Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A new report from The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health warns of impending irreversible environmental effects threatening human health. Human activities are degrading the planet's resources and ecological systems, putting future generations at risk of increased mortality rates and non-communicable diseases.
Researchers found that children on summer break consume more sugar, watch more TV, and eat fewer vegetables than the rest of the year. Despite differences in obesity behaviors between income groups, overall patterns were similar across households above and below poverty thresholds.
A study found that vaginal douching is associated with higher levels of phthalate metabolites in urine, increasing the risk of health problems. Black women are at higher risk due to frequent douching usage.
Researcher Laura Vandenberg is studying the role of BPS, an estrogen-mimicking chemical found in plastics and food packaging, on breast cancer risk. Exposure to these chemicals in the womb may increase breast cancer risk decades later.
A comprehensive review of studies on green buildings found that occupants experience better indoor air quality, reduced exposure to allergens and pollutants, and improved physical and mental health. Green buildings also improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance patient care in hospitals.
As Medicaid approaches middle age, it will increasingly exercise its buying power to shape healthcare trends, including care management and population health. Despite low rates and stigma, Medicaid is a critical player in the US healthcare system, with potential for growth over the next 50 years.
Low-income and minority populations face increased exposure to traffic-related air pollutants due to proximity to high-traffic roadways. Studies suggest that HEPA filtration, land-use buffers, and better urban design can reduce TRAP exposure.
A nationwide observational cohort study found that spouses and first-degree relatives of celiac disease patients are at a higher risk of developing nonceliac autoimmune diseases. The most common conditions were systemic lupus erythematosus, type I diabetes mellitus, and sarcoidosis. Genetic, environmental, and ascertainment bias mechan...
Research found that neighborhoods with more physical activity resources and healthy food options have a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes. Individuals with lower income, education, or physical activity levels were more likely to develop the condition.
A global taskforce of 174 scientists has found 50 chemicals that may trigger cancer when combined, citing the need for increased research into everyday chemical exposures. The study suggests that long-term exposure to low-dose mixtures of environmental chemicals could be responsible for a significant proportion of cancers.
A team of Lehigh University engineers has developed a novel approach for the reproducible biosynthesis of extracellular, water-soluble quantum dots using bacteria and cadmium sulfide. This method reduces cost and environmental impact by utilizing an engineered strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to control particle size.
Researchers tracked nanoparticles in animal models, finding they accumulate mainly in the liver, while shell molecules distribute throughout the body. This discovery sheds light on nanoparticle properties and medical applications.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found no evidence that warmer winters lead to reduced winter mortality rates. Instead, other seasonal factors such as lack of exercise and respiratory infections may drive winter excess mortality.
The REDIchip can detect drugs in urinalyses, provide earlier detection of emerging health problems, enhance medical imaging, improve tumor margin determinations, and identify endocrine disruptors in the environment.
A global strategy for preventative water sample analysis has been developed, utilizing a comprehensive database of 8,000 substances. This allows laboratories to identify previously unknown molecules faster through non-target screening technology, enabling quicker response to potential waterborne risks.
A Wyss Institute team is developing genetically engineered bacteria that can sense, report, and combat harmful microbial invaders in the human gut. The team aims to create a probiotic pill form of the microbes that could reduce the length of gastrointestinal illness, returning individuals to their activities sooner.
Women exposed to higher levels of DDT in utero were nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as adults. Elevated o,p'-DDT levels were associated with a nearly four-fold increase in the daughter's risk of breast cancer.
Studies found increased incidents of rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis in concert with the cycle of magnetic activity of the sun. Correlations were strongest between diseases and geomagnetic activity, with GCA incidence peaking within one year of intense geomagnetic activity.
Researchers have created a detailed atlas of surface proteins on naive CD4+ T cells, which play a crucial role in the development of immunological memory. The findings provide insights into the cell's maturation process and could lead to new therapeutic approaches for allergies and asthma.
A study by the University of Arizona's BIO5 Institute has identified potential protective compounds in dust samples from Amish farming communities. The findings suggest that these natural environmental products could be transformed into medicines to promote lung health and prevent asthma. The research aims to understand the biological ...
