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Tag: Study

  • RSV Vaccine Effective In Cutting Hospitalization In Older Adults, Immunocompromised Individuals: Study

    RSV Vaccine Effective In Cutting Hospitalization In Older Adults, Immunocompromised Individuals: Study

    Researchers have now found that the vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can prevent hospitalization in a significant majority of older adults and immunocompromised individuals.

    The latest study published in the Lancet journal analyzed the effectiveness of the RSV vaccine in U.S. adults aged 60 and older using large-scale data from 36,706 patients. The researchers looked at hospital and emergency room visits for RSV-like illnesses between October 2023 and March 2024 across eight U.S. states. They then compared vaccination rates between patients who tested positive for RSV and those who tested negative while adjusting for factors like age, sex, race, underlying health conditions, and location. There were 3,275 vaccinated patients in the study.

    The analysis showed that the RSV vaccine is highly effective, reducing the risk of hospitalization due to infection complications by 80%. Even among typically more vulnerable immunocompromised individuals, the vaccine was 73% effective at preventing hospitalization.

    “No vaccine is 100 percent effective. An 80 percent vaccine effectiveness rate is quite impressive and higher than we see, for example, with the influenza vaccine,” study co-author, Brian Dixon said in a statement.

    “The bottom line is that using real-world data from electronic medical records routinely captured in care for people from diverse walks of life we found that having the vaccine was highly protective against hospitalization, severe illness and death,” Dixon said.

    As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, everyone aged 75 and older is recommended to take at least one dose of the RSV vaccine, while adults aged 60 to 74 should consider it if they are at higher risk of severe RSV. This includes individuals with chronic heart or lung diseases, severe obesity, weakened immune systems, certain diabetes conditions, or those living in nursing homes.

    To protect infants from severe RSV, two options are available: Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccine given to pregnant women or an RSV antibody treatment given to infants after birth.

    As of October 5, 2024, the CDC estimates that 36.9% of adults aged 75 and older have received an RSV vaccine. Among adults aged 60 to 74 with high-risk conditions for RSV, about 29% have been vaccinated.

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  • COVID-19 Vaccine Linked To Elevated Risk Of Facial Palsy: Study

    COVID-19 Vaccine Linked To Elevated Risk Of Facial Palsy: Study

    Researchers have found that COVID-19 vaccination is linked to an elevated risk of facial palsy, with the risk particularly high within 28 days of taking the shot.

    Facial palsy, also known as Bell’s palsy, leads to temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, resulting in drooping on one side of the face and difficulty making facial expressions. Although the exact cause of the condition is not known, experts believe that certain viral infections, autoimmune mechanisms, or vaccination can be potential triggers.

    Although the pivotal clinical trials during the development of COVID-19 vaccines revealed no severe safety concerns, there has been an imbalance in the incidence of facial palsy among vaccinated individuals compared to the general population. This prompted the researchers to conduct a large-scale study involving over 44 million patients in South Korea to investigate the risk of facial palsy among individuals vaccinated against COVID-19.

    The researchers examined a national health information database of individuals who received more than one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and were then diagnosed with facial palsy within 240 days post-vaccination.

    When the incidence of facial palsy within 1–28 post-vaccination was compared to a control window (the remainder of the 240-day observation period), the researchers noted that there were 5,211 cases within the risk window and 10,531 cases within the control window.

    The study revealed a 12% increase in the risk of facial palsy within 1 to 28 days after any COVID-19 vaccine dose. The researchers also noted that the risk increased regardless of whether individuals received homologous or heterologous vaccines.

    While the second dose showed a 7% higher risk, the combination of the first and second doses indicated an 8% increase. However, no increased risk was associated with the third dose.

    “Facial Palsy (FP) risk increased within 28 days postvaccination, primarily after first and second doses, and was observed for both mRNA and viral vaccines. Clinicians should carefully assess the FP risk-benefit profile associated with the COVID-19 vaccines and monitor neurologic signs after vaccination,” the researchers wrote in a news release.

    While the exact reason for facial palsy after vaccination is unclear, researchers suggest possible explanations.

    One explanation is that mRNA vaccines use lipid nanoparticles to deliver SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen which triggers an immune response that can lead to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This response may damage the myelin sheath and potentially result in facial palsy.

