Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A study of 100 Latina teenagers found a significant drop in levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in the body after using personal care products labeled free of such chemicals. The study, led by researchers at UC Berkeley, highlights the importance of choosing products with fewer chemicals to reduce exposure.
Five exceptional early career scientists will receive new grants from NIEHS to study the effects of environmental chemicals on human health. The ONES awardees will investigate how pollutants, such as arsenic and dioxins, cause harm and promote allergies.
Researchers found that genetics play a major role in the bilateral parietal lobes and left temporal lobe, while environment dominates other brain regions. This study provides insights into how nature and environment interact to shape our brains, potentially informing the development of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health have published a comprehensive review of ways to monitor physical activity and tools for occupational exposure scientists. The study highlights complex relationships between physical activity and common chronic diseases, such as heart disease and arthritis.
A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that couples' shared lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise, have a greater influence on obesity risk than their individual upbringings. By middle age, these shared choices can significantly impact weight management and reduce obesity risk.
A new microscope enables the visualization of cancer cells in 3D, revealing that these cells form small protrusions called blebs in a more realistic tumor environment. This discovery is a first step toward understanding 3D biology in tumor microenvironments and may help explain skin cancer cell invasiveness and drug resistance.
Scientists developed a flexible, paper-based skin that responds to external stimuli, sensing pressure, temperature, humidity, proximity, pH, and air flow. This innovative material is made from household items and offers multi-sensory functionalities similar to natural skin.
A new study found that scientific reports on salt intake are divided, with 54% supporting a link between reduced sodium and improved heart health outcomes. The researchers' analysis of academic papers revealed little consistency in the selection of primary studies, highlighting uncertainty and disagreement among scientists.
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that adults who use marijuana are five times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder compared to those who do not. The study also suggests that marijuana use can increase the likelihood of existing alcohol use disorders persisting over time.
A ten-year longitudinal study found that the type of family system during pregnancy and a baby's first year influences their ability to process emotional information. Children from cohesive families showed automatic disengagement from threatening stimuli, while those from disengaged and enmeshed families exhibited attentional avoidance.
Research found that a common gene variant affects girls' fat intake depending on their early socio-economic environment. Girls with the same gene variant had higher or lower fat intake depending on whether they were raised in poor or wealthy families.
Research from Saint Louis University and Chongqing University found that younger Chinese teenage boys are less likely to start smoking than those born longer ago. The study suggests that urbanization and improved access to education may be contributing factors to the decline in smoking rates among Chinese male teens.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health review vaccination policies, finding that states like Mississippi and West Virginia have high immunization rates with strict exemption laws. The authors suggest alternatives to eliminating nonmedical exemptions entirely, including making them more difficult to obtain.
A combined carbon and sugar tax in the UK could lead to significant environmental and health benefits, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an increase in fiber intake. The tax scenarios predicted a decrease in purchases of beef, lamb, and other meats, as well as an increase in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Research suggests that eating at least one seafood serving per week may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in older adults with the APOE-4 gene. The study found no association between seafood consumption and increased brain mercury levels or beta amyloid protein plaques, key markers of the disease.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati suggests that prenatal exposure to flame retardants and PFASs may have a lasting impact on executive function in children, characterized by impairments in focus, working memory, delegation of tasks, and emotional control. The research evaluated levels of PBDEs and PFASs in mothers during pr...
Researchers developed a new approach to prioritize investigations on pharmaceutical environmental impacts. They identified 16 compounds as a potential priority, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory substances.
A recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that consuming soy regularly may protect women undergoing infertility treatments from poor success rates linked to bisphenol A exposure. Women who did not eat soy foods had lower embryo implantation rates and fewer live births with ...
A new report by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher links Gulf War toxins to illness in veterans, citing pesticide and nerve gas exposure as causally associated with Gulf War Illness. The study found structural and electrical abnormalities in the central nervous systems of deployed troops with GWI.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that older adults who stop driving face accelerated declines in cognitive function and physical health. This cessation is linked to a higher risk of depressive symptoms, reduced social networks, and increased dependence on caregivers.
