Articles tagged with Environmental Health
Researchers develop wearable sensors that can detect and measure particles in the air, improving the ability to identify environmental exposures. The technology uses microfluidics and geographic information system technology to track specific exposures.
The NIH has funded eight genome-wide association studies to identify novel genetic variants associated with increased risk for common diseases like prostate cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. These studies will also measure personal environmental exposures using wearable sensors.
Researchers at UCR will develop inexpensive badges for monitoring diesel and gasoline exhaust exposure in real-time, using nanotechnology. The project aims to better understand the role of environmental factors in diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that light trucks, including SUVs and minivans, produced 0.5-0.6% more toxic air pollutants than conventional cars in a downtown Baltimore parking garage. The study provides new insights into the health risks of vehicle-related air pollution in urban settings.
A study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine reveals that farmers scored lowest on measures of productivity, health status, and quality of life. Despite having more control over their work, farmers experience high levels of stress and need increased social and emotional support.
A paper by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health highlights the need for enhanced global infectious disease surveillance due to resource constraints. The authors recommend increasing resources for compatible reporting systems, providing additional support, and educating policymakers on disease surveillance as a priority.
Angela Belcher's research with viruses is developing faster, better, cheaper, and environmentally-friendly electronic devices. Her nanofactories generate little waste, grow at room temperature, and promise to be inexpensive and largely biodegradable.
DNA polymerase epsilon plays a primary role in replicating leading strand of DNA in bakers yeast, influencing genome stability and responses to environmental stress. The discovery advances understanding of DNA replication in higher organisms like humans.
Research found no significant differences in depleted uranium levels among UK Army personnel exposed to varying degrees, with levels close to those of naturally occurring uranium. The study alleviates fears about the health of military personnel exposed to radioactive depleted uranium.
Increasing cigarette taxes is an effective strategy for reducing tobacco use, but it can also reinforce smoking and undermine cessation efforts in low-income minority communities. The study found that illegal street sales of untaxed cigarettes increased after the price hike, making cessation programs less attractive.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies warns that uncertainty about nanotech benefits and risks will hinder its development. Experts propose a strategic risk research plan to address these concerns.
Climate change poses significant threats to public health in developing countries, where urbanization and rapid economic growth are concentrated. The article highlights the need for action towards fairness and equity in urban development processes to mitigate these effects.
A new report by former EPA assistant administrator J. Clarence Davies calls for immediate action to address the challenges of nanotechnology. The report recommends over 25 steps to improve oversight of nanotechnology, including launching a voluntary program to collect risk information and setting up an interagency regulatory coordinati...
A team of Purdue researchers has created a system that can pinpoint passengers who contaminate airline cabins with hazardous materials or pathogens. The technique, called "inverse simulation," analyzes airflow patterns and uses data from sensors to track the source of contaminants.
A WHO-commissioned report highlights climate change's influence on health status, post-disaster responses in Indonesia, and improvements needed in housing programs. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants of health through community engagement and equitable urban development.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that household smoking restrictions are more strongly associated with better health status than workplace restrictions. Nonsmokers living in households and workplaces with comprehensive smoking bans report improved health, while those without such protections do not.
Researchers found that improving communication and patient involvement led to significant weight gain among Alzheimer's patients, who also displayed improved intellectual abilities. The study aimed to measure weight changes in patients with moderate and severe dementia.
A study finds that women who migrate from Bangladesh to the UK during infancy and early childhood reach puberty earlier, are taller, and have higher progesterone levels as adults. This suggests a critical window of time between 0-8 years influences reproductive hormone levels.
A study by Mailman School of Public Health researchers predicts a significant increase in summer temperatures and ozone levels in NYC by 2050, posing serious health risks. The study uses a unique modeling system to simulate the combined effects of land use, climate change, and air quality on environmental conditions.
Rates of child abuse and neglect in military families in Texas doubled since October 2002, according to a UNC study. The increase was linked to the stress of deployment on military personnel and their families.
Researchers found that one spouse's excess drinking can help protect the other from developing alcohol dependence. The study analyzed twins and their spouses to determine if non-random mating (choosing a mate similar in personality and behaviors) contributes to higher rates of alcoholism among partners.
