Articles tagged with Environmental Health
A national study on nanomaterial toxicity has provided comparable health risk data, enabling regulators to develop policies to protect workers and consumers. The researchers found that carbon nanotubes caused inflammation in the lower regions of the lung, but made them less hazardous by modifying their structure.
Researchers detected lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and five other metals in commonly used lip products, with some exceeding safe daily intake limits. The study highlights the need for greater oversight by health regulators to ensure cosmetic products meet safety standards.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that fracking is associated with stress and various health concerns in Pennsylvania residents. The survey of 33 participants revealed that stress was the most commonly cited concern, with many reporting feelings of being taken advantage of or misled by the gas drilling industry.
A small pilot study found that 22% of participants in a hydrofracking-heavy area in Bradford County, PA, believe that natural gas operations may be causing their health problems. The most common symptoms reported were sinus problems, sleeping difficulties, and gastrointestinal issues.
New research from the University of Southampton has found that ultrafine dust particles in underground railway environments are rich in metals, posing a potential health risk. The tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter underlying tissue and the circulation.
Research by NC State University scientists found pesticide exposure causes more male offspring and reproductive problems in female Daphnia, a keystone species impacting population dynamics. Exposure levels as low as 71 nanograms per liter had significant impacts on reproductive health.
Researchers found that 2 days of staging at a moderate altitude is as effective as 4 days in preventing acute mountain sickness, allowing soldiers to ascend safer and quicker. The study used male soldiers ascending Pike's Peak in Colorado, with 73% showing symptoms of AMS on direct ascent versus 30-40% on staged ascents.
A nationwide program by the Society of Neurological Surgeons has been shown to retain knowledge and skills acquired by PGY1 residents through hands-on learning. The program, which includes patient care and surgical simulations, has demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving residency experiences and patient outcomes.
Women with sufficient vitamin D levels had a 32% lower risk of developing fibroids, according to the NIH study. The research also found that spending more time outdoors was associated with a decreased risk of fibroids.
Researchers found that E. coli flagella can act as biological grappling hooks, reaching deep into nanoscale crevices and latching the bacteria in place. This ability to stick to any surface at all allows bacteria to survive on medical implants.
Eight new grants bring health considerations into education policy, with a focus on school integration and cross-race understanding. An HIA in Kentucky will examine the potential health benefits and risks of coal plant retirement, while a project in Puerto Rico will assess the impact of sanitation infrastructure improvements.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers found that combining low doses of multiple xenoestrogens can have a dramatically greater effect on hormone signaling than any one compound alone. The combination of bisphenol A, bisphenol S and nonylphenol was found to gang up on estradiol and thwart its response.
Researchers have developed a virtual gaming environment to assist blind individuals in improving navigation skills and developing cognitive spatial maps of unfamiliar buildings. The technology uses audio cues and computer-generated layouts to mimic real-world navigation tasks, allowing users to generate accurate mental layouts.
Pit latrines pose a risk to global health due to potential contamination of groundwater, particularly in areas with high population densities. A new study emphasizes the need for improved designs and technologies to mitigate this risk, ensuring safer drinking water for millions worldwide.
Researchers found differences in core proteins from a microorganism that lives in a salty lake in Antarctica, enabling it to tolerate high salinity and desiccation. The study reveals potential adaptations for life on Mars, with scientists exploring the use of these protein modifications to engineer novel enzymes and catalysts.
A recent study published in the American Sociological Review found that winning in competitions such as Emmys or Baseball Hall of Fame induction has no consistent impact on longevity. Instead, researchers suggest that access to resources and opportunities is more crucial for overall health.
Researchers discovered that plant epigenomes are as varied as the environments in which they grow, enabling rapid adaptation. This knowledge may aid in crop production and the study of human diseases.
Researchers found an association between early childhood BPA exposure and elevated risk for asthma in young children. Post-natal exposure was associated with increased risk of wheeze and asthma, while BPA exposure during pregnancy had an inverse association with risk of wheeze at age 5.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that higher indoor humidity levels can significantly reduce the infectivity of influenza virus particles. Indoor humidity above 40% is essential to inactivate flu virus particles, with most inactivation occurring within the first 15 minutes, reducing viral particle infectivity by up to 86%.
