Key PointsQuestion What are the contemporary hazards of cigarette smoking and benefits of quitting smoking by race, ethnicity, and sex among US adults?Findings In this prospective cohort study of 551 388 US adults, smoking was associated with appreciably greater all-cause mortality compared with never smoking irrespective of race, ethnicity, or sex. Quitting smoking was associated with a reduction… Continue reading Association Between Smoking, Smoking Cessation, and Mortality by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex Among US Adults
Category: Environment
Role of housing in blood pressure control: a review of evidence from the Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan
Current countermeasures for preventing hypertension emphasize only improvements to lifestyle. Recently, improving life environment has attracted attention, in parallel with publication of the WHO Housing and health guidelines. We quantitatively evaluated the relationship between housing thermal environment and blood pressure (BP) in a real-world setting. We conducted a nationwide, prospective intervention study—the Smart Wellness Housing… Continue reading Role of housing in blood pressure control: a review of evidence from the Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan
How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature
Since living in cities is associated with an increased risk for mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia, it is essential to understand how exposure to urban and natural environments affects mental health and the brain. It has been shown that the amygdala is more activated during a stress task in urban compared… Continue reading How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature
Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
Although titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO2 (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibers of face masks intended for the general public. STEM-EDX analysis on sections of a variety of single use and reusable face masks visualized agglomerated near-spherical TiO2 particles in non-woven fabrics, polyester, polyamide and bi-component fibers. Median sizes… Continue reading Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
The hidden link between circadian entropy and mental health disorders
The high overlapping nature of various features across multiple mental health disorders suggests the existence of common psychopathology factor(s) (p-factors) that mediate similar phenotypic presentations across distinct but relatable disorders. In this perspective, we argue that circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is a common underlying p-factor that bridges across mental health disorders within their age and… Continue reading The hidden link between circadian entropy and mental health disorders
Environmental impassivity: Blunted emotionality undermines concern for the environment
The average American believes in climate change, worries about it, and supports related policy, but there are still considerable differences—across individuals and with political ideology—that limit the ability to foster change. Researchers and practitioners often increase concern and action for others through feelings of empathy, which also increases pro-environmentalism. However, some people appear less emotionally… Continue reading Environmental impassivity: Blunted emotionality undermines concern for the environment
A thermometer circuit for hot temperature adjusts Drosophila behavior to persistent heat
Small poikilotherms such as the fruit fly Drosophila depend on absolute temperature measurements to identify external conditions that are above (hot) or below (cold) their preferred range and to react accordingly. Hot and cold temperatures have a different impact on fly activity and sleep, but the circuits and mechanisms that adjust behavior to specific thermal conditions are… Continue reading A thermometer circuit for hot temperature adjusts Drosophila behavior to persistent heat
Single-Channel EEG Features Reveal an Association With Cognitive Decline in Seniors Performing Auditory Cognitive Assessment
Background: Cognitive decline remains highly underdiagnosed despite efforts to find novel cognitive biomarkers. Electroencephalography (EEG) features based on machine-learning (ML) may offer a non-invasive, low-cost approach for identifying cognitive decline. However, most studies use cumbersome multi-electrode systems. This study aims to evaluate the ability to assess cognitive states using machine learning (ML)-based EEG features extracted from… Continue reading Single-Channel EEG Features Reveal an Association With Cognitive Decline in Seniors Performing Auditory Cognitive Assessment
Home as the new frontier for the treatment of COVID-19: the case for anti-inflammatory agents
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is characterised by a broad spectrum of symptom severity that requires varying amounts of care according to the different stages of the disease. Intervening at the onset of mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms in the outpatient setting would provide the opportunity to prevent progression to a more severe illness and long-term… Continue reading Home as the new frontier for the treatment of COVID-19: the case for anti-inflammatory agents
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