Negative Health Effects Research Articles

Associations between vaping and self-reported respiratory symptoms in young people in Canada, England and the US

BackgroundPrevalence of youth nicotine vaping has increased, heightening concerns around negative health effects. This study aimed to compare self-reported respiratory symptoms among youth by vaping behaviours.MethodsParticipants (n = 39,214) aged 16–19 from the 2020 and 2021 International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) Youth Tobacco and Vaping Surveys (Canada, England, US). Weighted multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between reporting any of five respiratory symptoms in the past week (shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, phlegm, cough) and: past 30-day smoking and/or vaping; lifetime/current vaping. Among past-30-day vapers (n = 4644), we assessed associations between symptoms and vaping frequency, use of nicotine salts, usual flavour and device type(s).ResultsOverall, 27.8% reported experiencing any of the five respiratory symptoms. Compared with youth who had only vaped, those who had only smoked had similar odds of symptoms [adjusted odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI): 0.97 (0.85–1.10)], those who both smoked and vaped had higher odds [1.26 (1.12–1.42)], and those who had done neither, lower odds [0.67 (0.61–0.72)]. Compared with those who had never vaped, past use, experimentation and current regular or occasional use were all associated with higher odds. Reporting usually using nicotine salts was associated with higher odds of symptoms [1.43 (1.22–1.68)] than non-salt but was often uncertain. Compared with tobacco flavour (including with menthol), menthol/mint and sweets flavours were associated with similar odds; fruit [1.44 (1.07–1.93)], multiple [1.76 (1.30–2.39)] and ‘other’ [2.14 (1.45–3.16)] flavours with higher odds. All device types were associated with similar odds.ConclusionsAmong youth, vaping was associated with increased reporting of past-week respiratory symptoms. Among those who vaped, some flavour types and potentially nicotine salts were associated with respiratory symptoms.

Children's exposure to halogenated flame retardants and organophosphate esters through dermal absorption and hand-to-mouth ingestion in Swedish preschools

Children are exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through inhalation and ingestion, as well as through dermal contact in their everyday indoor environments. The dermal loadings of EDCs may contribute significantly to children's total EDC exposure due to dermal absorption as well as hand-to-mouth behaviors. The aim of this study was to measure potential EDCs, specifically halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs), on children's hands during preschool attendance and to assess possible determinants of exposure in preschool indoor environments in Sweden. For this, 115 handwipe samples were collected in winter and spring from 60 participating children (arithmetic mean age 4.5 years, standard deviation 1.0) and analyzed for 50 compounds. Out of these, 31 compounds were identified in the majority of samples. Levels were generally several orders of magnitude higher for OPEs than HFRs, and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) were detected in the highest median masses, 61 and 56 ng/wipe, respectively. Of the HFRs, bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (BEH-TEBP) and 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′-decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) were detected in the highest median masses, 2.8 and 1.8 ng/wipe, respectively.HFR and/or OPE levels were found to be affected by the number of plastic toys, and electrical and electronic devices, season, municipality, as well as building and/or renovation before/after 2004. Yet, the calculated health risks for single compounds were below available reference dose values for exposure through dermal uptake as well as for ingestion using mean hand-to-mouth contact rate. However, assuming a high hand-to-mouth contact rate, at the 95th percentile, the calculated hazard quotient was above 1 for the maximum handwipe mass of TBOEP found in this study, suggesting a risk of negative health effects. Furthermore, considering additive effects from similar compounds, the results of this study indicate potential concern if additional exposure from other routes is as high.

Development of Oleogel-Based Fat Replacer and Its Application in Pan Bread Making.

