Longer DNA fragments reveal rare species diversity
Researchers used longer-read sequencing technology to reconstruct microbial communities, revealing over 400 previously unknown species and improving understanding of environmental processes.
Firearms
Articles tagged with Firearms
Emergency medicine physicians urge colleagues to help prevent gun violence
The authors emphasize the need for national policies like background checks and restricting access to firearms by individuals with violent misdemeanor convictions or addiction histories. They also highlight the importance of assessing firearm risk in patients and acting on it, especially when mental illness is present.
Youth suicide rate in rural areas is nearly double the rate in cities
A new study found that rural US youth have a nearly double suicide rate compared to urban areas, with a significant increase in hanging as a method. The researchers suggest improving access to mental health care in rural areas through telemedicine and school-based interventions.
Widening rural-urban disparities in youth suicides
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that rural youth suicide rates are significantly higher than urban rates, with firearm deaths being the leading cause of death in both sexes. The study analyzed national mortality data from 1996 to 2010 and found that rural areas had nearly twice the number of suicides as urban areas.
Professional associations call for policies to reduce firearm injuries, deaths in US
The American College of Physicians and seven national health organizations, along with the American Bar Association, urge policymakers to implement measures reducing firearm-related harm. The organizations support a public health approach to address firearm injuries and fatalities.
Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Feb. 23, 2015
Eight health professional organizations and the American Bar Association recommend reducing firearm-related injuries and death in the US through public health approaches. They advocate for criminal background checks, improved access to mental health care, and research into firearm violence causes.
NIST shows crystal pattern mapping can recover obliterated serial numbers in metals
Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a technique for mapping deformation in metals that can recover destroyed serial numbers. The method uses electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to read imprints on steel, revealing crystal damage and improving forensic analysis.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalForensic Science International·DateFeb 12, 2015
Firearm violence trends in the 21st century
Suicides among white males have increased by 29.1% since 2006, accounting for nearly half of firearm-related deaths in 2012. Homicide rates among black men and women peak in early adulthood before falling steadily thereafter.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAnnual Review of Public Health·DateDec 16, 2014
Campaign to reduce firearm suicide wins support among firearm retailers in New Hampshire
A firearm suicide prevention campaign won over nearly half of firearm retailers in New Hampshire, who displayed materials to reduce access to firearms for suicidal individuals. The campaign's success was linked to store owners' belief that reducing access could save a life.
SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·DateOct 30, 2014
Higher gun ownership rates linked to increase in non-stranger homicide, BU study finds
A new study found that states with higher gun ownership rates experience a higher incidence of non-stranger firearms homicides, contradicting the claim that gun ownership deters violent crime. The study also found no significant relationship between gun ownership and stranger-on-stranger homicide rates.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 29, 2014
Gun deaths twice as high among African-Americans as white citizens in US
Researchers analyzed recorded gun deaths in the US from 2000 to 2010, finding a significant disparity between racial groups. Gun deaths were twice as common among African-Americans as they were among white citizens, with rates rising in some states and falling in others.
Penn study demonstrates wearable sensors to detect firearm use
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrates the feasibility of using low-cost wearable inertial sensors to detect firearm usage with over 99% accuracy. The technology has the potential to enhance deterrence and detection of firearm use in community-supervised populations.
Gun violence and mental illness: Study addresses perception vs. reality
Researchers found that mass murderers with mental health problems are not typical of those who commit violent crimes, and most people with serious mental illness do not engage in violent acts. An evidence-based approach to limiting access to firearms for individuals with behavioral risk factors can reduce gun violence.
Violent crimes could be prevented if felony charges were reduced less often, study finds
A UC Davis study found that reducing criminal charges can prevent subsequent violent crimes among those with misdemeanor convictions who purchase handguns. Nearly 25% of handgun purchasers were arrested for a new firearm-related or violent crime within three years.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJun 10, 2014
Setting the agenda for firearm injury research
The American Academy of Pediatrics hosts a symposium on firearm injury prevention in children, highlighting the need for high-quality research to inform policy change. New studies will focus on epidemiology, risk factors, preventable accidents, and counseling programs.
