Articles tagged with Environmental Health
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.
Researchers found a 39.4% increase in smoking prevalence among soldiers from 26.2% at recruitment to 36.5% at discharge. Former smokers were at greatest risk of relapsing to smoking during service, with nearly half of former smokers returning to smoking.
A new study by University of Utah Health found that commercial truck drivers with three or more medical conditions are quadruple their chance of being in a crash compared to healthier drivers. The research suggests that a driver's poor health can increase the risk not only for themselves but also for others around them.
A new $1 million NIH-funded study will investigate the effects of phthalates in plastic products used in pediatric intensive care units (NICUs). The study aims to assess the long-term impact of exposure to these chemicals on children's development, particularly premature infants.
A recent study published in SLEEP found that a workplace-based Sleep Health Program significantly reduced the risk of injuries and long-term disability among firefighters. The program, which included sleep health education and screening for sleep disorders, resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in disability days.
A recent study has identified signatures of ethnicity in the genome that reflect shared culture and environment rather than genetic ancestry. The researchers found that only three-quarters of epigenetic differences between Mexican and Puerto Rican children could be accounted for by genetic ancestry, suggesting a biological stamp made b...
A new study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology finds that poverty is a major contributor to obesity, particularly for individuals with a high genetic risk. The research used data from 120,000 individuals and suggests that targeting specific behaviors or environments may not be an effective solution to reducing obesity.
A recent study found that girls from low-income families in the US are unprepared for puberty, with many reporting negative experiences during this transition. The research highlights the need for more robust interventions to support and provide information about puberty for low-income girls.
A recent study published in The FASEB Journal found that the Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) allele, associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline in industrialized societies, may actually improve cognitive function in individuals exposed to high levels of parasites in a traditional foraging environment. This su...
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a significant rise in past-month marijuana use among women of reproductive age between 2002 and 2014. The prevalence increased from 2.4% to 3.9%, with higher rates among younger and pregnant women.
A new study suggests that nearly a quarter of attempted suicides at metro stations can be identified using real-time CCTV, paving the way for prevention. The researchers found that specific behaviours such as pacing and leaving objects on the platform could indicate suicide risk.
A study found that having fun at work is significantly related to informal learning, which includes unstructured forms of learning. Fun activities supported by management enhance wellbeing and create a safe environment for learning. Managers' support for fun matters more than their support for learning.
Researchers use informatics to analyze over 39,000 consumer products and identify 30% containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The approach complements gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, enabling detection of unlisted chemicals and predicting cumulative exposure
The Zika virus poses a threat beyond summer months, as Aedes species mosquitoes can survive winter and transmit the virus through their eggs. Experts emphasize the importance of year-round protection measures, including physical barriers and insect repellents.
A case management program with trained nurses improves the health of elderly patients after a cardiac infarction, reducing physical restrictions and improving lifestyle changes. The study analyzed data from over 300 patients aged 65 years or older, finding positive effects on muscle strength, blood fat levels, and overall quality of life.
A new study found that paternal phthalate exposure before conception may be associated with lower-quality embryos, with certain chemicals inversely linked to high-quality blastocysts. The research, published in Human Reproduction, suggests a potential link between preconception environmental health and reproductive success.
A new computer model developed by Columbia University researchers predicts influenza outbreaks with 82% accuracy at a week's notice, particularly for small upticks. The model also forecasts outbreak duration and magnitude, but its accuracy varies depending on the severity of the outbreak.
A study found that marijuana use prevalence increased by 6% among men earning less than $20,000 annually between 2007 and 2014, compared to only 2% for women in the same income group. This widening gender gap is linked to economic hardship and insecurity during the Great Recession.
Researchers found that more Nanog protein in cells leads to less reproduction, contradicting previous assumptions. The study uses an algorithm called STILT to analyze time-resolved protein expression data, revealing a negative feedback loop that regulates Nanog's activity.
A study published in PLOS Biology investigated the role of noradrenaline, acetylcholine, and dopamine in handling uncertainty. The findings suggest that these brain chemicals enable our brains to learn changing relationships in our environment, predicting future events and executing fast responses.
Scientists at Helmholtz Munich identify ACSL4 enzyme as crucial for ferroptosis, a form of cell death linked to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that ACSL4 plays a central role in generating the signal that initiates cell death, providing new insights into the development of potential therapeutic approaches.
Researchers will investigate how in-womb exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals affects normal growth and development. The seven-year study will explore the health impacts of early environmental exposures on children's metabolism, thyroid hormones, and brain development.