Latest news with #NewsMedicalLifeSciences
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New study uncovers troubling link between thyroid cancer and childhood exposure: 'These results are concerning'
Exposure to two common pollutants could increase the risk of pediatric thyroid cancer, according to a new study. The Yale University-led research found a "significant association" between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and outdoor artificial light at night and an increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer in children and young adults up to 19 years old. These exposures occurred during the perinatal stage of life, which is typically defined as the period that starts when pregnancy occurs and lasts up to a year after birth. The study, summarized in News Medical Life Sciences, found the strongest association between exposure and thyroid cancer in teenagers aged 15–19 and Hispanic children. "These results are concerning, especially given how widespread both of these exposures are," lead author Nicole Deziel said. "Fine particulate matter is found in urban air pollution due to automobile traffic and industrial activity, and artificial light at night is common, particularly in densely populated urban areas." She added that thyroid cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers among children and adolescents. "Our study is the first large-scale investigation to suggest that these exposures early in life — specifically to PM2.5 and outdoor light at night — may play a role in this concerning trend." Children are often diagnosed with thyroid cancer at more advanced stages and with larger tumor sizes compared to adults, according to the university. Long-term effects for pediatric survivors can include temperature dysregulation, headaches, physical disabilities, and mental fatigue — these all can affect major life milestones such as education, employment, and having a family. Meanwhile, additional research has pointed to many other dangers of air and light pollution. One study found a connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and the development of psoriasis, a chronic and often debilitating skin condition. Another paper found a link between artificial light and cerebrovascular disease, a diagnosis that includes numerous conditions, including stroke, that cause blood flow problems in the brain. Light pollution can also impede survival for animals like coral and fireflies. A number of cities and countries are trying to cut down on air pollution to help protect public health and reduce planet-warming emissions. For instance, Wales is banning most new roadway projects, and a New York law will require all Lyfts and Ubers to be EVs by 2030. You can help by opting for more climate-friendly transportation, which can reduce traffic-related pollution for everyone. Plus, at least 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have laws in place to reduce light pollution, according to Emerson Electric Co. Meanwhile, you can fight light pollution at home, too. DarkSky International recommends turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night, avoiding the use of blue lights, and switching to LED lighting with warm-colored bulbs. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning after uncovering escalating threat to brain health — here's what they found
New evidence has emerged about the connection between air pollution and neurological issues. Given the findings, researchers recommend that communities incorporate brain health into clean air strategies to improve the health of people of all ages and backgrounds. As News Medical Life Sciences reported, recent epidemiological and experimental studies show the impacts of air pollution on adverse neurological outcomes. Studies show that exposure to polluted air is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, depression, anxiety, impaired decision-making, and poor cognitive functioning. Pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds disrupt the blood-brain barrier and impact brain health. There is a profound effect on children and adolescents during critical growth periods. Air pollution can lead to reduced attention span, and it's been found to increase the risk of learning disabilities, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in young people, per Harvard University. In older adults, chronic air pollution is associated with greater risks of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. Elderly populations living in places with severe air pollution, such as Los Angeles and Beijing, are at heightened risk of hospital admissions for strokes and slowed cognitive performance. The more studies that directly link air pollution to human health risks, the more likely people will take action to make our air cleaner. Governments and regulatory bodies in some countries have established strict air quality standards and regulations for emissions. However, lower-income countries often have weaker regulatory frameworks — while their population centers continue to grow rapidly. Once brain damage occurs, it is often not reversible, and people must learn to live with serious diseases and reduced mental capacities. Other studies have tied poor air quality to higher suicide rates. The air we breathe impacts our physical and mental health, and we are only beginning to recognize the damage caused by living in a toxic atmosphere. Unfortunately, air pollution is also worsening as our planet gets warmer because of the changing climate. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Fortunately, there are small daily steps you can take to lower your air pollution risks as well as larger lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your contributions to pollution. For example, it helps to get a HEPA filter or air purifier to clean the air inside your home, especially during high-pollution times or when wildfire smoke is present. N95 and P100 masks can help protect your lungs and overall health from toxic pollution when you must be outside. In the long term, you can drive gas-powered cars less or switch to an electric vehicle for personal transportation. Similarly, shopping for secondhand goods helps put your money toward sustainability and reuse instead of perpetuating a high-consumption culture that requires the constant production of new products in polluting factories. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors are making big strides against an age-old killer: 'We are excited'