ACP offers policy recommendations for reducing gun-related injuries, deaths in US
The American College of Physicians recommends nine strategies to address societal barriers to reducing firearms-related violence. ACP advocates for approach firearm safety as a public health issue and supports universal criminal background checks to keep guns out of the hands of felons and others at risk.
Real-life CSI: What can investigators really tell from gunshot residue?
Researchers developed a novel approach to trace ammunition used in crimes, detecting a wider range of particles than existing methods. This new technique could rapidly identify the type of ammunition used, allowing crime scene investigators to reconstruct crime scenes more accurately.
Repeal of Missouri's background check law associated with increase in state's murders
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Missouri's 2007 handgun purchaser licensing law repeal contributed to a fourteen percent increase in the state's murder rate. The repeal was also associated with an additional 49 to 68 murders per year and a twenty-five percent increase in firearm homicides rates.
SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateFeb 15, 2014
Shadowy world of Britain's discount hitmen revealed in new study
A new study reveals the shadowy world of Britain's discount hitmen, with victims often murdered while walking their dogs or shopping in suburban neighborhoods. The study identifies four main types of contract killers, including novice, dilettante, journeyman, and master hitmen.
After the gunshot: Hospitalizations for firearm injuries prevalent among children
About 20 children per day are hospitalized due to firearm injuries in the US, resulting in 453 deaths annually among those under 20. The most common types of firearm injuries include open wounds, fractures, and internal injuries.
Embargoed news: Evidence that access to guns increases suicide and homicide
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that access to firearms significantly increases the odds of being a victim of suicide or homicide. The researchers also found that uninsured patients are less likely to be transferred between hospitals for certain medical diagnoses, with women being 35-40% less likely to be transferred than men.
Access to guns increases risk of suicide, homicide
A meta-analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that access to firearms is a significant risk factor for men committing suicide and for women being victims of homicide. Firearms play a major role in both suicide and homicide, accounting for over half of all suicide deaths and two-thirds of homicide deaths.
Pilot study finds ways to better screen and recover guns from domestic violence offenders
A pilot study has found ways to better screen and recover guns from domestic violence offenders, improving enforcement of existing laws. The study suggests using multiple sources of information, including firearm transaction records and court documents, to identify firearm owners and ensure timely recovery of firearms.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 13, 2013
Ballistics study leads to changes at federal agency
A team of researchers led by Sam Houston State University identified areas of improvement in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) database. The study found that criminal investigators rarely used ballistics reports to link weapons used in multiple crimes due to delays in reporting. To address this, the federal ...
CVI puts research into practice on firearms and domestic violence
The report provides a summary of laws and policies to better protect victims of domestic violence, highlighting the link between firearms and lethal intimate partner violence. Several federal and state laws, including the Gun Control Act of 1968 and Texas law, prohibit gun ownership by abusers in domestic violence cases.
Protecting children from firearm violence
The study found that children under 14 are four times more likely to be shot at home and are much more likely to arrive by ambulance than older teens. Older teens often walk in or are dropped off at emergency department entrances.
Prevalence of household gun ownership linked to child gun shot wounds
Approximately 7,500 children are hospitalized each year due to gun-related injuries, with over 500 fatalities. A significant association was found between household firearm ownership and the percentage of gunshot wounds occurring in homes.
Increasing accessibility of 3-D printing raises concerns about plastic guns
The increasing availability of 3D printers has sparked concerns about the design and production of custom plastic firearms. While the printed guns are currently unreliable, they can become more effective with advancements in technology. The American Chemical Society reports on this growing issue.
Gun retailers strongly support expanded criteria for denying gun purchases, UC Davis survey finds
AUC Davis survey of 1,601 gun dealers found nearly unanimous support for denying gun purchases to individuals with prior convictions and serious mental illness. The survey also revealed strong support for existing policies denying handgun purchases to individuals convicted of aggravated assault or domestic violence.
New research shows link between rates of gun ownership and homicides
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers finds a robust correlation between estimated levels of gun ownership and actual gun homicides at the state level. The study, covering 30 years, found that each 1 percentage point increase in gun ownership is associated with a 0.9% increase in firearm homicide rate.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2013
Number of scientific publications on firearms shows modest increase in recent years
Research found a modest increase in publications on firearms among children and adolescents, but not as significant as expected. The study suggests that the Congressional action in 1996 may have led to increased funding for research on other causes of death.
