Our society is experiencing more stress than ever before, leading to both negative psychiatric and physical outcomes. Chronic stress is linked to negative long-term health consequences, raising the possibility that stress is related to accelerated aging. In this study, we examine whether resilience factors affect stress-associated biological age acceleration. Recently developed “epigenetic clocks” such as… Continue reading Psychological and biological resilience modulates the effects of stress on epigenetic aging
Category: Environment
Face masks: benefits and risks during the COVID-19 crisis
The German government has made it mandatory to wear respiratory masks covering mouth and nose (MNC) as an effective strategy to fight SARS-CoV-2 infections. In many countries, this directive has been extended on shopping malls or public transportation. The aim of this paper is to critically analyze the statutory regulation to wear protective masks during… Continue reading Face masks: benefits and risks during the COVID-19 crisis
Air pollution and endocrine disruptors induce human microbiome imbalances: A systematic review of recent evidence and possible biological mechanisms
Highlights•Environmental pollution could affect diversity of resident microbiota. •Environmental pollution could affect abundance of resident microbiota. •Studies suggest air pollution increases the abundance of streptococcus. •Studies suggest air pollution increases the abundance of veillionellales. •Scarcity of studies precludes observing consistent trends for other microbiota. AbstractA rich body of literature indicates that environmental factors interact with… Continue reading Air pollution and endocrine disruptors induce human microbiome imbalances: A systematic review of recent evidence and possible biological mechanisms
Community transmission and viral load kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the UK: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study
The SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant is highly transmissible and spreading globally, including in populations with high vaccination rates. We aimed to investigate transmission and viral load kinetics in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with mild delta variant infection in the community. MethodsBetween Sept 13, 2020, and Sept 15, 2021, 602 community contacts (identified via the UK… Continue reading Community transmission and viral load kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the UK: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Among Vaccinated Healthcare Workers, Vietnam
Background: Data on breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infections are limited. Methods: We studied breakthrough infections among healthcare workers of a major infectious diseases hospital in Vietnam. We collected demographics, vaccination history and results of PCR diagnosis alongside clinical data. We measured SARS-CoV-2 (neutralizing) antibodies at diagnosis, and at week 1, 2 and 3 after diagnosis.… Continue reading Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Among Vaccinated Healthcare Workers, Vietnam
Experiences of Work-Family Conflict and #Mental Health Symptoms by Gender Among Physician Parents During the #COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased strain on health care workers and disrupted childcare and schooling arrangements in unprecedented ways. As substantial gender inequalities existed in medicine before the pandemic, physician mothers may be at particular risk for adverse professional and psychological consequences. Objective To assess gender differences in work-family factors and mental health among… Continue reading Experiences of Work-Family Conflict and #Mental Health Symptoms by Gender Among Physician Parents During the #COVID-19 Pandemic
Country roads, take me home… to my friends: How #intelligence, population density, and friendship affect modern #happiness
We propose the savanna theory of happiness, which suggests that it is not only the current consequences of a given situation but also its ancestral consequences that affect individuals’ life satisfaction and explains why such influences of ancestral consequences might interact with intelligence. We choose two varied factors that characterize basic differences between ancestral and… Continue reading Country roads, take me home… to my friends: How #intelligence, population density, and friendship affect modern #happiness
Functional genomics and metabolomics advance the ethnobotany of the #Samoan traditional medicine “matalafi”
Medicinal plants with extensive ethnobotanical histories, particularly those from Asia, have contributed to the approval of natural compounds as pharmaceutical drugs. In contrast, Samoan traditional medicine is relatively understudied. Working with traditional healers via an ethical, data sovereignty–driven collaboration led by indigenous Samoan researchers, we elucidate the chemical biology of the poorly understood but often-used… Continue reading Functional genomics and metabolomics advance the ethnobotany of the #Samoan traditional medicine “matalafi”
Association Between Genetic Risk for #Psychiatric Disorders and the Probability of Living in #Urban Settings
Urban residence has been highlighted as an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia and, to a lesser extent, several other psychiatric disorders. However, few studies have explored genetic effects on the choice of residence. Objective To investigate whether individuals with genetic predisposition to a range of psychiatric disorders have an increased likelihood to live in urban… Continue reading Association Between Genetic Risk for #Psychiatric Disorders and the Probability of Living in #Urban Settings
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