    In the case of viral vector vaccines, they are designed to make antibodies against the virus’s proteins. Since these antibodies are similar to proteins in the nerves, they may mistakenly attack the myelin resulting in nerve damage.

    Researchers also noted that COVID-19 infection is associated with a higher risk of facial palsy. Recent studies suggest that this increased risk may be due to nerve compression resulting from inflammation triggered by the virus.

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  • No Cardiovascular Benefits, Raises Circulatory Risks; Study Finds

    No Cardiovascular Benefits, Raises Circulatory Risks; Study Finds

    Sitting for extended periods has long been linked to various health risks including cardiovascular issues, driving the popularity of standing desks among office workers. However, a recent study suggests that standing for extended periods offers no long-term cardiovascular benefits and may not be the better option.

    According to the latest study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, standing for long periods may not benefit heart health and could increase the risk of circulatory problems, such as deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins.

    Researchers from the University of Sydney analyzed heart conditions and circulatory disease data from 83,013 UK adults, collected over seven to eight years. These participants, who did not have any heart disease at the start, were monitored using wrist-worn wearables similar to smartwatches to track their activity and health.

    The analysis revealed that for every additional 30 minutes spent standing beyond two hours, the risk of circulatory disease increased by 11 percent.

    “The key takeaway is that standing for too long will not offset an otherwise sedentary lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health. We found that standing more does not improve cardiovascular health over the long-term and increases the risk of circulatory issues,” Dr Matthew Ahmadi, the lead author of the study said in a news release.

    The researchers also found that sitting for more than 10 hours a day raises the risk of both cardiovascular disease and orthostatic issues.

    Based on these findings, the researchers recommend that people who are regularly sedentary or stand for extended periods incorporate regular movement throughout the day to mitigate these risks.

    “For people who sit for long periods on a regular basis, including plenty of incidental movement throughout the day and structured exercise may be a better way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, Director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub.

    “Take regular breaks, walk around, go for a walking meeting, use the stairs, take regular breaks when driving long distances, or use that lunch hour to get away from the desk and do some movement,” Stamatakis said.

    Earlier research by the team found that just 6 minutes of vigorous exercise or 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day can reduce the risk of heart disease, even in individuals who are highly sedentary for over 11 hours a day.

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  • Being Overweight Raises Pregnancy Complications Regardless Of Women’s Country Of Birth: Study

    Being Overweight Raises Pregnancy Complications Regardless Of Women’s Country Of Birth: Study

    Obesity increases health complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, preterm birth, and preeclampsia. Researchers have now found that being overweight during pregnancy raises these risks regardless of a woman’s country of birth.

    The latest study conducted by researchers at Linköping University and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden examined the risk of complications faced by overweight pregnant women, including both those born in Sweden and those who have moved there.

    “We know that overweight and obesity are linked to many complications during pregnancy and childbirth for women born in Sweden. Therefore, we wanted to investigate whether the inequalities in pregnancy complications between women born in different countries can to some extent be explained by differences in body weight. If you know that there are health inequalities, you want to find out why, in order to be able to do something about the inequalities in the next step,” said Pontus Henriksson who led the study in a news release.

    The researchers evaluated nearly two million pregnancies and focused on eight significant complications that can impact the mother or baby during pregnancy and childbirth. The complications examined include those related to pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infant mortality within the first year of life. It also looked at preterm birth, extremely preterm birth, and low Apgar scores, which assess a newborn’s vitality. The researchers also considered the risks associated with having a large baby or a small baby concerning the length of the pregnancy.

    The findings published in The Lancet Public Health suggest that promoting a healthy weight has the potential to prevent pregnancy complications for all women.

    The researchers explored how many pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, could be prevented if all women started their pregnancies at a normal weight.

    “For example, we concluded that about half of all cases of gestational diabetes could potentially be prevented. This applies to both women born in Sweden and foreign-born women, said Maryam Shirvanifar, the first author of the study.

    The study also revealed that the impact of weight on these complications varies significantly; for instance, high body weight is particularly linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes compared to other pregnancy-related issues.

