EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics - News by Subject: Policy & Ethics

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 4-May-2025 19:09 ET (4-May-2025 23:09 GMT/UTC)

Human cardiac organoid model reveals antibacterial triclocarban promotes myocardial hypertrophy by interfering with endothelial cell metabolism

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Heart failure is the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases, usually characterized by pathological myocardial hypertrophy. So far, the pathogenesis of heart failure is not fully understood. The global burden of cardiovascular disease and epidemiological evidence indicate that in addition to traditional risk factors such as genetic inheritance and hypertension, exposure to exogenous environmental pollutants is a new risk factor. In recent years, the use of antimicrobials has increased, resulting in more exposure of these substances to humans, raising concerns about potential risks to human and environmental health. According to the findings of this study, the exposure to antibacterial agent TCC may be a new risk factor for metabolic cardiovascular diseases. This conclusion is supported by physiological indicator tests and a combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics in cardiac organoids.

Journal: Science Bulletin

Exposure to school racial segregation and late-life cognitive outcomes

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

This cross-sectional study of Black and white older individuals found that childhood exposure to school segregation was associated with late-life cognition among the Black population. Given the increasing amount of school segregation in the U.S., educational policies aimed at reducing segregation are needed to address health inequities.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Growing divide: Agricultural climate policies affect food prices differently in poor and wealthy countries

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Farmers are receiving less of what consumers spend on food, as modern food systems increasingly direct costs toward value-added components like processing, transport, and marketing. A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK shows that this effect shapes how food prices respond to agricultural climate policies: While value-added components buffer consumer price changes in wealthier countries, low-income countries – where farming costs dominate – face greater challenges in managing food price increases due to climate policies.

Journal: Nature Food

Expanding the agenda for more just genomics

The Hastings Center
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Hastings Center special report outlines opportunities to enhance justice in genomics, toward a world in which genomic medicine promotes health equity, protects privacy, and respects the rights and values of individuals and communities.

Journal: The Hastings Center Report
Funder: NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute

Research on Colombian peace accord shows that addressing gender issues strengthens peace agreements

University of Notre Dame
Peer-Reviewed Publication

When it comes to peace processes and negotiations, U.N. Women highlights a stark reality: All too often, women remain invisible and excluded. But a new study by University of Notre Dame political scientist Madhav Joshi draws on evidence from Colombia to show that addressing gender-related issues helps peace agreements succeed.

Journal: Policy Studies Journal
Funder: U.S. Department of State, Humanity United, U.N. Multi-Partner Trust Fund, European Union

Epigenetic clocks reveal biological age at cell-type resolution

Impact Journals LLC
Peer-Reviewed Publication

BUFFALO, NY- January 2, 2025 – A new priority research paper, featured as the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as “Aging (Albany NY)” and “Aging-US” by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 22, was published on December 29, 2024. The paper is titled “Cell-type specific epigenetic clocks to quantify biological age at cell-type resolution.”

Journal: Aging-US

Can patient groups remain independent with drug company funding?

University of Bath
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Patient organisations and charities are at risk of aligning their interests with their corporate funders even when this doesn't benefit their members, according to a new study led by the University of Bath in the UK. To combat this, the researchers are calling for action to safeguard the independence of patient groups.

Journal: International Journal of Social Determinants of Health and Health Services