Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study found that nearly 2,100 oncology nurses and healthcare personnel do not always follow recommended safe handling practices for antineoplastic drugs. The lack of adherence increases exposure risk to cancer-causing agents, leading to adverse health outcomes.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $1.3 million grant to produce an oral history documentary about the 1984 Wilberg Mine disaster, which killed 27 miners. The film will be accompanied by multi-media components and leadership training for first-line supervisors.
A California law mandating specific nurse-to-patient staffing standards significantly lowers job-related injuries and illnesses for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. The study found a 32% reduction in injuries for registered nurses and a 34% reduction for licensed practical nurses.
Researchers present a bioregional guide that combines place-based city planning and ecosystem management to address wide-ranging human health challenges along the US-Mexico border. The approach aims to promote healthy placemaking, taking into account environmental exposures, stress, diet, urban design, and behavior.
Researchers at UTHealth will assess the asthma risk in healthcare workers in Texas over the last 10 years. The study aims to determine if changes in hospital practices and awareness have affected the prevalence of asthma among healthcare professionals.
Research found that environment plays a significant role in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis, a severe and often painful food allergy. The study also identified several environmental risk factors, including food allergies and high twin birth-weight difference.
A multi-site research study found that individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods experience worse musculoskeletal pain outcomes over time after stressful events like car accidents. The study suggests that the environment plays a significant role in chronic pain development, with stress systems involved in pain worsening outcomes.
Researchers found a 72% and 78% increase in childhood asthma risk among children exposed to butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), respectively, during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to these phthalates can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, increasing the risk of asthma.
A 19-year study found that children who received early interventions for aggressive behavior had fewer convictions for violent crimes, lower rates of serious substance abuse, and fewer psychiatric problems. The program's positive effects held true across four different sites and among both males and females.
Researchers identify five key themes for scientific advancement in humanitarian response, including better use of non-humanitarian data, robust methodologies, and local participation. The evidence base for many current practices remains weak due to lack of data and inadequate information sharing.
A study by the NIH found that obese individuals have greater dopamine activity in the habit-forming region of the brain, making them more drawn to overeat in response to food triggers. This differences could contribute to the development of effective weight-loss programs.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that male shoppers had a 20% chance of being unable to purchase emergency contraception, with nearly three-quarters of pharmacies creating barriers for them. The pharmacies required the presence of a female or her identification card in 73% of cases.
Researchers found that adopting the USDA's 'Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010' would lead to a 12% increase in diet-related greenhouse gas emissions due to increased consumption of dairy products and seafood. In contrast, reducing daily caloric intake while shifting to a healthier diet would result in only a 1% decrease in emissions.
A new series on child deaths in high-income countries reveals that many deaths are preventable, with socioeconomic factors playing a significant role. The series calls for improved healthcare services and social policies to tackle child poverty and reduce inequality.
A new study found that residency training in locations with less intensive practice patterns is associated with better clinical decision-making. Physicians trained in these environments consistently scored higher on a management exam subscale, indicating their ability to make conservative decisions without sacrificing patient outcomes.
Air pollution regulations in Taiyuan, China have reduced the cost of loss of life and disability by over 50% since 2001, resulting in 2,810 fewer premature deaths. The study also found significant reductions in hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and cases of bronchitis.
A new filter technology has been developed using inert gas to bore holes in high-quality steel, resulting in a more stable and flexible membrane. The process is environmentally friendly and eliminates the need for toxic chemicals, making it an attractive alternative to plastic membranes in highly sensitive applications.
A new study by the University of Sydney reveals that emergency department nurses are more extroverted and agreeable than the general population. This is due to their ability to develop strong relationships with patients from diverse backgrounds, making them essential for high-stress work environments.
Researchers found that teenagers who got less than six hours of sleep per night had a 20% higher risk of being obese by age 21. This study provides the strongest evidence yet that lack of sleep raises risk for an elevated BMI, and emphasizes the importance of getting more than eight hours of sleep per night.
A prospective study found that baseline levels of fluorescent oxidation products (FlOP_320) predicted the risk of future hip fracture in postmenopausal women. Women with higher FlOP_320 readings had a significantly increased risk of hip fractures, with those in the upper 30% having 2.67 times the risk.
