Articles tagged with Poisons
Researchers discovered a 165-million-year-old fossilized skeleton of the ancient mammal Megaconus mammaliaformis in Northeast China. The animal had striking cusps on its teeth for crushing hard plant material and powerful jaws for eating tough plants.
The CIA copied outlandish gadgets from Goldfinger and From Russia With Love, while also using the James Bond novels to improve its public profile. Declassified letters reveal the mutual admiration between Allen Dulles and Ian Fleming, who actively leaned on each other to promote a positive image of the agency.
A recent study by the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station reveals that female fishers living near areas with high concentrations of illegal marijuana sites have higher exposure to rodenticides and lower survival rates. The study's findings underscore the urgent need for regulating pesticide use in these areas.
A study by the European Society of Cardiology found that excessive cola consumption can cause unusual syncope and symptoms of arrhythmia due to high fructose corn syrup content and caffeine effects. Consuming honey made from Rhododendron pollen may also lead to similar issues.
Recent research has made significant progress in developing gene-sensing techniques for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes. These methods, like the novel in situ ECL detection system, utilize electrochemiluminescence and microfluidics to achieve high sensitivity and specificity.
A new study found that hydrocarbon exposure incidents increased significantly during summer months, with most cases occurring in boys between one to two years old. The study also highlights the importance of proper storage and supervision to prevent these types of injuries.
A new study examines local lead abatement efforts in eight communities, finding that local laws can be highly effective tools to address lead hazards. In Rochester, a historic lead abatement ordinance resulted in a 68% decline in children with elevated blood lead levels since its implementation.
A zebrafish study suggests that riboflavin, a form of vitamin B2, can mitigate the toxic effects of cyanide poisoning. The research, published in The FASEB Journal, also identifies new biomarkers that may be clinically useful for diagnosing cyanide exposure and developing antidotes.
Tests conducted by NIST found that portable generators retrofitted with off-the-shelf hardware emitted 90% less carbon monoxide than standard generators. The reduced emissions are expected to delay the onset and progression of CO poisoning symptoms, leading to fewer deaths and injuries.
The symposium brought together experts to discuss arsenic contamination in food and water, highlighting its dangers for human health. Experts focus on remediation methods, regulatory issues, and analysis techniques to address this ongoing global health threat.
Scientists utilize alyssum, pteridaceae, and sinapi mustard to absorb toxic metals from polluted soil through phytoremediation. The extracted poisons are then converted into valuable materials, such as catalytic converters and nanoparticles for cancer treatment.
This article from ACS' Journal of Chemical Education explores the real chemistry behind famous opera plots, including poisonous snake bites and deadly venoms. The author highlights several examples of operatic themes involving chemistry that can be used as a teaching tool for students and the general public.
Research suggests that lead exposure in children can lead to irreversible damage, including learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and lowered intelligence. Public education is needed to address the ongoing problem of lead exposure and its devastating effects on young people.
A tiny insect that eats plants has developed a unique strategy to evade its beetle predator: using the plant's trichomes for physical protection. This clever tactic allows the pest to crawl between the plant hairs and feed on cycad sap, while the larger beetle cannot follow suit.
A new study tracks vulture movements, revealing they often avoid national parks to scavenge on private farmland, risking exposure to poisonous veterinary drugs. This behavior poses a significant threat to the endangered white-backed vulture species in Africa and India.
Researchers have developed a potential antidote for cyanide poisoning that can be administered by intra-muscular injection, reducing the need for trained personnel and increasing efficiency in mass casualty events. The discovery of sulfanegen TEA offers a promising alternative to existing intravenous infusion-based treatments.
A study of white-backed vulture movements across southern Africa reveals they prefer to forage on private farmland, risking exposure to poisonous veterinary drugs. The birds travel long distances to find food, with some individuals crossing multiple country borders in search of sustenance.
The carob tree's antibacterial properties have been discovered to combat Listeria monocytogenes, a serious form of food poisoning. Extracts from the tree's leaves have shown promise in inhibiting bacterial growth, offering a potential natural solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
A new enzyme treatment has been developed to neutralize the effects of lethal chemicals responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The treatment, known as a bioscavenger, was found to protect mice against nerve agents and showed no lasting effects.
