Research on the US population and its health. Covers cancer-trial sponsorship, myopia control, statistical literacy, and substance-use trends.
Researchers found that first responders exposed to caustic dust and toxic pollutants after the 2001 World Trade Center attacks are twice as likely to have asthma. The study of 20,843 responders reveals a significant risk for this population.
Non-African-American patients experience restless legs syndrome (RLS) four times more often than African-Americans. Among Caucasians, nearly 2 out of 5 women have RLS, which is the highest incidence among all groups.
A study found significant regional variations in geographic access to verified burn centers, with the northeast region having the highest and southern states having the lowest access rates. The researchers suggest optimizing air and ground emergency medical service systems for states with low baseline access rates.
Studies highlight racial disparities in gastrointestinal disease, particularly colon cancer and Barrett's Esophagus, among African Americans, Latinos, and women. These disparities underscore the importance of education, early screenings, and potentially more aggressive screening tactics for these populations.
Researchers found a significant association between gastrointestinal disorders and exposure to infectious gastroenteritis, with the highest risk of functional diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. Long-term effects of high-stress occupations on GI health are being considered for novel solutions.
A study by University of Oregon researchers found that nematode worms with partners were more resistant to genetic mutations and better adapted to changing environments. This suggests that having a mate provides an evolutionary advantage over self-fertilization, leading to longer lives for offspring.
The International Diabetes Federation reports a staggering 285 million people worldwide have diabetes, with the disease disproportionately affecting low and middle-income countries. The number is expected to reach 435 million by 2030, posing a significant threat to global health and economies.
The study emphasizes the role of population mobility in spreading drug-resistant diseases worldwide. Researchers propose a new approach that considers the 'human factor' in health policy and processes to combat this growing threat.
Researchers have identified a 'Getting-Out-of-Bed' (GoB) measure to assess motivation and life outlook in older adults. The study found that women with higher GoB scores were more likely to have good health-related quality of life, self-perceived health, and regular exercise at 6 months.
A new study finds that a 2005-2007 drought in the southeastern United States was not exceptional but rather part of a normal dry period, while population growth and poor planning are major contributors to water scarcity. The region's future droughts are uncertain and could strike at any time due to unpredictable weather patterns.
A genome-scale analysis of diverse Indian groups found nearly all Indians carry genomic contributions from two distinct ancestral populations, Ancestral North Indians and Ancestral South Indians. This study has medical implications for people of Indian descent.
A recent study has identified gene variants for glaucoma in a black population, which could lead to future treatments or a cure for the disease. The finding is significant as it explains nearly one-third of the genetic risk for glaucoma and could provide a more accurate and earlier diagnosis.
A new educational program using the Medicine Wheel Model for Nutrition has shown promise in changing dietary patterns and improving glycemic control in an American Indian population. The study found significant weight loss and decreased body mass index in participants who received nutrition lessons based on traditional Northern Plains ...
Hip fracture rates declined by 31.8% in females and 25% in males between 1985 and 2005, with the largest decrease among individuals aged 55-64 years. The reasons for this decline are unclear, but factors such as overweight and obesity may contribute.
The study found that antibiotic prescription rates for acute respiratory tract infections decreased by 27% among children under 5 years old between 1995-1996 and 2005-2006, while rates remained stable for adults. The shift was attributed to a decline in ambulatory visits for ear infections and initiatives promoting judicious use of ant...
A new study suggests that early agricultural methods may have altered the global climate by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Researchers found that earlier societies used more land for farming due to smaller populations and less incentive to maximize yield, leading to a large-scale burning of forests.
Migratory birds prefer smaller, protected areas over large forest patches for rest stops and food, according to a Purdue University study. Small woodlots can provide essential refuges for birds vulnerable to predators in open habitats.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE suggests that heart attacks and strokes were rare in human history. The Tsimane Amazonian tribe, with a traditional lifestyle, shows low levels of atherosclerosis, contradicting the expected high risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Latino/a population is projected to triple by 2050, leading to a significant increase in cancer diagnoses. Improvements are needed in knowledge and access to services, particularly for breast and cervical cancers among Latinas.
A study by the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts a 46% increase in demand for cardiothoracic surgeons while supply decreases by 21% by 2025. This shortage could lead to extended waiting times, unnecessary complications, and deaths, particularly affecting populations with limited access to medical care.
