Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A recent study published in Journal of Water and Health suggests that supplemental water fluoridation may be a contributing factor to rising type 2 diabetes rates in the United States. The study used mathematical models to analyze publicly available data on fluoride water levels and diabetes incidence rates across 22 states.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found that prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression in boys aged 10-12. The study controlled for socioeconomic factors and found no such associations in girls.
A recent study by Boston University School of Medicine found that US maternal mortality rates are significantly higher than previously reported, with an estimated rate of 23.8 per 100,000 live births in 2014. The study highlights the need to improve maternity care and prevent maternal deaths in the US.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that Bisphenol S (BPS) damages a woman's eggs at lower doses than BPA. The study exposed roundworms to various concentrations of BPA and/or BPS, revealing decreased fertility in those exposed to either chemical.
A study by Harvard researchers found unsafe levels of toxic chemicals PFASs in public drinking water supplies for six million people in the US. The highest levels were detected near industrial sites, military fire training areas, and wastewater treatment plants.
A research team from Penn Nursing, University of Michigan School of Nursing and Emory's School of Public Health is awarded a $9 million grant to test an HIV prevention intervention for adolescent men who have sex with men. The iCON intervention offers life skills training and community-based resources through an online app.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that ovarian environment changes with age, leading to decreased egg quality and fertility issues. Fibrotic and inflamed ovaries are identified as key factors contributing to this decline.
A new study found that women who stopped using estrogen-containing contraceptives had average vitamin D levels, while current users tended to have higher levels. Women trying to conceive should take action to maintain adequate vitamin D levels before and during pregnancy.
A North Carolina State University study links several pesticides used by farmers with both allergic and non-allergic wheeze, a sensitive marker for early airway problems. The research, using data from the Agricultural Health Study, found 29 pesticides associated with at least one type of wheeze.
Four individuals selected for a 12-month fellowship at the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, working on tobacco-product regulation and public health strategies. The program aims to enrich fellows' understanding of tobacco products and their regulatory activities.
A recent study published in Epilepsy and Behavior found that individuals with epilepsy have a higher annual suicide mortality rate of 22% compared to the general population. The study also revealed specific risk factors, such as increased likelihood of dying from poisoning or using residential locations for suicides.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center will play a key role in the launch of the Data and Research Support Center for the NIH's Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The center will standardize and organize large datasets to help researchers identify individual factors contributing to health and illness.
A new software has been developed to analyze time-lapse microscopy movies, enabling the measurement of cellular properties such as cell cycle length and protein expression dynamics. The tool is freely available online and has already led to high-impact publications in top scientific journals.
A new study found that constant artificial lighting leads to severe disruption of health parameters in mice, including pro-inflammatory activation of the immune system, muscle loss, and early signs of osteoporosis. However, the effects are reversible when the environmental light-dark cycle is restored.
A review of existing research concludes that manipulating food product order or proximity can positively impact food choices. Healthy food nudging is promising, with 16 out of 18 studies showing a positive impact. The review suggests using placement of products to promote healthier options, such as vegetables being placed first in line.
A Michigan State University researcher has discovered that a synthetic food additive, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), may be causing an increase in food allergies. The research found that tBHQ triggers the release of proteins that can trigger allergies to common foods like nuts, milk, and eggs.
A new study maps zones most prone to sea level rise impacts in South Florida, identifying socially and economically vulnerable communities at risk. The research provides a foundation for adaptation and mitigation planning, informing regional resilience efforts.
The National Institutes of Health is launching a landmark longitudinal research effort, the Precision Medicine Cohort Program, with $55 million in funding. The program aims to engage 1 million or more U.S. participants to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
The National Institutes of Health has selected Vanderbilt University Medical Center as the Data and Research Support Center for the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to study genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affecting the health of a million or more people.
The University of Chicago will support a nationwide precision medicine study enrolling 1 million participants, with the Illinois consortium aiming to recruit at least 35,000 additional participants annually. Participants will provide health and lifestyle information, genomic data, and access their clinical records for better disease pr...