Experts urge a broad public health strategy to reduce US gun violence, drawing on evidence-based strategies from other public health threats. The authors suggest over a dozen recommendations, including taxes, smart guns, and education, to address the root causes of gun violence.
Every week, the UK National Poisons Information Service receives around two phone queries about snakebites, with over half of these enquiries concerning the European adder, the only poisonous snake native to the UK. Snakebite injuries can be serious due to their effects on the heart and other organs, despite being rarely fatal.
A consortium of researchers has developed a technology that uses common classes of flower to restore poisoned soils while producing nano-sized platinum and arsenic nanoparticles. The process can also be used to recover high-value materials such as fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and anti-oxidants.
Middle-aged adults are experiencing a significant increase in suicide rates, particularly through hanging/suffocation. Suicide by firearm remains the leading cause of injury death, but hanging/suffocation has increased dramatically, especially among middle-aged men and women.
Scientists have discovered that carob tree leaves possess antibacterial properties effective against Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium responsible for serious food poisoning outbreaks. The study suggests carob extracts could be used to preserve food and control disease-causing microbes.
A study found that holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving may reduce suicide attempts by poisoning, while New Year's Day sees a spike. The researchers suggest increased family or social support structures around holidays may play a role in this phenomenon.
Two recent cases highlight the risks of foreign body mishaps in the gut, including a woman who developed a liver abscess and sepsis after swallowing a toothpick. Surgical swabs left behind during procedures can also cause problems, as seen in another case where removal resolved symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a rapid detection method for blood cyanide, reducing analysis time from up to an hour. This allows emergency responders to administer antidotes promptly and monitor treatment more effectively.
Researchers found a direct relationship between the brightness of European paper wasps' colours and the size of their poison glands. This colouration serves as an honest signal to predators that the wasp is strong and healthy, potentially wasting energy on bright patterns.
Research reveals substantial variation in stocks of essential antidotes at UK acute hospitals, with many lacking critical medicines for life-threatening poisonings. Only half of hospitals stock all recommended antidotes, highlighting a concerning gap in care.
Researchers discovered commercial rodenticide in dead fishers in Humboldt County and Yosemite National Park, linked to illegal marijuana farms. The poison, anticoagulant rodenticides, can cause uncontrollable bleeding and is toxic even after a single ingestion.
A CU-UCSC study finds that California condors continue to suffer from lead exposure, with nearly half of the population showing signs of poisoning. The research highlights the need for sustained human intervention to stabilize and grow the species' population.
A comprehensive study confirms lead-based ammunition as the primary source of lead in California condors, preventing their recovery. The condor population can only be sustained through intensive and costly management efforts without a solution to the problem of lead poisoning.
A new study maps the international agro-food trade network, showing its high complexity and potential for rapid spread of contaminants. The researchers predict significant delays in identifying outbreak sources, calling for an interdisciplinary approach to improve food safety regulation.
A recent study by Norwich BioScience Institutes reveals that the complex worldwide food-transport network generates 'hotspots' vulnerable to making outbreak tracing difficult. Countries with high import and export volumes are identified as key nodes in the network.
Doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center successfully treated four patients with amanitin poisoning using an IV preparation of milk thistle seeds. The treatment prevented liver failure and allowed all patients to fully recover without significant consequence.
A study by Keith Hawton and colleagues found a significant reduction in co-proxamol-related poisonings after its UK withdrawal in 2005. Deaths involving other analgesics remained stable despite increased prescribing, suggesting the removal of co-proxamol had major benefits on suicide rates.
A new poll found that nearly 1 in 4 grandparents store prescription medicines in easy-to-access places, posing a significant risk of accidental poisoning to young children. The poll also showed strong support for single-dose packaging to prevent such incidents.
A new study finds that athletic frogs tend to have faster-changing genomes, with the rate of evolution correlated with physical fitness. The research suggests that free radicals produced during exercise may cause wear and tear on DNA, leading to genetic changes.
Researchers have developed a method to destroy cancer cells using the death cap mushroom's α-amanitin toxin without harming healthy cells. The toxin is linked to an antibody that targets a protein on cancer cells, inhibiting tumor growth and causing regression in mice.
A prenatal remediation strategy targeting homes of pregnant women significantly reduced childhood lead poisoning and lower blood lead levels in children. The study found that 62.5% of homes underwent remediation, compared to 28.2% in Philadelphia, where a similar program did not show the same results.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed an antidote for cyanide poisoning called Sulfanegen, which can be administered rapidly by intra-muscular injection. The treatment could save lives in mass casualty emergencies and smoke inhalation incidents, where current treatments require medical professionals' expertise.