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  • Exposure To Air Pollution During Pregnancy And Childhood Have Lasting Effects On Brain: Study

    Exposure To Air Pollution During Pregnancy And Childhood Have Lasting Effects On Brain: Study

    Long-term exposure to air pollutants is known to affect physical well-being, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. A recent study revealed that early-life exposure to air pollution has lasting effects on the brain.

    According to the research led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) during pregnancy and childhood can lead to significant changes in the microstructure of the brain’s white matter. Alarmingly, these alterations can persist into adolescence, raising concerns about the long-term impact of air pollution on brain development.

    Earlier studies have explored the impact of air pollutants on the brain’s white matter, but most were limited to a single time point and did not track participants throughout childhood.

    The latest study published in Environmental Research involved 4,000 participants in Rotterdam, the Netherlands who were part of the Generation R Study and were followed up since birth. Based on the participants’ location, the team estimated the amount of exposure to 14 different air pollutants during pregnancy and childhood.

    To examine changes in white matter microstructure, researchers conducted brain scans on 1,314 children, once around the age of 10 and again around 14.

    “Following participants throughout childhood and including two neuroimaging assessments for each child would shed new light on whether the effects of air pollution on white matter persist, attenuate, or worsen,” said ISGlobal researcher Mònica Guxens in a news release.

    The results revealed that higher exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy, as well as elevated levels of PM2.5, PM10, PM2.5-10, and NOx during childhood, led to a reduction in fractional anisotropy, a measure of how water molecules diffuse within the brain. In more mature brains, water tends to flow more in one direction, resulting in higher values for this marker. This association persisted into adolescence, indicating a long-term impact of air pollution on brain development.

    “Every increase in exposure level to air pollution corresponded to more than a 5-month delay in the development of fractional anisotropy,” the researchers wrote.

    “We think that the lower fractional anisotropy is likely the result of changes in myelin, the protective sheath that forms around the nerves, rather than in the structure or packaging of the nerve fibers,” said first author of the study, Michelle Kusters.

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  • Three cups of coffee daily boosts heart health, reduces cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk: study

    Three cups of coffee daily boosts heart health, reduces cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk: study

    Can’t start your day without coffee? A recent study reveals that your morning ritual might do more than just wake you up, it could also benefit your heart health. The research found that moderate caffeine intake, or three cups of coffee daily, significantly reduces the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

    Cardiometabolic multimorbidity refers to having at least two coexisting cardiometabolic diseases. Studies indicate that having a single cardiometabolic condition doubles the risk of death from all causes. In contrast, individuals with cardiometabolic multimorbidity may face a risk of all-cause mortality that is four to seven times higher.

    According to the latest study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, any level of coffee and caffeine consumption could play an important protective role in all phases of cardiometabolic multimorbidity development.

    After analyzing the caffeine consumption of over 500,000 participants from the UK Biobank who are part of a detailed longitudinal dietary study, researchers noted that compared with non-consumers or those who take less than 100mg of caffeine per day, moderate consumption of coffee, meaning three drinks per day or 200–300 mg of caffeine had the lowest risk for new-onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

    The study focused on participants aged 37 to 73, excluding those with unclear caffeine intake data. This resulted in a pool of 172,315 individuals free of cardiometabolic diseases at the start, for analyzing caffeine effects. Additionally, a separate group of 188,091 participants was included to examine the impact of coffee and tea consumption.

    The results suggest that those who drank three cups a day experienced a 48.1% reduction in risk, while those consuming 200–300 mg of caffeine daily saw a 40.7% decrease, compared to individuals who either did not consume caffeine or had less than 100 mg per day.

    “Consuming three cups of coffee, or 200–300 mg caffeine, per day might help to reduce the risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity in individuals without any cardiometabolic disease,” said the study’s lead author, Chaofu Ke in a news release.

    “The findings highlight that promoting moderate amounts of coffee or caffeine intake as a dietary habit for healthy people might have far-reaching benefits for the prevention of cardiometabolic multimorbidity,” Ke said.

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  • Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet May Help Weight Loss, But Study Says It Raises Diabetes Risk

    Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet May Help Weight Loss, But Study Says It Raises Diabetes Risk

    Cutting down on carbohydrates and increasing fat intake is a popular weight loss strategy for many. However, researchers now say that in the long run, it may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.