The Penn-led expert panel recommends key components for public health research, including baseline ground water quality data and ambient air quality monitoring. The panel also urges the use of community-based participatory research principles to address concerns from stakeholders.
Researchers identified associations between community and neighborhood land uses and community participation among adults with acquired chronic disabilities. Living in communities with diverse land use and open spaces was linked to decreased reporting of social and physical participation.
Research at the University of Michigan found that lead exposure in mouse mothers is associated with increased weight and obesity in male offspring, as well as impaired insulin response. The study suggests that toxicant exposures during pregnancy can contribute to the obesity epidemic.
Valerie Hu, a GW University researcher, has received a $435K grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to investigate how environmental factors affect the gene RORA in individuals with autism. Her research aims to understand how endocrine-disrupting compounds may contribute to increased risk for autism.
Scientists have discovered how combining metformin with SGLT2 inhibitors reinforces each other, reducing blood sugar levels effectively and prolongingly. This new approach has the potential to be an effective treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes with minimal side effects.
A study by Cornell researchers found that nurses exposed to natural light had lower blood pressure, communicated more with colleagues, laughed more, and served patients in better moods. Access to natural daylight and optimized electric lighting can support circadian rhythms and work performance.
Researchers found that short-term environmental enrichment exposure can induce proliferation, activation, and maturation of doublecortin-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex of adult guinea pigs. This process may be involved in learning and memory associated with the prefrontal cortex.
A study by Ben-Gurion University researcher Prof. Michael Friger found that mothers living near green spaces deliver babies with significantly higher birth weights and decreased risk for low birth weight. The study analyzed nearly 40,000 single live births and found a significant association between surrounding greenery and improved bi...
A USGS study reveals neonicotinoid insecticides are commonly found in streams throughout the Midwest, with clothianidin detected in 75% of sites. The chemicals persist in water and groundwater bodies, posing risks to aquatic organisms.
A three-year grant will measure indoor air quality in tents used by Native subsistence hunters in subarctic North America to determine possible health effects of wood smoke exposure. The study aims to provide information on emissions mitigation methods and improve understanding of multipollutant emissions.
A new study found that obese workers have significantly shorter endurance times when performing workplace tasks compared to their non-obese counterparts. The study also revealed greater declines in task performance among females with obesity, highlighting the need for longer rest breaks and ergonomic redesigns.
New research from the Monell Center reveals that believing an odor is harmful can lead to increased airway inflammation in asthmatics. Airway inflammation remained elevated 24 hours later, making asthmatics more sensitive to other triggers.
A recent report from the University of Plymouth reveals an increase in public complaints against doctors in the UK. Clinical care remains a leading cause, while doctor-patient communication has also seen a significant rise.
A study from UMass Medical School found that older adults have two times the risk of falling while walking out of necessity than walking for recreation. The study also revealed that falls on sidewalks and streets are more likely to result in an injury, even with less walking distance.
Researchers propose reusing bubble wrap as a sheet of small, test tube-like containers for storing biological samples or chemicals. This could provide numerous benefits in resource-limited regions due to its availability, flexibility, and ease of disposal.
Researchers found that adolescent males desire intimate and caring relationships, expressing vulnerability and dependence, and placing great importance on trust. The study provides a nuanced understanding of adolescent males' early relationships, which contrasts with traditional portrayals of younger male behavior.
Researchers propose 'One Health' model to guide sustainable growth of aquaculture industry, addressing animal health and environmental impacts. The model connects experts from various fields to develop sustainable operations ensuring adequate human nutrition and healthy environments.
Aquaculture contributes to reduced wild fish stocks, contamination with heavy metals, and antibiotic use. However, sustainable operations can provide jobs and nutritious seafood while conserving resources.
Researchers found that higher levels of C-reactive protein in maternal blood were significantly associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring. The study suggests that pregnancy-related inflammation may play a role in the development of schizophrenia, providing new insights into its biological mechanisms.
Research found that low doses of arsenic, similar to those consumed by humans, cause lung cancer in male mice. Arsenic levels above 50 ppb led to significant increases in benign and malignant lung tumors.
