All posts tagged: levels

Global sea levels rising twice as fast as they did last century, according to major scientific report | Science, Climate & Tech News

Global sea levels rising twice as fast as they did last century, according to major scientific report | Science, Climate & Tech News

Published by skeptic

Global sea levels are now rising twice as fast as they did last century, according to a major new scientific report. The study – which takes a laser focus on climate change in the 2020s, a critical decade to stop the worst damage – finds all 10 measures are going in the wrong direction. And most of them are doing so at a faster rate. The findings are “unprecedented” but “unsurprising”, given the world continues to pump record levels of planet-warming gases into the atmosphere. “We see a clear and consistent picture that things are getting worse,” said lead author Professor Piers Forster. However, the rate by which emissions are increasing has slowed down, offering a ray of hope they will soon reach their peak. Image: Global average temperatures have risen alongside levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Rising seas The new study found sea levels are now rising on average twice as fast, at 4.3mm a year on average since 2019, up from 1.8mm a year at the turn of the 20th century. …

Firefighters and healthcare workers show elevated PFAS levels

Firefighters and healthcare workers show elevated PFAS levels

Published by skeptic

A groundbreaking study has uncovered troubling trends in PFAS levels among frontline workers, revealing that firefighters and healthcare professionals may be at greater risk of exposure to these toxic “forever chemicals” than previously thought. Conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, the study is the first to comprehensively examine PFAS concentrations across different essential occupations – highlighting not only the well-documented dangers faced by firefighters but also raising new concerns about chemical exposure in healthcare settings. The findings offer a critical warning about unseen workplace hazards and call for urgent action to protect those on the front lines. What are PFAS, and why are they a concern? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are artificial chemicals prized for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Commonly used in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and even some medical equipment, PFAS are notoriously durable. They do not break down easily in the environment or the human body, earning them the nickname forever chemicals. While almost all US adults have some level of PFAS …

PFAS chemicals found at record levels in migratory birds

PFAS chemicals found at record levels in migratory birds

Published by skeptic

Toxic PFAS chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are turning up in wildlife at alarming levels – far higher than previously detected. In a new study, scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have uncovered massive concentrations of these persistent pollutants in migratory birds and their food sources, revealing that PFAS contamination is far more pervasive and insidious than earlier research suggested. This discovery, made possible by a new detection method, sheds light on the silent spread of environmental toxins across global ecosystems and the potential risks to human health. What are PFAS chemicals? PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that resist breaking down in the environment and the human body. Often referred to as forever chemicals, PFAS accumulate over time, leading to potential long-term health risks. These substances are widely used in products such as non-stick cookware, fire retardants, water-repellent fabrics, and ski wax. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to a range of health issues, including cancer, liver damage, immune system disruption, hormonal imbalances, fertility …

Cortisol Imbalance: Causes and How to Fix Your Stress Hormone Levels

Cortisol Imbalance: Causes and How to Fix Your Stress Hormone Levels

Published by skeptic

It’s normal to get stressed, but that stress should ease after the trigger is gone. If it feels like you can’t seem to catch a break and your stress levels aren’t dropping, you might be experiencing chronic stress, which could be a red flag for something deeper. It may be a sign that you could have a cortisol imbalance. Both high and low levels of cortisol — also known as the “stress hormone” — can leave you dealing with symptoms that make you feel “off” and unlike yourself. The good news is that there are ways to better manage your stress levels. If you believe you have a cortisol imbalance or are generally concerned about your health, be sure to consult a doctor first so you can get the appropriate exams done.  What is cortisol?  Over- or under-functioning adrenal glands lead to symptoms of burnout. Wenjin Chen/Getty Images Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, says Melissa Groves Azzaro, a registered dietitian and author of A Balanced Approach to PCOS. The hormone is produced in the adrenal …

Alarming levels of loneliness plague America’s middle-aged adults

Alarming levels of loneliness plague America’s middle-aged adults

Published by skeptic

Across many parts of the world, loneliness has become more than a feeling—it’s now a recognized public health concern. The aching sense of isolation or disconnection, especially when prolonged, can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. Recent studies have found loneliness linked to major health problems, including depression, heart disease, dementia, and even early death. Over the last few years, governments in places like the United Kingdom and Japan have responded by creating high-level roles—“ministers of loneliness”—to tackle the growing crisis. These efforts were prompted by data showing that people who regularly feel lonely are more likely to die earlier and suffer more health problems over time. But while these policies often focus on older adults, new international research suggests they may be missing another vulnerable group: middle-aged adults. In some countries, including the United States, people in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s are actually lonelier than those in their 70s and 80s. Unadjusted association between loneliness and age, by country. (CREDIT: Aging and Mental Health) Rethinking Loneliness as You Age …

Youth with traumatic brain injuries show higher levels of psychopathic traits, new study finds

Youth with traumatic brain injuries show higher levels of psychopathic traits, new study finds

