Starting statin therapy as soon as possible can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke for patients with diabetes, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Despite clinicians’ recommendations, nearly one-fifth of diabetic patients choose to delay taking statins, which is a proven and effective way to lower cholesterol levels.

Researchers from Mass General Brigham conducted an analysis of electronic health records of 7,239 patients with diabetes who started statin therapy over a nearly 20-year period. The study found that those who delayed statin therapy for more than a year were significantly more likely to experience heart attacks or strokes compared to those who started taking the medication right away.

The median age of the patients in the study was 55, and about half of them were women. The researchers used artificial intelligence methods to gather data from the electronic health records and found that nearly one-fifth (17.7%) of the patients declined statin therapy when it was first recommended by their clinicians. However, they later accepted the therapy after a median of 1.5 years.

The study’s findings are clear: starting statin therapy on time can save lives. For diabetic patients who delayed taking the medication, the rate of heart attacks or strokes was 8.5%, compared to just 6.4% for those who started taking statins immediately.

Clinicians should use this information to guide shared decision-making conversations with their patients, said senior author Alexander Turchin, MD, MS. “Time is of the essence for your heart and brain health,” he added.

The researchers’ findings are timely, given that heart attacks and strokes remain the leading causes of complications and mortality for patients with diabetes. Statin therapy has been proven to reduce risk by preventing plaque buildup in blood vessels, which can lead to delivery problems for the heart and brain.

The study’s authors emphasize the importance of early intervention and encourage diabetic patients to discuss their individual risks and treatment options with their clinicians. By starting statin therapy on time, patients with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, and improve their overall health and well-being.

The article “Navigating Attitudes: The Crucial Role of Emotional Responses in Adopting Self-Driving Cars” reveals that public attitudes toward self-driving cars are not solely determined by understanding how they work, but also by emotional responses and social benefits. A study published in Transportation Research surveyed 323 people on their perceptions of autonomous vehicles, finding that considerations like trust, excitement, and curiosity about the technology’s potential impact on society play a significant role in shaping attitudes.

According to Wei Peng, an assistant professor at Washington State University, “We found that some of the non-functional aspects of autonomous vehicles are also very important,” including emotional value associated with using the cars, beliefs about broader social impact, and curiosity about learning how the technology works. The study also revealed that respondents would want to give the technology a test drive before adopting it, suggesting that hands-on experience is crucial in building trust.

The research highlights the complexity of attitudes towards self-driving cars, which depend heavily on individual circumstances and can be nuanced in surprising ways. For example, those with a strong “car-authority identity” may be more likely to believe the cars would be easy to use, but less likely to view them as useful. Other considerations, such as disability or concerns about heavy traffic or inclement weather, also play a role in shaping attitudes.

As fully self-driving vehicles approach commercial availability by 2035, widespread adoption is crucial for achieving safety benefits and improving mobility for people with limited access to transportation. However, the rollout of “robotaxies” has been bumpy, with some high-profile accidents and recalls, indicating that public attitudes towards these vehicles remain persistently negative.

The study’s findings open new questions for future research, such as: “What is it about thinking the car is easy to use that makes people trust it less?” and how individual circumstances can influence attitudes towards self-driving cars. Ultimately, understanding these complexities will be essential in developing effective strategies for promoting widespread adoption of this emerging technology.

The Pressure to Conform: How Peer Norms Drive Risky Behavior in Young Adults

Growing up in close-knit communities can be beneficial, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. For Joshua Awua, a postdoctoral research associate at The University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work, the strong social bonds he experienced in Ghana often led to pressure to conform – including drinking.

“Social connection was everything,” Dr. Awua recalled, “and sometimes that came with pressure to fit in, including drinking.” This experience has now fueled his research on how social influences, particularly peer pressure, impact substance use and misuse among young adults.

Dr. Awua recently co-published a study titled “Perceived Norms and Alcohol-Related Consequences: The Moderated Mediation Roles of Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Consumption” in the journal Substance Use & Misuse. The study explores how college students’ misperceptions about their peers’ drinking habits can lead to heavy episodic drinking and negative consequences.

The research found that young adults often misjudge their peers’ alcohol consumption, believing they’re drinking more than they actually are. This misperception can lead to feelings of pressure to keep up, resulting in risky behaviors like binge drinking. To address these misperceptions, the study suggests using protective behavioral strategies (PBS), such as:

* Drinking slowly
* Avoiding drinking games
* Monitoring one’s own drinking

These simple yet effective techniques can help young adults stay in control and reduce the influence of perceived norms.

The consequences of binge drinking and other substance-related harm can be severe, with estimated 1,519 college students dying each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries. By using protective behavioral strategies, young adults can reduce their risk of experiencing these negative consequences.

As Dr. Awua emphasized, “What the evidence shows, and what our study confirmed, is that once students begin to use these strategies, they reduce the risk of experiencing negative consequences like drunk driving.” Ultimately, by supporting their own health and well-being, young adults can lower the overall rates of substance-related harm.