In recent years, the bakery industry has been exploring alternative fats to replace traditional solid fats. Shortening, a common baking ingredient, is produced through the hydrogenation of vegetable oils, resulting in high levels of saturated and trans fatty acids, despite its vegetable oil origin. The excessive consumption of these fats has been associated with negative health effects, including dyslipidemia and cardiovascular issues. Oleogels, incorporating hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), xanthan gum (XG), and olive oil, were utilized to replace shortening in the production of white pan bread. The substitution of shortening with oleogel in the white pan bread preparation demonstrated potential reductions in saturated fat, trans fat, and the ratio of saturated fat to unsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, with the complete substitution of shortening with oleogel, saturated fatty acids decreased by 52.46% and trans fatty acids by 75.72%, with unsaturated fatty acids increasing by 57.18%. Our findings revealed no significant difference in volume between bread made with shortening and bread with up to 50% shortening substitution. Moreover, when compared to bread made with shortening and 50% oleogel substitution, no adverse effects on the quality characteristics of volume and expansion properties were observed, and the retrogradation rate was delayed. This study suggests that incorporating oleogels, formed with hydrocolloids such as HPMC and XG, to replace shortening in bread, in conjunction with traditional solid fats, provides positive effects on the quality and nutritional aspects of the bread compared to using oleogel alone. Through this study, we demonstrate the use of oleogels as a healthier alternative to shortening, without reducing the bread's quality, thus offering a practical solution to reduce unhealthy fats in bakery products.

Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: The Moderating Effect of Resilience.

Social isolation has been recognized as a social problem with negative health consequences. Using data from 3 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, this study aimed to examine the long-term impact of social isolation on loneliness and depressive symptoms and to explore the moderating effect of resilience. This study comprised 3,681 U.S. adults aged 60 and older at the baseline wave. Social isolation index was constructed using 5 indicators, including not married or cohabitating with a partner, no social participation, and less than monthly contacts with children, family members, or friends. Loneliness was measured by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale and depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. The moderator of resilience was assessed by the simplified resilience score. Latent growth curve models with robust standard errors were estimated. The results of latent growth curvemodels showed that social isolation was significantly associated with more initial loneliness and depressive symptoms. However, social isolation was associated with a slower increasing rate of loneliness, but no significant relationship with the change rate of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, resilience significantly buffered the negative effect of social isolation on the initial level of depressive symptoms. The findings underscore the importance of enacting strategies and interventions targeting resilience to address social isolation and its negative consequences among older adults.

Early-life circumstances and late life loneliness trajectories among Finnish older adults

BackgroundLater life loneliness has become a significant public health concern worldwide. Research has focused on the prevalence, risk factors and consequences of loneliness in different age groups. This study aimed to advance the understanding of the impact of early-life circumstances on later life loneliness by examining the associations between adversities in childhood and youth and loneliness trajectories in Finnish older adults.MethodsThe data were derived from the 10-year follow-up survey study Good Aging in the Lahti Region (n = 1552, mean age 64.89 years). The baseline study was conducted in 2002 with a regionally and locally stratified random sample of older persons living in the Lahti Region located in southern Finland. The follow-up surveys were carried out in 2005, 2008 and 2012. Loneliness was measured using a single question at the three follow-ups. Childhood conditions were retrospectively assessed at baseline with questions regarding the death of parents, household affection, relocation, and fear of a family member. Latent class growth analysis with time invariant covariates was used to identify loneliness trajectories and to examine the associations between loneliness trajectories and adverse circumstances in childhood and youth.ResultsThe results identified three distinct loneliness trajectories: low, moderate, and severe, including 36%, 50% and 14%, respectively, of the study population. The non-significant slopes of the three trajectories indicate that trajectories were stable during the seven years of follow-up. Being afraid of a family member, having a cold childhood, and death of a father or mother in childhood or youth significantly increased the odds of having a severe loneliness trajectory as compared to low loneliness trajectory. None of the early-life circumstances differentiated between severe and moderate levels of loneliness.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that some adverse early-life circumstances increase the odds of an unfavorable loneliness trajectory in later life. The results highlight the need to recognize the role of diverse life-course adversities in loneliness research and interventions. The study also underscores the importance of identifying individuals who are at risk of long-term and severe loneliness and providing them with appropriate support to decrease and/or prevent the negative health consequences of loneliness in old age.

