Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A long-term study found a significant link between aircraft noise and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Exposure to night-time aircraft noise was associated with a doubling in risk of heart flutter and stroke, with every additional 10 dB of noise linked to a 69% heightened risk of high blood pressure.
A University of Michigan study found exposure to chemicals like naled and chlorpyrifos during pregnancy associated with lower fine and gross motor skills scores. Infants exposed to these pesticides showed signs of motor delays, which may predict developmental problems later in childhood.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that mixing booze and pot increases the risk of fatal two-vehicle crashes. Drivers who used alcohol, marijuana, or both were more likely to be responsible for causing fatal crashes compared to sober drivers. The researchers analyzed data from 14,742 fatal two...
A new University of Iowa study examines the link between obesity and food container chemical substitutes, finding no associations with BPF and BPS. However, the study confirms that BPA is associated with increased obesity in humans.
A Clemson University graduate discovered that certain toxicants can disrupt the maturation of Daphnia magna by altering lipid levels, affecting development and reproductive rates. The study found that triclosan and atrazine can lead to stunted growth and altered lipid allocation in newborns.
Researchers have developed a new surface molecule that makes immune cells more aggressive against cancer cells. The approach could enhance adoptive T-cell therapy, allowing for more effective treatments and personalized medicine.
A University at Buffalo-led study found that police officers working the afternoon shift are more fatigued, with a two-fold higher prevalence among male officers compared to day shift workers. Women officers appeared to use more effective coping mechanisms to manage shift work-related stress and fatigue.
Experts discuss emergency medicine in space, where severe medical events and loss of crew life are significant risks during long-duration flights. Alternative CPR methods have been tested in microgravity experiments, showing a 'hand-stand' technique as the most effective method.
Researchers found higher levels of lead and lower levels of zinc and manganese in children with autism compared to those without. The study used lasers to map growth rings in baby teeth to track metal uptake during development.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that differences in toxin and nutrient uptake during critical developmental windows increase autism risk. Researchers analyzed baby teeth to identify associations between metal exposure and ASD severity, suggesting a potential pathway for interplay between genes and environment.
The IRIDIS app assesses physical aspects of design impacting on older people's quality of life, recommending changes such as lighting and colour contrast improvements. It provides a simple 20-minute assessment of home suitability for an older person.
Researchers found elevated levels of PFOA in Mid-Ohio River Valley residents, with 99.9% of samples testing positive for the contaminant. The study suggests that use of granular activated carbon filtration reduced exposure by up to 60%.
A study suggests that exposure to trace metals from potatoes grown in soil irrigated with waters from the Potosi mining region in Bolivia may pose a potential health risk. The study found high hazard quotients for arsenic and cadmium, indicating a significant risk of non-cancer health illnesses, particularly among children.
A study tracked microbial community composition in a newly opened hospital, finding patients initially acquire bacteria from the environment before their own microbiota influences what's present. The research provides context for future studies of hospital-acquired infections.
Research finds that tulip bulbs from the Netherlands are carrying a fungal pathogen resistant to key antifungal therapy, Voriconazole. The discovery raises concerns for immunocompromised patients and highlights the need for vigilance in preventing the spread of resistance.
Researchers found that banknotes harbor a diverse range of bacteria, including pathogens like E. coli and Vibrio cholera. The banknotes also contain higher amounts of antibiotic-resistance genes than other environmental samples, highlighting the potential for currency to pose a health risk.
Researchers found that commercial preparations for allergy shots often lack sufficient levels of key allergens, which could affect treatment success. Customized immunotherapy tailored to individual patients' reactions is a promising approach, but its development is still in its infancy.
The study analyzed umbilical cord tissue from 669 babies and found a link between higher DNA methylation in the CDKN2A gene and lower bone mass at four and six years. This suggests that epigenetic modifications early in life may play a role in determining skeletal growth.
A study found that UK care workers' understanding of their role and job control are significant workplace hazards. Despite this, zero-hours contracts did not significantly influence employee wellbeing, but employees with these contracts had greater levels of engagement in their jobs.
A study of 109 separated or divorced individuals suggests that narrative expressive writing can lower heart rate and increase heart rate variability, both indicators of good cardiovascular health. By creating a structured story around their feelings, participants were able to process emotions in a more physiologically adaptive way.
The Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) at Wayne State University has received a $7.5 million NIH renewal for five years. The center aims to understand the integrated health impacts of environmental exposures in Detroit's urban landscape and develop strategies to mitigate environmental health concerns.
A recent analysis of data from a critical epidemiological study found no association between formaldehyde exposure and acute myeloid leukemia. The study's findings contradict previous studies that reported associations between formaldehyde exposure and certain types of leukemia.
A Rutgers-led team has invented a promising technology for killing microbes using paper-based sanitizers, which can eliminate more than 99 percent of bacteria cells. The devices consist of paper with thin layers of aluminum and hexagon/honeycomb patterns that produce plasma to kill microorganisms.
A new study reveals that 90% of global health development assistance funds target individuals under the age of 60, while those aged 70 and older receive less than half as much. The majority of this funding goes to children under the age of 5, highlighting a significant gap in support for older adults.
Research finds that medical marijuana laws are associated with higher rates of illicit cannabis use and disorders, particularly in states with earlier laws. The study analyzed data from three national surveys and found significant increases in cannabis use and disorders between 1991-1992 and 2012-2013.
Researchers found that genetics controlled which receptors were present in mice, but the environment also played a significant role in shaping the olfactory system. This combination of genetic and environmental factors gives each individual a unique sense of smell, even among genetically identical animals.
A study reveals that cognitive stimulation and social interactions increase lifespan in mice with colon tumors through a wound repair response. Environmental enrichment also reduces inflammation, improves tumor vasculature, and promotes immune cell activity to defend against cancer.
A UB-led study of postmenopausal women found that those at the highest genetic risk for fracture benefit most from hormone therapy. The study, which included nearly 10,000 participants, suggests personalized medicine could help prevent fractures in older women.
Research finds high levels of lead exposure at firing ranges, with risks similar between indoor and outdoor ranges. The study recommends reevaluating allowable lead levels, improving education on lead-exposure risks, and finding lead-free substitutes for bullets and primer.
A recent study found that companies facing market pressure to meet earnings expectations may compromise on safety, resulting in a 12% higher injury rate for employees. This is due to managers cutting back on safety-related expenditures and increasing employee output, leading to an economic trade-off between profits and worker health.
A new study at the University of Texas at Austin reveals that humans have an adaptive coordinate system that rescales its internal map according to the environment's size. This flexibility allows humans to navigate diverse places with ease. The research provides valuable insights into the human memory and spatial navigation, shedding l...
Researchers found that vitamin B supplements nearly reversed negative effects on heart rate, white blood count, and lymphocyte count in healthy non-smokers exposed to fine particle pollution. The findings suggest a potential preventive pharmacological intervention using B vitamins to contain air pollution health effects.
A new study reveals significant variations in peripheral vision among individuals, impacting tasks like reading and recognizing objects. Researchers propose that these differences originate early in visual development and are influenced by genetics and environment.
Liza Grandia, a UC Davis associate professor of Native American studies, has received a $270,000 Mellon Foundation Fellowship to research toxicology and environmental epidemiology. Her project, 'Toxic Trespass,' aims to build cross-disciplinary bridges between indigenous communities and environmental health sciences.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that human illness leads to more destructive fishing methods and environmental harm at Lake Victoria. Healthy individuals tend to prioritize sustainable fishing practices, whereas chronically ill people focus on short-term gains, resulting in unsustainable methods.
A study of 5,800 Finnish retirees found that 12% increased their risky drinking after retirement, while 81% maintained healthy levels. Depression, smoking, and changes in social networks were associated with the increase in risky drinking behavior.
Researchers at Princeton University found that the brain's hippocampus plays a broader role in memory and learning, involved in both spatial navigation and cognitive tasks. The study used rats to explore sound frequencies and showed similar neural activity patterns as those seen when navigating physical environments.
A new study found that gum disease and tooth loss may increase the risk of death in postmenopausal women, but not cardiovascular disease risk. Loss of all natural teeth was also associated with a higher risk of death.
Researchers developed a new method to track perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) from fast-food wrappers in the body, linking them to various health issues. The study found PFASs were detected in all tested organs, including liver, stomach, lungs, kidney, heart, skin, muscle, brain, and others.
