Articles tagged with Poisons
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A recent study found that most New Zealanders have large quantities of paracetamol stored at home, contributing to a significant number of calls to the National Poisons Centre. The study's results highlight the need for public initiatives to encourage safe disposal of unused medicines and prevent unnecessary accumulation.
Researchers found that state-level opioid-reduction policies led to a decrease in opioid poisonings among children and teens. The study suggests that targeted policy interventions can help mitigate the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on young people.
Researchers from Utah State University and Butantan Institute report the discovery of oral venom glands in amphibians, specifically caecilians. These glands, similar to those found in snakes, are thought to have evolved as an early defense mechanism against predators.
Researchers correlated poisoned red kites with local extinction and declining breeding populations in Spain between 1994-2014. Wildlife poisoning from pesticides and lead ammunition may contribute to species declines across the country.
A new study found that most cannabis poisoning incidents among children involved intentional use of cannabis combined with alcohol, illicit drugs, or medication. The majority of cases were reported on weekdays, with youth smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol in private residences.
Researchers have identified key toxins in Nomura's jellyfish that make its venom deadly to some swimmers. The venom is a complex mix of toxins similar to those found in poisonous snakes, spiders, and bees.
A study tracked Google searches for buying chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, which surged 442% and 1,389% respectively after Trump and Musk's endorsements. The study estimated over 200,000 searches in 14 days, raising concerns about misinformation's dangers.
A new computer model, ApoSim, simulates the evolution of various prey behaviors, including permanent and switchable warning signals. The model explores how predators' learning speeds impact evolutionary outcomes, providing insights into the diversity of prey defenses.
Skoltech scientists developed sensitive sensors based on cobalt oxide nanoflakes to detect various alcohols, including toxic methanol. The new technology enables quick and accurate tests for safe air quality, applicable to medical diagnostics and ambient air monitoring.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made significant breakthroughs in developing new antidotes for certain poisons that can mitigate their effects more efficiently compared to existing remedies. Additionally, a novel system has been designed to direct traffic lights and reduce fuel consumption by identifying the most fuel...
A University of Saskatchewan study found that endangered Colombian poison frog hybrids originated from natural breeding between two known species, rather than human activity. The research confirms the genetic diversity of the frogs benefits the ecosystem.
A new study by the University of Saskatchewan has found that the likely culprit of the Minamata poisoning is alpha-mercuri-acetaldehyde, a mercury waste product not previously identified. This organic mercury species was discharged directly from the Chisso Corporation's chemical factory and contaminated Minamata Bay.
Researchers found that smaller, younger, non-neutered dogs, and those living in US counties with high opioid prescription rates are at higher risk of accidental opioid poisoning. The study suggests increased public awareness and knowledge of drug trends could help lessen further harm.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota are developing a new device to administer a recently developed antidote for cyanide poisoning, which could save lives in mass-casualty settings. The autoinjector, designed by Windgap Medical, would deliver a single dose of sulfanegen, an antidote that takes effect within minutes.
A recent study found that the proportion of high-strength painkiller poisonings among children resulting in emergency hospital admissions has increased. The opioid crisis is affecting young people, with suspected suicide cases among under-19s being a major factor.
A national study found a significant rise in teens taking and overdosing on benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed anxiety medications. The rate of exposure among adolescents increased by 54% between 2000 and 2015, with nearly half of all reported exposures documented as intentional abuse or misuse.
A new study found a decrease in eye exposures from household cleaning products, but children under 2 years old remain at high risk. Parents can help keep kids safe by storing products up and away, using traditional laundry detergents, and seeking immediate medical attention if exposure occurs.
A recent study found that US poison control centers received over 67,300 calls regarding exposures to natural psychoactive substances from 2000-2017. The majority of cases involved marijuana, with a notable increase in hospital admissions and serious medical outcomes.
A study found a consistent association between state Prescription Drug Monitoring program adoption and death rates from heroin poisoning. States with Proactive PDMPs reported a 6% reduction in heroin poisoning mortality by the third year.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices in Nigerian gold mining communities has reduced blood lead levels among miners by 32%. The study, published in the British Medical Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, also found that women miners experienced lower reductions in lead levels. The project's success demonstrat...
A study from Nationwide Children's Hospital finds rural areas have a higher rate of reported cases, particularly during school months. Common medications such as OTC analgesics are involved in these incidents, emphasizing the importance of safe storage and supervision.