Social media use and emerging mental health issues

ABSTRACT Since its inception, social media has brought about numerous benefits, including higher levels of social connectedness, potential positive interactions, and greater access to information. Nonetheless, the excessive use of social media can lead to negative health outcomes, such as social anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, reduced sleep quality, and higher perceived stress. It has been argued that boredom and loneliness may be mediating factors between social media misuse and negative mental health effects, above all among youth and adolescents. Likewise, exposure to graphic imagery or misinformation on social media may also have deleterious implications for mental health. Taken together, this suggests a need for targeted studies on the relationship between social media and mental health, as well as the development of educational interventions for adolescents to share knowledge about the safe use of such tools. Mental health professionals should be adequately trained in identifying risk factors and treating the negative health outcomes that may result from social media. Specific strategies and guidelines should be adopted by social media companies aligned with international evidence from health agencies and experts in e-mental health.

Touch medicine: bridging the gap between recent insights from touch research and clinical medicine and its special significance for the treatment of affective disorders.

Interpersonal touch represents the primal sensory experience between humans, fostering social bonding from the cradle to the death bed. In recent decades "affective touch" has been intensely studied, stimulated by the discovery of a population of mechanosensitive unmyelinated C-tactile afferents in mammalian skin. A lack of touch in childhood is associated with negative consequences for psychosocial and physical health and the benefits of professional touch techniques in the prevention and treatment of various diseases have been shown over and over again in clinical studies. However, its application in mainstream clinical applications remains limited. To bridge the gap between recent discoveries in touch research and clinical medicine, we propose the establishment of a new discipline: 'Touch Medicine'. Here, we unfold the potential of Touch Medicine by focusing on the treatment of depression, which in our view is primarily a disorder of the lived body. Controlled studies and systematic reviews have demonstrated the antidepressant, anxiolytic and analgesic effects of specific massage techniques. Underlying mechanisms of action are currently under investigation, ranging from interoceptive, endocrinological, to stress-related or psychological underpinnings. Touch Medicine represents a novel interdisciplinary field connected to various medical specialities such as neonatology, pediatrics, pain medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and geriatrics - but also clinical psychology and psychosomatic medicine might benefit from the integration of these findings into their daily practice.

Is ageing undesirable? An ethical analysis

The technical possibilities of biomedicine open up the opportunity to intervene in ageing itself with the aim of mitigating, reducing or eliminating it. However, before undertaking these changes or rejecting...

Preparation and characterization of polylactic acid-based composite incorporating with BaSO4 for low radiation dose shielding

ABSTRACT In radiology it is necessary to use protective devices in radiological work to reduce the negative health effects of radiation. The objective of this study is to investigate an alternative lead-free radiation shielding material from PLA composite with BaSO4 and assess its efficacy in providing radiation protection. The findings indicate that the PLA composite containing 30% BaSO4 exhibited the most effective radiation absorption properties, with percentages of 92.15%, 89.26%, and 86.04% at X-ray energies of 40, 60, and 80 kVp, respectively. Moreover, the PLA composites containing BaSO4 are environmentally friendly providing suitable protection against low-dose radiation

Appealing characteristics of E-cigarette marketing in the retail environment among adolescents