Studies indicate that immunosuppressed populations, including HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, transplant recipients, and those on haemodialysis, are at higher risk for flu infection. Vaccination has shown promise in reducing flu cases, but more research is needed to assess vaccine efficacy and timing for optimal protection.
A new study in Operations Research journal highlights the difficulty of defeating insurgent groups like the Taliban, citing the crucial role of timely and accurate military intelligence. The model shows that even good intelligence may only contain the insurgency, not defeat it, and that the government's best option is to achieve a cont...
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute aim to create a petascale computational modeling environment to simulate billions of individuals in large social and information networks. This project seeks to improve agent-based modeling applications on 100,000+ processor architectures.
The health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is attributed to cultural loss, poverty, and colonialism. The authors highlight the importance of addressing social determinants of health and promoting Indigenous wellbeing through cultural revitalization and community-based strategies.
The Nature Conservancy will coordinate a project to develop large-scale, in-water coral nurseries and restore reefs along Florida's southern coast and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program aims to grow 12,000 corals to enhance coral populations at 34 degraded reefs.
New research reveals that diabetes costs the US economy over $174 billion annually, with a focus on lifestyle modifications and preventive care. Implementing pay-for-performance incentives can significantly reduce these costs by encouraging improved disease management and adherence to clinical guidelines.
A study comparing reflux esophagitis in African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites found similar frequencies of complications, except for Barrett's esophagus. Non-Hispanic whites had higher rates of endoscopic and histological Barrett's esophagus and heartburn-induced endoscopy.
A recent study found that US counties with a higher percentage of African-American patients tend to have fewer gastroenterologists and radiation oncologists, while those with more Asian Americans have more specialists. This disparity is linked to disparities in access to quality healthcare services.
A study published in Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that segregation is associated with decreased access to surgical services and increased emergency room visits among minority populations. The research highlights the need to address racial disparities in healthcare, particularly in the most segregated areas.
A study on guppies led by UC Riverside's Swanne Gordon found that the fish adapted to a new environment in less than 30 generations, or eight years. The guppies developed larger and fewer offspring with each reproductive cycle in the low-predation environment, but not in the high-predation environment.
Research on Hispanic children in the US reveals a high prevalence of obesity, largely attributed to suboptimal diets and sedentary lifestyles. The VIVA LA FAMILIA Study found that even non-overweight participants had inadequate diets, with low levels of essential nutrients and excessive sugar consumption.
A new study found that retail clinics are more likely to be located in higher-income areas, making it difficult for poor and underserved communities to access medical care. The clinics' location may be an adjunct to existing traditional medical care rather than addressing unmet needs.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that retail clinics tend to be located in areas with higher median incomes and home ownership rates. In contrast, counties without these clinics have higher uninsured rates and lower socioeconomic status.
A study found that Asian Americans who adopted more aspects of Western culture were more likely to engage in sun exposure behaviors, such as deliberate sunbathing and getting more sun on weekends. This association may lead to increased risk of skin cancer among this population.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati analyzed lung, colon, breast, prostate, bladder, kidney and skin cancer data in transplant recipients compared to the general population, finding worse disease-specific survival rates for each type of cancer. Immunosuppressive therapies may play a role in the poorer outcomes.
Researchers found nearly one in 12 people reported increased alcohol consumption, with similar rates for drugs and cigarettes. The study suggests a potential behavioral health effect of man-made disasters like terrorism on substance misuse.
The study reveals startling diversity in Africa, shared ancestry among geographically diverse groups, and traces the origins of Africans and African Americans. The research team mapped ancient migrations and determined that modern humans exited Africa near the middle of the Red Sea.
A DNA study confirms that Native Americans and Greenlanders share a common ancestral population, with the '9-repeat allele' present in all Native American populations and absent in other Asian groups. This evidence supports the single ancestral population theory, ruling out multiple mutations and natural selection hypotheses.
A study found that a lean population would consume 20% less food and produce fewer greenhouse gases than an obese one. Staying slim also leads to lower transport-related emissions.