Gunning for trouble: Study of young assault victims finds risky mix of gun possession and aggression
A new study by the University of Michigan Injury Center found that nearly one in four young assault victims have a gun, mostly obtained illegally, which increases their risk for future firearm violence. The study also revealed high rates of substance use, fighting, and attitudes favoring retaliation among those with guns.
93 percent of homicides of US law enforcement officers result from firearms
A new study found that 93% of US law enforcement officer homicides were committed with firearms, highlighting the need for improved training procedures to reduce officer risk. The analysis, which used crime statistics from the FBI, identified high-powered weapons as a major contributor to officer fatalities.
Tracking gunfire with a smartphone
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a low-cost smartphone system that can track gunfire with remarkable accuracy, using unique sonic signatures produced by firearms. The system consists of an external sensor module and smartphones, working together to triangulate the origin of shots.
Study examines trends in firearm injuries among children and adolescents
Between 2000-2008, 6,920 youths were injured due to firearms, resulting in 17 fatalities, highlighting the need for increased focus on preventing pediatric firearm injuries.
Study links suicide risk with rates of gun ownership, political conservatism
A study published in Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology found that states with high rates of gun ownership and political conservatism have higher suicide rates. However, a higher percentage of church-goers at the state level was associated with reduced individual suicide risk. The study analyzed mortality data from 2000 to 20...
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·DateApr 4, 2013
Stop 'bad guys with guns' by implementing good policies
A new study reviews the National Rifle Association's National Shield School Proposal, finding it flawed and expensive. The authors suggest addressing troubled youth and ease of access to weapons as key factors in preventing school violence.
Many emergency department providers don't ask suicidal patients about gun access
A study found that less than half of emergency room medical providers believe most or all suicides are preventable and rarely ask about firearm availability. This can lead to missed opportunities to save lives, as many providers think it's the responsibility of psychiatrists or social workers to address firearms.
Gun retailers take a hard line on illegal firearm sales, UC Davis survey finds
A UC Davis survey of over 1,600 gun retailers found that they frequently encounter and refuse attempts to make illegal purchases, but often fail to report them to law enforcement. Retailers support harsh sentences for both buyers and sellers involved in illicit activities.
Majority of Americans support dozens of policies to strengthen US gun laws
A majority of Americans (89%) support requiring universal background checks for all gun sales, while 83% back prohibiting high-risk individuals from owning guns. Gun owners and non-gun-owners show little difference in support for most policies aimed at reducing gun violence.
SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 28, 2013
Broader background checks and denial criteria could help prevent mass shooting catastrophes
Garen Wintemute believes broader background checks and denials on gun purchases can reduce harm and ensure public safety. He cites research showing that individuals with a history of misdemeanor violent crime are nine times more likely to be arrested for violence later.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 27, 2012
Rate of suicide by hanging/suffocation doubles in middle-aged men and women
Middle-aged adults are experiencing a significant increase in suicide rates, particularly through hanging/suffocation. Suicide by firearm remains the leading cause of injury death, but hanging/suffocation has increased dramatically, especially among middle-aged men and women.
SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 20, 2012
Restricting high-risk individuals from owning guns saves lives
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health report highlights policies and initiatives to reduce gun violence by reforming current gun laws. The key findings include easy access to large-capacity magazines facilitating higher casualties in mass shootings and prohibiting high-risk groups from owning guns.
American Academy of Pediatrics renews commitment to preventing gun injuries in children
The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the need to keep guns out of reach of children and teens, citing scientific evidence that storage reduces risk. Pediatricians offer safe-gun-storage counseling as part of family guidance, and support legislative approaches to reduce gun accessibility.
Lax gun ownership laws could impact ability of high-risk individuals to purchase firearms
Sixty percent of gun offenders were not legally prohibited from possessing firearms when they committed the crime. The study suggests that stricter restrictions on firearm possession in low-standard states could have prevented many gun crimes.