Researchers at Sam Houston State University have discovered a new biomarker, ACTA, in liver samples following cyanide poisoning, which may extend its detection window up to two months. Elevated cyanide concentrations can only be detected for up to two days under current toxicological testing.
A new study found that norovirus was responsible for 18.2% of all infection outbreaks and 65% of ward closures in US hospitals during a two-year period. The study also revealed that medical/surgical units were the most common location of outbreak investigations, with an average duration of 58.4 days.
Scientists discover that microalgae produce biogenic cyanogen bromide to control competing organisms in the ocean ground. This toxic chemical helps diatoms grow and thrive by eliminating direct competitors for light and space. Researchers are now investigating why the poison doesn't harm the producing algae themselves.
A recent study reveals that lead poisoning is the leading cause of death for California condors, accounting for 70% of mortalities. Human activities such as deer hunting and power-line collisions also contribute to the species' decline.
Scientists re-engineered botulism toxins to target non-nerve cells, blocking inflammation-linked protein release. This could expand treatment options for chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, reducing risks associated with nerve cell disruption.
Scientists have created a fast and reliable test to detect ciguatoxin, the primary cause of ciguatera food poisoning. The new test uses standard laboratory instruments and has been proven effective in identifying 16 different forms of the toxin in fish from the Pacific Ocean.
Researchers have developed a biosensor using carbon nanotubes that can detect salmonella bacteria, offering a potential solution to preventing food poisoning. The device's sensitivity and specificity make it a promising tool for controlling food safety outbreaks.
The study found that ancient oceans contained lethal sulfide, making vast areas of seafloor inhospitable to animals. The discovery suggests that poisonous oceans delayed the emergence of animal life on Earth.
Researchers have discovered how living organisms, including humans, protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning by altering the structure of haemproteins. This mechanism allows for safe levels of internal carbon monoxide production without impairing cellular functions.
A new study found that prescription drugs accounted for 55% of ED visits and 76% of hospital admissions, with opioid-containing pain medications being the biggest contributor. The authors attribute the increase in exposure to a greater availability and access to medications in children's homes.
A new study reveals a dramatic increase in medication poisoning cases among young children, with opioids and sedatives being the most commonly ingested substances. The PROTECT Initiative aims to improve storage devices and child-resistant closures to reduce the risk of accidental overdoses.
Researchers found that the risk of death from CO2 poisoning is about one in 100 million. The study also suggests that engineered gas storage underground could be even safer due to planning and monitoring.
A new study by University of Tennessee, Knoxville engineers finds that the solar industry can release up to 2.4 million tons of lead pollution in China and India due to reliance on lead batteries. The researchers recommend investments in environmental controls and battery take-back policies to mitigate this impact.
A study reports that children living near lead battery manufacturing and recycling operations in developing countries have significantly higher blood lead levels, associated with lifelong health problems. The industry is expected to nearly double in size over the next five to 10 years, posing significant risks to workers and communities.
A new University of Utah study reveals that woodrats that eat a variety of toxic plants can limit their toxin intake more effectively than those that specialize in one plant. By increasing time between meals, reducing meal size, and drinking more water, generalist woodrats regulate their toxin exposure.
A*STAR scientists have discovered a potential antidote for Ricin and Pseudomonas exotoxin, two deadly toxins responsible for hospital-acquired infections. The study identified ERGIC2 as a therapeutic target, paving the way for developing generic antidotes against these life-threatening toxins.
A Rice University study reveals that European house mice have developed resistance to warfarin through two distinct processes: point mutation and horizontal gene transfer. Algerian mice, a desert-dwelling species, are believed to have passed the resistant genome into house mice in Spain or North Africa.
Researchers discover house mice acquired warfarin resistance from Algerian mice through interbreeding, highlighting multiple pathways to trait evolution. This unusual process helps explain rodents' ability to resist poison and informs strategies for controlling evolved resistances.
A native species, the plucky winter ant, has been discovered using chemical warfare to combat the Argentine ant invasion. In laboratory testing, the poison had a 79 percent kill rate, making it a potential game-changer in ecosystem defense.