Research/Studies

Birmingham, AL — Nearly half of all musculoskeletal injuries reported by long-haul truck drivers are to their arms, backs or necks – the majority being sprains and strains – according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Washington — Reusable respirators could prove a “viable option” for health care facilities’ respiratory protection programs, especially in preparation for a public health emergency, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concludes.

London — Although a larger percentage of workers in the United Kingdom say their managers are genuinely concerned for their well-being, “the prevalence and impact of mental health issues are severe, and employers need to urgently ramp up the breadth and quality of support they’re providing,” concludes a recent report from nonprofit group Business in the Community.

Montreal — Noise exposure in the workplace can accelerate presbycusis – the normal loss of hearing as a result of aging – according to a literature review conducted by researchers at the Canadian scientific research organization IRSST.

Silver Spring, MD — Construction companies with fewer than 20 employees have experienced an increase in worker fatality rates at the same time larger companies have seen rates fall, according to a recent report from the Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR).

Maywood, IL — Educating new doctors on emotional intelligence could provide a method to help stem an elevated rate of burnout in the profession, the results of a recent Loyola University Medical Center study suggest.

Leicester, England — Sit-stand workstations help reduce the negative impact of prolonged sitting among office workers while improving job performance and psychological health, according a recent study conducted by British researchers.

Winnipeg, Manitoba — Hospital privacy curtains may be breeding grounds for antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, a recent study led by researchers at the University of Manitoba shows.

Washington — Workers who frequently drill concrete can experience reduced exposure to noise, silica dust and vibration if pneumatic rock drills are replaced with electric rotary hammer drills, according to researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

Austin, TX — The presence of smartphones can significantly reduce users’ cognitive capacity – even when the devices are turned off – according to researchers from the University of Texas at Austin.