Articles tagged with Environmental Health
Participating in social service activities like tutoring children can delay or reverse declining brain function in older adults. The study found that seniors made gains in key brain regions supporting cognitive abilities, improving daily life planning and organization.
The HALI project recognizes the need for integrated health approaches due to explosive population growth and environmental changes. Integrated policies addressing multiple causes of poor health, such as water scarcity and food insecurity, can yield larger health benefits than individualized interventions.
Researchers propose that gene variants contribute to heterogeneity in populations, giving generations more opportunity to survive in a fluctuating environment. This idea may help explain the presence of common diseases and how organisms adapt quickly enough to environmental change.
A study using fMRI revealed that adults exposed to lead as children incur permanent brain injury, with distinct areas of the brain affected differently. Lead exposure has been associated with diminished IQ, poor academic performance, and increased risk of criminal behavior.
The NIH has partnered with The Lancet to address the public health impacts of climate change through four case studies on household energy, transportation, electricity generation, and agricultural food production. These studies demonstrate that cost savings from improving health can offset the cost of addressing climate change.
Research shows that early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin can cause more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone. Children exposed to high levels of both have a six times higher risk of persistent wheezing.
A new study found that exposure to airborne metals like nickel and vanadium, as well as diesel exhaust particles, are associated with respiratory symptoms in young children. The study controlled for other risk factors and suggests improved regulatory action is needed to protect urban children.
A questionnaire study by Tufts University found that half of barn workers experience coughs or other respiratory ailments, with higher exposure linked to increased symptoms. The study's results suggest poor air quality in horse barns may affect human health, particularly among equine industry workers.
The NIEHS has awarded 13 grants to develop better methods to assess exposure and health effects associated with nanomaterials. This research is essential for harmonizing results, forming a scientifically sound basis for hazard assessment.
A new study found that cigarettes are contaminated with numerous human bacterial pathogens, including Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Clostridium, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria may contribute to both infectious and chronic illnesses in smokers and secondhand smoke exposed individuals.
This special issue of NeuroRehabilitation focuses on community-based residential designs for persons with neurodisability, highlighting the importance of holistic, functional, and individualized design modifications. The issue presents evidence-based literature, expert insights, and practical recommendations to facilitate independence ...
The GAZEL study found that older workers' perceived health improves significantly after retirement, especially in those with ideal working conditions. This suggests that improving working conditions is crucial to retaining older workers in the workforce.
Researchers found widespread poor compliance with regular cleaning of public restrooms on cruise ships may predict subsequent norovirus infection outbreaks. The study evaluated the thoroughness of disinfection cleaning and found that toilet seats were best-cleaned objects while baby changing tables were least cleaned.
A new study reveals that some neighborhoods with high levels of walkability also have low levels of air pollution, while others prioritize one over the other. Neighborhoods designed for walkability often encourage higher daily activity levels, which can mitigate health issues linked to air pollution and physical inactivity.
A study confirmed the efficacy of a simple questionnaire in identifying patients at high risk for lung cancer. The questionnaire, completed by over 1,000 patients, found almost half qualified as high risk and led to eight confirmed cases of lung cancer in five years.
A study by North Carolina State University found that inhaling carbon nanotubes affects the outer lining of the lungs, causing a unique health response. The effects were short-lived, with the immune response and fibrosis disappearing within three months.
The CWRU Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods aims to foster partnerships within urban neighborhoods to develop effective strategies in preventing chronic disease. The center will collaborate with neighborhood residents, leaders, and community organizations to address environmental and lifestyle issues that contribute t...
Researchers at UC Davis MIND Institute report that after adjusting for factors, typically developing children and those with autism have similar blood-mercury levels. The study, conducted as part of the CHARGE Study, looked at various sources of mercury in participants' environments, including fish consumption and vaccinations.
African biosafety regulators will receive science-based information on biotechnology, protecting farmers, consumers, and the environment. The initiative aims to reduce poverty through improved agricultural practices.
A national study found that retirees who continue to work in a bridge job experience fewer major diseases and functional limitations than those who fully retire. People whose post-retirement jobs are related to their previous careers report better mental health.
