After decades of intense focus on genetics, the biomedical research community is undergoing a major shift, focusing on a new framework called “exposomics.” Similar to the way scientists work to map the human genome, this emerging field aims to map the chemical, physical, social and biological elements a person encounters throughout their life. Experts estimate that genetic mutations account for only about 10% of diseases like Parkinson’s for example. The remaining 90% are thought to be caused by environmental factors, prompting scientists to look beyond genes, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported. Some examples of exposomic data include light and temperature, biomarkers in the blood or other body fluids, dietary intake, environmental chemicals, physical activity, income and education. The ultimate goal? To turn this big bucket of individual knowledge points into practical, personalized health solutions. Researchers envision a future where a person’s “exposomic profile” is included in their electronic medical records, according to the AAMC. Gary Miller, vice dean for research strategy and innovation at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, who helped coin the term two decades ago, says the field is now gaining momentum. Last year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supported this effort by announcing a $7.7 million grant for the creation of the Network for Exposomics in the United States (NEXUS), a…  read on >  read on >

After decades of intense focus on genetics, the biomedical research community is undergoing a major shift, focusing on a new framework called “exposomics.” Similar to the way scientists work to map the human genome, this emerging field aims to map the chemical, physical, social and biological elements a person encounters throughout their life. Experts estimate that genetic mutations account for only about 10% of diseases like Parkinson’s for example. The remaining 90% are thought to be caused by environmental factors, prompting scientists to look beyond genes, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported. Some examples of exposomic data include light and temperature, biomarkers in the blood or other body fluids, dietary intake, environmental chemicals, physical activity, income and education. The ultimate goal? To turn this big bucket of individual knowledge points into practical, personalized health solutions. Researchers envision a future where a person’s “exposomic profile” is included in their electronic medical records, according to the AAMC. Gary Miller, vice dean for research strategy and innovation at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, who helped coin the term two decades ago, says the field is now gaining momentum. Last year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supported this effort by announcing a $7.7 million grant for the creation of the Network for Exposomics in the United States (NEXUS), a…  read on >  read on >

For many young adults, social media is where life happens: Friendships, news, stress, all rolled into a single screen. But a new study suggests that stepping away, even for just one week, may help ease anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Researchers tracked 295 young adults ages 18 to 24 who agreed to limit their social media use for seven days. Each participant was paid $150 to be in the study. For the study, these young adults shrunk their average screen time from just under two hours a day on social platforms down to about 30 minutes a day. After the week ended, participants completed mental health surveys. On average, the researchers found: Anxiety symptoms dropped by 16.1% Depression symptoms dropped by 24.8% Insomnia symptoms dropped by 14.5% The study, published Nov. 24 in JAMA Network Open, showed the biggest improvement in people who already had more serious depression symptoms. However, participants did not report changes in loneliness. Study co-author Dr. John Torous, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston, told The New York Times that cutting back on social media shouldn’t “be your first-line or your only form of care.” “If you’re struggling with a mental health condition, and you have treatment already,” he added, “it’s likely worth experimenting to see whether reducing social media helps you feel better.” He warned…  read on >  read on >

For many young adults, social media is where life happens: Friendships, news, stress, all rolled into a single screen. But a new study suggests that stepping away, even for just one week, may help ease anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Researchers tracked 295 young adults ages 18 to 24 who agreed to limit their social media use for seven days. Each participant was paid $150 to be in the study. For the study, these young adults shrunk their average screen time from just under two hours a day on social platforms down to about 30 minutes a day. After the week ended, participants completed mental health surveys. On average, the researchers found: Anxiety symptoms dropped by 16.1% Depression symptoms dropped by 24.8% Insomnia symptoms dropped by 14.5% The study, published Nov. 24 in JAMA Network Open, showed the biggest improvement in people who already had more serious depression symptoms. However, participants did not report changes in loneliness. Study co-author Dr. John Torous, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston, told The New York Times that cutting back on social media shouldn’t “be your first-line or your only form of care.” “If you’re struggling with a mental health condition, and you have treatment already,” he added, “it’s likely worth experimenting to see whether reducing social media helps you feel better.” He warned…  read on >  read on >

