Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Painted lady butterflies migrations and genetics

A study on painted lady butterfly migrations found that environmental conditions, rather than genetic coding, drive their migratory patterns. The research revealed that butterflies can travel vast distances, crossing the Sahara Desert, without showing significant genomic differences between short and long-distance migrants.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 4, 2025

Diabetes-linked amputations surge in Oklahoma amid national decline, OU study finds

A new University of Oklahoma study found that diabetes-linked amputations are rising in Oklahoma, with the statewide rate nearly doubling between 2008 and 2019. The study analyzed over 1.3 million anonymized discharge records and found that rates were highest among males, American Indians, and those with poor health insurance coverage.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Study finds most Americans oppose detaining sick undocumented immigrants but support post-treatment detention

A study by Texas A&M University found that most people in the US are not in favor of detaining sick undocumented immigrants who reach interior border checkpoints. However, they do support detention after medical treatment is complete. The survey also found broad public support for expanding existing policies to allow undocumented indiv...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalHealth Economics Policy and Law·DateFeb 3, 2025

Journals publish Montana State ecologist’s studies on the effects of prey depletion on populations of large African carnivores

The studies, published in various journals, found that prey depletion has a significant impact on population dynamics of large African carnivores. In protected areas, lion populations have shown growth due to increased prey availability, while African wild dogs face challenges with low prey density and high competition from lions.

SourceMontana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 28, 2025

Females have a 31% higher associated risk of developing long COVID, UT Health San Antonio-led RECOVER study shows

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that females aged 40-55 years have the highest risk of developing long COVID, with a 31% higher associated risk compared to males. The research, part of the NIH RECOVER initiative, suggests that patients and healthcare teams should consider sex differences when treating long COVID.

Many Greenlanders face 10 times higher risk of diabetes – exercise may be their only solution

A study published in Nature Metabolism found that four percent of Greenland's Inuit population has a gene variant that increases their risk of type 2 diabetes by tenfold. Exercise has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity in these individuals, suggesting it may be an effective way to reduce their risk of developing the disease.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJan 19, 2025

Nine in ten Afghans struggle with diminished quality of life

A survey of over 800 Afghans found that nearly nine in ten face diminished quality of life due to psychosocial stress, while three-quarters experience food insecurity and over seven in ten have poor healthcare access. The study highlights the impact of the Taliban's takeover on daily life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateJan 16, 2025

Long before the L.A. fires, America’s housing crisis displaced millions

A new USC study reveals that the US is facing a shortage of 4.5 million homes due to policy missteps in the early 2000s, which led to a historic housing bubble and subsequent Great Recession. The crisis has disproportionately affected millennials and people of color, with racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership widening over time.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalRSF The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 14, 2025

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute collaborate with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to identify genetic risks for age-related macular degeneration

A new study has identified genetic and demographic factors that increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The research found a significant difference in AMD risk between European and non-European descent populations, highlighting the importance of diverse ancestry groups in understanding this condition.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Genetics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 14, 2025

Using AI to uncover hospital patients’ long COVID care needs

A new AI system analyzed electronic health records of long-COVID patients to identify four sub-populations with specific needs, including those with asthma or mental health conditions. The study found that these sub-populations require more specialized care and pointed toward updated profiles for hospitals to better address their needs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPatterns·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2025

People from some racial and ethnic groups may face barriers to obtaining obesity medications

A new study found significant disparities in the use of obesity-management medications among different racial and ethnic groups. People of Asian, Black, and Hispanic descent were significantly less likely to use these medications compared to whites, even after adjusting for income, education, health insurance coverage, and clinical need.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2024

Travelers weigh in on weight-based airfares for eco-friendly skies

A recent University of New Hampshire study gauges public opinion on three fare policies aimed at reducing emissions. The standard policy, where all passengers pay a uniform price, is the most accepted approach, while nearly 60% express concerns about weight-based policies citing potential fairness issues and discrimination.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalTransportation Research Part A Policy and Practice·DateDec 17, 2024

Older Australians turning to cannabis as cigarette prices rise

A study by Curtin University found that when cigarette prices increased, cannabis use among older Australians (aged over 50) rose, with 68,000 people expected to start using cannabis. Researchers used data from the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey and ran simulations to predict the impact of price increases.

SourceCurtin University·JournalJournal of Population Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2024

High heat is preferentially killing the young, not the old, new research finds

A new study reveals that 75% of heat-related deaths in Mexico occur among people under 35, contrary to the assumption that elderly individuals are more susceptible. Young adults and small children are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as outdoor labor, limited access to air conditioning, and developing immune systems.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 6, 2024

Owning a home in the US linked to longer life

The study found that homeownership was associated with a statistically significant increase in life expectancy, particularly among Black male Americans. Homeownership opportunities were significantly lower among Black Americans compared to White Americans, and expanding these opportunities may help narrow the gap in life expectancy bet...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2024

Association of waist circumference with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2018

A U-shaped association between waist circumference and all-cause mortality was found in women, while a J-shaped trend was observed in men with type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that optimal waist circumference thresholds for minimizing mortality risk are 107 cm for women and 89 cm for men.

World’s most common heart valve disease linked to insulin resistance in large national study

Researchers found a novel link between aortic stenosis and insulin resistance, with certain biomarkers increasing the risk of the disease. The study's findings suggest that managing metabolic health could be a new approach to reduce the risk of AS and improve cardiovascular health in aging populations.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAnnals of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 27, 2024

Study finds suburban school districts diversified in 20 years, but urban districts saw more racial isolation

Research from the University of Kansas found that suburban school districts are becoming more diverse, while urban districts are experiencing increased racial isolation. This study analyzed census data and geographic mapping technology to compare demographic changes in schools across the country.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalAERA Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 25, 2024

Breaking down bias in the NFT marketplace: Study reveals female and Black avatars sell for less—and offers solutions to promote equality

Researchers found that female CryptoPunks avatars were sold at a 37% lower price than their male counterparts, while Black CryptoPunks avatars were sold at a 31% lower price than White counterparts. Avatars with features associated with high-tech or higher education countered these disparities.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateNov 19, 2024

Alcohol-related deaths in the US more than double from 1999 to 2020

Researchers found that alcohol-related deaths in the US surged dramatically between 1999 and 2020, with a nearly fourfold increase in those aged 25-34. The study highlights significant gender differences and regional disparities, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to combat the growing US alcohol mortality epidemic.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 18, 2024

New framework champions equity in AI for health care

The EDAI framework is a comprehensive guideline designed to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout the artificial intelligence (AI) lifecycle. It addresses a significant gap in current AI development and implementation practices in health and oral healthcare, ensuring AI systems are socially responsible and ...

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 18, 2024

Refugees face high housing instability

Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub found that refugees in Austria experience significantly greater housing instability, with an average of 3.8 moves within a year. This can lead to challenges such as financial strain, limited access to education and healthcare, and unstable relationships within neighborhoods.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalGenus·TypeCase study·DateNov 18, 2024

Language comprehension impacts medical prescriptions for Ontario's long-term care Francophone, Allophone residents: uOttawa study

A new study by uOttawa highlights the importance of providing culturally and linguistically concordant care to avoid inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotics. Francophone and Allophone residents are more likely to experience inappropriateness compared to English-language patients.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalBMC Geriatrics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 15, 2024

Air pollution exposure may be associated with eczema

A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that air pollution exposure may be associated with an increased risk of eczema. Data from hundreds of thousands of U.S. adults found that every 10-µm/m3 increase in PM2.5 levels doubles the eczema rate among residents.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 13, 2024