All posts tagged: exposure

Children with medical complexity show higher rates of outpatient antibiotic exposure

Children with medical complexity show higher rates of outpatient antibiotic exposure

Published by skeptic

A new study from Boston Children’s Hospital found that annual prescription rates increased non-linearly as children’s underlying level of medical complexity increased, raising concerns about outpatient antibiotic exposure. Persistent use of antibiotics contributes to the increased likelihood of antibiotic-related complications, as well as the development of antibiotic resistance. Children with medical complexity (CMC) are more vulnerable to infections, but knowledge of the impact of frequent antibiotic use on this group is limited. Using outpatient antibiotic prescription claims data from the multi-state MarketScan Medicaid Database, Boston Children’s Hospital observed that children with three or more complex chronic conditions were more likely to fill prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics with less favorable safety profiles. Children with three or more complex chronic conditions have the highest annual prescription rates of any population group (adult or pediatric). The study examined the outpatient prescription rates of over 2 million children Children ages 0-18 years continuously enrolled in Medicaid in 2023 were included and categorised into five mutually exclusive categories of underlying medical complexity: healthy (no chronic conditions), non-complex chronic condition (NC-C), …

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats

Published by José Betancourt

A study on rats found that exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) altered gene expression in the nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain of their offspring. In turn, this may have led to impaired cognitive performance and more impulsive decision-making. The paper was published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial processes and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. One of these chemicals is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, a legacy substance that was used for decades in products such as firefighting foams and stain-resistant coatings, as well as in certain manufacturing processes. It is often called a “forever chemical” because it breaks down extremely slowly and can remain in the environment for a very long time. Although the use of PFOS was largely discontinued in the early years of the 21st century, PFOS remains widely present in both the environment and the human body. PFOS resists metabolic breakdown, resulting in prolonged accumulation in the …

High PFAS exposure in pregnancy linked to childhood asthma

High PFAS exposure in pregnancy linked to childhood asthma

Published by skeptic

A large Swedish study has identified a notable association between PFAS exposure during pregnancy and a higher risk of childhood asthma, adding weight to growing concerns about the long-term health effects of these persistent chemicals. Lund University researchers analysed data from more than 11,000 children born in Blekinge, Sweden, between 2006 and 2013, focusing on a population affected by one of Europe’s most significant drinking water contamination events. The findings suggest that while low to moderate exposure showed no clear impact, very high levels of PFAS exposure may substantially increase asthma risk in children. Annelise Blomberg, a researcher in occupational and environmental medicine at Lund University, explained: “We saw a clear link between very high PFAS exposure and a higher incidence of asthma. “The risk of developing asthma was around 40% higher among children of mothers with very high PFAS exposure.” The dangers of PFAS PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial processes and consumer products. They are found in everything from non-stick cookware and food packaging to firefighting …

Early exposure to forever chemicals linked to altered brain genes and impulsive behavior in rats

Maternal exposure to short-chain PFAS causes persistent memory problems in adult rats

Published by José Betancourt

Exposure to supposedly safer alternatives to traditional forever chemicals during pregnancy and nursing causes lasting memory and learning problems in adult rats. The animal research suggests that early contact with these synthetic compounds interferes with normal brain development. The study was published in Frontiers in Toxicology. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, universally known as PFAS, are highly stable synthetic chemicals characterized by extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Manufacturers have used them since the 1940s to make products resist heat, oil, and water. These functional properties make them highly useful in nonstick cookware, food packaging, and waterproof clothing. Because they break down very slowly, they accumulate in the environment and inside the human body. Older versions of these chemicals are typically composed of molecular chains featuring eight or more carbon atoms. Epidemiological studies have repeatedly linked prenatal exposure to these long-chain PFAS with adverse developmental outcomes, altering cognition and behavior in children. In response to health and environmental concerns, manufacturers largely phased out these long-chain variants. They replaced them with short-chain varieties, which contain fewer carbon atoms and …

Radiation ‘cavity’ near the moon could lower astronaut exposure to cosmic radiation

Radiation ‘cavity’ near the moon could lower astronaut exposure to cosmic radiation

Published by Jenni Sidey

For a few hours each lunar day, the radiation environment near the moon quietly shifts. Measurements now suggest that parts of the moon’s orbit pass through a region where harmful cosmic radiation drops noticeably. The effect is not dramatic, but it is consistent. And for astronauts, even a modest reduction could matter. Data from China’s Chang’e-4 lander point to what researchers describe as a “cavity” in space, a zone where galactic cosmic rays thin out. The finding, published in Science Advances, adds a wrinkle to how scientists understand the space between Earth and its nearest neighbor. A dip in radiation, tied to lunar time The change appears during the moon’s local morning, specifically a few hours after lunar sunrise. During that window, lower-energy cosmic ray protons fall by about 20 percent compared with later periods in the lunar day. The Chang’e-4 lunar probe, photographed from the Yutu-2 rover. The measuring device from Kiel is located on the left behind the antenna. (CREDIT: CNSA/CLEP) That drop showed up repeatedly across 31 lunar cycles, using data collected …

