Research on the US population and its health. Covers cancer-trial sponsorship, myopia control, statistical literacy, and substance-use trends.
A new study found that low total testosterone levels are associated with chronic disease in men of all ages, including those under 40. The research team studied the relationship between testosterone, age, and chronic disease prevalence, using a population sample from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
A new study by IHME found that global spending on HIV/AIDS peaked at $49.7 billion in 2013 and reached a total of $562.6 billion between 2000 and 2015. Governments accounted for the majority of funding, with development assistance making up 30% of total spending.
A study of 30,352 US adults found that indoor tanning is associated with a higher risk of melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers. The results highlight the need for regular skin cancer screening among indoor tanners, who are at increased risk due to their exposure to UV radiation.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences found that walleye production in Wisconsin lakes decreased by 27% between 1990 and 2012. Climate change, habitat degradation, and harvest rates are likely contributing factors to the decline.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are using satellite imagery, geolocation technology, and small area surveys to create high-resolution national population estimates. These approaches have already helped combat the spread of malaria and assist in disaster relief planning in countries such as Nepal and Haiti.
A Brazilian study found a strong association between vitamin D insufficiency and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women. The researchers detected MetS in 57.8% of the women with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, while only 39.8% had sufficient levels.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals a significant racial and ethnic disparity in Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection rates in the US population. TV infection disproportionately affects black individuals, with higher prevalence rates among black males and females, particularly those living below poverty level.
A new study by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that an eight-week treatment regimen for hepatitis C may be just as effective as a 12-week course in black patients. The study suggests that more people could take advantage of the shorter treatment duration, benefiting access and reducing costs.
The report ranks Canada as the seventh happiest country in the world, with immigrants reporting higher life evaluations compared to locals. The countries with the happiest immigrants have balanced social and institutional supports, such as Canada which ranked fourth most accepting for migrants.
The US spent nearly twice as much on medical care as other high-income countries, but performed less well on population health outcomes. The main drivers of spending differences were pharmaceuticals, devices, and administrative costs.
Researchers detect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus in environmental DNA samples from lakes in California, providing an early signal of potential outbreaks and offering a non-invasive method to screen for the pathogen. The discovery could help save amphibian species around the world from extinction.
A review of research evidence suggests that living at high altitude may increase suicide risk, with studies linking higher altitudes to stronger associations with suicide. Possible treatments for reducing the effects of low blood oxygen on mood and suicidal thoughts are proposed, including supplemental serotonin precursors and creatinine.
A new study reveals that changes in living kidney donation in the US over the last decade have varied by sex, resulting in a widened gap in donation between women and men. The incidence of donation was 44% higher in women after adjusting for differences in age, race, and geographic factors.
A higher proportion of nonwhite patients were diagnosed at younger than 50 years of age compared to white patients, underscoring the need for personalized screening guidelines. The study's findings challenge the use of single age-based screening guidelines that do not account for race.
A recent study by Boston University School of Medicine found that cardiac events and urinary tract infections were more common in Medicare patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The study also showed increased risks of central nervous system complications, gastrointestinal issues, and mortality among Medicare patients compared to...
The University of Guelph researchers have developed a dynamic population model that predicts overall cat numbers in a community, accounting for owned cats, unowned strays, and shelter cats. This tool enables municipalities to tackle factors influencing cat populations and improve cat welfare.
Researchers found that golden-winged warblers from declining populations spend winters in northern South America, while stable populations spend winters in Central America. This strong link between breeding and non-breeding areas suggests that tropical habitats may be crucial for the species' survival.
Researchers found that people born with heart defects in Denmark had a 60% higher risk of dementia compared to the general population, with those diagnosed before age 65 facing an even greater risk. The study's findings suggest that continued monitoring and management may be necessary for individuals born with congenital heart defects.
A Portland State University study found that counties with more religious populations tend to have less risk-averse hedge fund managers, resulting in smaller and younger funds. Despite this, these funds produce returns comparable to the industry average, suggesting a link between local religiosity and organizational risk-taking.
A new report highlights the persistence of smoking among vulnerable subpopulations in the US, including lower education and socioeconomic groups, certain racial/ethnic communities, and those with mental illness. The American Cancer Society calls for increased attention to novel interventions to address these disparities.
