Data Suggest a Possible Association Between Agent Orange Exposure and Hypertension, But the Evidence Is Limited
A new report from the Institute of Medicine finds suggestive but limited evidence that exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War is associated with an increased chance of developing high blood pressure in some veterans.
Life Elsewhere in Solar System Could Be Different from Life as We Know It
The search for life elsewhere in the solar system and beyond should include efforts to detect what scientists sometimes refer to as weird life -- that is, life with an alternative biochemistry to that of life on Earth -- says a new report from the National Research Council.
Studies Suggest a Possible Link Between Military Service and ALS
A limited body of evidence suggests an association between military service and later development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare but fatal neurodegenerative disorder, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.
Some Pollinator Populations Declining - Improved Monitoring and More Biological Knowledge Needed to Better Assess Their Status
Long-term population trends for some North American pollinators -- bees, birds, bats, and other animals and insects that spread pollen so plant fertilization can occur -- are demonstrably downward, says a new report from the National Research Council.
Medication Errors Injure 1.5 Million People and Cost Billions of Dollars Annually - Report Offers Comprehensive Strategies for Reducing Drug-Related Mistakes
Medication errors are among the most common medical errors, harming at least 1.5 million people every year, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Preterm Births Cost U.S. $26 Billion a Year - Multidisciplinary Research Effort Needed to Prevent Early Births
The high rate of premature births in the United States constitutes a public health concern that costs society at least $26 billion a year, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
High Confidence That Planet Is Warmest in 400 Years - Less Confidence in Temperature Reconstructions Prior to 1600
There is sufficient evidence from tree rings, boreholes, retreating glaciers, and other proxies of past surface temperatures to say with a high level of confidence that the last few decades of the 20th century were warmer than any comparable period in the last 400 years, according to a new report from the National Research Council.
Reuse of Disposable Medical Masks During Flu Pandemic Not Recommended - Reusing Respirators Is Complicated
Use of protective face coverings will be one of many strategies used to slow or prevent transmission of the flu virus in the event of a pandemic, even though scientific evidence about the effectiveness of inexpensive, disposable medical masks and respirators against influenza is limited.
EPA Standard for Fluoride in Drinking Water Is Not Protective - Tooth Enamel Loss, Bone Fractures of Concern at High Levels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys standard for the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water -- 4 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water -- does not protect against adverse health effects.
National Academies Name Biology Teaching Fellows and Mentors
The National Academies have bestowed the title of Education Fellow in the Life Sciences to 42 educators around the country who successfully completed a summer institute aimed at fostering innovative approaches to teaching undergraduate biology.
Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation May Cause Harm
A preponderance of scientific evidence shows that even low doses of ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, are likely to pose some risk of adverse health effects, says a new report from the National Academies National Research Council.
Guidelines Released for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The National Academies today recommended guidelines for research involving human embryonic stem cells, and urged all institutions conducting such research to establish oversight committees to ensure that the new guidelines will be followed.
Data on Firearms and Violence Too Weak to Settle Policy Debates - Comprehensive Research Effort Needed
The role of guns in U.S. society is a subject of intense policy debate and disagreement.
Indoor Mold, Building Dampness Linked to Respiratory Problems and Require Better Prevention - Evidence Does Not Support Links to Wider Array of Illnesses
Scientific evidence links mold and other factors related to damp conditions in homes and buildings to asthma symptoms in some people with the chronic disorder, as well as to coughing, wheezing, and upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Immunization Safety Review - Vaccines and Autism
Good afternoon. On behalf of the Institute of Medicine and the entire committee, I would like to welcome reporters and guests to the release of our report, Vaccines and Autism.
MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines Are Not Associated With Autism, IOM Report Says
Based on a thorough review of clinical and epidemiological studies, neither the mercury-based vaccine preservative thimerosal nor the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are associated with autism, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Changes Needed to Improve Operation of U.S. Patent System
To enhance the vitality and overall operation of the nations patent system, federal officials should take decisive steps to increase the systems flexibility, openness, and reliability, says a new report from the National Academies National Research Council.