BackgroundNearly 3 million U.S. adolescents use e-cigarettes. E-cigarette marketing is associated with adolescent e-cigarette use; however, studies have not asked adolescents their perceptions about whether and which e-cigarette marketing in retail stores influences purchase and use. MethodsEleven 90-minute focus groups with 12–19-year-olds (mean age 15.7, 46.6 % female) from 11 U.S. states (n = 58) recruited through Instagram and schools (May 2021-Aug 2022). Photographs of e-cigarette marketing in and around retail stores were used to aid discussion. Thematic analysis identified themes related to appealing marketing characteristics. ResultsAdolescents indicated that e-cigarette marketing in and around retail stores arouses their curiosity, reminds them to buy, and normalizes using e-cigarettes. Adolescents identified specific e-cigarette marketing characteristics that they believed influence their decision to purchase and use e-cigarettes including the Tobacco Power Wall, free samples and flavor smelling samples, price incentives such as discounts and starter-kits, e-cigarette displays near checkout encouraging grab-and-go, displays near food, snacks or candy, and e-cigarette advertising through posters on store windows and stickers at checkout. Adolescents reported combining online and social media strategies to bypass age verification in retail stores (e.g., buying gift cards online and using them in stores). Adolescents suggested adding warning images on negative health effects of e-cigarettes, increasing prominence of minimum-age-of-tobacco-sale signs, and developing marketing education as counter-marketing strategies. ConclusionsAdolescents indicate that specific e-cigarette marketing characteristics in retail stores influence their purchase and use decisions. Addressing such e-cigarette marketing exposures in retail stores through counter-marketing messages may bolster adolescent e-cigarette prevention efforts.

Safety and Efficacy of AlphaWave® L-Theanine Supplementation for 28Days in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Prolonged periods of stress may lead to negative health consequences. AlphaWave® L-Theanine was safe and efficacious during an acute stress challenge. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the longer term effects of L-theanine supplementation on stress are warranted. Thirty healthy adults (18-65years) with moderate stress were randomized to AlphaWave® L-Theanine (400mg L-theanine/day) or placebo (n = 15/group) for 28days. Stress was assessed by salivary cortisol, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21; sleep was assessed by the Healthy People Sleep Quality Index and actigraphy device; cognition was assessed by Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System; mood was assessed by Profile of Mood States. All outcomes were measured at baseline, Days 14 and 28. Safety included vital signs, clinical chemistry, haematology and adverse events (AEs). All AEs were resolved by the end of the study period or upon subsequent follow up, and out of range laboratory values and changes in vital signs were deemed not clinically relevant following AlphaWave® L-Theanine supplementation. Participants supplemented with AlphaWave® L-Theanine had decreases of 12.92% (p = 0.051) and 17.98% (p = 0.04) in PSS scores after 14 and 28days, respectively, while those on placebo had respective decreases of 9.74% (p = 0.061) and 17.88% (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between groups for change in salivary cortisol. The AlphaWave® L-Theanine group demonstrated decreased time asleep after 28days and significantly reduced light sleep after 14 and 28days compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.040). The AlphaWave® L-Theanine group significantly improved by 21.79% and 21.33% in Stroop test correct reaction time after 14 and 28days, respectively, while those on placebo improved after 28days only (p = 0.005). AlphaWave® L-Theanine supplementation for 28days was safe and significantly decreased perceived stress significantly decreased perceived stress and light sleep, improved sleep quality and enhanced cognitive attention in the studied population. Larger, randomized controlled trials with longer duration of AlphaWave® L-Theanine supplementation are warranted to reduce inter-individual variability and the potential placebo effect. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05808595.

Heated tobacco products- well known or well understood? A national cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitudes and usage in Pakistan