Researchers found that succimer chelation therapy improved postural balance by 6 percent and moving tasks by 19 percent in lead-exposed children. The therapy was effective in reducing lead levels in the blood but also showed benefits on neuromotor abilities.
Researchers found that a specific class of PCB causes significant developmental abnormalities in rat pups whose mothers were exposed to the toxicant during pregnancy and early nursing. The study suggests that non-coplanar PCBs may be particularly hazardous due to their stability and prevalence in environmental samples.
A new study found that adjustable-height chairs with ergonomically curved seats can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain in garment workers. The custom-designed chair, tested in a four-month trial, provided more benefit than traditional flat-seat pan chairs, particularly for thin workers and those with high hand-arm workloads.
The need for accurate measurement of airborne nanomaterials exposure is critical for protecting workers' health in nanotechnology-related jobs. Current approaches are insufficient, and further research is required to identify effective monitoring methods.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health discovered a means for early detection of liver cancer using DNA isolated from serum samples. The study found changes associated with cancer in serum DNA one to nine years before actual clinical diagnosis, leading to an overall predictive accuracy of 89%.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reports a significant decline in the number of male births in the US and Japan over the past three decades. The researchers found that the decline is equivalent to 135,000 fewer white males in the US and 127,000 fewer males in Japan, with environmental factors such as prenatal expo...
Research reveals lead exposure reduces new neuron birth and survival, and alters their development in the hippocampus, a crucial region for learning and memory. This impairment affects the formation of new connections between neurons, leading to decreased communication and learning abilities.
Elliott Garber, a third-year veterinary student at Tufts University, has been awarded the prestigious NIH Fogarty Fellowship to conduct research on cryptosporidium and rotavirus in India. The one-year fellowship will provide him with clinical research training experience in a resource-poor setting.
The project highlights the lack of adequate funding and research strategies for addressing environmental, health, and safety risks of nanomaterials. The proposal suggests investing a minimum of $100 million in targeted risk research to establish a science-based foundation for safe nanotechnology.
The Wilson Center and Pew Charitable Trusts are expanding their efforts to examine the risks and benefits of nanotechnology. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will provide objective, in-depth analysis and policy recommendations to manage environmental, health, and social impacts.
A former EPA official urges policymakers to address oversight system gaps, emphasizing risk criteria, information reporting requirements, and risk management tools. The report highlights the need for 'novel solutions' and openness in decision-making processes.
The podcast series explores the impact of nanotechnology on human health, safety, and the environment. Key stakeholders share their perspectives on the benefits and challenges associated with this emerging technology. The discussion aims to raise awareness and promote informed decision-making about the future of nanotechnology.
Researchers have developed a new diesel exposure model that improves accuracy in assessing air pollution risks, particularly for children. The model takes into account complex factors such as elevation and traffic volume to create 'buffers' around specific sample sites.
Researchers found reduced brain growth among adult alcoholic children of parents with a history of heavy drinking or alcoholism, affecting IQ scores. The study suggests genetic and environmental factors contribute to the increased risk for alcohol dependence in children of alcoholics.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that living in densely populated, pedestrian-friendly areas is associated with lower body mass index levels. Researchers discovered that access to public transit, proximity to commercial goods and services, and population density are inversely related to BMI levels.
Richard Zare emphasizes the importance of teamwork in scientific research, highlighting its ability to produce greater outcomes than individual efforts. He also acknowledges potential drawbacks, such as competition for funding and tenure, and advocates for a spirit of continuous learning.
According to a University of Missouri-Columbia scientist, environmental chemicals can alter fetal gene function, predisposing babies to obesity and disease. This 'thrifty phenotype' is programmed for starvation but becomes detrimental in modern environments with plenty of food.
A Finnish twin study reveals that acquired obesity is associated with deleterious alterations in lipid metabolism, including increased lysophosphatidylcholines and decreased ether phospholipids. The study also found a link between the obese twins' serum lipidomic profile and whole body insulin resistance.
Researchers found an association between the use of products containing lavender oil and/or tea tree oil and prepubertal gynecomastia in young males. Laboratory studies confirmed that these oils can mimic estrogen effects and inhibit androgen effects, leading to breast tissue growth.
