Research on the US population and its health. Covers cancer-trial sponsorship, myopia control, statistical literacy, and substance-use trends.
A study of over 20,000 women found tamoxifen reduces contralateral breast cancer risk by 47% in both African American and white populations. However, tamoxifen use is associated with a higher risk of thromboembolic events, particularly when combined with chemotherapy.
Historic US gray wolves lived in Ice Age environments with rich genetic diversity, suggesting past ecosystems were dominated by the species. Current restoration goals of a few hundred wolves are deemed inadequate, reflecting political and economic concerns over biological reality.
Despite progress, older Americans face disparities in education, wealth, healthcare access, and risk factors for chronic diseases. The report highlights the need to address these gaps to ensure better quality of life for aging populations.
A new study by researchers finds that Native American lands are disproportionately located near extremely dangerous military sites contaminated with unexploded ordnance. The research, published in the American Sociological Review, examines the role of militarism in environmental inequalities affecting Native Americans.
Research highlights the importance of traditional Asian diets and physical activity patterns in preventing chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes. Experts call for targeted campaigns to promote healthy eating and exercise among low-income immigrant communities.
A new analysis by California Department of Health Services reveals breast cancer is the nation's fastest-growing rate, even as Asian Americans experience a lower death rate from cancer. This disparity highlights the need to address Westernization and increase cancer screening among Asian American women.
Researchers suggest genetic factors favoring male homosexuality could increase female fecundity, resolving the Darwinian paradox. This study provides evidence for inherited factors in homosexuality, exploring its implications on population dynamics.
Researchers found that volunteers who consumed larger portions weighed an average of 39% more food and 273 calories per person compared to the previous week. The study suggests that larger portion sizes may be a major factor behind the rise in obesity rates among young adults.
According to Professor Mohan Dutta-Bergman, local health campaigns are not reaching the at-risk American population, who get their information from sources like soap operas, sitcoms, and sports programs. This is crucial as young adults are less likely to read newspapers, which can lead to developing unhealthy habits.
A recent study found that more than a million people have become internally displaced in Darfur, Sudan, with extremely high death rates due to violence and insecurity. The research confirmed the serious nature of the crisis, highlighting the need for humanitarian aid and accountability.
A study found that Mexican-born Hispanics returning to Mexico experience lower mortality rates, adding up to five to eight years of extra life expectancy at age 45. The analysis suggests that return migration is a key factor in this anomaly.
A recent study found that US child health lags behind other industrialized nations in infant mortality rates, immunization rates, and overall well-being. The country's high level of income inequality is cited as a primary factor contributing to these poor rankings.
A $500,000 grant will provide support to students from North Philadelphia entering the first year of their nursing program. The project aims to increase diversity in the nursing profession by providing culturally sensitive activities and professional development sessions.
The study found that substance use disorders and independent mood and anxiety disorders are widespread in the US population, with significant associations between them. Approximately 20% of individuals with a current substance use disorder had at least one current independent mood disorder or anxiety disorder.
A national survey found that hyperhidrosis affects an estimated 7.8 million individuals in the US, with axillary hyperhidrosis being the most common form, particularly among working-age adults. Women are more likely to discuss their condition with healthcare professionals than men.
Humans annually require 20% of land-based plant growth for food and fiber, with regional consumption varying greatly. Large urban areas consume significantly more than local production, while sparsely populated areas like the Amazon have low consumption rates.
Researchers developed a practical risk score to predict survival in patients with advanced dementia, considering factors like Activities of Daily Living score, sex, cancer, and oxygen therapy need. The tool offers an improvement over existing guidelines, providing reasonable accuracy for estimating six-month prognosis.
A new government survey reveals that 36 percent of US adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with prayer being the most commonly used therapy. The survey found that CAM use was more prevalent among women, those with higher education, and people who had been hospitalized in the past year.
Research shows that older mothers produce faster-growing and more resilient larvae, while smaller ants disrupt native seed dispersal patterns. Exotic plants also adapt quickly to new environments, and artificial night lighting can harm migrating birds.
A new study by UNC researchers reveals a high prevalence of chlamydia in US young adults, with rates significantly higher among black men and women. The study found that the infection was present in all racial groups but was most common in the South.