Black Americans experience lower total knee replacement rates, resulting in significant losses in quality-adjusted life years. Compared to white counterparts, they gain fewer QALYs due to underuse of this highly efficacious procedure.
Research finds that Trump's use of inflammatory language activated latent support among Republican voters in areas experiencing Latino population growth. The study used geocoded surveys to track changes in voter sentiment before and after Trump's campaign announcement and infamous statements.
According to a new Penn study, most Americans averaged an extra 7.5 hours of sleep each year between 2003 and 2016. The increase in sleep duration was mostly due to respondents turning in earlier at night and getting up later in the morning.
Research suggests that cervical dilatation during labor for vaginal births can progress more slowly than the widely accepted benchmark of 1 cm/hour in many women. Women giving birth to their first child and progressing at the slowest rates may take up to 7 hours to reach full dilation.
Researchers found that state-level immigration policies positively impact Latino sense of belonging, especially with welcoming policies like bilingual documents and social services for noncitizens. White Americans also report increased belonging when considering welcoming immigrant policies, except for conservatives.
A new study finds that warmer temperatures are turning the majority of sea turtles in the Great Barrier Reef population female, with some beaches having as few as 1% male turtles. This shift could threaten the long-term sustainability of the colony.
A national study led by Elizabeth Evans found that childhood adversity elevates men's alcohol risk and increases women's drug risk among veterans. In contrast, civilian men and women show similar risks for both disorders with increasing childhood adversity. The study highlights the need to assess and address childhood adversity in vete...
A Drexel University public health study found that Mexican immigrant health access plummets after crossing into the US, and remains low even when returning to Mexico. The study revealed a significant drop in healthcare access, from 78% to 47-60%, among Mexican adults before and after migration.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that protecting bald eagle nests from human disturbance increased breeding activity and led to a 37% rise in breeding pairs. The research, conducted at Voyageurs National Park, used a modeling framework to analyze data on nest occupancy, success, and reproductive output.
New research on Campanula americana found that temperature influences pollen pigmentation, with dark pollen outperforming light under higher temperatures but not elevated UV. This study suggests temperature stress may play a significant role in geographic variation of pollen color.
A new population of ancient Native Americans has been identified through genetic analysis of a 6-week-old infant found in an Interior Alaska archaeological site. The Ancient Beringians are believed to have split from East Asians around 35,000 years ago and lived in the Far North for thousands of years.
Researchers found that climate-related primary productivity, biodiversity, and pathogen stress influence global pattern of population densities of ethnographically documented hunter-gatherers, showing cultural evolution did not free humans from environmental forces.
A new study provides direct genetic evidence that the first Native Americans arrived in the continent via a single migration event, with the Ancient Beringians being an offshoot of the same ancestral population as Northern and Southern Native American groups. The findings suggest people entered Alaska before 20,000 years ago.
A large study found that short-term exposure to air pollution at levels below current standards was associated with a higher risk of death in Medicare patients. Daily increases in fine particulate matter and ozone were linked to increased mortality rates, even when levels were below the national air quality standards.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that people who are juggling bills and using financial coping strategies may be at risk for food insecurity. The researchers used data from the Hunger in America 2014 survey to show that these strategies can help identify individuals who are very food insecure or at risk.
A study analyzed Twitter and Google search data to identify trends in vaccine sentiment before the 2014-2015 Disneyland measles outbreak. The findings suggest that social media users' attitudes toward vaccines exhibit increased variability, characteristic of systems approaching a tipping point.
A new UCLA study estimates that 47 million Americans already show signs of susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and this number is expected to double by 2060. By then, about 5.7 million will have mild cognitive impairment and 9.3 million will have dementia due to Alzheimer's.
The study highlights that since 2011, the conflict has claimed an increasing number of civilian child deaths due to the systematic use of aerial bombing on populated areas. The majority of civilian deaths were men, followed by children and women, with barrel bombs causing a high proportion of civilian deaths.
A new study finds that while the US consistently provides more funding for development assistance for health than any other country, some high-income European nations have surpassed the US's assistance in per capita and expenditure measurements. The US ranking fifth at $714 contributed to DAH for every $1 million in national income.