Research suggests that clear and strong environmental stimulation can lower apathy levels in nursing home residents with dementia. Apathy is a common neurobehavioral symptom in dementia, affecting up to 90% of older adults, and can lead to faster cognitive decline and caregiver burnout.
The Person-Event Data Environment (PDE) database captures financial, health, medical and other data for every soldier from entry to separation. The database includes information on soldiers' military experience, contractors and dependents, representing a heterogeneous population with various socioeconomic backgrounds.
A new study reveals that social and sensory overstimulation is the primary driver of autistic behaviors, contradicting decades-old views of autism as a mental retardation. The research proposes that autistic brains are hyper-functional, requiring predictable and structured environments to function optimally.
A new study found that US states with stronger alcohol policies have lower rates of youth overall drinking and binge drinking. The study suggests that these policies are effective in reducing adult binge drinking, which has a significant impact on youth drinking rates.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has established a Biosafety and Infectious Disease Training Initiative, partnering with the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. This program aims to deliver meaningful training to various audiences, including public service employees and waste handlers.
A new study found that individuals who visited the emergency department four or more times in the past year were 48 times more likely to die from a prescription drug overdose. The research, published in Annals of Epidemiology, highlights the importance of ER visits as a predictor of overdose risk.
Scholars at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health explore the implications of fear-based campaigns in public health, highlighting successes and failures. While fear-based campaigns have been effective in reducing smoking rates, they may be counterproductive for HIV prevention, stigmatizing affected populations.
Research during the Beijing Olympics found a correlation between reduced air pollution and higher birth weights among pregnant women. The study suggests that pollution may interfere with fetal growth, particularly in late pregnancy.
A study by Ohio State University found that people with low self-esteem related to their weight are more likely to have visible food in their homes, eat unhealthy foods, and experience depression. The home environment may contribute to obesity, but it's not a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Proviso Partners for Health (PP4H) has been awarded a $4.8 million grant from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement to support its efforts in improving community health. The grant will help PP4H develop ways to share and spread effective improvement approaches across the country.
A systematic review of cigar smoking and all-cause and smoking-related mortality found that cigar smoking carries the same fatal health risks as cigarette smoking, including oral, esophageal, and lung cancers. The risk of death from these cancers increases with inhalation of cigar smoke.
Researchers have found that healthy newborns can alter and rid their bodies of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastics and food packaging. The study challenged the current thinking on BPA toxicology and suggests that exposure to BPA in infancy may not be as harmful as previously believed.
A commentary published in American Journal of Public Health argues that health awareness days have not been evaluated adequately. The authors recommend researching the effectiveness of awareness days and developing resource guides to improve public health initiatives.
Research in mice exposes pregnant females to phthalate DEHP, leading to male-to-female sex ratio imbalance and altered pup reproductive outcomes. Adult ovaries are also disrupted, with decreased follicle growth and steroid hormone production.
Research finds 9/11 emergency medical services workers, especially those on the scene, are at high risk for physical and mental ailments. The study tracked 2281 NYC Fire Department workers over 12 years, finding nearly all health conditions analyzed were more prevalent among those who arrived earliest.
A new study found that sound, light, and temperature levels in pediatric hospital wards vary greatly, leading to sleep deprivation and impacting disease recovery and quality of life. The research highlights the need for consistent clinical standards to be developed to improve children's experience and quality of life.
Research suggests BPA can alter a turtle's reproductive system and disrupt sex differentiation, potentially affecting human health. Scientists applied BPA to painted turtle eggs, which then developed with female-like sex organs, rendering them unable to reproduce.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that BPA exposure can cause reproductive problems in mice for three generations. The study reveals that low doses of BPA can have a profound impact on fertility and pregnancy success, contradicting the common assumption that higher doses are more harmful.
A study found that combined sewer overflows can lead to a significant increase in emergency room visits for gastrointestinal illnesses, contaminating drinking water sources. The researchers analyzed data from three areas with combined sewer systems and found a 13% increase in ER visits after extreme precipitation events.
