Articles tagged with World Population
A new Global Burden of Disease study found that people are spending more years living with chronic disease and disability as global life expectancy increases. The analysis revealed that high-income countries face the widest morbidity gaps, while women consistently live longer but spend more years in poor health.
A new review of current research highlights the importance of culturally grounded approaches to food systems literacy in addressing global hunger and malnutrition. The study suggests that Indigenous knowledge and participatory methods can improve food systems resilience and support communities to maintain traditional food practices.
Researchers argue that low fertility is not an economic threat but rather a reality that can lead to stronger human capital and innovation. Governments should adapt social security systems and invest in education and productivity to ensure prosperity.
The study reveals marked variation in radiation dose to patients from diagnostic testing, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries. Standardized protocols and updated equipment are urgently needed to reduce global radiation exposure and improve the quality of CAD diagnosis.
A study by Aston University academics found that while access to antiseizure medication is expanding globally, it's not always prescribed safely. Valproate, widely used, poses significant risks during pregnancy, including birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems.
Researchers warn that declining response rates and concerns about data accuracy are causing a 'quiet crisis' due to foreign aid cuts and COVID-19 disruptions. The lack of census data compromises public administration and can lead to inadequate resource allocation, resulting in pernicious effects.
Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is the third most common stroke type, accounting for 5-10% of all strokes. Despite declining age-standardized burden rates, SAH remains a major public health concern globally.
A groundbreaking NTU Singapore-led study has identified the earliest known Asian migrants who traveled over 20,000km from North Asia to South America. The GenomeAsia100K study reveals that these ancient humans arrived in the Americas approximately 14,000 years ago, diverging into four major groups and adapting to diverse environments.
A new study reveals significant shifts in prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations in Europe due to climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age. The population declined by half, but some areas in central Europe showed stability or even an increase in population size, indicating human migration towards the east.
A new study found that reported tuberculosis diagnoses among incarcerated people in Europe and the Americas plummeted by up to 100% during the pandemic, despite consistent incarceration rates. This reduction was distinct from general population trends, highlighting the need for improved healthcare systems within prisons.
A new study from Aalto University found that global population datasets may underestimate rural populations by as much as 53% to 84%, revealing a systematic and profound extent of the bias. The findings have far-reaching consequences, suggesting that the needs of people living in rural areas have been under-represented in decision-maki...
A study published in The Lancet highlights disparities and obstacles faced by low- and middle-income countries in gaining recognition for their scientific contributions. Researchers propose increasing visibility of journals from low- and middle-income countries, reducing publication fees, and ensuring a fairer peer-review process to fo...
The American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of brain health, citing a growing burden of dementia and neurological conditions worldwide. By adopting healthy behaviors and addressing modifiable risk factors, individuals can improve their cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related decline.
A new study analyzing health records from 2012 to 2022 found significant differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations. The research suggests that regular monitoring of risk factors may help prevent cardiovascular disease among these groups.
A study analyzing 4 million Facebook posts found right-leaning outlets engaged more on politics, religion, and migration, while left-leaning groups focused on education, health, and technology. The research highlights the influence of social media on public opinion during a major election year.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals significant disparities in healthspan-lifespan gaps among 183 WHO member states. Women globally exhibit a larger healthspan-lifespan gap compared to men, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities and promote healthy aging.
A groundbreaking study has established the world's largest and most geographically comprehensive international norms for handgrip strength, covering 2.4 million adults from 69 countries. The new norms enable global peer-comparison, health screening, and surveillance across the adult lifespan, helping clinicians identify people at risk ...
A new book by Dr Merten Reglitz proposes a human right to free internet access, including protections against government censorship and surveillance. The research argues that governments should provide guaranteed access to the internet with sufficient quality to meet basic human rights needs.
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.
Researchers have created a comprehensive database of protein changes in mice tissues due to aging, providing new insights into age-related diseases. The study reveals proteins that increase with age and improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging.
