Research on what raises a person's risk of disease and injury. Covers cardiovascular and aneurysm risk, medication in pregnancy, youth behavior, and suicide risk.
Research highlights increased cardiovascular disease risk among people with HIV worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The study explores how geographic location and income level influence the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors, shedding light on potential differences between lower- and higher-income countries.
A comprehensive analysis of 121 randomised trials found that most diets result in modest weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors over six months. However, the benefits often disappear at 12 months, except for the Mediterranean diet which saw a small reduction in LDL cholesterol.
Researchers investigated three non-invasive methods to predict nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) based on risk factors. However, the methods agreed only about 20% of the time, indicating a need for better and more reliable non-invasive diagnostic tools.
The journal CVIA has published a new issue featuring important research papers from leading cardiologists worldwide. The International Brugada Electrocardiographic Indices Registry invites new members to contribute to evaluating the disease life course, risk factors, and prognosis in Brugada patients.
A study found that people with type 2 diabetes who have a lacunar stroke experience better cognitive function when their glucose levels are well-controlled. This association remains significant even after adjusting for other factors.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that tackling unhealthy lifestyle factors can provide the greatest benefit in increasing life expectancy among those with severe mental illness. Interventions aimed at stopping smoking and reducing sedentary behavior show promise, with potential increases of 2 years and 1 year, respectively.
A comprehensive meta-analysis of pre- and perinatal risk factors for psychosis has identified 30 significant risks and five protective factors. Researchers found that nutritional deficiencies, low birthweight, and lack of prenatal care visits pose a risk to children developing psychosis.
Researchers analyzed genetic and clinical data to find that high blood pressure and obesity significantly reduce lifespan, particularly in European ancestry populations. The study, published in Nature Medicine, identifies these traits as major contributors to reduced human lifespan.
A comprehensive review of US social policies found that early life and education interventions can reduce smoking by 8%, while income support and health insurance programs show the most promise in improving population health. However, some studies showed no health impact, highlighting the need for careful policymaking.
Research found that sleeping seven or eight hours a night is associated with lower evidence of arterial stiffness and a reduced risk of heart disease. However, both short and long sleep durations were linked to increased plaque buildup in the carotid arteries. A balanced sleep pattern may be key to maintaining cardiovascular health.
Research highlights the critical role of social and financial factors in assessing cardiovascular risk, particularly food insecurity, housing instability, and financial hardship. Studies found that these factors can increase the likelihood of heart disease by over 50%.
A large-scale study finds a strong association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ischemic heart disease in female veterans. Women with PTSD were 47 years old on average, five years younger than those without the condition, highlighting the need for earlier screening and routine care.
Nonmedical opioid prescription use is common among transgender girls and young women, linked to history of trauma and mental health struggles. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions and support services to address this critical public health issue.
A new US study reports that around 8.4% of children aged 9-10 years experience suicidal ideation, with psychological problems and family conflict being key risk factors. Protective factors include greater parental supervision and positive school engagement.
A new study found that news exposure closely linked with public attention to Zika in the US during the 2016 outbreak. The analysis showed synchronized patterns of Wikipedia page views with mentions of the virus in web and national TV news.
A Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare study found that heavy stress shortens life expectancy by 2.8 years, while a healthy lifestyle can increase it by 1.4 years (fruit) and 0.9 years (vegetables). The same factors impacted both men and women.
A new study published in Circulation found that noncitizens in the US are less likely to receive treatment for cardiovascular disease risk factors due to lack of insurance coverage and a usual source of care. The disparities were significant, with only 16.5% of noncitizens receiving treatment for high cholesterol.
A study of 191 patients with confirmed COVID-19 found that older age, sepsis, and blood clotting issues were key risk factors for death. The study also identified the median duration of viral shedding as 20 days in survivors, highlighting the importance of isolation precautions and antiviral treatment.
A new study reveals that air pollution is the leading cause of premature death worldwide, with 8.8 million deaths in 2015. The effects of air pollution shorten lives by an average of almost three years.
Patients new to rheumatology care and those in rural community health systems were more likely to quit smoking, while seropositive patients faced greater challenges. Healthcare teams supporting tobacco cessation play a crucial role in helping these patients overcome their addiction.