A recent NIH-funded study found that children with two copies of a high-risk variant in specific genes have a 26% chance of developing early signs of celiac disease by age 5. The study also revealed higher rates of celiac disease in Sweden compared to the US and other European countries.
A study found that alcohol use disorders are associated with a lower work trajectory, with women's careers more likely to be disrupted. The association is stronger for women than men, suggesting that AUDs may have a greater impact on women's career paths.
A recent study found that even low levels of lead in children's blood are associated with increased risk of behavioral and emotional problems. As blood lead levels increase, so do the problems, highlighting the importance of reducing lead exposure in children.
A new literature review challenges decades-old risk assessment methods used for toxicologists, arguing that oral gavage does not accurately model human dietary exposures. The authors propose exploring alternatives to mimic human exposures when there are multiple routes of exposure and chronic exposure.
A UCSF-led study found that nearly 80% of obstetricians agree that physicians have a role in helping patients reduce exposures to environmental health hazards. However, only one in five physicians routinely ask about these exposures or receive training on toxic chemicals' effects.
The Institute of Medicine report reveals that millions of dollars spent on PTSD treatment effectiveness are unmeasured, with neither department having a coordinated system to track outcomes. Mental health is crucial for successful re-entry after military service, but treatments' efficacy remains unknown.
Researchers tested the effects of commercial drinks containing nanoparticles on human intestinal cells, finding that they can interfere with digestion and potentially lead to poor digestion or diarrhea. The study suggests that nanomaterials from these products may be making their way into surface water, where they could harm aquatic life.
Wayne State University has received a $2.4 million NIH grant to develop a cleaner, healthier environment in Detroit through its Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) program. The program will explore the impact of environmental exposures on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children an...
The University of Kentucky's Superfund Research Center has received a significant grant to investigate the health impacts of toxic chemicals on humans and the environment. The research center aims to develop new methods for detecting hazardous chemicals and cleaning up contaminated sites.
A new three-year study led by environmental health scientist Richard Pilsner examines the possible influence of paternal phthalate exposure on sperm quality and embryo development. The research aims to determine if a father's environmental health contributes to reproductive success and how this is transmitted to offspring.
A new study led by the University of Exeter found that exposure to mobile phone radiation can negatively affect sperm quality, with a significant decrease in motility and viability. The researchers suggest that this could be particularly concerning for men already on the borderline of infertility.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago found that patients with alcohol in their blood had a reduced risk of developing cardiac and renal complications, resulting in lower mortality rates. The protective effect was observed even after the alcohol was metabolized.
African Americans have higher preterm delivery rates than non-Hispanic whites, partly due to disparities in residential environments. Researchers are investigating the links between subjective and objective measures of neighborhood exposures and preterm delivery among African American women.
A review of 19 studies found that small businesses are less likely to offer health promotion programs due to costs and lack of financial incentive. However, when implemented, these programs can lead to improvements in employee health outcomes, including diet, physical activity, and emotional well-being.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that environmental influences, not gene mutations, contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in some cases. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that older mothers face a similar risk to older fathers and may be linked to epigenetic alterations in cheek cells.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that the unexpected death of a loved one can trigger a range of psychiatric disorders in people with no history of mental illness. The study, which analyzed data from over 27,000 participants, showed that losing a loved one suddenly raised the risk of major depr...
Exposure to environmental toxins like benzene and stress may affect biological age, with cigarette smoke considered the most significant gerontogen. Researchers advocate for molecular tests to predict toxicity and accelerate aging research.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique using X-ray dark-field radiography to detect lung diseases at an earlier stage. This method provides detailed images of soft tissue, enabling the visualization of structural changes in lung tissue.
Researchers developed a sophisticated computer modelling simulation to explore how fruit fly cells respond to temperature changes during development. The model shows how cells communicate with each other, providing insights into cell signalling networks.
A study found that NYC's Safe Routes to School program reduced injuries and saved $230 million through safety interventions such as widening sidewalks and installing speed humps. The program, which cost $10 million, also gained 2055 quality-adjusted life years in NYC.