Robbing banks: Crime doesn't always pay, econometrics study shows
A new econometrics study shows that bank robberies yield modest proceeds, often lower than the cost of security devices. The average UK bank robbery generates £20,331, while US robberies yield $4,330. Firearms presence increases rewards, but also raises costs.
Do I look bigger with my finger on a trigger? Yes, says UCLA study
Researchers found that people consistently judge pistol-packers to be taller and stronger than men holding other objects, even when hand size and appearance are similar. The study suggests an unconscious mental mechanism that gauges threat and translates it into size and strength dimensions.
How Usain Bolt can run faster -- effortlessly
A study published in Significance magazine reveals three key factors that contribute to Usain Bolt's improved performance: optimizing reaction time, benefiting from favorable wind conditions, and running at altitude. By shaving off 0.13s from his world record, Bolt can achieve a faster time of 9.45s.
Installing gun cabinets in homes improves safe firearm storage
A randomized trial with 255 households showed a significant reduction in unlocked guns (35% to 35%) and ammunition (84% to 35%) after installing $80 locking metal gun cabinets. The study concluded that installing gun cabinets improves safe household firearm storage and could reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.
BYU study: Using a gun in bear encounters doesn't make you safer
Researchers at Brigham Young University found that carrying guns in bear encounters offers no protection and can lead to increased injuries. Instead, they recommend using bear spray as a safe alternative. The study analyzed 269 incidents of bear-human conflicts and found that firearms did not reduce the risk of injury or fatality.
Modern, low-energy ammunition can cause deep tissue damage
A new study found that modern low-energy handgun ammunition can inflict significant soft tissue damage, potentially causing infection and compartment syndrome. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of this powerful new ammunition to treat high-risk gunshot injuries properly.
Study finds federal amendments increased gun sales diverted to criminals
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that the number of guns sold by Badger Guns & Ammo and diverted to criminals tripled after the adoption of Tiahrt amendments. The study also found that reductions in gun sales linked to crime declined by 66% before the amendments took effect.
SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateJan 9, 2012
Johnny Rotten's graffiti: The new heritage?
Researchers discover intact Sex Pistols graffiti on a London flat's walls, arguing it's a powerful representation of punk rebellion. The find challenges traditional notions of heritage and suggests a new approach to conservation.
Discussions of guns in the home part of comprehensive preventive health care
Research reviews firearm injuries and prevention, arguing for including firearm safety in physician-patient conversations to prevent injuries and disease. The practice of asking about guns in the home is found to be meaningful to parents, with 90% of surveyed parents reporting they would share information.
Law barring doctors talking to patients about gun ownership undermines public health issue
A Florida law barring doctors from discussing firearms safety with patients and parents endangers open communication about a critical public health issue. Gunshot wounds are a leading cause of pediatric trauma, and safe storage of firearms is crucial in preventing injuries and deaths.
Incidence of non-fatal pediatric firearm injuries in the US higher than previously estimated
According to a new study, approximately 20,600 non-fatal firearm injuries occur annually in US children aged 0-19 years. This rate is 30% higher than previously reported, highlighting the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts.
Empowerment, self-defense motivating factors for Texas women to hold concealed handgun licenses
A study of Texas women holding concealed handgun licenses reveals they are motivated by feelings of empowerment and a need for self-defense. However, this form of self-defense can also lead to increased vulnerability when unarmed, as their sense of strength and confidence reside in the firearm.
Guns in the home provide greater health risk than benefit
A new study by David Hemenway found that gun ownership in homes increases the risk of accidents, suicide, homicide, and intimidation, outweighing any perceived benefits. Homes with children or women are disproportionately affected, with a higher risk of female homicide victimization.
College students surveyed on guns on campus
A survey of college students at two universities found that more students were uncomfortable with concealed weapons on campus than those who supported it. The study, conducted by Sam Houston State University, found significant differences in opinions between students' comfort levels with guns on campus versus the wider community.
Love-smitten consumers will do anything for their cars and guns
A new study by John L. Lastovicka and Nancy J. Sirianni reveals that consumers can form strong emotional bonds with their possessions, such as cars and firearms. The researchers found that love-smitten consumers are more likely to invest time and money into improving their prized possessions.