A new study reveals gentrification's complex impact on residential communities in Seoul, Korea, finding that state-led urban change can lead to emotional displacement of residents. Meanwhile, property-led redevelopment has resulted in direct displacement and replacement of industrial clusters with high-rise residential construction.
A new study challenges the long-held 'ecocide' theory of Rapanui population collapse by analyzing ancient DNA from 15 individuals. The research found no evidence of a dramatic population collapse in the 1600s, instead revealing a stable and growing population until European contact in the 18th century.
A new risk prediction scale specifically for American Indian adults found elevated heart failure rates compared to other population groups. The analysis identified Type 2 diabetes status, kidney damage, and high blood pressure as major modifiable determinants of developing heart failure over 5-10 years.
A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.
Researchers found that adopting plant-based diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food supply chains by 17%, saving 32.4% of global dietary emissions. This would balance the increase in emissions from under-consumed populations moving towards healthier diets.
Researchers found that air pollution affects people differently, causing some to feel less aroused and more negative. The study suggests that this effect can contribute to increased anxiety risk and inform climate adaptation planning.
A new study finds that higher levels of six urinary metals are linked to increased cardiovascular disease and mortality in a diverse US population. The findings support the role of urinary metals as novel risk factors for CVD and all-cause mortality.
Researchers warn of rapid global changes and geo-political instability due to climate change. International cooperation is needed to rethink mobility and cultural integration to ensure a benign transition.
Research shows that wealthy countries in the Global North benefit from unequal exchange with the Global South, net-appropriating 826 billion hours of labor. This amounts to a wage value of €16.9 trillion, equivalent to half of total consumption in the Global North.
A new study suggests that ending mass human deprivation and providing good lives for the whole world's population can be achieved while reducing environmental damage. The research proposes that only 30% of current global resources and energy use are required to provide universal access to basic goods and services.
A recent study found significant and unequal mortality increases in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, with marginalized social groups experiencing greater life expectancy declines than privileged groups. The study estimated that 17% of overall mortality was higher in 2020 compared to 2019, resulting in 1.19 million excess deaths.
A new study found that children who move multiple times between ages 10 and 15 are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who don't move. This effect is stronger than growing up in an income-deprived neighborhood, suggesting a settled home environment may protect against future mental health issues.
A new study from POSTECH forecasts over 110,000 premature deaths in Korea by 2050 due to PM2.5 exposure and rapid population aging. To mitigate this burden, PM2.5 concentrations must be reduced to approximately 6 µg/m³.
The IOF position paper emphasizes the need for population-specific vitamin D approaches, considering factors like diet, skin pigmentation, and supplement use. The authors also highlight the importance of standardized measures of 25(OH)D in future studies.
Researchers suggest charging carbon emitters with an emission tax could help fund basic income programs while reducing environmental degradation. Implementing basic income could boost global GDP by 130% and generate $7 in economic impacts for every dollar spent.
Researchers identified a global climate indicator, Indian Ocean basin-wide index, that can improve predictions of dengue outbreaks several months in advance. This could facilitate efforts to tackle the rising infection threatening half the world's population.
African researchers are urging fair collaboration in microbiome studies to explore unique populations and environments, addressing a significant knowledge gap. The proposed framework emphasizes community involvement, capacity building, and multidisciplinary collaboration for sustainable outcomes.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
Large daily temperature variation has been linked to elevated mortality in various studies. Black and Hispanic populations in the US face significant DTV exposure due to limited green spaces, resulting in temperature swings of up to 3 degrees Celsius.
Researchers Michael Platt and Peter Sterling link declining fertility to despair, social fragmentation, and economic uncertainty, posing existential threats to humanity. The study highlights the need for interventions addressing hopelessness and promoting social connections to prevent population collapse.
A new study from Israel found that nearly 1 in 5 adults with congenital heart disease developed an abnormal heart rhythm during a five-year study. Those who developed arrhythmias had twice the risk of early death and increased hospitalization rates compared to those without irregular heart rhythms.