Research suggests that US arthritis prevalence is much higher than current estimates, especially among younger adults. The study found that 91.2 million US adults are affected by arthritis, with a significant impact on healthcare costs and productivity.
Wildlife researchers developed a structured decision-making process to set sustainable wild turkey harvest targets when reliable abundance estimates are not available. The approach incorporates uncertainty about population and harvest parameters, allowing managers to apply principles of structured decision making.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that recent health care reforms in England did not lead to the expected decrease in hospitalisations and specialist visits. In fact, there was an increase in outpatient specialist visits, resulting in 3.7 million additional specialist visits between 2012 and 2015.
A new study reports that a care model for older adults with dementia can benefit ICU survivors of all ages, addressing persistent cognitive impairment and depression. The Critical Care Recovery Center (CCRC) model provides interdisciplinary care to help ICU survivors recover from their hospitalization.
Health care spending in the US rose significantly between 1996 and 2013, with over half attributed to rising prices for services. The study also found that population growth and aging contributed to increased spending on health care.
A new version of Markowitz's portfolio theory predicts inflated growth and reduced volatility in diverse populations across the landscape. It was developed by Prof Cang Hui and colleagues to quantify population demographics and behavior in invasive species management.
Researchers applied an ecological model to explain historical settlement patterns in Utah, finding that agricultural suitability drove colonization. The study's results illustrate why populations are distributed across the state and provide insights into the impact of early settlers' decisions on modern-day Utah.
Researchers found that Noir Marron communities in French Guiana and Suriname have remarkably preserved their African genetic heritage, unlike African-descendants from Brazil and Colombia. The study sheds new light on the history of enslaved Africans in greater detail.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that frequent marijuana users had increased coital frequency compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 Americans aged 25-45 and found a positive association between marijuana use and sexual activity across all demographics.
Researchers adapted an Integrative Medical Group Visit approach to address chronic pain, fatigue, and depression in low-income Spanish-speaking Latinos. The program combined complementary and integrative medicine, medical group visits, and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, showing significant benefits.
The Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has launched a new program to improve access to diabetes care in West Virginia, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Merck Foundation. The program aims to address healthcare disparities among vulnerable populations and promote health equity.
Researchers analyzed data from over 90,000 women and found that adopting a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising moderately, and not smoking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease after gestational diabetes. Women who failed to adopt a healthy lifestyle had a 43-percent-higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
A new study by University of Kansas researchers found that Americans tend to overestimate the size of the gay and lesbian population, which can influence support for equal rights policies. The study used nationally representative surveys from 1977 and 2013, finding consistent overestimations despite changes in social and political land...
A study found that atrazine exposure increases feminization in male Blanchard's cricket frogs, altering their sex ratio. The species is highly sensitive to atrazine, which disrupts gonadal development and impacts ecological trajectories.
A 40,000-year-old man's genome provides insights into human genetic diversity in East Asia. The study reveals a complicated separation for ancient Europeans and Asians, suggesting multiple genetically distinct populations existed in Asia until the present.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that Facebook data can be used to estimate migration statistics more accurately than the US Census Bureau. However, biases and limitations in the data must be considered when combining Facebook and American Community Survey information.
The overall annual incidence of measles in the United States remained low from 2001 to 2015, with most cases reported among unvaccinated individuals. The study suggests that failure to vaccinate may be the main driver of measles transmission, highlighting the importance of maintaining high vaccine coverage.
The study estimates that 3% of the US population and 15% of African-American males have served time in prison. Felony convictions account for 8% of the overall population and 33% of African-American males.
A recent study by University of Texas at Arlington researchers found that acculturation may be linked to psychological birth trauma among young Latina mothers. The sample of 66 Hispanic females aged 13-19 showed higher rates of depression and lack of support, contributing to increased risk of PTSD.
Researchers found significant differences between mobile mammography patients and those at a cancer center, including higher recall rates and racial diversity. The study aims to develop targeted programs to increase screening rates among underserved populations.
Between 1980 and 2014, US chronic respiratory disease deaths rose significantly, with a 29.7% increase overall. The majority of this growth occurred in specific regions, including central Appalachia for COPD, the Southwest for interstitial lung disease, and southern states for asthma.