Research found that couples who don't follow traditional labor division are less likely to have another child. Modern families with women performing less than 54% of housework have an 81% chance of having a second child within five years.
A study found that marijuana use disorders increased significantly between 1991-1992 and 2001-2002, especially among young black and Hispanic men. The increased potency of marijuana is thought to be a contributing factor.
HIV-positive individuals in sub-Saharan Africa exhibit high rates of dementia (11%) and painful sensory neuropathy (51%), with those with low CD4 counts showing even more severe impairment. A rapid screening test may help identify these conditions in resource-limited settings.
A population-based study in Nueces County, Texas found that Mexican Americans experience a substantially greater ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage burden compared to non-Hispanic whites. The crude annual total cerebrovascular event rate was 64 per 10,000 in Mexican Americans, nearly 30% higher than in non-Hispanic whites.
A study found that liver transplant recipients in small OPOs had a lower proportion of patients with high MELD scores compared to those in large OPOs. Despite this difference, patient survival rates were similar between the two groups.
The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is estimated to be 1.47% in the US population aged 40 and older, with an expected increase to 2.95 million cases by 2020. The risk of AMD increases dramatically with age, especially among white individuals.
The prevalence of cataracts among Americans over 40 is estimated at 17.2%, with 20.5 million affected, and expected to rise to 30.1 million by 2020. Women are almost 40% more likely to develop cataract than men.
The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group has conducted large, population-based studies to determine the prevalence of cataract, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye disorders. The estimates are likely to be reliable and available without waiting many years and spending tens of millions of dollars.
A study by the Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group found that approximately two-fifths of persons aged 40 and older with DM are affected by diabetic retinopathy, while one in twelve have reached a vision-threatening stage. The prevalence rates were estimated using data from eight population-based eye surveys.
Diabetic retinopathy, a leading eye complication in people with type 1 diabetes, affects nearly 774,000 Americans under age 30. The prevalence is highest among 40-49 year olds and older, driven by aging US population.
Individuals with alcohol use disorders were almost five times as likely to have antisocial PD or histrionic PD, while those with drug use disorders were 11 times more likely to have antisocial PD. The co-occurrence of personality disorders with alcohol and drug use disorders is pervasive in the US population.
A new dental caries vaccine is being proposed as a crucial tool to prevent the spread of tooth decay, particularly in vulnerable populations. The symposium emphasizes the vaccine's potential to combat the disease and its impact on public health.
A recent study published in the Pediatrics journal found that the United States may have a surplus of pediatricians for the next 20 years. Despite fears of a shortage, researchers used a novel approach to projecting the work force and found that the experience in pediatrics differs greatly from other primary care specialties.
Research finds blue collar workers are more apt to smoke and struggle with quitting due to low socioeconomic status. Successful quitters tend to come from wealthier backgrounds, suggesting targeted on-the-job programs can help.
According to Rutgers sociologist, the DOE's Long Term Stewardship program ignores worst-case scenarios, fails to consider public disasters. The agency relies on flawed engineering barriers and institutional rules to mitigate risks, according to Clarke.
The number of women faculty of color in academia is low and stagnant, with implications for students, research quality, and the educational experience. Strategies such as individual mentorship, institutional support programs, and clear criteria for tenure can help address this deficit and promote diversity in STEM fields.
The cerulean warbler's population decline is attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation in both breeding and winter ranges. An international collaboration, the Cerulean Warbler Technical Group, aims to develop a proactive conservation strategy through sound science and partnerships.
A WHO expert consultation suggests that traditional BMI cut-off points may not be suitable for Asian populations, who experience a higher risk of adverse health outcomes at lower BMI values. The consultation proposes intermediate public-health action points to address this disparity.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified two new alleles and four existing ones among the Lakota Sioux tribe, increasing the likelihood of finding compatible organ donors within their population. This study could facilitate transplantation in Native American populations with high rates of diabetes and end-stage renal disease.
Researchers found that while black and white Americans have the same amount of early kidney disease, black patients are five times more likely to progress to end-stage renal disease. This disparity may be due to differences in blood pressure control, quality of care, and access to healthcare.
