Articles tagged with Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene in older adults can lead to serious health issues such as cavities, periodontitis, and heart disease. Regular dental cleanings and check-ups are crucial for preventing these complications.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that socio-cultural values and beliefs around menstrual hygiene management are key to improving school environments for menstruating girls. The study identified gaps in research and provided recommendations for policy and practice changes.
Twin beds were initially adopted for their supposed health benefits in the late 19th century, later becoming a symbol of modernity among middle-class couples. Despite this, their popularity waned by the 1960s as attitudes towards intimacy and hygiene shifted.
A team at Technical University of Munich has developed modified T cells using CRISPR-Cas9, which can recognize specific antigens without mixed receptors. These near-natural cells have the same structure but are capable of being genetically modified, making them suitable for cancer therapy and potential solutions to immunotherapy problems.
Adolescents exposed to high levels of pesticides are at increased risk of depression, according to a new study. The study found that lower levels of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which measure pesticide exposure, were associated with more symptoms of depression in teens.
A new study by UNLV researchers found that women are more likely than men to remove pubic hair in non-Western cultures, citing hygiene concerns as a primary motive. In contrast, Western societies tend to shave or wax due to the influence of pornography and product marketing.
A study by Bocconi University researchers found that hospitals with more open cultures have lower mortality rates, as staff are encouraged to report errors and take action. The results suggest that reforms in the English NHS since 2016 are on the right track.
A study published in PLOS Medicine has confirmed and quantified the association between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and microcephaly in Brazil. The research found that women infected with Zika virus early in pregnancy were almost 17 times more likely to have a child with microcephaly.
Researchers at York University have identified a group of genes controlling hygienic behavior in honeybees, which helps to limit the spread of harmful mites and bacteria. These genes are associated with improved colony survival and may be used to breed healthier colonies through selective breeding programs.
A decolonization protocol, including antiseptic soap, mouthwash, and nose ointment, was found to reduce MRSA infections by 30% compared to hygiene education alone. Patients who adhered to the regimen had significantly fewer MRSA infections, with a 44% reduction in those who missed no doses.
The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has been awarded a two-year, $200,000 grant to provide 10 scholarships annually to aspiring women or minority graduate students pursuing the Master of Science program in Environmental and Occupational Health. The scholarships will support students' full-time study and experien...
A study by Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice found that nearly two-thirds of low-income women cannot afford menstrual hygiene supplies like pads or tampons, with 46% unable to buy both food and period-related products. The researchers advocate for broader education and policy shifts surrounding menst...
A recent review by University of British Columbia sleep expert Wendy Hall emphasizes the importance of good sleep hygiene for children, recommending regular bedtimes and limiting technology use before bedtime. The study found that these practices can help promote healthy sleep and prevent problems at school and development delays.
Researchers detected the Angiostrongylus cantonensis parasite in two patients in a Chinese hospital who consumed raw wild centipedes, linking it to foodborne illnesses. The parasite can cause meningitis, paralysis, and death, and has been found in snails, giant African land snails, and other regions.
A pilot study found promising effects of a combined sleep health and yoga intervention on improving sleep disturbance, impairment, and behaviors. Participants experienced significant improvements in sleep quality, daytime functioning, and relaxation after the six-week intervention.
Researchers developed a toolkit to address menstruation-related needs of girls and women fleeing disaster or conflict, but found a lack of effective approaches for managing menstruation with dignity in challenging settings. The study highlights the need to expand practical guidance for vulnerable groups, including girls with disabiliti...
Treating women subsistence farmers with a cheap deworming medication improved their physical stamina for agriculture work and potentially increased food production. The study found that even low levels of hookworms caused significant benefits in fitness and exercise capacity.
A new study reveals that North Americans may be more susceptible to eye worm parasitic infections due to the presence of fruit flies carrying a third species of eye worms. The Oregon woman's case marks the first known human infection with Thelazia gulosa, previously seen only in cattle.
A study highlights the need for better training and education in the dental community to discuss HPV prevention methods with patients. Most dentists don't address HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers due to lack of knowledge and communication skills.
Research reveals a connection between genetic innate immunity deficiencies and high-risk children for dental caries. Children with defective salivary proteins are more susceptible to caries, even without bad eating habits or oral hygiene routines.