A new study using Google Street View assesses pedestrian safety in NYC, finding intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic have lower injury rates. Billboards and bus stops increase risk of injury.
Researchers found that a type of lung cell acts like a sensor, linking the lungs and nervous system to regulate immune responses. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pulmonary diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that geographic location significantly affects the quality grades assigned to Medicare Advantage insurance plans. The study suggests that accounting for geographic differences is essential to allow for fairer comparisons among plans.
Researchers from Colorado State University have discovered that RNA plays a crucial role in DNA damage, leading to mutations and disease. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome and has implications for cancer research.
Thirdhand smoke is a persistent and hazardous environmental contaminant left behind by smoking. Researchers at San Diego State University are studying its spread and effects on human health, with a focus on vulnerable populations like young children and those with compromised immune systems. The team has found links between thirdhand s...
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered a way plants assess shade to outgrow menacing neighbors, triggering accelerated growth through molecular sensors. This finding could improve crop productivity and help farmers grow crops closer together.
A Saint Louis University researcher proposes concrete steps to stem police shootings of black males, citing high homicide rates and racial biases in policing. Implementing body cameras, community review boards, and addressing prejudice are key recommendations.
The Planetary Health Alliance aims to improve understanding of environmental change and human health. The alliance will foster research, training, and policy action at the intersection of environment and public health.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found diacetyl, a flavoring chemical, in over 75% of flavored e-cigarettes and refill liquids, posing a risk to respiratory health.
A new lifestyle risk score has identified two new risk factors: sedentary behavior and sleep. Higher scores were associated with greater risk of mortality, with a population attributable risk of 31.3%. The findings reaffirm the importance of healthy lifestyles for adults aged 45 and older.
Research at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that young men with detectable HIV are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, particularly anal intercourse without condoms. This disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, such as those aged 13-29 and experiencing substance use issues.
The study found that people use two different mechanisms to judge intentionality, relying on emotion for negative outcomes and statistics for positive outcomes. Brain scans revealed differences in brain activity between individuals with different personality traits and psychological measures.
A new Penn Medicine study outlines how an individual's location and activities influence their risk of being assaulted, with areas of neighborhood connectedness showing lower rates of gun and non-gun related assaults. The research highlights the importance of changing urban environments to make them safer and reduce violence.
A new study found that underage drinkers prefer certain beer brands more than others based on their age and ethnicity. Bud Light was the most popular brand across all demographic groups, while Smirnoff Malt Beverages ranked high among racial and ethnic groups.
A study published in BMJ Open found that Canadians living in densely-populated areas with close services report more utilitarian walking but have lower total physical activity. The researchers suggest that walkability can be an opportunity to integrate activity into daily life.
A new alliance of UK health professionals aims to place health at the center of climate change negotiations. The Health Professional Alliance to Combat Climate Change advocates for improving air quality, increasing active transport, and reducing healthcare's environmental footprint.
Researchers found a significant association between coarse particles in the air and increased cardiovascular hospitalizations in people 65 and older. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data from 110 large urban counties in the US and linked it to Medicare data on hospitalizations from 1999 to 2010.
A comprehensive care program involving a team of specialists from multiple medical disciplines has reduced hospital readmissions for seniors due to falls by 10%. The multidisciplinary approach emphasizes early intervention and patient-centered care, leading to improved safety outcomes and reduced risk of future complications.
Researchers successfully promoted the repair of an injured neural circuit in zebrafish using a special form of inducible adenylyl cyclase that responds to blue light, increasing repair rates by up to 30%. This breakthrough has potential therapeutic implications for conditions like diabetes-related neuropathies.
A recent study published in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that fitness level is the strongest correlate of physical activity among Norwegian older adults. Higher education was associated with increased physical activity for males but not females. The study, which analyzed data from 850 participants aged 70-77, also disco...