    A recent study published in the journal Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, which followed around 40,000 participants in Melbourne, Australia, found that a low-carb, high-fat diet is linked to a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

    Increased carbohydrate intake is known to raise diabetes risk. Earlier studies have focused on examining how a low carbohydrate diet could be used in managing or remission of type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that low-carbohydrate eating patterns could be effective for quick weight loss.

    However, the long-term effects of a low-carb diet on the risk of developing diabetes were not known. The latest findings suggest that while low-carb diets may aid in diabetes management, they might be ineffective in preventing the disease.

    “Studies to date have only focused on examining low carbohydrate for managing and/or remission of type 2 diabetes. Instead, this study reveals that low carbohydrate diet intake might increase the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes through obesity, potentially through increased eating of fats and foods low in fiber. Our study also highlights the need to look at the quality of carbohydrates, proteins and fats,” said Professor de Courten, a researcher of the study in a news release.

    The study was conducted on participants aged 40–69, who were part of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) between 1990 and 1994. Researchers analyzed the percentage of carbohydrates in their diets using a Low Carbohydrate Score (LCD) and estimated the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. A higher score indicated a lower percentage of carbohydrates contributing to energy intake. The health of participants was reviewed during two periods: 1995–1998 and 2003–2007.

    Participants whose diets consisted of 38% carbohydrates had a 20% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with 55% carbohydrates in their diet. The increased risk is attributed to a higher incidence of obesity, resulting from high-fat and low-fiber content in the diet.

    Based on their findings, researchers suggest that there should be an adequate review of dietary approaches for those wanting to lose weight and avoid diabetes.

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  • Eating Fish During Pregnancy May Cut Offspring’s Autism Risk, Not Omega-3: Study Says

    Eating Fish During Pregnancy May Cut Offspring’s Autism Risk, Not Omega-3: Study Says

    Prenatal consumption of fish may reduce autism risk in children, but omega-3 supplements may not have the same effect, a recent study revealed.

    Including fish in the diet during pregnancy is linked to a 20% reduction in the risk of autism spectrum disorder and a decreased risk of autism-related traits in children, with particularly notable benefits for female offspring, according to the study published in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition.

    “Our study contributes to a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the role that prenatal diet can play in autism-related outcomes in offspring,” said the researcher Dr. Emily Oken in a news release.

    To understand how intake of fish and omega-3 supplements during pregnancy affects neurodevelopmental outcomes, researchers evaluated the dietary information of around 4,000 participants. Based on the frequency of fish consumption, the participants were grouped into four: less than once a month, more than once a month but less than weekly, weekly, and two or more servings per week.

    Around 25% of them never ate fish or consumed it less than once a month, and most of the participants never took omega-3 fish oil supplements during their pregnancy.

    The researchers then examined the incidence of autism diagnoses in children and parent-reported autism-related traits, which were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a widely used survey completed by parents or caregivers.

    “Consuming fish during pregnancy was associated with a lower likelihood of offspring being diagnosed with autism and a slight decrease in total SRS scores compared to not eating fish. These results were consistent across all levels of fish consumption, from “any” amount or “less than once per week” to “more than twice per week,” the news release stated.

    However, the researchers could not find any significant association between omega-3 conception and autism diagnosis, or traits.

    “This study provides yet more evidence for the safety and benefit of regular fish consumption during pregnancy. Other proven benefits include lower risk for preterm birth and improved cognitive development,” said Dr. Oken.

    “Given the low fish intake in the United States general population and the rising autism prevalence, these findings suggest the need for better public health messaging regarding guidelines on fish intake for pregnant individuals,” the researchers concluded.

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  • Study Says Even Light Smoking During Pregnancy Affects Newborn’s Health

    Study Says Even Light Smoking During Pregnancy Affects Newborn’s Health

    Smoking during pregnancy is known to raise the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and restricted growth of the fetus. But can light smoking during pregnancy, just one or two cigarettes, still harm the newborn?

    A study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests “that there is no safe period and no safe level of cigarette smoking shortly before or during pregnancy.” The new study provides further evidence of the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy, emphasizing the need to completely quit the habit for the baby’s health.

