Study: Even low levels of nighttime light exposure may weaken the heart
Experts have long recommended a dark, light-free bedroom for better sleep. New research shows that sleeping in near-total darkness may carry an added benefit: protecting the heart. In a study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine found that even small amounts of nighttime light exposure were linked to potentially harmful changes in the heart’s structure and function. Keep reading >>
National study finds violence affects millions across US with links to health, economic hardship
A new national study reveals the widespread reach of violence across the United States, finding that more than half of U.S. adults have experienced physical violence and nearly half have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes. The U.S. National Study on Violence Experiences Across the Lifespan also shows stark disparities in who experiences violence and how closely violence is linked to economic hardship, mental health, and substance use. Keep reading >>
The Rural Reach of Tulane Researchers
The most recent issue of Tulanian shone a spotlight on a number Tulane faculty throughout the university working with rural communities in Louisiana and around the country, using their expertise and discoveries to improve lives. Among the faculty and projects covered were:
Dr. Anita Raj and the Louisiana Violence Experience Survey, which looked at rates of violence across the state and what form that violence took. Many of the social problems typically associated with large cities also affect rural life, and Raj’s research showed demographic differences and differences in access to care. “You cannot assume programs that work in urban areas will work or even be made available in rural areas,” she said in the article.
Dr. Emily Harville and the Southern Center for Maternal Health is researching how to improve the care that pregnant and postpartum patients receive. One of the main goals of the center is to test methods to increase remote monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy. Conducting this research statewide in Louisiana matters, Harville said, because convincing people to participate in a program like remote blood pressure monitoring requires community buy-in, which can vary. Keep reading >>
Updated 10/27/2026