This research uses wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor antibodies excreted by communities, providing early insights into population vulnerability to infectious diseases. By analyzing antibody trends in wastewater over time, the work helps public health authorities identify at-risk communities, allocate resources more effectively, strengthen vaccination strategies, and improve outbreak preparedness.

This research investigates atmospheric trace elements as indicators of pollution sources, focusing on toxic metal emissions from urban firestorms during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Elevated airborne lead concentrations prompted the creation of Phoenix, a community-based post-fire air monitoring network designed to track hazardous dust resuspension during debris cleanup.

This study explores anemia as a potential risk factor for dementia, finding that nearly half of dementia patients also exhibit low hemoglobin levels, often undiagnosed. By highlighting links between blood health and cognitive decline, the research advocates earlier detection and a multidisciplinary approach to reduce dementia’s growing societal and healthcare burden.

This research redefines digital health literacy for an AI-driven world, emphasizing the alignment between users and technology. Using a Delphi method, it identifies three core components—knowledge, skills, and context. The resulting framework guides the design of digital health tools that better support behavior change by adapting to users’ real-world needs.

Road salt, widely used for winter safety, contaminates waterways and drinking supplies by increasing sodium and chloride levels. This year-long study of Pennsylvania watersheds found consistent exceedances of EPA guidelines, posing risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. The research highlights the need to reduce salt use and adopt more sustainable deicing practices.

Infertility affects one in six adults and carries profound emotional, psychological, and social burdens often overlooked in medical care. This research evaluates a four-week yoga intervention for individuals undergoing IVF, aiming to reduce anxiety and depression while improving quality of life, addressing the unmet psychosocial needs of those experiencing infertility.

This research critiques the Hatch-Waxman Act, arguing it enables pharmaceutical companies to extend monopolies through “evergreening,” delaying cheaper generics. It proposes legal reforms to restore balance between innovation and access, strengthen FDA oversight, and reduce drug costs, ensuring life-saving medications remain affordable for patients across the United States.

This research uses low-cost air quality sensors to monitor pollution exposure in underserved communities in Philadelphia. It reveals unexpected indoor and temporal pollution patterns and highlights disparities in exposure. By involving residents as citizen scientists, the study demonstrates how accessible data can inform policy and improve public health outcomes.

This research investigates whether thallium exposure from 9/11 dust contributes to long-term memory loss in first responders. By linking biological samples with decades of cognitive data, findings suggest higher exposure increases risk of early Alzheimer’s indicators. The study emphasizes early detection and prevention for those exposed to environmental toxins.

This research investigates how bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic chemical, may contribute to obesity. By disrupting hormonal systems during brain development, BPA alters appetite regulation and metabolic set points. Animal studies show increased obesity and diabetes risk, suggesting environmental chemicals may play a significant role in the obesity epidemic.