Occupational Health News and Research

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Genes play a large role in sour taste perception

Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center report that genes play a large role in determining individual differences in sour taste perception.

12 Jul 2007

Number one son the smart one!

Scientists in Norway have confirmed after carrying out a large study that the order people are born in within a family may influence how smart they are.

25 Jun 2007

Adjustable chairs reduce shoulder and neck pain

Adjustable-height chairs with ergonomically curved seats can significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain in garment workers, according to a new study in the April 20 issue of Spine.

24 Apr 2007

Assessing exposure to airborne nanomaterials

New methods and tools for measuring exposure to airborne engineered nanomaterials will be required to protect the health of workers in nanotechnology-related jobs, estimated to total 10 million people by 2014, according to two occupational health experts writing in the inaugural issue of the journal Nanotoxicology.

18 Apr 2007

Emerging threats demand new approach to disaster preparedness

The SARS epidemic, the South Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and avian influenza all underline a growing need for preparedness planning that addresses multiple hazards and coordinates all levels of government and society, said a panel of public health experts today at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, D.C.

3 Apr 2007

Blueprint for influenza pandemic

The American Public Health Association (APHA) today released its blueprint for strengthening the nation's pandemic preparedness, amid persistent concerns about a potential influenza pandemic.

22 Feb 2007

Effects of nanotechnology on health and environment

University of Florida engineering student Maria Palazuelos is working on nanotechnology, but she's not seeking a better sunscreen, tougher golf club or other product - the focus of many engineers in the field.

30 Jan 2007

Men with increased body mass index significantly more likely to be infertile

Men with increased body mass index (BMI) were significantly more likely to be infertile than normal-weight men, according to research conducted at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

4 Sep 2006

Bipolar disorder costs twice as much in lost productivity as major depressive disorder

Bipolar disorder costs twice as much in lost productivity as major depressive disorder, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has found. Each U.S. worker with bipolar disorder averaged 65.5 lost workdays in a year, compared to 27.2 for major depression.

4 Sep 2006

Men with increased body mass index significantly more likely to be infertile

31 Aug 2006

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation achieves Federal appropriations for asbestos-cancer research

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) has announced two historic victories in federal research funding to combat the deadly asbestos-related cancer.

16 Aug 2006

New plan to confront HIV-related health worker shortages

Launch of a coordinated global plan to address a major and often overlooked barrier to preventing and treating HIV/AIDS: the severe shortage of health workers, particularly in developing nations.

15 Aug 2006

Adult survivors of childhood cancer and unemployment

Adults with a history childhood cancer are more likely than the general population to be unemployed, according to a new review.

23 May 2006

Forearm support reduces pain linked to computer use

Providing forearm support is an effective way to prevent musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body and helps reduce upper body pain associated with computer work, according to a study reported in the April 18 issue of the British Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

20 Apr 2006

Federal monitoring system underestimates work-related injury and illness

The current national surveillance system may miss two-thirds of the total number of occupational injuries and illnesses, suggests a study in the April Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

17 Apr 2006

Atopy can lead to adult-onset asthma

New research shows that hereditary predisposition to develop asthma (atopy) is a determining factor in new cases on adult-onset asthma and that avoiding allergens may help prevent adults from developing asthma.

23 Mar 2006

Organic diets lower children's exposure to pesticides

Organic diets lower children's dietary exposure to two common pesticides used in U.S. agricultural production, according to a study by Emory University researcher Chensheng "Alex" Lu, PhD. The substitution of organic food items for children's normal diets substantially decreased the pesticide concentration to non-detectable levels.

19 Feb 2006