A group of 10 scientists will help increase public awareness and understanding of environmental health science. They will assist in identifying important new research findings about environment and health, and translate them into accessible articles for working reporters and the broader public.
A new NIH-funded program co-directed by the Mailman School faculty will expedite clinical research, transforming how medical discovery is made. The center will centralize core resources for clinical researchers and enhance collaboration among scientific communities.
A new study found that folic acid supplements can substantially reduce the risk of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate in babies. Researchers discovered that taking 0.4 milligrams of folic acid per day during pregnancy can lower this risk by one-third.
A recent USC study reveals that children who live within 500 meters of a freeway have substantial deficits in lung function by age 18 compared to those living farther away. This highlights the importance of reducing exposure to traffic pollution for healthy lung development.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a new set of Standard Reference Materials to improve workplace safety by accurately measuring respirable quartz dust. These materials cover the range between 5 micrograms and 1000 micrograms of quartz per filter, typical of the field's range.
Researchers at the Hollings Marine Laboratory have uncovered a subtle chemical pathway by which Pfiesteria piscicida can produce a lethal toxin. The discovery resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding occasional mass fish kills on the East Coast.
Researchers have made progress in nanotech workplace safety, including new instrumentation and innovative exposure control methods. However, critical questions about worker safety remain unanswered, highlighting the need for further study to ensure safe nano-workplaces today and in the future.
Dr. Neal Lane, former U.S. President Bill Clinton's science advisor, expresses concerns about the impact of limited public knowledge on nanotechnology's future success. He emphasizes the need for a coordinated effort to educate the public and provide balanced information about nanotechnology's benefits and risks.
Dartmouth researchers discover that low doses of arsenic disrupt steroid hormone receptor signaling, affecting biological processes and disease risks. The study found that arsenic suppresses the ability of critical receptors to respond to normal hormone signals.
A study published in Pediatrics found that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, a common agricultural insecticide, was associated with poorer mental and motor development in children by age three. The study also revealed an increased risk of behavior problems among children exposed to higher levels of the insecticide.
A new study aims to uncover the causes of the testicular cancer increase among 15-35 year old Caucasian men. The research will examine environmental hormone disruptors and genetic susceptibility as potential risk factors.
Fourteen top scientists propose five critical challenges for nanotechnology risk research, including identifying potential health and environmental hazards. They will discuss their recommendations at a live webcast on November 16th, 2006.
A recent paper identifies Five Grand Challenges for research on nanotechnology risk to meet the full potential of the technology. The challenges include developing a universal aerosol sampler, assessing fiber-shaped nanoparticles' health hazards, and engineering safe-by-design nanomaterials.
The House Science Committee's Chairman Sherwood Boehlert and Ranking Democrat Bart Gordon call for the implementation of a new research agenda on the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanotechnology. The paper recommends prioritized priorities for examining potential consequences over the next decade and a half, which c...
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered dynamic behavior in a mutant form of the protein GroEL, which chaperones misfolded proteins. Electron cryomicroscopy revealed an unprecedented expansion of the protein structure related to its function, highlighting the need for studying macromolecules in solution environments.
A comprehensive survey of nanotechnology workplace safety practices found that many companies and laboratories are using conventional EHS practices despite the potential for nanoparticles to pose specific environmental and health risks. The survey, conducted by Rice University's International Council on Nanotechnology, collected data f...
The ESSP launched a new research initiative to identify and quantify health risks posed by global environmental change, aiming to develop cost-effective adaptation strategies. Climate and land-use changes pose significant health threats, including malaria, malnutrition, skin cancer, and immune system depression.
A study found that African-American women, particularly younger ones, have a significantly higher incidence of breast cancer and die at a younger age than white women. Environmental factors such as hormone-mimicking compounds are suggested to contribute to these disparities.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that individuals living in high Black concentrated neighborhoods were twice as likely to report poor health compared to those in low concentration areas. This association persisted even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is allocating $74 million to study the environmental causes of disease. The Exposure Biology Program will focus on developing innovative technologies to assess exposures to chemical and biological agents, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychosocial stress.