The study of biology helps humans limit exposure to environmental hazards such as airborne and food-borne pathogens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regularly conducts environmental assessments to determine the cause and nature of pathogen epidemics. In December 2010, the FDA released findings from its environmental assessment concerning multiple reports of E. coli pathogenic infection. Teams of biologists and epidemiologists found that "the illnesses were associated with the consumption of shredded romaine lettuce processed at one firm in Ohio." After isolating the source of pathogenic exposure, the FDA was able to take preventive measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Biomedical scientists work to improve disease prevention, detection and treatment. The National Cancer Institute reported in its 2009/2010 "Cancer Trends Progress Report" that the incidence of overall cancer diagnosis fell within the last five years. More people are surviving with cancer later into life, and cancer treatment effectiveness has increased for every common cancer except for breast cancer treated with a mastectomy. The biomedical scientists working to construct more effective theories of medicine and the doctors who put those theories into practice increase both quality of life and longevity.
Nanotechnology is the study and practice of manipulating objects molecule by molecule. Stain-resistant clothing is one example. Biologists continue to research the use of nanotechnology in human cellular repair. The practical application of biological nanotechnology remains limited, but, in the future, it may be possible for biologists to introduce healthy cells to the human body and effectively repair failing organs.
Biologists provide models for understanding human social behavior. Many biologists apply ideas of human evolution and animal behavior to inquire into the psychological and sociological nature of human individuals and societies. Biological models serve as a powerful lens for social scientists to examine concepts of personality, reciprocity, friendship and problem-solving. Biologists such as William James and Richard Dawkins suggest that learning the biological causes of human behavior can help humans to regulate unwanted social patterns and outgrow psychological limitations.