Codeine-related poisoning calls and sales in Australia have significantly decreased since the prescription-only change in February 2018. The study found a 50% reduction in monthly rate of codeine-related poisoning calls and halved codeine sales.
Researchers used CRISPR technology to study the genetic changes that allow monarch butterflies to survive toxic milkweed by editing genes into laboratory fruit flies. This breakthrough reveals a key adaptation in the evolution of these iconic insects.
Researchers genetically engineered fruit flies to mimic the monarch butterfly's ability to eat milkweed without dying. The flies store toxins in their bodies and retain them through metamorphosis, making animals that eat them likely to vomit.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a handheld device that can detect methanol in alcoholic beverages and diagnose poisoning by analyzing exhaled breath. The device uses a small metal oxide sensor to distinguish between methanol and ethanol, with detection limits down to the legal limit.
Rates of marijuana exposure cases among children and teens in Massachusetts rose after medical marijuana was legalized in 2012, with most calls coming from healthcare facilities. The majority of exposures were intentional among teenagers and unintentional among young children.
Massachusetts kids experienced a doubling of cannabis-related poison control calls after medical marijuana was legalized, with single-substance exposure increasing 140% and edible products linked to most age groups. The study calls for stronger regulations to prevent unintentional exposure among young children and enhanced efforts to p...
Researchers built mini temperature-controlled habitats to study how poison frogs adapt to warmer temperatures. The study found that frogs from sunny pastures prefer higher temperatures, but their maximum tolerance remains unchanged.
A new study by University of Würzburg researchers found that five out of 13 German grass species contain poisonous toxins produced by fungal endophytes. The risk of mass poisoning for grazing animals is low, but farmers are advised to increase pasture diversity and avoid monocultures, especially of perennial ryegrass.
A new study reveals a frog protein that can detect and neutralize a poisonous compound produced by red tides and other harmful algal blooms. The protein, saxiphilin, acts as a 'toxin sponge' that sops up and sequesters the deadly microbial poison.
A new species of bacteria has been found to produce a range of toxins that protect both the marine alga Bryopsis and the sea slug Elysia rufescens from predation. The discovery provides insight into the complex microbial interactions that contribute to biodiversity in coral reefs.
Researchers found that poison dart frogs possess a sophisticated brain capable of forming a cognitive map of their environment. They demonstrated this by testing the frogs' spatial awareness in a modified Morris water maze, where they successfully located a hidden platform using visual cues and landmarks.
Researchers found a modest decrease in calls for younger children but an increase in calls for older children and adults following the adoption of a 2015 product safety standard. The study highlights the need for improved safety measures to protect vulnerable populations.
A new study recommends four cost-effective methods to reduce arsenic contamination in Bangladesh, including testing and drilling medium-depth wells. The strategies could help more people at a lower cost, with the goal of improving public health and lives.
A new study found that rates of suicide attempts by self-poisoning among adolescents have more than doubled in the US, with girls and young women being particularly affected. The study also showed an increase in severe outcomes, especially among 10- to 15-year-olds.
A new study found that pediatric opioid deaths increased nearly 3-fold over 18 years, with the Midwest experiencing a four-fold increase and the West a two-fold increase. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the growing public health problem of fatal pediatric opioid poisonings.
A study found that state-run PDMPs, pain clinic legislation, and opioid prescribing guidelines significantly decrease pediatric opioid exposures. The analysis of NPDS data from 2005-2017 showed a notable reduction in opioid exposures among children following the implementation of these policies.
Death rates from drug poisoning in American adolescents and young adults rose significantly over the last decade, mainly fueled by opioid-related deaths. The estimated costs of these deaths were $27.1 million in medical costs, $8.5 billion in work loss costs, and $26.5 billion for quality-of-life loss in 2015.
A new study published in PLOS ONE has found that parrots in San Francisco's Telegraph Hill are being poisoned by bromethalin, a common rat poison. The research team detected the toxin in brain, liver, and fecal samples of affected birds, suggesting they may be ingesting a sublethal dose.
Researchers have identified a new biomarker, ATOEA, that accurately detects cyanide exposure and persists in the body longer than the toxic compound. This breakthrough enables faster diagnosis and treatment of cyanide poisoning.
