Articles by Christopher Packham
Phys.org / New bacterial species discovered in the intestine
Whether plant, animal or human, living organisms are colonized by a multitude of bacteria. Research findings in recent years show that bacteria not only co-exist with their host, but form mutual interactions in the form of ...
Phys.org / Indigenous defenders stand between illegal roads and survival of the Amazon rainforest
The Ashéninka woman with the painted face radiated a calm, patient confidence as she stood on the sandy banks of the Amonia River and faced the loggers threatening her Amazonian community.
Phys.org / Butter, garage doors and SUVs: Why shortages remain common 2.5 years into the pandemic
Shortages of basic goods still plague the U.S. economy—2½ years after the pandemic's onset turned global supply chains upside down.
Phys.org / UN slavery estimate raises question: Are 50 million people really enslaved today?
According to the United Nations, about 50 million people are enslaved worldwide.
Medical Xpress / Getting fit after COVID? Why you should be strength training—and how to do it
After recovering from COVID, you might be eager to get out and do some exercise, particularly if you'd previously enjoyed keeping fit. While a bit of light cardiovascular training can be a good option, strength training has ...
Medical Xpress / Study shows birth weight could help identify children at higher risk of psychological issues
New research from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has found that babies with larger birth weights tend to have fewer mental health and behavioral issues in childhood and adolescence.
Phys.org / Make cooking safe for all, including those in developing countries, say indoor air pollution experts
Developing countries should focus on keeping unnecessary occupants, such as children, out of kitchens during cooking to help reduce their exposure to dangerous levels of air pollution, recommends a study by the University ...
Phys.org / Study finds less bird diversity in city forests
A new study led by Lund University in Sweden shows that cities negatively affect the diversity of birds. There are significantly fewer bird species in urban forests compared with forests in the countryside—even if the forest ...
Phys.org / Detailing a disastrous autumn day in ancient Italy
Volcanic eruptions evoke images of lava, fire, and destruction; however, this is not always the case. The Plinian eruption of Mount Vesuvius around 4,000 years ago—2,000 years before the one that buried the Roman city of ...
Medical Xpress / Adverse health outcomes associated with long-term antidepressant use
Long-term antidepressant use may double the risk of heart disease, finds the most comprehensive epidemiological study to date to investigate the health consequences from using the medication over ten years. The University ...
Medical Xpress / Repurposing existing drugs to fight new COVID-19 variants
Finding new ways to treat the novel coronavirus and its ever-changing variants has been a challenge for researchers, especially when the traditional drug development and discovery process can take years. A Michigan State ...
Medical Xpress / New model for cancer risk assessment of air pollution based on in vitro testing of collected environmental samples
A study by researchers at Institute of Environmental Medicine shows that in vitro new approach methodologies (NAMs) can be a useful tool to improve cancer risk assessment (CRA) strategies in the context of complex environmental ...
Medical Xpress / Who is getting vaccinated has shifted as immunizations become more available
Political ideology may be the main driver of who is getting a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States and it's falling along racial lines with racial and ethnic minorities now being the most likely to roll up their sleeves, ...
Medical Xpress / Approximately 30% of Australian children who experience domestic and family violence are children with disability
Children with disability require urgent policy attention and trauma-informed responses to their experiences of domestic and family violence (DFV).
Medical Xpress / Why Viagra may be useful in treating lung diseases
You may be surprised to learn that the medication sildenafil—better known by its brand name Viagra—has other medical purposes aside from treating male erectile dysfunction. It can also be used to treat lung diseases that ...