A recent study published in Journal of Insurance Medicine found that the economic impact of undiagnosed celiac disease is significant, resulting in cost savings for the healthcare system after diagnosis. The study suggests that increased awareness and diagnosis of celiac disease can lead to health care costs savings.
Researchers found that many Hispanics were misclassified in a 'some other race' category, leading to incorrect projections of racial diversity. The study suggests that Americans may struggle to accurately report their ancestry due to generational memory loss and stigma around interracial relationships.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals a critical shortage of surgeons in Maryland, with rural areas particularly affected. The shortage is expected to worsen over the next decade due to an aging physician population and limited medical education programs.
A recent study by SAGE found that Mexican immigrants face harsher treatment in California than Texas, with more anti-immigrant policies and lower wages. The longer they stay in the US, the fewer disadvantages they face.
A study found a 13% incidence of major depression disorder and a 21% incidence of other depressive disorders among HIV/AIDS patients in Kenya. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) screening tool was shown to be reliable and valid for assessing severity and diagnosis in this population.
A study found that about 64% of US hospitals did not give tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to Medicare patients between 2005 and 2007. The researchers also discovered that 40% of the US population resides in a county without a hospital that provides tPA treatment.
A recent study by Henry Ford Health found that Arab-American women in southeast Detroit have dangerously low vitamin D levels, averaging 8.5 ng/mL, with those who wore the hijab showing even lower levels of 4 ng/mL. The researchers recommend supplementing with a vitamin D supplement to address this deficiency.
A new mathematical model predicts that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could substantially reduce the lifetime risk of HIV infection, but its cost-effectiveness varies depending on target population and drug costs. With modest improvements, PrEP might be as effective as other public health interventions.
Research by University of Pennsylvania economists finds the American population as a whole is no happier than it was three decades ago, but happiness inequality has narrowed significantly. The study found that non-whites report being significantly happier than they were in the early 1970s, while whites are slightly less happy.
A recent survey by March of Dimes found that only 17% of Spanish-speaking women of childbearing age take a multivitamin containing folic acid daily. Folic acid is crucial in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs), which are more prevalent in the Hispanic population.
Researchers Louis Putterman and David N. Weil introduce the World Migration Matrix, showing how ancestral origins explain most of the world's income inequality, with European roots accounting for 44% of current GDP differences.
Gene expression varies among African Americans based on European ancestry proportion. Small population differences found in gene regulation compared to individual variations within the same population.
A randomised, placebo-controlled trial found that Carraguard, a carrageenan-based compound, did not prevent HIV infection in women. Despite high rates of gel use and condom application, the study showed no significant difference in time to seroconversion between the treatment and control groups.
A study by UCLA researchers found that approximately 4.7% of the nation's population suffers from persistent depression or anxiety disorders. Many individuals who remain ill receive modest increases in medication use but no significant increase in counseling, highlighting a need for improved treatment and insurance arrangements.
A new study predicts a severe shortage of general surgeons in US hospitals by 2010, with the number of available surgeons failing to keep pace with public demand. The shortage is expected to worsen over time, leading to longer wait times for emergency treatment and elective surgeries.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that US-born black adults are more likely to have asthma, with 30% diagnosed compared to 11% of those born outside the US. The study also found higher asthma rates among children born in the US.
A University of Alberta researcher has developed guidelines to prevent genetic research from awakening racist attitudes. The study emphasizes the importance of proper group representation and justifying research focus on specific ethnic groups.
A comprehensive study reveals that Chinese Americans face a 'glass ceiling', with lower occupational stature and success compared to their efforts. Despite high education levels, they earn less than White counterparts in certain fields, highlighting the need for tailored support.
According to University of Miami professor Ira M. Sheskin, the strength of the Jewish-American vote is not measured by its numbers but by its geographic concentrations. The Jewish population has shifted from Northeast and Midwest to South and West, maintaining a significant influence on US politics.
A new study found that female medical students consistently report decreased self-confidence and increased anxiety, particularly over issues related to their competency. Female medical students appeared less confident in their interaction with patients, a finding that has important implications for medical education.
Researchers used otolith chemistry to identify individuals from different nurseries and found that over half of juvenile bluefin tuna in North American waters were of Mediterranean origin. The study also shows that over 95% of adult bluefin tuna return to their place of origin to spawn, with critical implications for fisheries management.