For many families who lose someone to suicide, the same question comes up again and again: “How did we not see this coming?” A new study suggests that for some people, there truly weren’t clear warning signs to see. Researchers at the University of Utah found that people who die by suicide without showing prior warning signs, such as suicidal thoughts or past attempts, may have different underlying risk factors than those who express suicidal behavior. The findings were published recently in JAMA Network Open. About half of people who die by suicide have no known history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Many also don’t have diagnosed mental health conditions like depression. To better understand these people, researchers analyzed anonymized genetic data from more than 2,700 people who died by suicide. They found that people with no prior signs of suicide had: Fewer psychiatric diagnoses Fewer genetic risk factors for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “There are a lot of people out there who may be at risk of suicide where it’s not just that you’ve missed that they’re depressed, it’s likely that they’re in fact actually not depressed,” lead study author Hilary Coon, a psychiatry professor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, said in a news release. “That is important in widening our…  read on >  read on >

For many families who lose someone to suicide, the same question comes up again and again: “How did we not see this coming?” A new study suggests that for some people, there truly weren’t clear warning signs to see. Researchers at the University of Utah found that people who die by suicide without showing prior warning signs, such as suicidal thoughts or past attempts, may have different underlying risk factors than those who express suicidal behavior. The findings were published recently in JAMA Network Open. About half of people who die by suicide have no known history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Many also don’t have diagnosed mental health conditions like depression. To better understand these people, researchers analyzed anonymized genetic data from more than 2,700 people who died by suicide. They found that people with no prior signs of suicide had: Fewer psychiatric diagnoses Fewer genetic risk factors for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) “There are a lot of people out there who may be at risk of suicide where it’s not just that you’ve missed that they’re depressed, it’s likely that they’re in fact actually not depressed,” lead study author Hilary Coon, a psychiatry professor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, said in a news release. “That is important in widening our…  read on >  read on >

The equivalent of a 4.3-mile trip in a gas-powered car: That’s the amount of greenhouse gas emissions the average person spares the planet each day when they switch to a healthy, low-fat vegan diet, new research shows. “We know whole food, plant-based diets are better for our health and the environment. This analysis shows us just how impactful our daily food choices are,” said study author Dr. Hana Kahleova, who directs clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The group describes itself as “a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine.” It has long advocated for plant-based diets as being healthier for people and the planet.  The new data comes out of prior Physicians Committee research that found that low-fat plant-based diets are effective in helping people shed excess pounds and help control blood sugar, as compared to fattier diets containing meat.   Kahleova’s new analysis looked at the environmental impact of switching to a vegan diet. They linked data from two datasets — the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Commodity Intake Database and the Database of Food Impacts on the Environment for Linking to Diets. The analysis found a 51% daily reduction in personal greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) once a person made the switch — the daily equivalent of preventing carbon dioxide emissions from a more than 4-mile gas engine car trip.  As…  read on >  read on >

The equivalent of a 4.3-mile trip in a gas-powered car: That’s the amount of greenhouse gas emissions the average person spares the planet each day when they switch to a healthy, low-fat vegan diet, new research shows. “We know whole food, plant-based diets are better for our health and the environment. This analysis shows us just how impactful our daily food choices are,” said study author Dr. Hana Kahleova, who directs clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The group describes itself as “a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine.” It has long advocated for plant-based diets as being healthier for people and the planet.  The new data comes out of prior Physicians Committee research that found that low-fat plant-based diets are effective in helping people shed excess pounds and help control blood sugar, as compared to fattier diets containing meat.   Kahleova’s new analysis looked at the environmental impact of switching to a vegan diet. They linked data from two datasets — the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Commodity Intake Database and the Database of Food Impacts on the Environment for Linking to Diets. The analysis found a 51% daily reduction in personal greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) once a person made the switch — the daily equivalent of preventing carbon dioxide emissions from a more than 4-mile gas engine car trip.  As…  read on >  read on >