Heroin use has increased five-fold among Americans since 2001, with significant rises in white males with low income and education. The prevalence of heroin use disorder also increased, particularly among younger individuals, with whites ages 18-44 experiencing a more pronounced increase than non-whites and older adults.
A new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Americans prioritize affordability based on household income. Respondents favored a health insurance policy with a 5% household income cap, rather than the current Ryancare plan which transfers benefits from poorer households to wealthier ones.
A new study finds that deaths in autistic individuals increased 700 percent in the past 16 years, mostly due to injuries. Swimming classes are recommended immediately after diagnosis to prevent drowning-related fatalities.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that workers in the state's seafood processing industry suffer serious injuries at higher rates than the statewide average, with an average annual rate of 24 claims per 1,000 workers.
A new platform for culturing human pluripotent stem cells has been developed at Kyoto University, combining micro and nanotechnologies to precisely control the culture environment. The Multiplexed Artificial Cellular Microenvironment (MACME) array mimics extracellular environments with nanofibres in fluid-filled micro-chambers of preci...
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that B vitamins can increase plasma concentrations of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, reducing the impact of air pollution on the epigenome. The results have significant public health implications for regions with frequent PM2.5 peaks.
A pilot study by Oregon State University found a significant relationship between exposure to flame retardants and externalizing behaviors such as aggression, defiance, and hyperactivity in children aged 3-5. Higher exposure rates were associated with less responsible behavior and more social issues.
A systematic re-analysis of Chinese famine studies found no increases in diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions among famine births, except for schizophrenia. The findings highlight an unrecognized flaw in common famine reports and suggest better indicators of famine exposure are needed.
Smokers in recovery from illicit drug use disorders face a higher risk of relapsing three years later compared to non-smokers. Quitting cigarettes may help adults stay sober and improve substance treatment outcomes.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that depression significantly increased in the US from 2005 to 2013 among current, former, and never smokers. The prevalence of depression is consistently higher among smokers, but the rate of increase was more prominent among former and never smokers.
A recent study by Radhika Joshi at NCBS Bangalore has shown that environmental factors can modulate the sedative side effects of antipsychotics. Mice without the 5-HT2A receptor were less affected when given Clozapine in novel cages or with new objects, suggesting a potential strategy for managing these side effects.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has announced a major funding boost to develop robotics and artificial intelligence technologies for healthcare and hazardous environments. The £17.3 million investment will support research projects in surgical micro-robotics, autonomous systems, and extreme environments.
The PHIA Project's survey results reveal extraordinary progress in confronting the HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia. The rate of new infections is stabilizing or declining, with more than half of all adults living with HIV having a suppressed viral load.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that career military women were happier and had better physical and mental health than the general population. They also reported positive experiences, such as satisfaction with their work with wounded troops and civilians in Vietnam.
The paper provides a detailed protocol for building muscle-powered biological machines, enabling the creation of complex behaviors like self-assembly and adaptation. Researchers designed flexible 3D printed hydrogels and living cells to power 'walking' bio-bots, paving the way for applications in health, medicine, and environment.
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that physically demanding jobs and shiftwork are associated with poorer egg quality and lower fertility rates in women. Women working in heavy-lifting jobs or evening/night shifts had fewer mature eggs, representing a nearly 9% reduction in total reserve of eggs.
The Endocrine Society has honored 21 outstanding researchers with the Early Investigators Award, recognizing their contributions to endocrine research and women's health. The award recognizes achievements in metabolic bone research, women's health, menopause, and endocrine disorders.
A new study found that some fast-food packaging in the US contains a variety of fluorinated compounds, including long-chain PFASs associated with developmental problems, decreased fertility, and increased cancer risk. The researchers detected fluorine in nearly half of food contact papers overall.
A new analysis published in PLOS ONE found that the proportion of US deaths attributable to diabetes is as high as 12%, three times higher than estimates based on death certificates. Diabetes was estimated to be the third leading cause of death in the US in 2010, after heart disease and malignant neoplasms.
A Drexel-led team will study hundreds of cities in Latin America and the Caribbean to understand how governance, design, and environment affect population health. The project aims to identify synergies between improving health and environmental sustainability.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health finds that all NYC toddlers studied had flame retardants on their hands, with mothers having lower levels. The researchers detected a higher concentration of flame retardants in toddler hand wipes compared to their mothers.