Long-term exposure to traffic noise is associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. According to the results, the relative risk increased by three percent for every 11.5 decibel increase in noise level. Furthermore, quiet facades not facing the road demonstrated a protective effect by reducing this risk.
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. The pathogenesis of this condition involves mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in dopaminergic neurons of the basal ganglia, which provokes neuroinflammation and microglial activation. Some scientific data suggest that such processes may be triggered by external factors, including fine particulate air pollution and the recently proposed hypothesis regarding the negative impact of noise.
Experiments have shown that noise can activate the hypothalamic-adrenal axis, causing oxidative stress in various organs and systems, as well as promoting neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, epidemiological information on the link between noise and Parkinson's disease remained limited.
A nationwide cohort study was conducted to examine the relationship between constant transport noise in residential buildings and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. A research group led by Mette Sørensen from the Danish Cancer Institute modeled noise level data in the homes of all residents over 40 years old in Denmark between 1995 and 2015. The model took into account various traffic characteristics, such as road type, average annual daily traffic, vehicle type (heavy or light), and speed, while also considering noise barriers, terrain relief, and building shielding properties.
Noise level was determined as the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level for daytime, evening, and nighttime periods, expressed in the standardized indicator LDEN. Two indicators were assessed for each address: LDEN-Max (on the noisiest facade) and LDEN-Min (on the least exposed).
The total sample size of the study was 3,103,577 participants, with an average age of 50.9 years and an average follow-up period of 13 years, during which 20,587 people were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Both indicators, LDEN-Max and LDEN-Min, correlated with an increased risk of the disease in all analytical models. Even after accounting for socio-demographic factors, air pollution, and the presence of green spaces, the strength of this association decreased only partially.
Specifically, for LDEN-Max, the odds ratio was 1.03 for an increase of 11.5 decibels, whereas for LDEN-Min, the risk reached 1.04 with an increase of 8.9 decibels. When adjusting for the difference between loud and quiet facades, the risk for LDEN-Max increased to 1.06. However, the Sørensen team found that a ten-decibel difference between the loudest and quietest facade reduced the risk of developing the disease when the noise level exceeded 50 decibels. It was calculated that out of 1,468 annual cases of Parkinson's disease in Denmark, 67 cases were linked to high noise exposure.
The authors concluded that long-term exposure to road noise increases the probability of developing Parkinson's disease, independent of factors such as air pollution, the presence of greenery, or socioeconomic status. Moreover, having a quiet facade apparently helps mitigate this risk. The data indicate the potential benefit of creating quiet environments in residential areas for the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.
In northeastern Nigeria, in the Borno state, a cholera outbreak is spreading rapidly. According to observations, at least 198 people have died from the disease, and the total number of suspected cases has exceeded 35.5 thousand.
The infectious disease began back in May. By July 12, the international organization Médecins Sans Frontières provided medical assistance to more than 24 thousand patients suspected of having cholera. More than a quarter of these hospitalized patients were in critical condition.
To combat the epidemic, the international community is supporting the work of two specialized centers, five treatment departments, and seventeen oral rehydration points.
Experts point out that the rate of cholera spread continues to outpace the measures being taken. The main factors contributing to this catastrophic situation are cited as a severe shortage of clean drinking water, unsanitary conditions, and extremely limited access for local residents to proper medical care.
Despite active steps by government bodies and international structures, the situation continues to deteriorate. If the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded 90 victims and 12 thousand cases in mid-June, these figures have doubled by the current time.
In early July, local authorities, with the support of human rights activists, launched a vaccination campaign that covered over 2.6 million people.
For pilgrims arriving at the spiritual center of Kashi during the sacred month of Sawan, which begins on July 30th, a measure has been adopted: meat dishes will no longer be served at the Varanasi Kant railway station.
The senior station master issued the relevant orders, and this restriction will be in effect throughout the entire month of Sawan. The senior station master himself will oversee compliance with these rules. Additionally, arrangements have been made to maintain cleanliness, provide clean drinking water, ensure safety, and offer medical assistance.
Arpit Gupta, the senior station master of Varanasi Kant, stated that special attention will be paid to sanitation and hygiene due to the start of the sacred month of Sawan. With support from the district administration, ambulances and fire services will operate at the station. Assistance points have also been set up at the first two entry points. It is projected that the number of visitors will double compared to the daily 90 thousand pilgrims, and all preparations are being made with this forecast in mind.
A request was made to RPF and GRP to increase staff numbers. The station is equipped with 180 surveillance cameras to monitor the situation. The project to create a waiting area will soon be completed, and special trains will be launched if crowds increase. A quality check of food products was conducted, as well as disinfection, and an instruction was given that only vegetarian food will be served at the station.
Although vegetarian food was previously served at the station, it is now formalized. The food served will comply with FSSAI quality standards. This decision was made to ensure that the feelings of the pilgrims are not offended during the sacred month of Sawan.
A 35-year-old man suffering from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis sought treatment at a Turkish dermatology clinic. He had previously been in remission for eighteen months thanks to treatment with monoclonal antibodies against interleukin-23A, specifically risankizumab.
Two weeks before his visit, the patient decided to self-treat back pain using cupping therapy. Specialists applied clusters of superficial incisions to the skin so that the vacuum could draw out a small amount of blood—this ancient procedure is called hijama or wet cupping. Examination revealed clearly demarcated erythematous scaly papules and plaques on his shoulders, as well as on the middle and lower parts of his back.
Doctors Yusuf Demir and Zekai Kutlubay presented this case in The New England Journal of Medicine. After gathering the medical history and conducting examinations, the man was diagnosed with Koebner phenomenon, also known as isomorphic response.
This phenomenon is characterized by the appearance of rashes typical of various dermatoses, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, or lichen planus, in areas of the skin where such manifestations were not previously observed. This occurs after mechanical irritation of the skin, caused by scratches, burns, sutures, or abrasions. It is important to note that this phenomenon can occur even in people whose condition is well-controlled.
The patient stopped using cupping and resumed his previous dose of risankizumab. Three months after a follow-up examination, all his rashes disappeared.
The article also mentions the results of another study published in JAMA Neurology. It showed that prolonged exposure to traffic noise increases the likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. The risk increased by three percent for every additional 11.5 decibels of noise; however, having a quiet facade not facing the road helped reduce this elevated risk.