90 Million Americans are Burdened with Inadequate Health Literacy IOM Report Calls for National Effort to Improve Health Literacy
Nearly half of all American adults – 90 million people – have difficulty understanding and using health information, and there is a higher rate of hospitalization and use of emergency services among patients with limited health literacy, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Report Sets Dietary Intake Levels for Water, Salt, and Potassium To Maintain Health and Reduce Chronic Disease Risk
The vast majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide, says the newest report on nutrient recommendations from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Nutrition Facts on Food Labels and Guidelines for Fortifying Food Should Be Updated, Report Says
Government authorities in the United States and Canada should use the current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) to update nutrition information on food and dietary supplement labels so that consumers can compare products more easily and make informed food choices based on the latest science, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance - The Three Rs of Engaging Students in Urban High Schools
High schools that successfully engage students in learning have many things in common.
Reducing Medical Errors Requires National Computerized Information Systems - Data Standards Are Crucial to Improving Patient Safety
To significantly reduce the tens of thousands of deaths and injuries caused by medical errors every year, health care organizations must adopt information technology systems that are capable of collecting and sharing essential health information on patients and their care, says a new report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Opening Statement by Paul Tang on Reducing Medical Errors Requires National Computerized Information Systems - Data Standards Are Crucial to Improving Patient Safety
Welcome to the public release of the latest Institute of Medicine report on the quality of health care in America.
Major Ocean Exploration Effort Would Reveal Secrets of the Deep
A new large-scale, multidisciplinary ocean exploration program would increase the pace of discovery of new species - ecosystems, energy sources, seafloor features, pharmaceutical products, and artifacts, as well as improve understanding of the role oceans play in climate change.
Opening Statement by Richard J. Bonnie on Reducing Underage Drinking - A Collective Responsibility
Good morning. I am Richard Bonnie, chair of the Committee on Developing a Strategy to Reduce and Prevent Underage Drinking.
New Dietary Guidelines Issued for Cats and Dogs
One out of every four dogs and cats in the western world is now obese. Like humans, dogs and cats that are obese run a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, or other health problems.
U.S. Loses up to $130 Billion Annually as Result of Poor Health, Early Death Due to Lack of Insurance
The value of what the United States loses because of the poorer health and earlier death experienced by the 41 million Americans who lack health insurance is estimated to be $65 billion to $130 billion every year, according to a first-ever economic analysis of the costs of uninsurance for society overall.
SIDS Not Linked to Number and Variety of Childhood Vaccines
The evidence does not support a causal link between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and either the diphtheria, tetanus, and whole-cell pertussis (DTwP) vaccine or exposure to multiple childhood vaccines, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Effects of Oil and Gas Development Are Accumulating On Northern Alaskas Environment and Native Cultures
The environmental effects of oil and gas exploration and production on Alaska s North Slope have been accumulating for more than three decades, says a new report from the National Academies National Research Council.
Overhaul of Government Public Health Infrastructure, New Partners Needed to Address Nations Health Challenges
As the recent spread of West Nile virus and the anthrax scare of 2001 dramatically illustrate, America faces a variety of new health challenges in the 21st century, along with a number of persistent problems, such as racial disparities in health status and care delivery.
More Data Needed to Determine if Contaminated Polio Vaccine From 1955-1963 Causes Cancer in Adults Today
Scientific evidence is insufficient to prove or disprove the theory that exposure to polio vaccine contaminated with a monkey virus between 1955 and 1963 has triggered cancer in humans, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Polygraph Testing Too Flawed for Security Screening
The federal government should not rely on polygraph examinations for screening prospective or current employees to identify spies or other national-security risks because the test results are too inaccurate when used this way.
The Polygraph and Lie Detection
Good morning. On behalf of the National Academies and my colleagues on the committee, I welcome those of you in the room as well as those listening to the live audio webcast.