Researchers studied 82,000 non-Hispanic blacks and 370,000 whites finding significant differences in heart disease risk factors among black ethnic groups. African immigrants had lower prevalence of high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity compared to Afro-Caribbeans and African Americans.
A population-based study found that young immigrants and refugees in Ontario, Canada, are at higher risk of experiencing violent assault compared to nonimmigrant youth. The study used linked health and administrative databases to analyze the risk of violent assault among young immigrants and refugees aged 10-24.
The University of Tennessee Extension is launching a new effort to address the opioid crisis in rural Tennessee through the PROMPT TN program. The project aims to develop opioid-specific resources and train community members to prevent addiction, focusing on underlying causes and risk factors.
A survey of UK parliamentarians found that those with additional work roles or probable mental health issues were more likely to engage in hazardous drinking. The study suggests that the high-stress nature of MP work may contribute to increased alcohol consumption, highlighting the need for better support and resources for MPs' wellbeing.
A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan found that biotic and abiotic factors affecting radionuclide accumulation in fish are dependent on the ecosystem and differ between lakes and rivers. The study analyzed 30 species of fish from five rivers and three lakes in Fukushima, revealing significant differe...
Researchers have developed a new classification scheme for psychoses into five clearly defined subgroups based on machine learning analysis of clinical data. These subgroups exhibit distinct patterns in symptoms, functioning, and genetic risk factors.
A study published in JAMA found that polygenic risk scores are not a reliable predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients, contradicting long-held expectations. The researchers analyzed data from over 7,000 adults and concluded that these genetic tests provide limited information about who will develop CHD.
A team of researchers used a statistical technique to identify ecological risk factors affecting coral diseases, including growth anomalies and white syndromes. They found larger corals had higher disease risk, with certain conditions such as high fertilizer and pesticide runoff associated with growth anomalies.
A study analyzing global data found that chronic respiratory diseases have increased by 18% between 1990 and 2017, with the poorest regions experiencing the greatest disease burden. Smoking, environmental pollution, and body weight were identified as key risk factors for deaths and disability.
A new study reveals that habit, tradeoffs, and resource barriers are key factors influencing breast cancer therapy discontinuation. Black women were more likely to report challenges related to these barriers, highlighting the need for multi-barrier intervention strategies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that traditional cardiovascular risk factors are at least as valuable in predicting who will develop coronary heart disease (CHD) as a sophisticated genetic test. Identifying elevated risk for CHD early on can help patients avoid fatal events through lifestyle changes and preventive t...
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons has identified four geriatric-specific characteristics that increase the risk of elderly surgical patients experiencing an unplanned hospital readmission within a month of discharge. These characteristics include cognitive impairment, use of a mobility aid, risk o...
A new study from UC Davis warns that extreme weather risk is too often ignored in financial markets, putting investors at risk of severe losses. The research highlights the need for better climate risk assessment and pricing to mitigate potential economic consequences.
A comprehensive review of published evidence links 24 genetic variants to a heightened risk of developing endometrial cancer. Women with most or all of these variants may be twice or three times more likely to develop the disease.
Women who have experienced domestic abuse appear to be more than 40 per cent more likely to die from any cause compared to the general population. The researchers found an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in those who have experienced abuse.
A study by Stanford and UC Berkeley researchers found that algorithms are significantly more accurate than humans in predicting recidivism, approaching 90% accuracy. In contrast, human prediction rates were around 60%. The findings have important implications for criminal justice reform and the use of risk-assessment tools.
Research suggests a genetic profile may predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women who have had gestational diabetes. A study analyzing data from 2,434 women found that those with a larger proportion of certain gene variants were at higher risk.
A recent study by Ohio University researchers found that nearly 70% of tourist-gorilla spacing observations took place within 7 meters, posing a risk of disease transmission. The study urges tourists to maintain safe distances and encourages park officials to implement measures to protect gorilla health.
A randomized crossover study found that eating non-fried potatoes instead of refined grains improved diet quality and was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants who ate potatoes had higher potassium and fiber intake, as well as a healthier index score.