A study found that even organic foods not stored, prepared, or cooked in plastic containers can contain phthalates and bisphenol A. High levels of these chemicals were detected in dairy products, spices, and children's bodies.
Researchers found that BPA suppresses a vital nerve cell function gene and raises concerns about the chemical's impact on central nervous system development. The study suggests that BPA could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett syndrome, which is characterized by mutations in the MECP2 gene.
In a study published in Science, fruit flies were found to lay their eggs in an alcohol-soaked environment when sensing parasitic wasps, forcing larvae to consume booze to combat infection. The discovery suggests that using toxins in the environment to medicate offspring may be common across the animal kingdom.
Researchers found that distracting older adults during memory tests increased their performance to match that of younger adults. The study's findings have significant implications for designing learning strategies and equipping senior-housing with visual distraction cues to aid memory recall.
Researchers developed a method to identify the cause of infectious disease outbreaks based on online reports and data from ProMED-mail. The findings showed that three-quarters of disease outbreaks formed distinct clusters, and previously unknown outbreaks could be correctly identified 88% of the time.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are working to improve construction safety in the US by studying Australian practices. They've found that eliminating hazards at the design stage and promoting communication between constructors and designers can significantly reduce injury rates.
A large population-based study of men found that those taking vitamin C supplements are twice as likely to develop kidney stones as non-supplement users. The risk increased with the frequency of supplement use. Conversely, multivitamin use was not associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that 68% of Ugandan humanitarian aid workers experienced symptoms of depression, while 53% had anxiety disorders and 26% posttraumatic stress disorder. The study suggests that organizational environment significantly influences mental health and wellbeing.
Researchers used dispensary records to measure the effect of forest fires on people with chronic lung diseases. The study found that even small increases in smoke were associated with higher salbutamol dispensations, highlighting the impact of pollution on public health.
Researchers found that female mice exposed to BPA through their mother's diet had increased activity and leaner body mass than those not exposed. The study contradicts previous findings on BPA's role in obesity, highlighting the importance of exposure timing and duration.
A new study from Imperial College London found that cleaning jobs are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing asthma. Researchers tracked over 9,000 people born in Britain and found that nine percent developed asthma by age 42, with workplace risks responsible for one in six cases.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service found an association between tree loss and increased human mortality from cardiovascular and lower respiratory disease. The study analyzed data from 1,296 counties in 15 states and found that Americans living in areas infested with the emerald ash borer suffered from more deaths from these diseases.
A new study found that the Safe Routes to School program significantly reduced pedestrian injury rates among school-age children in New York City. The program's interventions, including improved traffic signals and crosswalks, led to a 44% drop in injuries during peak walking times.
Researchers at MIT have created a new material that can generate electricity by drawing on water vapor, which could power micro- and nanoelectronic devices. The material changes shape after absorbing evaporated water, allowing it to repeatedly curl up and down.
Exposure to environmental toxins can cause chronic health problems like respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and neuropsychiatric disorders in children. Unique risk factors include their small size, developmental stage, and habit of putting things in their mouths.
A large study of 263,925 adults found that drinking more than four cans of soda per day increased the risk of depression by 30%, compared to those who drank no soda. Conversely, drinking four cups of coffee per day was associated with a 10% lower risk of depression.
A new study estimates that up to 1.5 million EU children are born each year with mercury exposures above the safe limit, resulting in a potential lifetime earning loss of €8-9 million per person. Exposure reduction could equate to €10 billion per year in benefits.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that bisexual men who live predominantly heterosexual lives and do not disclose their same-sex behavior are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Greater concealment of homosexual behavior was associated with lower positive emotions.
Researchers discovered that basal cells initiate repair and serve as progenitor cells after chlorine gas exposure, helping restore new tissue in the airways. Understanding this process can aid in developing treatments to prevent scarring and asthma-like breathing problems.
Research finds that ozone pollution, even at low levels, significantly reduces agricultural worker productivity by 5.5%. The study's results challenge the common perception of environmental protection as a tax on producers.
Asthmatic children in NYC asthma hotspots experience more frequent exercise-induced wheeze and ER visits than those in lower-asthma areas. Parents and physicians should be aware of the need for medication, such as bronchodilator inhalers, before exercise.
