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Mental disorders in 13.5 percent of Canadian Forces personnel deployed to Afghanistan

A study published in CMAJ found that 13.5% of Canadian Forces personnel who served in support of the Afghanistan mission between 2001-08 had a mental health disorder related to their deployment. The most common disorders were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, with PTSD being found in 8% of personnel.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 2, 2013

Middle-aged women commonly become ill with stress

A study of 1,500 middle-aged women found that one in five experienced constant or frequent stress, leading to 40% reporting psychosomatic symptoms like muscle aches and joint pain. Single women and smokers were particularly vulnerable to stress, highlighting the need for preventive measures from society.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of General Medicine·DateJun 3, 2013

Millions pass up free health subsidy

A new study from Harvard Medical School reveals that millions of eligible seniors are turning down free prescription drug coverage due to impaired cognitive abilities. The researchers suggest that the design of the program needs to be changed to make it easier for low-income adults to enroll and access the benefit.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2013

Restaurant service linked to customer demographics, race, Wayne State research finds

Researchers analyzed survey data from 200 servers in 18 restaurants, finding that sensitivity to demographic differences predicted service levels. The study highlights the problem of poor service to African-American customers and suggests a solution by promoting tipping norms for specific levels of service quality.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·DateMar 26, 2013

New study shows stable fisher population in the Southern Sierra Nevada

A recent study by the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station has found that fisher populations in the southern Sierra Nevada are stable. The research, which monitored fisher distribution across a 7,606-square-mile area over eight years, found no increase or decrease in population numbers.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·JournalJournal of Fish and Wildlife Management·DateJan 28, 2013

Workplace exposure to organic solvents linked to heart defects at birth

Research found associations between exposure to certain organic solvents and an increased risk of heart defects in newborns. The study, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, suggests that workplace exposure to organic solvents may be a potential risk factor for several types of congenital heart defects at birth.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJul 17, 2012

Stillbirth rate twice as high among least well off in England

Research published in BMJ Open finds that stillbirth rates are twice as high among the least well-off in England, with the gap remaining constant over eight years. Socio-economic inequalities in stillbirths by cause have been evident across all causes, including bleeding before birth and congenital abnormalities.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateJun 25, 2012

Abundance of rare DNA changes following population explosion may hold clues to common diseases

A recent study found that rare variations in the human genome, which occurred following a population explosion, may influence susceptibility to common diseases. The researchers analyzed the genetic code of over 2,400 individuals and discovered more than half a million single-letter DNA changes, many of which were predicted to be harmful.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateMay 17, 2012

Asthma rates double for WTC first responders

A study published in The American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that WTC first responders suffer from asthma at more than twice the rate of the general U.S. population, with rates doubling between 2002 and 2005. Researchers tracked 20,834 responders who received medical screenings from 2002 to 2007, comparing their results to US...

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine·DateDec 2, 2011

Bird song-sharing like verbal sparring

Research at Queen's University Biological Station reveals that singing shared songs is an attention-seeking behavior often displayed by older males. Song sharing is linked to individual differences like age and neighborhood characteristics.

SourceQueen's University·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateAug 10, 2011

Even mild stress is linked to long-term disability

A large population-based study found that even mild stress can lead to long-term disability and an inability to work. Higher levels of stress at the start of the study were associated with a significantly greater likelihood of receiving disability benefits, with up to 70% more likely for those with mild stress.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 23, 2011