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The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Exposure to vaping during pregnancy can affect baby's development in womb
A study on pregnant mice suggests that vaping, even without nicotine, could alter a baby's skull shape in the womb. Researchers at The Ohio State University College of Medicine found that exposure to the liquid ingredients propylene glycol and glycerol, used in e-cigarettes, led to these developmental changes. The study surprisingly revealed that a mixture with a higher percentage of glycerol, often considered a safer alternative, caused more significant skull changes than expected. The affected mouse pups showed a consistent narrowing and slight shortening of facial and cranial features, along with a reduction in weight. The findings raise concerns about the safety of nicotine-free vaping products for pregnant individuals, particularly young adults, and underscore the need for further research. Vaping while pregnant can change your baby's skull shape — even without nicotine
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Vaping while pregnant can change your baby's skull shape — even without nicotine
Vaping may alter a baby's skull shape in the womb, according to researchers. Exposure to two liquid ingredients in the e-cigarettes used to create vaping's throat hit and smoke plume were tied to the changes – even without the addiction-driving nicotine. 'This had no nicotine, and it's still having effects on the development of the skull in our model, which was not anything we expected,' Dr. James Cray, a professor of anatomy in The Ohio State University College of Medicine, said in a statement. To reach these conclusions, Cray and his team studied the effects in pregnant mice. The mice were either exposed to filtered free air or the two substances at differing concentrations. Some were given 50 percent each of propylene glycol and glycerol (the two liquid ingredients), or 30 percent of propylene glycol and 70 percent glycerol. During their roughly 20-day pregnancy, the mice were exposed to vaping conditions at a rate of one puff each minute for four hours during the course of five days every week. Then, their pups' skulls were scanned two weeks after birth, measuring cranial width and height. They found that there were 'statistically significant' reduced measurements in the mice exposed to the 30 percent and 70 percent mixture compared to those exposed to free air and the 50 percent formula. Cray, the lead author of the work, noted that because propylene gylcol had been linked to an increased uptake of nicotine, 'a lot of companies have moved toward getting away from a high percentage of propylene glycol toward more glycerol, trying to position this as a safer alternative.' The researchers had believed that heavier propylene glycol should be causing more effects but he said it was 'the exact opposite.' The results were consistent across several litters of mice in both biological sexes. 'What we see is a consistent narrowing of all of the facial features, and the same thing as we move back into the cranium as well. So globally they're narrower and a little bit shorter-headed, which does mimic some observable changes that we see in children,' Cray explained. 'We also saw a bit of a reduction in weight. These animals were within the normal range of an animal that age, but they still weighed less,' he said. Funded by the Ohio State colleges of Medicine and Dentistry, the research was recently published in the journal PLOS One. Researchers are continuing to examine the health effects of e-cigarettes. 'The majority of users are young adults and teenagers, so we are talking about people who are in peak reproductive years. And with development of the head happening very early in fetal development, people could be using these products and not even realize that they are pregnant, which is of great concern,' Cray added. 'This is a small study that speaks to the possibility that nicotine-free vaping is not safe. And it's a sign that we probably should study the nicotine-free products as much as we study the nicotine-laden products,' he said.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Over 80% Of Adults In The U.S. Experience Loneliness: Study
Lonely Christmas. Private Collection. Creator: Freiwirth-Lützow, Oskar (1862-1925). (Photo by Fine ... More Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images) A study of close to 50,000 people living in the United States revealed that at least 80% of them experience some degree of loneliness. The study findings further revealed that women and white individuals are far more prone to loneliness than their male and non-white counterparts, which puts them at a greater risk of suffering from depression and poor physical health outcomes as well. In a press release, lead author of the study, Oluwasegun Akinyemi, a senior research fellow at the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, said: 'The magnitude of the impact was striking, particularly that over 80% of adults reported some level of loneliness. Young adults, women, the unemployed, and people with less formal education were more likely to report loneliness. Loneliness not only impacts the elderly – it cuts across all age groups and backgrounds.' 'People who felt lonely 'always' had a fivefold increase in depression risk, 11 more poor mental health days, and 5 additional poor physical health days per month compared to those who never felt lonely. These effects were consistent even after accounting for age, race, gender, and other factors,' he added. 'Although loneliness increased the risk of depression for all racial/ethnic groups, Black and Hispanic individuals reported comparatively lower odds of depression across all levels of loneliness, pointing to potential cultural or social buffering mechanisms,' Akinyemi and colleagues noted in their study, which was published in the journal PLoS One. The researchers highlighted that adults who always felt lonely were far more prevalent among white study participants. Out of the 47,318 U.S. adults who participated in the study, more than 73% were white and female (62%). Most of them were between 18 and 64 years old. While young people reported high levels of loneliness as well, those above the age of 45 reported a slightly higher prevalence of loneliness. 'Our study highlights that loneliness is not just an emotional state—it has measurable consequences for both mental and physical health. Addressing loneliness may be a critical public health priority to reduce depression and improve overall well-being. Conducting this research allowed us to explore the lived experiences of many individuals in vulnerable situations. What stood out most was how strongly loneliness affected every aspect of health, underscoring the urgency of tackling this hidden epidemic,' the study authors added. 'Interventions like social prescribing, community building programs, and integrating social connection screening into routine care can help. Technology-driven tools can also connect isolated individuals, especially in rural or underserved areas,' Akinyemi explained. But he noted that a major challenge is that people believe admitting they feel lonely will be perceived as a weakness or social failure, which could discourage them from seeking help in the first place. 'This silence could worsen health outcomes and delay interventions that could prevent long-term harm,' he added. 'We hope this study prompts national action to recognize loneliness as a modifiable risk factor, like smoking or obesity. Our next steps include evaluating interventions and studying how digital tools and cultural factors shape loneliness in diverse populations.'