Kaiser Permanente and UCSF to conduct genome-wide analysis of DNA from 100,000 Kaiser members, linking genetic info to decades of health data. The resource will facilitate studies on gene-environment interaction and aging.
A UK study of 15-16 year olds found that cheap alcohol is strongly linked to harmful underage drinking, including violence, regretted sex, and public intoxication. Researchers recommend restricting consumption to lower frequencies and increasing the price of cheap alcohol products to reduce harm.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that home healthcare nurses are at risk of needlestick-type injuries, with nearly 10,000 reported annually. The study also revealed a correlation between stressful household conditions and increased risk of needlesticks.
A Swedish thesis reveals that intensive care units are often ill-equipped to provide good end-of-life care, with patients dying in public areas or without relatives present. Despite this, most relatives report a positive experience, highlighting the need for improved environment and support.
Injuries are the leading cause of death in children over 1 year old, with traffic accidents being a major contributor. By modifying built environments, such as playgrounds and homes, to prioritize safety, injuries can be reduced by up to 75%.
IRRI must produce an additional 8ñ6 million tons of rice over the next twenty years to meet demand and keep prices affordable. The organization supports sustainable land acquisition practices, prioritizing benefits for poor rice farmers and consumers.
A recent commentary suggests that the US should spend more on researching the impact of climate change on public health due to current underfunding. The analysis highlights the need for increased funding to address heat-related deaths, diarrheal diseases, and other health issues exacerbated by global warming.
Research published in Environmental Health found an increased risk of oral clefts and neural tube defects among children born to mothers exposed to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) during pregnancy. The study, conducted in Cape Cod towns between 1969-1983, suggests a link between PCE exposure and birth defects.
A recent study found that African Americans and whites with similar incomes and living environments have similar diabetes rates, contradicting national trends. Environmental factors are thought to contribute to racial disparities in diabetes prevalence.
A new study found that people who start drinking at an early age are more likely to develop alcohol dependence. The study suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of AD symptoms, particularly in those who begin drinking before age 15.
Researchers studied 6,257 adult twins and found that those who started drinking early had a greater genetic risk for alcohol dependence. The younger an individual was at first drink, the more prominent the role played by genetic factors in developing severe problems.
The NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Program awards $62 million to study the epigenome in various diseases and conditions. These studies aim to understand how diet, environmental exposures, and stress affect human health and disease.
The article examines asthma risk factors across different age groups, including prenatal, infancy, childhood, and adulthood. Genetic, environmental, and host characteristics are identified as significant contributors to the development of persistent asthma.
A new optoelectronic nose can detect and identify 19 toxic industrial chemicals, including ammonia and sulfur dioxide, in a matter of seconds. The wearable sensor uses a disposable array with 36 dyes that change colors when exposed to different chemicals.
A new sensor array can detect multiple airborne toxins in a matter of seconds, providing essential monitoring for workers handling chemicals. The technology uses colorimetric sensors that are not affected by humidity, making it more reliable than previous electronic-nose technologies.
A study of nearly 70,000 motor carrier drivers and over 83,000 non-motor-carrier drivers found that mandatory alcohol testing programs reduced alcohol involvement in fatal crashes by 23%. The study's findings suggest that implementation of such programs can improve safety records in the US and other countries.
Research suggests that living close to noisy roads increases the risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The study found modest exposure effects at lower noise levels, but more marked effects among younger and middle-aged populations.
A study of 4254 Canadian schoolchildren found a direct association between BMI and satisfaction with their body shape, with girls happier when thin and boys unhappy when too skinny or fat. Poor body satisfaction was more common among rural girls from low-income families.
A new USC study reveals that prenatal tobacco smoke exposure is associated with detectable changes in DNA methylation patterns, which may impact childhood asthma and cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that children exposed to maternal smoke had lower global methylation levels and higher methylation in certain genes.
A study found that persistently present levels of unmetabolized folic acid in the population indicate that mandatory fortification may result in an excessive effect. Most Irish people already get enough folic acid from voluntarily fortified foods, suggesting mandatory policies may be unnecessary.