BackgroundHeated tobacco products (HTPs) are reshaping the tobacco industry and just recently, a plan was sought to regularize HTPs in Pakistan. Pakistan provides an intriguing case study in this context, as tobacco use is deeply ingrained in public use. To ensure that future evidence-based policy recommendations are grounded in the public’s knowledge, attitudes, and usage of HTPs, a nationwide survey must be conducted.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using an online-based questionnaire nationwide in Pakistan. The questionnaire was validated and distributed through convenience sampling. The questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and usage of HTPs. Descriptive statistics was used to describe participants’ response and linear regression was performed at a p-value of < 0.05 using SPSS version 26.ResultsIn our sample of 1195 respondents (mean age of 33 years, 41.8% males and 58.2% females), 54.7% had previously heard about HTPs and 16.9% reported using HTPs at least once. Additionally, 38.24% were unsure of the legality of HTP use. Those with monthly household incomes of PKR 100,000 to 500,000, were more likely to have higher knowledge scores (OR:1.80[1.07–3.04]). On the other hand, males (OR:0.70 [0.55–0.89]) and respondents from Balochistan (OR:0.40 [0.22–0.71]) were more likely to have lower knowledge scores. The strongest motivators were the enjoyability of HTPs (55.73%) and usage as a cigarette alternative (54.64%), while the strongest deterrents were the negative health effects (82.68%) and potential for addiction (81.01%).ConclusionOur study underscores the need for awareness campaigns and interventions concerning HTPs, given prevalent preconceived notions and mixed attitudes among respondents. It was found that women and households with higher incomes scored higher on knowledge. Subjective enjoyment and a substitute for cigarettes were important motivators, but the most mentioned deterrents were the possibility of addiction and the detrimental effects on health. These insights form the basis for informed policy making for non-cigarette tobacco products.

Knowing the invader: increasing knowledge about an invasive plant to improve management

Pampas grass is an invasive alien plant with negative consequences for ecosystems, human health, and economy. Although diverse aspects of its biology and the ecology have been studied, some information relevant to its management is still missing. We studied the ecological characteristics of seeds and plants relevant to management and habitat restoration, namely morphological and reproductive traits in female and hermaphrodite plants, flower development, seed longevity, and germinability under different conditions. Female and hermaphrodite plants showed significant differences regarding reproductive traits, but not for morphological traits. Female plants are largely responsible for the dispersal of the species, while hermaphrodite plants primarily serve as pollen donors, contributing to off‐season allergies. In general, seeds of female plants are mature 3–4 weeks from the onset of flower development and are dispersed by wind until after 4 months, but timings are influenced by weather conditions. The species is very adaptable and can germinate in different soils (85% in fluvisols, 65% in podzols, and 35% in solonchak), water salinities (77 and 75% in freshwater, 28 and 38% in mesohaline, and 7 and 35% in polihaline waters, in laboratory and field, respectively), and moisture conditions (50 and 33% in soaked conditions, and 25 and 80% in moistened conditions, in laboratory and field, respectively). Seeds lack dormancy, are short‐lived (up to 1 year in the field and 3 years in optimal storage conditions), and are easily destroyed at 40°C temperatures in dark conditions. Implications of these findings for the management of the species are discussed.

Obesogens in Adolescence: Challenging Aspects and Prevention Strategies.

Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, with significant increases in prevalence over recent decades. While excessive calorie consumption and physical inactivity are known factors, emerging research highlights the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly obesogens, in obesity's pathogenesis. This review explores the historical context of the environmental obesogens hypothesis, their sources, mechanism of action, impact on prenatal and postnatal development, and epigenetics. Additionally, it discusses the long-term consequences of childhood obesity and proposes prevention strategies that will mitigate negative health effects. Obesogens were found to disrupt hormonal balance and metabolic processes through various mechanisms such as altering gene expression, hormonal interference, and inflammation. Especially significant was exposure during critical windows of development, which correlates with an increased risk of obesity in childhood or adolescence. Long-term effects of childhood obesity include chronic health conditions and psychosocial issues. A comprehensive approach is necessary to address childhood obesity encompassing genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Prevention strategies should focus on reducing obesogen exposure, promoting healthy lifestyles, and implementing regulatory policies. Future research should investigate obesogens-diet interactions, microbiome impacts, and combined obesogens effects. Long-term human studies are also crucial for validating findings from animal models and allowing for informed decision-making to combat the obesity pandemic.

