Articles tagged with Personal Protective Equipment
Firefighter gear can create challenges that jeopardize performance and safety, with nearly 40% of non-fatal injuries linked to muscle and bone strain. Researchers found that full gear reduces mobility by up to 20 degrees in joints and increases the risk of injury through adapted movements.
Researchers describe first reported mpox transmission of clade Ib in a healthcare setting outside Africa, with Ireland's nosocomial outbreak linked to local cases. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, community transmission shifted from sexual to non-sexual routes, driven by factors like overcrowding and child malnutrition.
Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
A new study found that extensive wildfires in the LA area caused changes in firefighters' immune systems and inflammatory response pathways. The research identified 60 changes in serum proteome, affecting various bodily functions.
New research shows a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since the introduction of new safety standards, but public health experts emphasize the need for continued action to keep Australians safe.
Health experts urge the UN to strengthen the treaty's focus on ending plastic production and reducing toxic chemicals. The World Health Organization estimates that one-quarter of global deaths are linked to environmental harm, including chemicals, pollution, and waste.
The journal is seeking submissions to a new theme issue exploring the importance of telerehabilitation and future directions for the field. Researchers will focus on implementation challenges, health equity concerns, and emerging innovations like AI-driven personalized rehabilitation.
Researchers at Lancaster University discovered a new type of vaccine-specific scepticism, where some people perceive COVID-19 vaccines as 'not a vaccine' compared to MMR. This phenomenon may also apply to the flu vaccine, highlighting the need for clear public health messaging.
A study found that more than half of laws and policies on healthcare workers' rights align with global standards. However, gaps persist in areas such as fair pay, occupational health and safety, mental health services, and non-discrimination protections.
A new smart mask prototype, EBCare, analyzes chemicals in exhaled breath in real-time, offering personalized health monitoring for respiratory ailments like asthma and COPD. The device's self-cooling system allows for daily wear, while its low cost makes it a promising tool for remote health assessments.
New research finds women make up 50% of post-harvest fisheries and aquaculture workforce, yet often remain invisible, unpaid or underpaid. The study calls for policy changes to address social justice dimensions of technology development.
A recent study found that nearly half of the nation's top cancer centers implemented universal masking policies during the 2023-2024 COVID-19 wave. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed a correlation between high-ranking cancer centers and the prevalence of universal masking policies.
A Norwegian study found that wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms by 3.2%. The effect was moderate, with around 3,300 fewer infections per 100,000 people. However, researchers note that environmental concerns and potential biases should be considered.
A new North Carolina State University study found a dearth of useful depictions of farmworkers in commercial stock photo libraries, highlighting the need for more relevant educational materials. The research suggests that these images can impact farmworker engagement with safety behaviors.
A cohort study found that severe dust exposure increased the risk of dementia in World Trade Center responders under 65. Using personalized protective equipment may prevent this age of onset, according to the research.
During the pandemic, humanitarian organizations showed remarkable flexibility and ingenuity in responding to supply chain disruptions. They sourced supplies from local vendors, secured long-term contracts with reliable suppliers, and leveraged good relationships with governments to continue aid delivery.
A new study by Ohio University researchers shines a light on the challenges stunt professionals face regarding self-reporting of head injuries and the potential long-term consequences for their health and livelihoods. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional and psychological toll of health conditions on in...
Research from Penn Nursing found that nurses in hospitals with the highest share of Black patients face greater moral distress, poor leadership communication, and limited access to PPE. The study highlights the need for innovative solutions to support nurses in day-to-day care and reduce physical and emotional burdens.
Early admission of COVID-19-positive patients to skilled nursing facilities was associated with preventable cases and mortality among residents. Facilities with staff and PPE shortages were disproportionately affected, underscoring the importance of adhering to infection-control protocols.
A University of Maryland study found N95 masks to be near-perfect in blocking the escape of airborne COVID-19 particles, with 'duckbill' N95s outperforming others. The study suggests that N95 masks should be the standard in high-risk settings.
Researchers from SWPS University studied 216 grocery shops in Poland and found that few customers increased the likelihood of shop assistants keeping change. Sellers were more likely to give correct change to shoppers of the same gender as themselves, while wearing a mask or visor had no impact on honesty.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records and contact tracing data to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention measures implemented during the pandemic. Universal masking was found to be a crucial factor in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in healthcare settings, with airborne negative pressure rooms and N95 respirator masks no...
A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.
University of Liverpool researchers develop a new material that captures coronavirus particles with minimal impact on breathability, increasing efficiency by approximately 93%. The new material has the potential to be used in various applications, including face masks and air filters.