Researchers developed a simple risk score prediction model to determine stroke risk in adults with migraine accompanied by aura. The study found that those with high-risk scores were about 7 times more likely to have a stroke than low-risk individuals.
A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group found that the EPA has failed to apply an extra margin of safety to legal limits for pesticides in food, putting children at risk. The study examined 47 non-organophosphate pesticides and found that only five cases had the required tenfold safety factor applied.
A preclinical study found that a human gene variant affects the brain's reward processing circuit and increases vulnerability to THC reward in adolescent females, leading to higher preference for cannabis. The study suggests genetic factors can contribute to increased susceptibility to cannabis dependence in select populations.
A study found that malnourishment is linked to psychological distress among Canadians aged 45 years and older, with indicators including low fruit and vegetable intake and higher chocolate consumption. Chronic pain, multiple health problems, poverty, and immigrant status were also strongly associated with psychological distress.
Researchers found that Blacks have a 50% increased risk of stroke compared to non-Hispanic whites, while Hispanics have a 50% increased risk. Disparities persist even into old age and are driven by modifiable risk factors such as smoking and high blood pressure.
Michigan State University research found that optimistic partners contribute to their spouses' health, staving off cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Couples who share healthy habits and positive memories together experience improved well-being.
The study found that rates of new colorectal cancer cases increased substantially among individuals turning 50, indicating a shift in the disease's age distribution. This significant increase suggests that current screening age recommendations may need to be reevaluated.
New research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus suggests that changes in the environment may contribute to the rising incidence of type 1 diabetes. The study examined various environmental exposures and found that none of the associations were strong enough to explain the rapid increase alone.
A study of nearly 4,000 US Army soldiers found that 11.7% experienced suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives, with a peak risk period during the midpoint of deployment. Risk factors included being white, past noncombat trauma, and major depressive disorder.
A large genetic risk study found that adoptees had a slightly elevated genetic risk for depression, schizophrenia, and neuroticism. The adoption process did not increase the impact of this genetic risk, suggesting that both environment and genetics play a role in mental health problems.
A groundbreaking study published in PNAS used a multi-modal precision health platform to identify adults at risk of key health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. The study found that integrating whole-genome sequencing with advanced imaging and blood metabolites led to clinically significant findin...
Emerging adult women who are at increased risk for STIs/HIV due to inconsistent condom use exhibit a decreased brain response to rewarding and motivational circuits to sexual cues. This contrasts with previous studies in men, where a heightened brain response was linked to greater sexual risk behaviors.
A new study by MIT professor Arnold Barnett reveals that airline passenger fatalities have declined significantly between 2008 and 2017, with a global fatality rate of one death per 7.9 million passenger boardings.
The exposome represents the cumulative health effects of environmental exposures. A review article in Science calls for a coordinated international effort to characterize the exposome at scale, accounting for non-genetic risk factors and potential preventable exposures.
A large study of Australian women found that premature menopause increases the risk of developing multiple chronic medical conditions by age 60. Women who experienced premature menopause were twice as likely to develop multimorbidity by 60 and three times as likely after.
A new study suggests that eating walnuts daily can increase certain beneficial gut bacteria, which may contribute to improved heart health. The research found that walnuts enriched a number of gut bacteria associated with health benefits, including Roseburia and Eubacteria eligens.
New research from Western University found that people with a stroke are 20-25 times more likely to have a major cardiovascular event within 30 days. The risk persists even after one year, with men and women still experiencing twice the risk of heart complications compared to those without a stroke.
A new study published in Science Advances identifies several common genetic pathways linked to compulsive behavior and addiction, including those related to heavy alcohol consumption. The research used genome-wide association studies and model organisms to pinpoint the genes responsible for high levels of alcohol intake.
A history of falls in postmenopausal women can predict a higher risk of subsequent fractures. Slip falls were associated with a greater risk of fracture than other types of falls.
A study of 1.3 million people found shared genetic factors between body mass index and major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which contributes to a shorter life expectancy among those with psychiatric disorders.
A study of US health professionals found that adopting five healthy lifestyle factors can add up to 10 extra years of disease-free life, with women gaining the most benefit. Participants who adopted four or five low-risk lifestyle factors had significantly longer life expectancy free from major chronic diseases.