Spraying for the beauty: Pesticide use for visual appearance in apple production

AbstractPesticides are used to reduce yield losses and to enhance the visual quality of products. However, pesticide use raises concerns due to negative health and environmental effects, hence ambitious policy goals for their reduction have been established. Reducing pesticides which mainly focus on visual quality of products could be an efficient strategy to contribute to these goals, without reducing food production. However, the role of “cosmetic” pesticide use is so far not well documented and understood. Here, we quantify cosmetic pesticide use and the influence of supply chain characteristics on their use. We focus on table apple production, where the visual quality of products is a key aspect. Using a sample of 196 apple growers in Switzerland, we find that 23.5%–59.2% of growers use cosmetic pesticides for the apples’ visual appearance. Farms mainly marketing via intermediaries are 23.9‐29.6% more likely to spray cosmetic pesticides for visual purposes compared to farms mainly direct marketing. Our findings highlight the role of supply chains in farmer decision‐making, recommending a decrease in the focus on visual product quality, especially in retail environments, thus minimizing unnecessary and irreversible risks of pesticide exposure by farmers without compromising food security.

Perceptions of Detroit vacant lot greening designs related to depressive symptoms and household flooding

This study contributes to empirical evidence about how design and maintenance of vacant lot greening in the form of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) may benefit vulnerable populations - specifically people living with depressive symptoms or who experience household flooding. Legacy cities like Detroit, Michigan, have high rates of property vacancy with associated community concerns about personal safety and vacant lot maintenance. Past studies have linked both neighborhood vacant land and flooding experience with negative mental health effects. In contrast, greenspace experiences have been linked with mental health benefits. Greenspaces include microscale landscape elements that can operate as cues to care (CTC) or cues to safety (CTS). We examined whether self-reported experiences of depressive symptoms and household flooding would affect perceptions of vacant lot greening characterized by varied CTC and CTS.Using in-home structured interviews, we surveyed 316 Detroit households to measure residents’ perceptions of care and safety of GSI design treatments. Participants viewed 28 × 43 cm colored prints representing 14 alternative treatments on two replicate sites and a control vacant lot. Those reporting depressive symptoms perceived significantly less care and safety across all treatments than others. Those reporting flooding experience did not have significantly different perceptions than others. Further, a model testing a three-way interaction between flooding experience, depressive symptoms, and CTC showed no significant association with perceived care and safety.Most importantly, our findings suggest that people experiencing depressive symptoms do not perceive greenspace experiences in the same way as others. Future research should examine how different microscale landscape elements of greenspace might benefit people with specific mental health conditions differently.

Mindfulness meditation use in Britain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and associations of mindfulness meditation use and also its perceived mental health effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using repeated cross-sectional data from broad online samples weighted to be representative of the adult population in Britain, we estimated the prevalence of mindfulness meditation use and employed logistic regression models to investigate sociodemographic and political associations of mindfulness meditation use and also its perceived mental health effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that 16 percent of adults in Britain had learnt to practice mindfulness in 2021. In covariate-adjusted regression models, having learnt to practice mindfulness was more common among young and middle-aged adults, residents in London, and respondents who voted for the Liberal Democrats. Among mindfulness meditation users who reported having practiced mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic, 60 percent reported that it positively affected their mental health and 24 percent reported that it negatively affected their mental health. Notably, 41 percent of respondents with children under 18 (versus 13 percent of those without minors) reported negative mental health effects. In covariate-adjusted regression models, negative mental health effects from mindfulness practice during the COVID-19 pandemic were not concentrated in any particular groups, except for respondents with children under 18. Mindfulness meditation has become widespread in Britain, but the results in this study suggest that mindfulness meditation use may be concentrated in certain sociodemographic and political groups. The results also suggest that practicing mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic had positive mental health effects for a majority of users, but approximately one-quarter of users reported negative mental health effects. It is therefore important for future research to continue monitoring the prevalence of mindfulness meditation use in society and to investigate under what circumstances, for whom, and in what ways mindfulness-based practices may have negative effects on mental health.