A team of UC researchers, led by Ashley Kubley, have received a $2.5 million state grant to continue research on improving firefighter protective gear. The project aims to develop a firefighter jacket liner that brings down body temperature through advanced cooling technology and protects against external hazards.
Researchers developed a self-decontaminating fabric that kills coronaviruses in under 5 seconds using Joule heating. The material can handle hundreds of uses with minimal waste, transforming the way personal protective equipment is made and used.
Researchers developed a long-lasting skin coating agent that kills pathogens on the hands, boosting the natural hand barrier. The agent retained high antimicrobial activity even two hours after application, and reduced survival time of coronaviruses and influenza viruses.
A new essay highlights how news stories about healthcare workers during COVID-19 often left out crucial socioeconomic and environmental contexts, which can impact consumer thoughts and responses. By introducing a public health framework, experts aim to broaden storytelling and reframed scientific information dissemination.
A team at Sandia National Laboratories has created a new way of testing personal protective equipment (PPE) that is faster and more comprehensive. They developed two human models: one for the face and another for the entire head, allowing for more realistic testing of mask performance. The new method also includes automated donning and...
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that gentle cleansers can be just as effective in killing viruses as harsh soaps. The study tested multiple handwash products and found that gentle cleansers were effective against enveloped viruses, while non-enveloped viruses showed greater resistance. Gentle cleansers may provide a sa...
A new commentary from infectious disease experts emphasizes the importance of continued masking in healthcare settings due to low evidence of efficacy and high transmission risks. Despite recent conflicting views, the authors argue that mask-wearing remains a crucial strategy for infection prevention.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that customers who wore masks spent 25% less time shopping during the pandemic. Non-compliant customers did not change their shopping duration, despite being five times more likely to wear protective N95 masks.
Researchers found that non-mandatory measures had a greater impact on reducing travel distances and times, while mandatory measures only slightly affected these metrics. In contrast, strict metre rules and reopening of gyms increased distance travelled.
A new UK study found that wearing surgical masks in a large London hospital during the first 10 months of Omicron activity made no difference to reducing hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections. Researchers analyzed infection control data and found no significant change in infection rates when mask-wearing policies were removed or cont...
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong develop a self-charging electrostatic face mask that can continuously replenish its electrostatic charge through the user's breathing. The mask provides high-efficiency airborne particle removal with 95.8% effectiveness after 60 hours of testing.
The pandemic exacerbated workforce shortages, low wages, and increased consumer responsibility in self-directed care. Policies like the Appendix K guidelines showed potential to alleviate unmet care needs, but further flexibility is needed to support consumers and workers.
Researchers at Tufts University develop biopolymer-based sensors that can detect bacteria, toxins, and chemicals in the environment. The sensors glow when dangers are present and can be printed on a wide range of materials, including wearable items and food jars.
A pilot study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a low-cost computer vision system was feasible and well-received by employees. The system accurately detected mask adherence 100% of the time, with most participants experiencing a positive interaction.
Princeton University researchers found that mask-wearing and social distancing reduce respiratory disease spread in the short term but do not guarantee long-term benefits. Vaccination successfully limits return epidemics, whereas sustained NPIs can lead to increased susceptibility and eventual outbreaks.
A randomized trial involving 1,009 healthcare workers in Canada, Egypt, Israel, and Pakistan found that surgical masks were not statistically less effective than N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 infections. The study provides evidence for the use of surgical masks as an alternative to N95 masks during routine patient care.
A study of over 1,000 healthcare workers found that medical masks may be as effective as N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 infection. However, the results varied across countries and were influenced by factors such as vaccine use and variant circulating during the pandemic.
New research from York University finds that wearing a mask makes it harder to recognize masked and unmasked faces of others. The study suggests this may be due to altered perception abilities caused by the constant tactile stimulation from the mask, leading to reduced face processing skills.
A research team developed a smart mask integrating an ultrathin soundwave sensor that detects breathing, coughing, and speaking sounds. The mask uses machine-learning algorithms to identify respiratory diseases and improve public health by enabling prolonged monitoring.
The researchers developed a conformable multimodal sensor face mask (cMaSK) with 17 sensors around the edge of the mask that measure capacitance, temperature, humidity, air pressure, and other parameters. The study found that mask fit was significantly worse for women than men due to gender-related differences in face shape and size.
A new study published in AJIC shows that manual cleaning of reusable medical instruments generates substantial splash, exposing processing personnel and surrounding environment to potentially contaminated fluids. The study emphasizes the importance of engineering controls and appropriate PPE use to reduce contamination risks.
A University of Essex study found that over 90% of deaf people struggled to communicate while wearing masks, with 76% missing vital information and 59% feeling disconnected from society. The researchers hope their findings will inform public policy in future health emergencies.