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is providing a $6.2 million grant to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to establish an ABC Robotics Center, focusing on medical, service, industrial, and agricultural robotics. The center aims to develop fully autonomous robots with human-like cognitive capabilities.
Deborah Young-Corbett's research highlights the importance of Prevention through Design in reducing health risks in construction. By designing tools, equipment, and facilities to eliminate occupational hazards, the industry can improve worker safety and reduce illnesses and fatalities.
A study by Sabrina McCormick found that citizen science can quickly identify hazards and provide specific local information, often missing from official reports. The Spill Map collected over 2,600 online reports and in-person interviews, capturing real-time data on oil spill impacts and health problems.
Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have discovered early predictors of metabolic syndrome in healthy children aged 7-9 years. The study found that fat in the liver, abdominal fat, and fat oxidation predicted insulin resistance and appear to be early markers for the metabolic syndrome via impaired lipid metabolism and fat oxidation.
A new paper by Stephen S. Morse and colleagues proposes a series of research and surveillance opportunities to bridge gaps in understanding zoonoses and improve pandemic prediction. The authors emphasize the need for a global early warning system to prevent emerging infections at their source.
Researchers at U-M found BPA in fetal liver tissue, with varying levels of exposure detected. The study suggests that fetuses may not be able to metabolize BPA as effectively as adults, highlighting the importance of understanding internal doses for health effects.
Four University of Cincinnati faculty members, including President Santa Ono and professors Bruce Ault, Prabir Bhattacharya, and Alvaro Puga, have been named AAAS Fellows for their contributions to science and research. The university now has 24 faculty members who are AAAS Fellows.
A study by Duke University found that more than half of all US couches tested contained potentially toxic or untested chemical flame retardants. Tris, a known carcinogen, was detected in 41% of the foam samples, while pentaBDE was banned in 172 countries and 12 US states but still found in some couches.
A NIH study found that changes in immune gene function may cause age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Decreased DNA methylation led to increased IL17RC protein, promoting inflammation and immune cell recruitment that damages the retina.
A new system uses real-time data and techniques from weather forecasting to predict the timing and severity of seasonal influenza outbreaks. The forecast can inform decisions on vaccine stockpiling and school closures, ultimately improving public health preparedness.
The conference explores key themes including physical activity, machine learning, diet, and environmental concerns. Researchers will present on topics such as CCSVI, MS treatment, and the impact of online behavior on patient feedback.
A Canadian case-control study found that women in jobs with high exposures to carcinogens and endocrine disrupters had an elevated breast cancer risk. The study highlights the importance of occupational studies in identifying environmental risk factors.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed miniaturized walking biological machines using hydrogel, heart cells, and 3D printing. The bio-bots demonstrate asymmetry-based locomotion and could be customized for specific applications, such as drug screening or chemical analysis.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medicine are developing an educational program to educate residents, policy-makers, and scientists about the long-term social, economic, and health effects of hazardous industrial sites. The program aims to help communities like West and South Ambler recover from asbestos exposure.
A study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that prenatal and childhood exposure to PBDEs is linked to poorer attention, fine motor coordination, and IQ in school-aged children. The study collected blood samples from 279 women during pregnancy or at delivery and from 272 children when they were 7 years old.
Four finalists have been selected in the My Air, My Health Challenge to create wearable sensors that measure airborne pollutants and related physiological data. The challenge aims to spur development of personal devices gathering health and air quality data for long-term health outcomes.
A recent study published in the British medical journal 'Clinical & Experimental Allergy' found that children with skin manifestations have increased levels of eosinophil progenitors in their blood. Exposure to environmental contaminants, such as cigarette smoke, was also linked to higher levels of allergy-relevant stem cells.
A new study found that diabetic patients have a higher risk of hearing impairment, which is independent of aging or environmental factors. The study's findings suggest that diabetic patients should be screened for hearing impairment at an earlier age to prevent related health problems.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine has received a $1.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to provide four-year financial aid for at least 26 new and current students. The grant aims to increase access for underrepresented minorities, supporting diversity in dental education.
The Journal of Public Health Management and Practice is now available on the iPad, providing convenient access to critical public health information. The journal's November/December special issue focuses on public health services and systems research, exploring its impact on organization, financing, and delivery of public health services.