    The research team utilized data from the US National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) that has recorded a total of 15,379,982 live births between 2016 and 2019. After filtering out factors such as multiple births, high blood pressure or diabetes before pregnancy, and lack of information on the smoking status 3 months before and during their pregnancy, the researchers narrowed it down to 12,150,535 mother-infant pairs.

    The study noted that over 9% of them reported smoking cigarettes before pregnancy, 7% during the first trimester, 6% in the second trimester, and around 6% in the third trimester. The intensity of smoking was measured based on the number of cigarettes smoked per day: 0, 1–2, 3–5, 6–9, 10–19, and 20 or more.

    “The women who smoked had more risk factors for neonatal health issues: they tended to be younger, non-Hispanic White, unmarried, and obese, and to have low educational attainment, more previous births, and fewer attendances for prenatal care,” the news release stated.

    The estimated prevalence of neonatal health issues was around 9.5%. Neonatal health issues included cases where newborns required immediate assisted ventilation, ventilation for more than 6 hours, NICU admission for continuous mechanical ventilation, surfactant replacement therapy, as well as cases of suspected sepsis, seizures, or serious neurological problems.

    “Smoking either before pregnancy or in each of the 3 trimesters of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of major neonatal health issues, either separately or combined, after adjusting for potentially influential factors, including age, ethnicity, and weight (BMI) before pregnancy,” the news release stated.

    In cases where expectant mothers smoked before pregnancy, there was more 27% higher risk of having more than one major neonatal health issue. The risk was 31-32% higher if she smoked at any time during her pregnancy.

    When compared to expectant mothers who did not smoke at all, both smoking before pregnancy and during any point of pregnancy puts newborns at higher risk of having more than one health issue.

    “Even light smoking—1–2 cigarettes a day—was associated with a heightened risk of major neonatal health issues. For example, among mothers who smoked 1–2 cigarettes a day before pregnancy, the risk was 16% higher, rising to 31% higher if they smoked 20 or more a day,” the news release stated.

    When an expectant mother smokes just one or two cigarettes a day, the newborn’s risk of admission to intensive care is 13% higher. This risk increases to 29% for those who smoke 20 or more cigarettes daily.

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  • Study Says Reducing Red Meat Could Lower Risk

    Study Says Reducing Red Meat Could Lower Risk

    Iron is beneficial for health, but the source of iron can affect your diabetes risk, according to a study. Researchers found that heme iron, which is present in red meat and other animal products, could increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, non-heme iron in plant-based food does not pose a similar risk.

    The latest study conducted by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health adds more evidence to previous studies that have identified diabetes risks associated with red meat.

    The research evaluated 206,615 adults enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study for their dietary details over 36 years. The iron intake of the participants including the total, heme, non-heme, dietary, and supplemental was noted along with their type 2 diabetes status. The results were published in Nature Metabolism.

    “The study found a significant association between higher heme iron intake and T2D risk. Participants in the highest intake group had a 26% higher risk of developing T2D than those in the lowest intake group,” the news release stated.

    The results also showed that heme iron accounted for more than half of the type 2 diabetes risk associated with unprocessed red meat and also contributed moderately to the risk from various dietary patterns related to type 2 diabetes. However, there was no significant association between intakes of non-heme iron from diet or supplements with diabetes risk.

    “Compared to prior studies that relied solely on epidemiological data, we integrated multiple layers of information, including epidemiological data, conventional metabolic biomarkers, and cutting-edge metabolomics. This allowed us to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the association between iron intake and T2D risk, as well as potential metabolic pathways underlying this association,” said lead author Fenglei Wang, research associate in the Department of Nutrition.

    The researchers also raised concern about the addition of heme to plant-based meat alternatives to enhance their meaty flavor and appearance. As these alternatives gain popularity, they suggest that further investigation into the health effects is needed.

    “This study underscores the importance of healthy dietary choices in diabetes prevention. Reducing heme iron intake, particularly from red meat, and adopting a more plant-based diet can be effective strategies in lowering diabetes risk,” said corresponding author Frank Hu, Fredrick J., Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology.

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