Arab Times
29-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti doctors are pillars of the nation's healthy future: Health Minister
KUWAIT CITY, June 29: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi affirmed on Saturday that Kuwaiti doctors stand on par with their counterparts in the world's most advanced health systems, describing them as a vital pillar in building the country's healthcare future and a safety valve for its medical system during both prosperity and adversity. Dr. Al-Awadhi made the remarks during his speech at the graduation ceremony of the College of Medicine, Kuwait University, for the class of 2025. He praised the graduates for choosing a noble path, stating, 'Today we celebrate new beginnings and the souls who chose to dedicate their lives to serving humanity — making knowledge their message and mercy their method.' The Minister emphasized that the new doctors are 'a source of pride for their families, an honor for their country, and the foundation of a stage that carries with it a noble responsibility.' He noted that medicine is not merely a profession, but a way of life, measured by its impact on patients and the hope it brings to their lives. Highlighting the importance of serving the nation, Al-Awadhi said that the least one can do for their country is to give back from their position of strength and in the field they have mastered. He urged the graduates to be 'tributaries of mercy, ambassadors of hope, and makers of change.' He called on the new doctors to remain humble, committed to communication and continuous learning, and to embrace teamwork, noting that 'the success of any health system is built on a spirit of collaboration.' Dr. Al-Awadhi also pointed to the growing attention and consistent support being given to healthcare workers, describing it as a reflection of the state's vision and its wise leadership. 'Investing in people and building national capabilities is the surest path to achieving sustainable development,' he said. He concluded by commending Kuwait's leadership for its focus on developing national healthcare competencies, nurturing local talent, and providing a supportive environment for scientific and professional advancement.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MUSC receives historic $50 million anonymous gift to transform health care, medical education in South Carolina
Charleston, SC, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine has received a landmark $50 million anonymous donation—the largest single gift in MUSC's 200-year history. This transformational investment will accelerate MUSC's mission to help people live longer, healthier lives and address South Carolina's most pressing health challenges. The unprecedented gift comes at a pivotal time, as South Carolina faces some of the nation's most challenging health outcomes and a rapidly aging population. The funds will support the College of Medicine's commitment to innovative medical education and enable expansion of opportunities to train more physicians at a time when our state is facing a significant shortage in health care providers. The donation will also enable MUSC to attract, train and retain the most gifted physicians, renowned faculty and researchers, positively impacting the lives of students, patients and families. 'For two centuries, MUSC has been an innovative health care leader in South Carolina. Yet, with growing chronic disease rates the need for bold action has never been greater. This extraordinary act of generosity will empower us to lean into the next century as we reimagine medical education, drive innovation and dramatically improve health outcomes for all South Carolinians,' said David J. Cole, M.D., FACS, president of MUSC. 'This gift is a testament to the power of partnership and the belief that together we can change the future of health in South Carolina,' said Terrence E. Steyer, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for Medical Affairs. 'It will allow us to provide a world-class learning environment for our students and faculty and fuel groundbreaking research and clinical programs that will benefit patients across the state and beyond.' As part of this vision, a new home for the College of Medicine is currently under construction and will serve as a hub for collaboration, discovery and innovation, supporting the education of future physicians and the advancement of life-saving treatments. 'This is more than a gift—it's an investment in the health and well-being of our entire state,' said MUSC Board of Trustees Chairman Charles W. Schulze. 'We are deeply grateful for the vision and commitment of these donors, which will enable us to build a healthier future for South Carolina.' MUSC is committed to honoring the donors, who wish to remain anonymous, while ensuring that their legacy will be felt by countless individuals and families for years to come. ### About MUSC Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state's only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research and patient care. CONTACT: Staci Gouveia The Medical University of South Carolina 854-202-0907 mediarelations@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