The study, published in Journal of Adolescent Health, analyzed nationally-representative data from Natsal surveys and found rising prevalence of oral and anal sex among 16-24 year olds, with median age at first heterosexual experience remaining stable.
A cohort study of nearly 80,000 UK women found that inducing first-time mothers aged 35 or over 1-2 weeks earlier was linked to the risk of perinatal death falling from 26 per 10,000 pregnancies to 8 per 10,000 pregnancies. Early induction may reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths in this age group.
A global study suggests that rising temperatures will outweigh decreases in cold-related deaths, leading to sharp net increases in mortality rates in many regions. Implementing mitigation strategies can largely avoid these deaths under scenarios with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria affect an estimated one in five pregnant women worldwide, leading to stillbirths and infant deaths. A new study estimates that GBS is responsible for at least 147,000 stillbirths and infant deaths globally each year.
A new study found that half of UK adults (48%) admit to missing at least a quarter of their teeth while brushing. The survey also shows a lack of guidance on tooth brushing habits, with six in ten adults having never been shown how to brush correctly by a dentist or hygienist.
Experts warn that new NHS rules charging overseas visitors could compromise patient safety and should be withdrawn until a thorough impact assessment is carried out. The proposals pose significant challenges for healthcare teams in establishing entitlement to care and may lead to treatment being refused if patients cannot pay.
Girls and women in emergency contexts face inadequate access to safe facilities and supplies for menstrual hygiene management. A new study highlights the need for improved guidance and coordination among sectors to address this challenge.
A recent study from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that teenagers who start high school before 8:30 a.m. are at higher risk of depression and anxiety, even with good sleep hygiene. The study suggests that later school start times may be a strong protective factor for teens.
The Urban Sanitation Challenge funds five projects that aim to scale up innovative approaches to urban sanitation. Five projects funded under the new challenge include an affordable plastic toilet line that is being used in 14 countries, with more than 1.2 million toilets installed and improving the lives of 6 million people.
Researchers identified a specific genome type, ST121, that contains the SSI-2 sequence, a stress survival island that helps Listeria monocytogenes strains cope with alkaline and oxidative stress. The discovery provides new insights into food safety strategies.
A new study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene found that rapid diagnostic tests for malaria are reducing the need for antimalarial medications but may also lead to an increase in antibiotic prescriptions. The research analyzed over 500,000 patient visits across malaria-endemic regions and revealed that ...
The authors emphasize the need for a life course approach to address vaginal bleeding needs of girls and women across their lives. The lack of open discussion and access to clean water, sanitation, and factual information hinder effective management of bleeding, leading to anaemia and other health issues.
A two-year clinic-based HIV testing program in Zimbabwe failed to identify many cases of HIV in children. The study found that 37.7% of HIV-positive children were undiagnosed, highlighting the need for alternative testing methods to reach these vulnerable populations.
A study found that excessive chemical applications in Bangladeshi lychee orchards may have triggered acute encephalitis syndrome, killing 13 children. The chemicals, including the banned endosulfan, were applied liberally and included residues on clothing worn into homes.
A new study in The Lancet uses WhatsApp to collect robust data on attacks against health care workers and facilities in Syria, identifying 402 incidents between November 2015 and December 2016. Nearly half of hospitals were attacked, and services were hit more than once.
A new study found that responders to the West African Ebola epidemic showed little evidence of infection, with 99% showing no signs. Despite reported near-miss exposures and symptoms, many respondents were not tested for Ebola virus at the time, highlighting the need for standardized protocols.
A new study finds malaria hospitalizations exceeding dengue fever cases, with average cost per patient at $25,800 and total bill of $555 million from 2000 to 2014. Malaria infections are likely acquired during travel to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
A new study finds that long-term exposure to soil minerals from walking barefoot in volcanic soils is the cause of a debilitating and disfiguring skin condition in western Uganda. The researchers found that people had been suffering silently for decades before symptoms became apparent.
A new depression diagnosis model suggests a staged approach from wellness to disorder could improve communication and treatment. The model proposes different stages of depression, with patients receiving guided self-care or clinical interventions depending on their stage, to address the dimensional nature of the condition.