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Published by skeptic

Emerging evidence indicates that PFAS exposure in early life could influence bone development during adolescence, raising concerns about the long-term health implications of these persistent environmental chemicals. A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society reports associations between early exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lower bone density in teenagers. Researchers found that the timing of exposure may play a critical role, with certain developmental stages appearing more sensitive than others. The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Tracking PFAS exposure across childhood PFAS are a large class of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial processes and consumer products, including food packaging, non-stick cookware and water-resistant materials. Often referred to as forever chemicals, they are resistant to degradation and can accumulate in both the environment and human tissue. ©Shutterstock/VectorMine To examine potential health effects, researchers analysed data from 218 participants enrolled in a long-term birth cohort study. Blood samples were collected at multiple points: at birth and at ages three, eight and twelve. Bone density …

Early exposure to a high-fat diet alters how the adult brain reacts to junk food

Early exposure to a high-fat diet alters how the adult brain reacts to junk food

Published by José Betancourt

Exposure to a diet heavy in fats and sugars during early development primes the brain to overreact to unhealthy foods in adulthood. This combination leads to high levels of inflammation and reduced adaptability within the brain’s main memory center. These molecular changes suggest that early nutritional environments have long-lasting effects on cognitive health, according to a recent study published in Nutritional Neuroscience. The physical makeup of the brain is not set in stone at birth. It constantly changes and adapts in response to life experiences. This feature of the nervous system is known as neural plasticity. Neural plasticity allows humans and animals to form new memories, learn new skills, and recover from physical injuries. To function properly, the brain relies on specific proteins that act as fertilizer for neural connections. One of these vital proteins is a growth factor that helps neurons survive and communicate. When the brain is healthy, these growth factors bind to specific receptors on the outside of brain cells. This continuous chemical dialogue allows the nervous system to adapt to new …

PFAS exposure linked to accelerated biological ageing in men

PFAS exposure linked to accelerated biological ageing in men

Published by skeptic

New analysis of US health data suggests certain ‘forever chemicals’ may disproportionately affect male ageing during midlife. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, widely known as PFAS or forever chemicals, may be contributing to faster biological ageing in middle-aged men, according to new research based on US population data. The findings add to growing evidence that some widely used synthetic chemicals influence how quickly the body ages at a molecular level. In a study published in Frontiers in Aging, researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine report that higher blood concentrations of two PFAS compounds – perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) – were associated with accelerated biological ageing in men aged 50 to 64. The same pattern was not observed in women. The results raise fresh questions about the safety of certain PFAS compounds that remain in widespread use, even as some earlier variants have been phased out globally. Tracking age beyond birthdays Unlike chronological age, biological ageing reflects the functional state of tissues and cells. It can be estimated through so-called epigenetic clocks, …

Popular bottled water brands linked to unexpected microplastic exposure

Popular bottled water brands linked to unexpected microplastic exposure

Published by Jenni Sidey

Up to 11.5 million plastic particles can show up in a single liter of bottled water, at least in a small slice of samples tested by a team working near Lake Erie. That headline number comes from counting not just microplastics, but far smaller pieces called nanoplastics, which are under 1 micrometer. In this study, bottled water carried significantly higher particle counts than treated tap water, even though the tap water came from conventional treatment plants. The work also points at a quieter issue: many past surveys likely missed a large share of plastic contamination simply because they could not see particles this small. Graphical abstract. What is in your water? (CREDIT: Science of the Total Environment) A closer look at bottled water and the tap The scientists analyzed six brands of bottled water and water from four drinking-water treatment plants along the Ohio shore of Lake Erie. Those plants used conventional steps such as coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and granular media filtration. When the team compared the two sources using the same measurement approach, bottled …

Alarming PFAS exposure among US babies born in the 2000s

Alarming PFAS exposure among US babies born in the 2000s

Published by skeptic

New research suggests that babies born in Cincinnati during the mid-2000s were exposed to far more forever chemicals in the womb than scientists once believed. The findings shine a spotlight on PFAS exposure during pregnancy and raise fresh questions about how these persistent chemicals may shape long-term health. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a large group of synthetic chemicals used for decades in everyday products. They are found in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Because they do not easily break down, they can linger in the environment and accumulate in the human body over time. While researchers have studied a limited number of PFAS compounds for years, this new work suggests that the scope of prenatal exposure may be much broader than earlier testing methods revealed. Mining archived samples for answers The study was led by Shelley Liu at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her team analysed umbilical cord blood samples collected from 120 infants born between 2003 and 2006 as part of the …