There are around 500,000 new work-related illnesses every year, with over 13,000 deaths caused by occupational exposures. However, only 0.3% of these cases are reported to the Health and Safety Executive, leading to a lack of enforcement of employers' duty to protect workers.
A novel statistical model mapped the spread of the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, providing the most detailed picture to date. The analysis suggests two critical opportunities to control the epidemic and identifies two critical points where intervention could have been more effective.
A recent study found that chronic arsenic exposure can lead to stem cell dysfunction, impairing muscle healing and regeneration. Inhibiting a certain protein in an inflammatory pathway can reverse the harmful effects of arsenic exposure.
A study found that high job demands, stress, and job insecurity are key reasons for presenteeism. The research also highlights the importance of a supportive work environment in reducing the likelihood of going to work while ill.
A program combining home repairs, training, and comprehensive care significantly reduces childhood asthma symptoms and emergency department visits in low-income urban public housing. Removing asthma triggers such as mold and pests from these homes helps address the disproportionate impact of childhood asthma on minority communities.
Researchers found that switching to efavirenz-based therapy did not result in higher rates of viral rebound or failure among children with viral suppression. This study provides evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of this treatment regimen for HIV-infected children over 3 years old.
Severe obesity costs Medicaid nearly $8 billion annually, with research predicting continued growth due to expanded eligibility. States can slow the rise in obesity-related healthcare costs by identifying effective prevention and treatment services.
The study found that households using the test kits had a consistent reduction in dust mite allergens over the course of the 12-month study period. A significant number of parents reported adopting behaviors to reduce dust mites after seeing their test kit results, such as using special pillow covers and vacuuming with HEPA filters.
Economically disadvantaged, non-English speaking Latino immigrant neighborhoods are disproportionately exposed to toxic air pollution in the US. Liévanos' study reveals a one-in-three chance of high-level air pollution in these areas.
A recent study found that pregnant women in Brooklyn have the highest levels of methyl paraben and propyl parben, preservatives commonly used in cosmetics. The researchers detected these substances in human cord blood samples and raised concerns about potential health effects on fetal development and child health.
A study found that workers in well-ventilated offices with low indoor pollutants and CO2 have significantly higher cognitive functioning scores than those in typical offices. The researchers identified green building design attributes that influence cognitive function, suggesting improved air quality could greatly increase productivity.
A new strategy to determine monocyte subsets involved in diseases has been developed, which may improve the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The analysis of an additional marker molecule called slan allows a more precise determination of monocyte subgroups.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed a method to predict the probability of developing postpartum diabetes after childbirth, using BMI and genetic predisposition as key factors. The test showed that women with low-risk scores had an 11% risk of developing diabetes within five years.
A study by the University of Utah Health found that truck drivers with high pulse pressure and fatigue are at increased risk for crashes. Cell phone use while driving and unhealthy working conditions also contribute to crash risk.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that US teens exhibit higher sensation-seeking behavior compared to their peers in Puerto Rico, with rates increasing earlier and being influenced by family environment and parenting practices.
Researchers have identified ten new genetic risk loci for eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The study found strong correlations with known risk factors for asthma, allergies, and other autoimmune diseases.
The Columbia Mailman School and Columbia University Medical Center site will focus on prevention and expand the study of risk factors that precede breast cancer. The researchers aim to understand the role of genetic and environmental factors in modifying breast cancer risk.
A new study suggests that girls who suffer a concussive bump on the head in childhood may be at increased risk for abusing alcohol as adults. However, research found that female mice living in an enriched environment reversed this effect by reducing drinking and degeneration of axons.
The Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program is expanding its focus to prevention, involving new communities and studying risk factors like breast density. Researchers will explore links between environmental exposures and high breast density, aiming to identify new insights into prevention.
The NIH and Canadian partners are investing $20.9 million to establish seven regional research centers addressing environmental and occupational health issues. These hubs aim to develop capacity, conduct research, and inform policy changes to improve health in low- and middle-income countries.