A new one-dose malaria vaccine has demonstrated 90% protection against the disease, which kills more than half a million people globally each year. News Medical Life Sciences reported on Sanaria's PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine, which uses genetically weakened parasites that replicate in the liver but halt progression before reaching the blood stage to ensure that vaccinated individuals do not experience malaria-related symptoms. Clinical trials of PfSPZ are scheduled to start this year in the U.S., Germany, and Burkina Faso, with hopes for global deployment in the next three years. When you're choosing health and beauty products, which of these factors is most important to you? Cost Brand name Ingredients Packaging Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The vaccine comes at a critical moment. Scientists say warming global temperatures are creating the perfect conditions for mosquito populations to thrive and expand, increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika, and dengue. For instance, malaria risk zones have reached higher elevations in the Ethiopian Highlands due to rising temperatures, according to Meanwhile, a recent study predicted that several mosquito species' populations will expand their ranges in North and South America in the coming years thanks to warming weather trends. Though considered a breakthrough, the new malaria vaccine isn't the first. A pilot program testing a GSK-produced vaccine in Africa resulted in a 13% decrease in deaths due to this disease among young children over a four-year period. In early 2024, Cameroon became the first nation to launch a mass vaccination campaign against malaria. Sanaria CEO Stephen L. Hoffman said the company's new PfSPZ-LARC2 vaccine is "expected to be our flagship going forward," according to News Medical Life Sciences Professor Sodiomon Sirima of Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, who is the principal investigator on the upcoming Burkina Faso trial, added, "We are excited about assessing PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccine in Burkina Faso, as it is the only malaria vaccine in development that has the potential of achieving the WHO goal of at least 90% protection against Pf infection." Pf, or Plasmodium falciparum, is the deadliest malaria parasite. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover troubling health risks that can occur after rainfall: 'This is a complicated issue'
Black and Latino communities are bearing the brunt of E. coli-contaminated waters due to extreme rainfall in Texas, according to a new study. The University of Michigan-led research looked at Escherichia coli, climate, environmental, and socioeconomic data available for the state between 2001 and 2021 and used computational models to explore where extreme rainfall had the greatest impact on E. coli levels. News Medical Life Sciences summarized the paper, explaining that the impact varied by season. For instance, communities in the northern and eastern parts of the state with greater percentages of Black residents had higher concentrations of E. coli entering their recreational waters due to extreme rain during the winter. Predominantly Latino communities in South and West Texas feel these effects in September. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This is a complicated issue," lead author Xiaofeng Liu told the publication. "The communities live in these places all the time, but the rainfall impact is different in different seasons." Exposure to E. coli bacteria can cause symptoms including mild to severe diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting, according to the Mayo Clinic. While healthy adults usually recover within a week, seniors and young children are at greater risk of developing a life-threatening form of kidney failure. But E. coli is just one public health concern for communities of color across the United States. For instance, rising seas and frequent bouts of torrential rain are causing septic tanks across the South to fail, flooding streets and backyards with waste and putting communities at risk for gastrointestinal diseases and other health hazards. In Alabama's majority-Black Lowndes County, where septic systems are becoming increasingly overwhelmed, at least a third of people have tested positive for hookworm, a disease normally found in developing countries. Liu told News Medical Life Sciences that the study can help guide local governments and environmental agencies to develop targeted policies and water management practices that can assist impacted communities. But such public health hazards are driven by intense precipitation, which is one outcome of the overheating planet, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That's why it's imperative that we all work to curb the amount of planet-heating pollution that we produce. For instance, towns in rural Virginia are adding over 1 million new jobs by focusing on clean energy instead of coal. You can help by voting for eco-friendly political candidates during the next election cycle. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers warn of troubling heart risk tied to everyday food packaging: 'An unrecognized risk factor'
New research has revealed that exposure to microplastics could damage our hearts, leading to troubling health consequences. A team of Italian scientists studied human coronary artery smooth muscle cells exposed to polyethylene and polystyrene, two common plastics used in food packaging. News Medical Life Sciences summarized the results, reporting that exposure to these plastics was associated with damage to blood vessels, which can trigger inflammation and cellular changes linked to cardiovascular disease. "Altogether, these findings underline that [microplastic] exposure may represent an unrecognized risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, specifically atherosclerosis," the study's authors stated. Do you think we use too much plastic in America? Definitely Only some people Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for over 30% of all deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the hardening of arteries from plaque buildup, which can lead to complications including heart attack and stroke, the Cleveland Clinic explains. Plus, this study adds to a growing body of research related to the broader health impacts of microplastics, tiny plastic particles that break off from larger plastics as they degrade. For instance, one study suggested that microplastics can affect the functioning of a nervous system connected to digestion. Another paper linked them to chronic kidney disease. To reduce our exposure to microplastics, we must also reduce our dependence on plastic. For instance, you can opt for a reusable water bottle, take a reusable shopping bag on your next grocery run, and pack your own to-go containers when you eat out. Meanwhile, countries such as England and France have banned plastic cutlery for most fast food and takeout meals, and India banned a selection of single-use plastics in 2022. Plus, alternatives to plastic are becoming more popular — these include materials made of seaweed and recycled fungus. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