The Scripps Research Institute has received a $20 million award to support a national precision medicine initiative, enrolling 350,000 participant-volunteers. The program aims to engage one million or more U.S. participants to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
A consensus statement from Project TENDR highlights the link between environmental toxins and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disabilities. The alliance calls for immediate reduction of toxic chemical exposures through policy changes and industry action.
A report by University of Illinois professor Susan Schantz highlights dozens of common chemicals posing risks to fetal and child neurodevelopment. The report criticizes regulatory lapses allowing toxic chemicals into everyday products.
A consensus statement from Project TENDR highlights a link between toxic chemical exposures and neurodevelopmental disorders. The alliance calls for immediate action to reduce exposure levels to chemicals like organophosphate pesticides, PBDEs, and lead.
A new analysis of UK workers found a significant association between certain occupations and an increased risk of bladder cancer. The study identified the greatest risk in workers within the chemical, rubber, and dye industries, as well as those in electrical, chemical, and transport roles.
A national study of US physicians reveals that the use of electronic health records and computerized physician order entry leads to lower satisfaction and higher rates of professional burnout. The findings highlight the need to find ways to incorporate these tools without increasing clerical burden or reducing efficiency for physicians.
Health Equity is a new peer-reviewed open access journal launching in Fall 2016, focusing on translational research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease to achieve optimal outcomes and health equity. The journal will serve as a primary resource for organizations and individuals working with vulnerable populations.
A study analyzing media reports of snakebites in the US found that 92.4% occurred under natural conditions, while only 7.6% were intentional bites. The majority of bite victims were unaware of the snake's presence and suffered lower extremity bites.
A new model predicts that up to 3,331 people could die annually from heat exposure in NYC by the 2080s, but reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting measures could save an additional 1,779 lives. Limiting emissions could also reduce heat-related deaths by limiting to moderate greenhouse gas trajectories.
Researchers found that impulsive children raised in non-coercive environments tend to drink less alcohol than their peers, as they thrive under proper care and attention. High impulsivity at age 6 was associated with lower alcohol use at age 15 when maternal coercive practices were infrequent.
Children are disproportionately affected by disease from air pollution and climate change due to their biological vulnerability. Reducing fossil fuel dependence can alleviate these issues, resulting in fewer low birth weight babies, asthma cases, and neurodevelopmental problems.
The National Institutes of Health has launched a multi-country study to investigate the health risks associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The study aims to enroll up to 10,000 pregnant women across several locations affected by Zika outbreaks, followed throughout their pregnancies and into early childhood.
The study found a significant increase in Parkinson's disease incidence, particularly among men aged 70 and older. Environmental and lifestyle factors may contribute to this trend, warranting further research to identify potential causes.
A study of Minnesota patients found a possible increase in Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism cases between 1976 and 2005, particularly in older men. The trends may be associated with decreased smoking rates over the decades.
A new study by Florida State University researcher Joseph Grzywacz found that both a dirty working environment and a lack of stimulation in the workplace can have a long-term cognitive effect on employees. The study showed that men and women who had jobs that exposed them to a dirty working environment saw a cognitive decline.
A collection of studies investigated the effects of Hurricane Sandy on public health, highlighting factors contributing to community resilience and healthcare system impacts. Research also explored the effect on at-risk individuals, with funding allocated through the US Department of Health and Human Services.
A cross-sectional study of 139 nurses found moderate levels of job stress and intention to quit. Nurses with higher age, experience, and workplace autonomy reported higher job satisfaction.
A study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that behaviorally bisexual men avoid disclosure due to stigma and homophobia, fearing ridicule, rejection, and victimization. The researchers suggest public education campaigns to dispel myths about bisexual men and strategies to minimize negative reactions.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is developing a training program to equip health care and public safety workers with the skills and knowledge needed to protect themselves and their communities from potential exposure to contaminated materials or infected individuals. The program, funded by the National Institute of Environmenta...
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has launched a three-year, $9 million training program to educate approximately 35,000 first responders and hazardous waste workers on infectious disease safety. The program aims to minimize the spread of disease to others while protecting these workers from exposure.