Report Offers New Eating and Physical Activity Targets To Reduce Chronic Disease Risk
To meet the bodys daily energy and nutritional needs while minimizing risk for chronic disease, adults should get 45 percent to 65 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, 20 percent to 35 percent from fat, and 10 percent to 35 percent from protein.
Oil in the Sea - Inputs, Fates, and Effects
Nearly 85 percent of the 29 million gallons of petroleum that enter North American ocean waters each year as a result of human activities comes from land-based runoff, polluted rivers, airplanes, and small boats and jet skis, while less than 8 percent comes from tanker or pipeline spills.
No Single Solution for Protecting Kids From Internet Pornography
No single approach -- technical, legal, economic, or educational -- will be sufficient to protect children from online pornography.
Minorities More Likely to Receive Lower-Quality Health Care, Regardless of Income and Insurance Coverage
Racial and ethnic minorities tend to receive lower-quality health care than whites do, even when insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions are comparable.
U.S. Policy-makers Should Ban Human Reproductive Cloning
The United States should ban human reproductive cloning aimed at creating a child.
High-Quality Education, Early Screening Are Key To Nurturing Minority Students With Special Needs or Talents
To ensure that minority students who are poorly prepared for school are not assigned to special education for that reason, educators should be required to first provide them with high-quality instruction and social support in a general education classroom before making a determination that special education is needed.
Messages of Condolence and Support From Representatives of Academies and Research Institutions in the Wake of Attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon
Representatives from academies and research organizations around the world sent messages of condolence and support to members, officials and staff of the U.S. National Academies in the wake of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The following are excerpts from some of these messages.
Federal Fuel Economy Standards Program Should Be Retooled
Although the federal program that sets fuel economy standards for cars and light-duty trucks has helped reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil and lower emissions of greenhouse gases, changes to the program could further cut the nations petroleum dependence and provide more flexibility to carmakers.
Vehicle Emissions Inspection Programs Should Target Worst Polluters
By expending too many resources to inspect cleaner low-emitting vehicles, coupled with a lack of effective ways to deal with the dirtiest ones, states are missing opportunities to reduce air pollution.
Advances in Biotechnology Show Promise For Improving Army Readiness, Soldier Survival
Recent strides in biotechnology offer the promise of new and innovative applications -- from edible vaccines to protein-based electronics components.
Early Intervention Is Key To Educating Children With Autism
The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Education should promote routine early screenings of children for autistic spectrum disorders, much like they are promoted for vision and hearing problems, says a new report from the National Research Council of the National Academies.
Societal and Technical Challenges Posed by Nuclear Waste Call for Attention by World Leaders
Focused attention by world leaders is needed to address the substantial challenges posed by disposal of spent nuclear fuel from reactors and high-level radioactive waste from processing such fuel for military or energy purposes.
U.S. Health Care Delivery System Needs Major Overhaul To Improve Quality and Safety
The nations health care industry has foundered in its ability to provide safe, high-quality care consistently to all Americans, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Reorganization and reform are urgently needed to fix what is now a disjointed and inefficient system.
Adding It Up - Helping Children Learn Mathematics
American students progress toward proficiency in mathematics requires major changes in instruction, curricula, and assessment in the nations schools, says a new report from the National Research Council of the National Academies.
Fruits and Vegetables Yield Less Vitamin A Than Previously Thought - Upper Limit Set for Daily Intake of Vitamin A and Nine Other Nutrients
Darkly colored, carotene-rich fruits and vegetables -- such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli -- provide the body with half as much vitamin A as previously thought.
Need Still Exists for Chemical Pesticides While Alternatives Are Sought
No justification currently exists for completely abandoning chemical pesticides, says a new report from the National Academies National Research Council.
EPAs Methylmercury Guideline Is Scientifically Justifiable For Protecting Most Americans But Some May Be at Risk
While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys guideline for protecting the public from a toxic form of mercury is justifiable based on the latest scientific evidence, some children of women who consume large amounts of fish and seafood during pregnancy may be at special risk of neurological problems.