All articles tagged with #environmental factors
South Carolina has a lower average life expectancy of 73.5 years compared to the national average of 77.5 years, due to factors like limited access to parks, higher smoking rates, poorer air quality, and food options, with mental health also playing a significant role in longevity. Improving community resources, environmental conditions, and healthcare access can help close this gap.
Recent studies highlight potential environmental triggers for autism, such as pollution exposure during pregnancy, and reveal new insights into interstellar object 3I/ATLAS's tail behavior, a widespread health condition called CKM syndrome affecting nearly 90% of US adults, and the discovery of a prehistoric group in Japan with minimal Denisovan DNA. Additionally, Iceland reports its first mosquito sighting, and a 'wind phone' in Dorset explores grief communication.
Appendix cancer, once rare, is increasing among young adults, with cases tripling or quadrupling for those born after 1970s, possibly linked to lifestyle, environmental changes, and microbiome shifts, though causes remain unclear. Early detection is challenging due to vague symptoms and lack of screening, emphasizing the importance of awareness and healthy habits.
A recent study reveals a strong geographic link between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting shared environmental or social factors influence their distribution, challenging previous genetic-focused theories and opening new avenues for research and prevention.
President Trump and health officials controversially linked Tylenol (acetaminophen) to autism without new evidence, while also promoting unproven treatments and revisiting debunked vaccine theories, amidst ongoing scientific debate about autism's causes.
Doctors Ray Dorsey and Michael Okun propose that Parkinson's disease is largely preventable through environmental changes and advocate for increased federal funding to eradicate the disease, emphasizing the link between pollution, chemical exposure, and Parkinson's risk, and highlighting new treatment technologies.
Living within 30 miles of the ocean may increase lifespan due to better environmental and socioeconomic conditions, while inland water areas, especially in cities, may be associated with shorter lives due to pollution and poverty. The study highlights the health benefits of coastal proximity and the need to consider environmental factors in urban planning.
A study by Ohio State University found that living within 30 miles of the ocean is associated with longer life expectancy, likely due to factors like milder climate and better air quality, whereas living near inland water in urban areas may not offer the same benefits and could be linked to shorter lifespans due to pollution and other risks.
A comprehensive study finds that living near coastlines is associated with longer life expectancy due to better environmental conditions, while inland water proximity can reduce lifespan in urban areas but may benefit rural communities, highlighting the importance of environmental and socioeconomic factors.
A study found that in never-smokers, high exposure to fine-particle air pollution is linked to genetic changes associated with lung cancer, such as mutations in the TP53 gene and shorter telomeres, providing new insights into lung cancer development in this group and highlighting environmental factors beyond smoking.
A healthy 39-year-old woman from Melbourne was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer despite her healthy lifestyle, leading her surgeon to suggest environmental factors like chemicals in food may contribute to rising global rates, especially among young adults. She underwent surgery and is considering further treatment, highlighting the importance of awareness and early detection.
A groundbreaking study in mice shows that low maternal iron levels can cause genetically male mammals to develop female reproductive organs, challenging the long-held belief that sex is solely determined by genetics and highlighting the influence of environmental factors on developmental processes.
A study in the Netherlands suggests that genetic and environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke exposure, can affect early brain development and increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). High genetic risk for MS, combined with household tobacco smoke exposure, was linked to lower brain volume in children. The study also found a strong immune response to the Epstein-Barr virus in those with high genetic risk. These findings highlight the potential for early interventions targeting modifiable risk factors to mitigate future MS development.
A new study has mapped autism prevalence across the U.S., revealing hotspots in the northeast and southeast, with up to 8.1% of children affected in some counties. The increase in autism diagnoses is partly due to improved diagnostic practices, but environmental factors like air pollution may also play a role. The study found higher autism rates in areas with better healthcare access and among minority and low-income families. Researchers suggest a complex interplay of genetics and environment, including pollution exposure, may contribute to rising autism rates.
A new study by the National Cancer Institute projects that Generation X will face higher cancer rates at age 60 compared to Baby Boomers, with increases in various types of cancer such as thyroid, kidney, and colorectal cancers. Factors like early detection, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental pollutants may contribute to this rise. The study highlights the need for continued investment in cancer prevention research.