Published by José

A new study published in Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology has found that adolescent males in juvenile detention who have experienced a traumatic brain injury tend to exhibit higher levels of psychopathic traits than those without such injuries. The research also highlights that brain injury severity and number of injuries are linked to lower cognitive functioning and higher substance use—factors that, in turn, are associated with more pronounced psychopathic traits. Traumatic brain injury, often caused by a blow or jolt to the head, can disrupt brain function. While symptoms vary, even mild injuries have been linked to long-term difficulties with thinking, emotion regulation, and behavior. In justice-involved populations, especially among adolescents, traumatic brain injury is common and has been associated with outcomes like substance use, aggression, and poor mental health. Psychopathic traits, which include behaviors such as impulsivity, callousness, and manipulation, are also more common in youth who are incarcerated. These traits are often grouped into two domains: interpersonal and affective traits, like lack of empathy and shallow emotions (Factor 1), and lifestyle and …

Normal Vitamin B12 Levels May Still Be Too Low For Brain Health, Study Finds

Normal Vitamin B12 Levels May Still Be Too Low For Brain Health, Study Finds

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Authored by George Citroner via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Older adults with vitamin B12 levels considered normal may still face cognitive decline and brain damage, according to a new study. Michelle Lee Photography/Shutterstock Participants with lower—yet technically acceptable—B12 levels showed measurable brain white matter damage and slower cognitive processing, prompting researchers to call for a reevaluation of what constitutes “healthy” B12 levels in aging populations. These lower levels could “impact cognition to a greater extent than what we previously thought, and may affect a much larger proportion of the population than we realize,” Alexandra Beaudry-Richard, co-first author, said in a press release. Rethinking B12 Levels Recent research published in Annals of Neurology found that older, healthy people with concentrations of B12 in their blood on the lower side of normal showed signs of neurological and cognitive deficiency. The study found that lower B12 was linked to damage in the brain’s white matter, which helps brain regions communicate. Researchers enrolled 231 healthy participants without dementia or mild cognitive impairment, with an average age of 71. …

Morning blue light exposure improves sleep and activity levels in older adults

Morning blue light exposure improves sleep and activity levels in older adults

Published by José

Want to improve sleep and feel more active during the day? For older adults, the answer might be as simple as switching to blue-enriched light in the mornings. A recent study published in GeroScience shows that this type of light can positively influence the body’s natural rhythms, resulting in better sleep and increased daytime engagement for seniors at home. As people get older, their sleep patterns often change, and they may find it harder to get restful sleep. These changes can include sleeping less deeply, waking up more during the night, and feeling tired during the day. One reason for this is that as we age, our eyes become less effective at letting in light, which is important for regulating our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Think of our bodies as having an internal clock that is set by daylight. Reduced light input can weaken this clock, making it harder to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Furthermore, older adults may spend less time outdoors in bright daylight and more time indoors under artificial light, which can also …

Masculine lesbians tend to have higher testosterone levels, study finds

Masculine lesbians tend to have higher testosterone levels, study finds

Published by José

A new study from Brazil has uncovered differences in adult hormone levels between subgroups of lesbian women and heterosexual women. The research, published in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, found that lesbian women who described themselves as having a more masculine style had higher levels of free testosterone in their saliva compared to both feminine lesbian women and heterosexual women. At the same time, the study did not find differences in the ratio of the lengths of the index finger to the ring finger—a measurement thought to reflect early hormone exposure—across these groups. Previous studies have suggested that the amount of certain hormones, such as testosterone, during early development may help shape the brain in ways that could influence sexual attraction later in life. Other work has noted that testosterone in adulthood can vary among women and might be associated with differences in behavior or self-expression. However, earlier research has often treated lesbian women as a single, undifferentiated group, even though some identify with a more masculine style while others lean toward a feminine presentation. …

Fines for term-time holidays are at record levels – this will further erode trust between parents and schools

Fines for term-time holidays are at record levels – this will further erode trust between parents and schools

Published by skeptic

Recently released government statistics show a record number of fines were given to parents for their children’s absence from school in 2023-24 in England. Of the 487,344 fines issued, 91% were for unauthorised family holidays. If these fines, known as fixed penalty notices, go unpaid or in some cases have been previously issued, parents are taken to court. In 2023-24, 28,296 parents were prosecuted over their children’s school attendance. Whether the fines have any effect on ensuring attendance is debatable. The figures show that thousands of parents are willing to book a term-time holiday anyway. But fines are certainly affecting the crucial relationship between schools and families. When I carried out my doctoral research between 2014 and 2016 on the relationships between schools and parents, these bonds were already quite fragile. People in my study argued that endless “dictats” from school built a “brick wall” rather than a partnership. Now, it’s likely that an increasingly strict application of attendance rules is further breaking down trust. Fines were first introduced by a Labour government in 2004 …