A leading expert outlines a three-point plan to identify and eliminate all sources of lead exposure nationwide. The plan emphasizes finding lead hazards in homes and pipes, fixing them using proven interim methods, and funding efforts to hold accountable companies producing lead-contaminated products.
The NIH has partnered with EPA to fund five new research centers studying environmental health disparities, including air and water pollution, housing conditions, and diet. The centers will work with community organizations to develop culturally appropriate strategies to reduce exposure to harmful environmental conditions.
Children raised in poverty exhibit a unique behavioral adaptation: they tend to seize opportunities quickly, rather than delaying for rewards. This counterintuitive finding is linked to high vagal tone, which may facilitate rapid decision-making in uncertain contexts.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that exposure to common flame retardant chemicals may increase the risk of thyroid disease in women, particularly post-menopausal women. Women with higher levels of these chemicals in their blood are more likely to develop thyroid problems.
A new study from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that solar power could deliver $400 billion in environmental and public health benefits by 2050. The study finds that a high-penetration solar scenario would result in significant greenhouse-gas emissions reductions, air-pollution health and ...
A Columbia University study found a strong association between prenatal exposure to BPA and measures of body fat in children at age 7. The researchers, who analyzed data from over 369 mother-child pairs, also discovered that prenatal BPA exposure was positively associated with higher levels of adiposity in girls.
A new database has been developed to connect environmental exposures to human health effects and compare diseases. The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) manually curates data from scientific literature on how environmental chemicals interact with genes to affect human health.
A clinical trial found that same-day initiation of antiretroviral therapy improved ART uptake and viral suppression rates. Patients who started treatment quickly had better health outcomes, despite some loss to follow-up.
Research at ACM CHI 2016 introduces PowerShake for wireless power transfer on mobile devices and Investigating text legibility on non-rectangular displays. The findings also highlight the potential of EMPress hand gesture classification, GauntLev wearable object manipulation and sustainable interaction design principles.
A study by SUNY Downstate Health Science University found associations between pregnant women's exposure to butyl paraben, triclocarban, and propyl paraben and adverse birth outcomes. Findings suggest potential risks of these chemicals in consumer products.
The new journal Occupational Health Science will focus on research related to worker safety, health and well-being. The journal will publish leading-edge research on behavioral, social and psychological aspects of occupational health.
Researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate how environmental factors contribute to chronic conditions, with a focus on autoimmune disease, colorectal cancer, and respiratory diseases. The funding will help identify better ways to prevent and treat these diseases affecting millions of Canadians.
The Maryland Climate and Health Profile report highlights the state's vulnerability to climate change, with extreme weather events increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses, heart attacks, and severe asthma attacks. The report projects higher rates of these health issues in future decades, particularly among coastal communities.
A study published in Journal of Public Health Management and Practice found that veterans are more likely to report delays in seeking necessary healthcare compared to the US general population. The study suggests that access problems within the VA system may be creating disparities in care for this vulnerable population.
The US lead poisoning crisis worsens as unknown communities are left exposed to tainted water. Inadequate funding may not alleviate damage done in the past.
A study found that one in five underage youths consumed jello shots, which were associated with heavier drinking, physical fights, and increased risk of adverse consequences. The study's findings have important public health implications and suggest the need for interventions to address this consumption.
A study published in PLOS One found that men who view pornography featuring condom use are less likely to engage in condomless anal sex. The research suggests that sexually explicit media can encourage condom use and has important policy implications for the industry.
New research suggests that even small amounts of air pollution may have long-term health effects on the developing fetus, increasing the risk of premature birth and lifelong neurological and respiratory disorders. The study found biological evidence of intrauterine inflammation in pregnant women exposed to high levels of air pollution.
New research confirms Zika virus was present in Haiti and possibly earlier, contradicting early theories on its spread in the Americas. The discovery sheds light on the virus's history and suggests a more complex spread than initially thought.
Researchers used human and environmental samples to analyze microbiome and metabolome data, reporting conclusions in 48 hours. The study found that fermented food molecules influenced the chemical environments of people consuming them.