An Analysis of Social Media Addiction in Adolescents

Adolescents around the world now utilize social media on a daily basis. Social media addiction, a psychobehavioral condition, is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable use of social media and compulsive attention to it. It has been linked to a number of negative health effects. As social media has grown in popularity, the potential impact on teenage health and well-being has received a great deal of social and academic attention. Research on social media addiction and its consequences is urgently needed in order to create effective prevention strategies. Despite increased research into social media addiction, there are still numerous hurdles and research gaps. This paper uses observation and questionnaires to investigate and understand adolescents. The findings of the study suggest that there are a wide range of consequences, both positive and negative, associated with social media use among adolescents. However, the risk of social media addiction is considerable due to the lack of self-control among adolescents, which is prevalent in terms of the percentage of social media users.

Traffic Noise Impacts Glucocorticoid Response, Activity, and Growth in Two Species of Tadpoles.

There is a large body of evidence linking increased noise to negative health effects for animals. Anthropogenic noise induces behavioral and physiological reactions across a range of taxa and increased traffic noise affects glucocorticoid (GC) hormones associated with the stress response in amphibians. GCs help to maintain homeostasis while balancing energetic trade-offs between reproduction, growth, and activity. Stressors during early development can impact fitness at later life stages. We measured growth, activity, and GCs in response to high levels of traffic noise in two tadpole species that differ in life history: Acris crepitans and Rana berlandieri. We predicted that earlier exposures to traffic noise will slow down the development and alter the behavior and GC concentrations differently than later exposures. Subjects were initially either exposed to natural levels of traffic noise for 8 days (early exposure) or a white noise control (later exposure), then the treatment was switched. Activity was measured via focal sampling and tadpoles were categorized as active if movement was detected. Tadpoles exposed to white noise initially maintained mass and activity throughout the experiment and early exposure to traffic noise had a greater impact on mass, activity, and GCs. Tadpoles exposed to traffic noise initially lost mass, with A. crepitans regaining mass but not R. berlandieri. When exposed earlier to traffic noise, R. berlandieri increased movement when shifted to the white noise treatment while A. crepitans did not significantly change activity. Acris creptians had higher corticosterone release rates compared to R. berlandieri, and in both species, release rates were higher for tadpoles exposed to noise earlier. The longer-lived R. berlandieri allocated more of their energetic resources into activity, while the shorter-lived A. crepitans allocated energy toward growth. Rana berlandieri and A. crepitans utilized different coping strategies to contend with early exposure to traffic noise, potentially due to differences in life histories. Our findings suggest that these tadpoles employ different coping mechanisms to modulate stress responses in noise-polluted environments, and these mechanisms could influence their fitness later in life. Further study is needed to understand the impact in more sensitive tadpole species.

Recent insights in the correlation between social media use, personality traits and exercise addiction: a literature review.

The excessive involvement in physical activity without stopping in between sessions despite injuries, the continuous thinking to exercise feeling insane thoughts and experiencing withdrawal symptoms are all characteristics of the Exercise Addiction (EA), an addictive behavior. While the primary exercise addiction is directly caused by compulsive exercise, many studies highlighted the relationship between Eating Disorders (ED) and EA, defining the secondary EA. The correlation between EA, social media use (SMU) and other individual traits remains a relatively underexplored domain. Therefore, this review aimed to examine the latest evidence on the relationship between EA, SMU, and some personality traits such as perfectionism and body image. Electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, PsycARTICLES, Embase, Web of Science were searched from January 2019 to October 2023, following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 15 articles were examined and consolidated in this review. EA was found to be related to different individual traits such perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, depression, obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. While controversial results were found regarding the relationship between EA and SMU. The interaction between mental health, exercise addiction and social media use is complex. Excessive engagement in these latter may result in negative mental health consequences despite their potential benefits. Understanding individual differences and developing effective interventions is crucial to promoting healthy habits and mitigating the EA risks, ultimately enhancing mental well-being. Further research should focus on the identification of risks and protective factors with the eventual aim of developing and implementing effective prevention strategies.