Using National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data, researchers found that 18% and 15% of black and Hispanic females respectively became obese over the five-year exam period. Obesity rates among older adolescents were higher and more likely to remain stable or increase.
A study by John Bound found that health conditions limit work among all workers, but disproportionately affect minorities. Education plays a crucial role in income disparity, accounting for 52-84% of the gap between racial groups.
A mathematical model developed by Cornell University engineers quantifies language death and offers strategies to preserve endangered languages. The model attributes the decline of languages to competition for speakers, with higher-status languages like English dominating in multilingual societies.
A study by Harvard and Queensland universities found that 4.8 million deaths in 2000 were caused by smoking, affecting both developed and developing countries. The majority of these deaths were among men, especially in less-developed nations.
The Lancet presents six randomized controlled trials of heart disease drug interventions, highlighting potential benefits for patients in poor countries. The World Trade Organization's decision to allow poor nations to import low-cost generic drugs is seen as a game-changer for effective treatment accessibility worldwide.
A recent study found that the French eat smaller portions compared to Americans, which may contribute to their lower obesity rates and healthier diets. The researchers examined portion sizes at restaurants in Paris and Philadelphia, as well as single-serve foods sold in supermarkets.
A study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found that nearly 3.2 million women aged 50 and older in the US suffer from debilitating dry eye syndrome, which can lead to scarring, ulceration, and loss of vision. The disease is more common in women than men, with Hispanic and Asian women experiencing more severe symptoms.
A recent study reveals that physician assistants and primary care specialists like family physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives are more likely to work in underserved areas. The researchers found a strong correlation between these professions and the provision of healthcare services in rural and urban shortage areas.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests that ancestry mix may be a key factor in obesity prevalence among African-American women. The analysis found an association between body mass index and West African ancestry, with implications for understanding the genetic basis of health disparities.
Researchers found exercise had a bigger emotional boost for those with high neuroticism measures, suggesting it could benefit individuals with psychological difficulties. The study also found the link between physical activity and mood was independent of daily events.
A new study examines how much of the nation's population lives within a certain distance of each county's center, revealing that areas in the South and West are making inroads. The leading edge of top-tier accessibility has inched southward from the Midwest and Northeast to include significant portions of North Carolina and Tennessee.
A new study reveals that modern humans originated from a small ancestral population in sub-Saharan Africa, with genetic splits occurring between hunter-gatherer populations and African farming people around 70,000-140,000 years ago. This finding supports the 'out-of-Africa' theory and provides insights into human migration patterns.
The world's population is aging rapidly, with a quarter of the US population expected to be over 65 by 2030. Various models of care are discussed, including those in the UK, USA, Germany, and Italy. Governments must take initiative to configure or restructure long-term care, examining social and ethical values and public policies on el...
A new mutation, R245X, has been identified as a significant cause of USH1 in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Early diagnosis through molecular screening can lead to earlier intervention, including cochlear implants and ophthalmologic evaluations, improving the quality of life for affected children.
A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that people undergoing hemodialysis are 257 times more likely to contract Staphylococcus aureus (ISA) than the general population. Those with HIV, solid organ transplant recipients, and heart disease patients are also at increased risk.
A new study investigates the likelihood that physical activity level regulation with aging is controlled, in part, by genetic factors. The research found significant differences between strains of female mice in physical activity measurements, suggesting a genetic influence on age-related changes in daily physical activity levels.
Researchers will evaluate patients in West Virginia clinics to determine the impact of environmental, social, and economic factors on oral health. The study aims to identify risk factors contributing to high oral disease incidence in Appalachia.
A new study has found that African Americans are at higher risk of developing hypertensive retinopathy, a sign of severe hypertension. The study, which included over 15,000 participants, found that racial differences in blood pressure levels and hypertension severity were the main factors contributing to this disparity.
A Mayo Clinic study found that total hip replacement surgery can significantly improve the quality of life for patients over 90 years old. The study, which reviewed medical records from 1970 to 1997, showed that patients experienced substantial relief of pain and functional improvement after surgery.
A Wake Forest study found a high level of food insecurity among farm workers, especially those with children. The researchers recommend that agricultural employers, health and social service providers, and churches provide access to higher quality food for farm worker families to prevent future health problems.