Researchers found a significant excess of obstetrics beds in NYC hospitals, resulting in wasted resources and estimated annual costs of $26.4 million. Reducing cesarean section rates by even a small percentage could lead to large savings and improved patient access to care.
Researchers uncover organic compounds in fracking fluid, including biocides and surfactants, which can contaminate groundwater. The study provides a basis for water testing and future regulation, addressing the public awareness of fracking's environmental impact.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that pesticide exposure contributes to heightened cardiovascular disease risk and inflammation in premenopausal women. The research suggests that endocrine-disrupting chemicals like DDT can aggravate complications of obesity, including...
A recent study highlights the growing threat of environmental contaminants and plastic pollution to polar bear health, alongside climate change. The research, led by Norwegian scientists, found that exposure to these pollutants is affecting the endocrine system and reproductive system of polar bears.
Researchers call for police to use electronic tablets to gather bicycle-specific data, enabling safer environments and increased cycling. Automatic uploads of data could guide building of safer bike lanes.
Researchers found depressed levels of cytokines, including interleukin 1, in individuals with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls, while an inflammatory molecule called eotaxin was elevated in the group. These findings may contribute to symptoms such as brain fog and offer hope for objective diagnostic tests and therapies that correct ...
A case study of New York City's successful public health reforms, led by Mayor Bloomberg's 'top-down' approach and strategic organizational changes, suggests that similar initiatives may work elsewhere. However, a commentary questions the applicability of this approach to other cities.
The supplement explores innovative 'upstream' advances in social-ecological research to foster healthy communities, focusing on policy and environmental changes. Key findings include improved food environments and multi-level structural interventions that reduce health disparities.
Researchers will investigate biophysical factors, environmental exposures and allergens associated with asthma control in older adults. The five-year study aims to develop interventions to improve symptoms, reduce emergency room visits and enhance overall well-being for seniors with asthma.
Researchers discovered that famine exposure during the first pregnancy trimester is associated with increased mortality from non-cancer causes, challenging the fetal origins hypothesis. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, analyzed data from over 41,000 men born in the Netherlands during a period of famine and ...
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a computational model that simulates the mechanical behavior of biofilms, which can be used to study issues such as blood clotting and waste treatment systems. The new model allows for the simulation of complex behavior, including viscoelastic properties, and can be adapted to ...
A Saint Louis University research review article suggests people are hardwired to fall out of love and move onto new romantic relationships. Brain imaging studies show an increase in neuronal activity in pleasure areas that become active with cocaine use, implying a similar attachment process.
A study analyzing Oregon's Medicaid experiment reveals significant benefits in mental health, financial protection, and preventive screenings. The researchers estimate a $62,000 gain in quality-adjusted life years, making Medicaid a cost-effective investment.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed over 81 published journal articles and found that raw milk is associated with nearly 100 times more risk of foodborne illness than pasteurized milk. The study strongly discourages the consumption of raw milk, especially among elderly, pregnant women, and children.
A recent study found that young adults raised in educated households have higher cognitive ability than those from less ideal environments. The study compared IQ scores of Swedish male siblings raised by biological or adoptive parents, with adopted males showing a significant 4.4-point advantage.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has published a report assessing the status of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) risk science in nanotechnology. Stakeholders identified four key areas for improvement: communication resources, decision tools, data resources, and standards and guidance resources.
Research reveals that changes to environment, such as building walking paths and playgrounds, improve nutritional quality of foods and increase physical activity levels. However, more research is needed to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of policy and built environment changes.
A new OSU study found that young women with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to experience clinically significant depressive symptoms over a five-week period. The results suggest a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and depression, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels for overall health.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that female health workers deployed to a remote rural area in northern Nigeria led to significant increases in healthcare service utilization. The program showed a 500% increase in health post visits, sustained over two years.
Genetic effects on amount of alcohol use are greater in low SES conditions, while shared environmental effects increase in high-SES conditions. This study suggests that individual differences in drinking vary by level of SES.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a key RNA mechanism that helps plants adapt to their environment, which could lead to improved crop yields and gene therapies for diseases like cancer. The findings also suggest similar mechanisms exist in humans, providing new avenues for medical research.