By studying the brain's response to visual cues, the team found that R neurons inhibit compass neuron activity in a spatially specific manner.
A Rutgers University study found that women exposed to stress and plastic additives during late pregnancy are at increased risk of premature birth. The research suggests that the third trimester is a critical window for this risk, with higher levels of phthalates in urine and reported stress during pregnancy also linked to preterm births.
A study of 1,437 family physicians found a burnout rate of 43.7%, with hospital-owned practices and lack of ownership stake positively associated with burnout. Practice environment factors such as work-life balance and control over workload were key predictors of burnout.
A Kent State researcher is working to create guidelines for safer Level I trauma room design, using the SEIPS model to identify and address preventable errors that cause 7-9% of deaths in trauma rooms. The project aims to improve staff efficiency and save patient lives.
Researchers found that extended high-frequency hearing loss contributes to difficulty hearing speech in noisy environments even in individuals with normal hearing. The study suggests EHF hearing may predict age-related hearing loss at an early age, highlighting the importance of preventive measures.
Researchers found that lower environmental quality in rural counties was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes. In contrast, urban areas showed a stronger link between air and sociodemographic domains. The study's findings suggest a significant impact of cumulative environmental exposures on diabetes risk in rural populations.
A Colorado State University team is developing small, wearable air pollution sensors to assess occupational hazards. The devices will be easy to use and provide comprehensive data on airborne chemicals, particles, and vapors, making it possible for workers to know what they're breathing.
Research suggests that the prevalence of cannabis use disorder has decreased among frequent users between 2002-2016, with significant declines observed across all age groups. This decline may be attributed to changes in social attitudes and perceptions of risk associated with cannabis use, as well as increased legalization.
A Swedish study found that long-term exposure to traffic exhaust at home increases the risk of stroke in low-pollution environments. The researchers discovered that black carbon from traffic exhaust was the primary culprit, with a 4% increased risk for every 0.3 micrograms per cubic meter.
The UMass Amherst team will expand research into the impact of phthalate exposure on male fertility and sperm epigenetics. The study aims to identify epigenetic signatures associated with phthalate exposures and altered sperm function, which may provide better preconception advising for couples.
Using information theory, researchers at UNIGE aim to understand how impaired cellular communication influences cancer development. They propose a new approach to oncology, focusing on restoring proper signaling pathway activity rather than shutting them down.
A new MIT system uses computer-vision techniques to detect and classify subtle changes in shadows on the ground, enabling autonomous vehicles to quickly avoid collisions with other objects. The system outperforms traditional LiDAR technology by more than half a second in real-world scenarios.
Researchers discovered that consuming healthier foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables has a significant positive impact on the environment. In contrast, diets high in red meat and processed foods lead to substantial negative environmental impacts.
Researchers used solid-state NMR spectroscopy to observe rhomboid protease movement, revealing a gate that opens for substrate protein entry. This study provides new insights for developing medication targeting these proteins.
Researchers at UofSC's Arnold School of Public Health discovered a novel treatment approach for Gulf War Illness by repurposing existing antiviral drugs. The study, published in the journal Viruses, shows that adjusting GI tract viruses can help alleviate symptoms such as chronic fatigue and widespread pain.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that new organophosphate flame retardants have been associated with lower IQ in children and reproductive problems. These chemicals are also being carried by wind and water far from their origin, polluting areas worldwide.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that US residents requesting online abortion medications cited difficulty accessing clinical care and personal preferences as reasons for their requests. The demand was highest in states with restrictive abortion policies, with Mississippi leading the way.
A new series on Frailty published in The Lancet highlights the need for evidence-based interventions and robust trials to prevent and manage frailty. Despite progress in understanding frailty, gaps in knowledge remain, including a lack of consensus on its definition and assessment.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Pennsylvania analyzed crash risk, exposure, and built environment factors. They identified specific variables related to exposure and risk, but found a lack of clarity on the role of built environment in traffic injury and death.
A team of researchers from the University of Vienna has shown that the widespread food estrogen zearalenone migrates through the placenta and is partially converted to other harmful substances. The study found that even small concentrations could have a greater impact on the embryo than previously assumed.
A new study by Silent Spring Institute found that people who eat more meals at home have lower levels of PFAS in their bodies. Consuming fast food and eating out frequently are associated with higher exposures to these chemicals.
A study published in Neurology found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more are at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with higher income volatility during peak earning years showed worse brain aging, including smaller total brain volume and reduced connectivity.
A new study suggests that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may protect the lungs from short-term spikes in air pollution. The researchers found that nearly half of the negative impact of particulate matter on lung function was reduced with NSAID use.
University of Queensland researchers studied human responses to unexpected changes in environment, like falling into a hole. They found that humans use different strategies to stabilize themselves based on the drop height and utilized distal lower-limb joints such as the ankle for energy absorption at low drop heights.
The University of California, Irvine will conduct a major multi-site health study on the relationship between PFAS-contaminated drinking water and health outcomes. The study aims to advance scientific evidence on human health effects of PFAS and provide answers to communities exposed to contaminated water.
A recent study found that better access to clean water, sanitation services, and family planning can substantially reduce preventable child mortality in Africa. The analysis determined that large households are linked to worsening child health outcomes in developing nations.
A new study from the University of Washington found that employment conditions beyond wages and hours impact overall health. Workers in insecure jobs reported poor mental health and increased injury risk, while those with high empowerment experienced similar health to standard employees.
DNA molecules have a hydrophobic interior that groups together when exposed to water, controlling the binding process. The discovery opens doors for new understanding in medicine and life sciences, with potential applications in fighting resistant bacteria and curing cancer.
A team of Wayne State University researchers is working to better understand the physical, chemical, and biological character of fatbergs through advanced analysis. Their study aims to identify contaminants in fatbergs and inform targeted prevention and mitigation efforts.