A tailored preventive oral health intervention significantly improved the cleanliness of teeth and dentures among elderly home care clients. Functional ability and cognitive function were strongly associated with better oral hygiene in this study from the University of Eastern Finland.
A study by the University of Central Florida found that peer milk-sharing parents take precautions to keep their children safe, with 35.4% using all five safe practices and 40.6% using at least four. Despite this, researchers suggest more study is needed, particularly for online classifieds where milk is exchanged for money.
A large randomized study found that Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) reduced malaria cases in children above 10 years of age by a quarter, demonstrating its potential to contribute to reducing transmission. The intervention also showed a high degree of protection with no severe side effects.
A new study found that deaths from West Nile virus can occur years after patients appear to have recovered from the initial illness. The researchers analyzed 4,144 cases and attributed 554 deaths to WNV during a 10-year period, with 268 of those dying soon after recovery due to delayed mortality.
The NYU Department of Pediatric Dentistry has received a $1.3M HRSA grant to develop a diverse and qualified cohort of pediatric dental faculty. The Growing Success program aims to improve oral health care for underserved populations through community-based rotations and mentorship.
The university has received a $6 million grant from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation to support its new dental school. The school will focus on service education, providing hands-on experiences for students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings while serving underserved communities.
Female mosquitoes can pass the Zika virus on to their eggs and offspring, bolstering the need for larvicide use as an integral part of controlling the spread of the virus. The study found that culture of adults infected with the virus resulted in a high rate of transmission to their offspring.
Researchers found that cardinals act as 'supersuppressors' by drawing infected mosquitoes away from robins, reducing the risk of human infections with West Nile virus in Atlanta. The study suggests that preserving and enhancing old growth forests may also help prevent disease transmission.
Harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) form when chlorine and other chemicals react with organic matter in pool water, causing respiratory problems like asthma among swimmers. Practicing good hygiene, such as taking showers before entering the pool, can help reduce DBP levels.
A third of young men and half of young women experience one or more sexual problems lasting at least three months, causing distress. Young people rarely seek professional help, instead relying on family, friends, or self-help sources.
Tampon manufacturers could dedicate a portion of their revenues to support public health programs preventing domestic and sexual violence, affecting over a billion women globally. Effective strategies have been identified but remain underfunded due to stigma.
A multicenter cohort study found no differences in Apgar scores, cord pH, or postpartum bleeding between out-of-hours and in-hours deliveries. However, women who delivered out-of-hours had slightly lower rates of cesarean section and instrumental delivery.
A new study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene documents the public health impacts after devastating flooding on a South Pacific island. Researchers found that 31 people died, mostly children under 14, and many more were injured or affected by infectious diseases.
The UK government's proposal to charge non-EEA migrants for healthcare access fails to align with the NHS' founding principles of equality and free care at point of delivery. The plan has been met with criticism from public health experts, who argue that it will lead to further tension and administrative burdens.
Researchers at UTMB have developed a new mouse model for Zika infection, removing a bottleneck in preclinical testing. The model is available for immediate screening of antivirals and vaccine candidates.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed an intelligent wheelchair system called iWheelchair, integrating various functions such as environment control, safety, and health monitoring. The system allows users to control home devices using a tablet computer, with features like fall monitoring and smart diaper detection.
The American College of Prosthodontists has published its first national clinical practice guidelines, emphasizing the importance of routine dental examinations every 6 months to maintain restored teeth and implants. The guidelines also highlight the need for continuous education on individualized at-home maintenance regimens.
Researchers have uncovered the atomic-level structure of the bluetongue virus, providing a detailed understanding of its mechanism of entry into host cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective vaccines and treatments against this devastating disease.
Researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna tested over 100 raw milk cheeses purchased online and found that pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes were present in two samples. Furthermore, more than half of the products lacked proper cooling, leading to increased bacterial growth during transport.
A panel of global experts recommends 10 major reforms to strengthen the global system for outbreak prevention and response. The report highlights the need for improved governance, research data sharing, and rapid institutional responses to prevent future pandemics.
A new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that the expanding range of the Lone star tick is causing reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever infections to rise, but fatalities have not. The mild disease spread by the aggressive tick is being mistaken for the more serious disease due to similarities in bloo...