A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that genome-wide association studies' imputation technique works better for European, African American, and Latino groups than others. The researchers evaluated over 100 global populations, finding that imputation is less reliable for those farther away from Europe.
Researchers analyzed exome sequencing data from 773 affected individuals and 643 unaffected relatives, discovering a correlation between increased consanguinity and complex genetic disorders. The study created a population-specific database revealing unique DNA information unseen in larger cohorts.
The study found that obesity rates have nearly tripled in adult men and doubled in women since 1990. The prevalence of malnutrition is now the most common form of malnutrition globally, affecting nearly 880 million adults and 160 million children. Obesity can lead to comorbidities like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
A new study published in Thyroid found that individuals with low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in the US experience lower mortality rates compared to the general population. The most common causes of death were malignancies and cardiovascular disease.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that around 32% of the global population is at risk of serious health issues due to high levels of arsenic in drinking water. The majority of these countries are in Asia, where rice is a staple food and exposure can be exacerbated by cooking with contaminated water.
Research reveals that rapid-range shift in fish populations is often a sign of impending decline. The study analyzed data from over 2,500 species and found that those shifting at high velocities show marked declines, while core range populations remain relatively stable.
A high prevalence of mental disorders was found to affect over 1 in 10 individuals aged 5-24 worldwide, with around one-fifth of all disease-related disability attributed to these conditions. This age group accounts for nearly a quarter of the global mental disorder burden across the entire life course.
A new study by David Atance and colleagues found that global mortality patterns are converging, with increased life expectancies and narrowing gender disparities. The researchers analyzed data from 194 countries and predicted continued convergence towards a unique pattern of mortality and longevity by 2030.
A new study found that low-dose calcium supplementation (500mg per day) was as effective as high-dose supplementation (1,500mg per day) in preventing preeclampsia, with no significant difference in preterm birth rates. The findings provide an opportunity to revise the WHO's current recommendation for pregnant women with low-calcium diets.
The structure of families is projected to change significantly, with grandparents and great-grandparents increasing in age and number, while cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren declining. This shift could limit their ability to help raise grandchildren.
A major research study argues that diversifying away from maize and switching to crops like cassava, millet, and sorghum will improve nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights the need for policymakers to prioritize nutritional quality in agricultural policy.
Researchers found that women are more likely to have children in the same month as their own birth, a phenomenon influenced by socio-demographic characteristics. This is due to family members sharing similar backgrounds and behaviors, which can affect fertility and birth seasonality.
A review article links pesticide exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease through alterations in the gut microbiota. The authors recommend reducing or replacing agrochemicals and implementing coordinated efforts to develop standardized biomarkers for gut integrity and microbiome changes.
Researchers reconstructed data on fertility and education using a modeling framework, affirming existing literature that educated women have lower fertility rates. The study highlights the spillover effect of education on fertility behavior, with more women following suit in communities where education levels increase.
The study found that England's only resident population of bottlenose dolphins has declined to just 48 individuals due to various human impacts. The researchers call for urgent measures to protect the population and its habitats.
Researchers have identified 451 genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk through a comprehensive analysis of nearly 950,000 men. The findings improve the accuracy of genetic risk scores and may lead to personalized screening recommendations for men at higher risk.
A new study analyzing lice genetic diversity found that head lice arrived in the Americas twice – once with early human migrants and again during European colonization. This discovery supports existing theories on human migration and provides insights into how lice have evolved alongside humans.
A study by Michał Gulczyński reveals a strong relationship between population density and sex ratios, indicating imbalanced marriage markets in rural areas. The researcher found that men tend to outnumber women in rural areas due to gender-specific migration patterns.
Research reveals human occupation in Charco Verde II site from 21,000 to 15,000 years ago, defying the idea that Upper Palaeolithic humans avoided inland Iberia due to its cold climate.