A new study found over 1,800 calls to US Poison Control Centers regarding kratom exposures from 2011-2017, with a dramatic increase in annual calls. The majority of exposures were among males and occurred at residences, often due to intentional abuse or misuse.
A study published by University of Sydney found a significant increase in self-poisonings among young Australians aged 5-19 years from 2006 to 2016. The incidence rose by 98% and was predominantly caused by substances widely available, such as household products and prescribed medications.
Overdoses from opioids in loperamide have increased nationwide, with cardiac failure being a major concern due to the high toxicity of the drug when misused. Misusing non-prescription loperamide can lead to serious consequences, including irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices reduced airborne lead levels by 95% and respirable silica dust by 80%, saving hundreds of children from lead poisoning. The project's success demonstrates the effectiveness of low-cost dust control measures in reducing hazardous exposures in artisanal small-scale mining communities.
A new bioscavenger molecule has been developed to protect against toxic nerve agents, providing up to five days of protection and near-total safety against sarin. The therapy represents a major breakthrough in the field and could have translational potential for medical and military applications.
Between 1999 and 2016, nearly 9,000 children and adolescents died from opioid poisonings, with prescription opioids responsible for 73% of the deaths. The majority of deaths were among non-Hispanic white males, but the proportion of deaths among black children increased over time.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze Zhu Ling's hair samples and establish a timeline of her thallium poisoning. The study found that Ling was exposed to multiple doses of thallium, with increasing frequency and concentration, over a period of four months.
A study by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that over half of spice samples had detectable lead concentrations, with higher levels detected in spices purchased abroad. The study highlights the importance of considering spices as a potential risk factor for lead exposure in high-risk populations.
A new checklist of North American fungi reveals 44,488 known species, with hundreds of thousands more awaiting discovery. The comprehensive list includes both large macrofungi and tiny microorganisms, highlighting their crucial roles in ecosystem balance and human well-being.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have discovered that a catalyst poison can be transformed into an efficient ligand by introducing a substituent. This finding has significant implications for the design of ligands for homogeneous catalysts, enabling the acceleration of catalytic reactions.
A team of researchers has fully unveiled the sophisticated mechanism of bacterial toxins, including the Tc toxin complex used by the plague bacterium and other germs. The study reveals a molecular gatekeeper that controls the poison's exit, offering new insights for developing innovative therapies to combat bacterial infections.
In Bangladesh, villagers have taken matters into their own hands to drill deeper wells to avoid arsenic-contaminated water. Since 2000, the proportion of safe wells has increased from 25% to 70%, thanks to individual efforts and government well drilling at greater depths.
Researchers found that ants wrap pupae in a silk cocoon to shield them from acidic chemicals used for nest cleaning. This practice protects the pupae from harm, reducing mortality rates. The study provides insights into ant immunopathology and its similarities with human immune responses.
After severe weather events, households may use generators, leading to carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings. CO is a silent killer with no odor or taste, caused by malfunctioning appliances, and can cause coma, heart attack, and death. Regular appliance checks and generator usage precautions can prevent CO poisoning.
A new study examines the impact of salmon poisoning disease on grizzly bears in the North Cascades and central Idaho. The research suggests that using bears with no history of salmon consumption may not be effective due to their sensitivity to the disease, complicating recovery plans.
Research shows that kitchen towels can harbor pathogens, including coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and S. aureus, which can cause food poisoning. Factors such as family composition, dietary habits, and towel usage patterns impact bacterial growth on towels.
Scientists studied six-spot burnet moths to examine if natural variation in wing markings indicates toxicity levels. Smaller red forewing markings were associated with more cyanide in females but not males. The study suggests evolutionary pressures may be complex and drive colors beyond matching toxicity levels.
A study found over 156,000 calls to US Poison Control Centers regarding ADHD medication exposures among children and adolescents from 2000-2014, averaging 29 calls per day. The majority of calls were about children under 12 years old, with most exposures associated with exploratory behavior or therapeutic errors.
Researchers at TU Vienna found that support materials can significantly impact chemical reactions on large palladium grains. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective automotive catalytic converters by reinforcing the weak point of the grain, where carbon monoxide poisoning starts.
Researchers at TUM have deciphered the mechanism of action for a class of pore-forming bacterial toxins. This breakthrough could lead to new substances that inhibit toxin interaction and prevent fatal cell damage.