A study in Korea found that individuals with low income, education level, and unhealthy behaviors tend to not use gastric cancer screening services. Targeted interventions and public campaigns can help improve screening participation for these vulnerable populations.
A study found that women's stress levels increased when they believed in mammography's efficacy, while those coming in for diagnostic tests felt less stress as their belief grew. Healthcare providers should consider patient stage and tailor services to reduce stress.
Researchers found that adult fruit flies died after being exposed to carbon nanoparticles, while larvae showed no effects. The particles seemed to cause physical harm, such as clogging breathing holes and coating compound eyes.
Research finds that debt can increase the risk of being medically obese, as it limits leisure time activities and affects food choices. The study of over 9000 people shows a significant association between debt and obesity, independent of income, education, and occupation.
A new study found that 73% of consumer paint brands from 12 countries exceeded the US standard of 600 ppm for lead in paint, while 69% had levels over 10,000 ppm. The researchers call for a global ban on lead-based paint to protect over three billion people worldwide.
A study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences found that frailty in older adults is associated with a critical mass of abnormal physiological systems. The research suggests that prevention and treatment may be more effective if multiple systems are improved rather than just one, and highlights the importance of cons...
A study published in Pediatrics found that prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can lower children's full-scale and verbal IQ scores. The study suggests that reducing air pollution exposure, particularly in urban areas, could have a positive impact on educationally meaningful IQ decreases.
A new study found that genetic predispositions can be expressed earlier in life through behavioral problems, while environmental influences can modify gene expression. Females may be more susceptible to certain environmental factors, which can encourage or inhibit the expression of genetic traits.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich used new bioimaging techniques to show that hematopoietic progenitor cells are instructed by cytokines, steering their lineage choice. This discovery confirms the influence of environmental factors on cell differentiation and has important implications for optimizing therapeutic stem cell applications.
A new review article highlights the potential of nanomaterials for environmental remediation, with 45 sites globally identified for use in soil and groundwater cleanup. However, more research is needed to fully understand the technology's benefits and potential risks, particularly on a full-scale ecosystem-wide impact.
A new study found that women who deliver prematurely have higher levels of phthalates in their urine compared to those who carry to term. The researchers analyzed data from Mexican women and discovered a significant association between phthalate exposure and premature birth.
A commentary in JAMA explores how US healthcare's emphasis on providing services can lead to direct and indirect harm. The authors argue that this focus can cause excessive healthcare use and spending, diverting resources away from education and environmental quality.
A recent study finds that nicotine dependence has remained steady among adults in the US, while the proportion of addicted smokers has increased across generations. Younger women living in poverty are disproportionately affected, highlighting socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use.
Researchers found Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) subways had the highest average noise levels in New York City, with levels high enough to increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The study highlights the need for increased transit infrastructure maintenance and personal protection measures to reduce noise exposure.
A recent study found that teen contraceptive use declined between 2003 and 2007, despite no change in teen sexual activity. The authors suggest faltering HIV prevention efforts or inadequate sex education as contributing factors.
A small study found that people believe bottled water has health benefits, but are unsure of the extent. Convenience and taste were more influential factors for participants when choosing bottled water.
Exposure to low doses of BPA during development can affect female reproductive health in rats, with early onset of puberty and ovarian malformations observed. The study suggests a link between low-dose BPA exposure and fertility issues in females.
Researchers at UIC are conducting a study to assess the effectiveness of collaborative virtual environments in improving public health preparedness and response planning. The study, funded by a $1.6 million grant from the CDC, uses Second Life to train public health workers in emergency preparedness.
A recent review of contaminated waters found high concentrations of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, in natural and drinking waters. The study warns that increased farm usage of anti-infectives may augment levels in future agricultural wastewater, posing a risk to aquatic biota and human health.
The Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) study will follow a cohort of up to 1,200 pregnant women who already have a child with autism to investigate early risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Researchers will collect data on possible environmental risk factors and their interplay with genetic susceptibility duri...