The Lancet Global Mental Health Group urges governments, agencies, and donors to scale up mental health services worldwide due to inadequate treatment rates. The cost is estimated at $2-$4 per person in low-income countries, a modest investment compared to other global disease burdens.
A study found that adult offspring of Holocaust survivors with PTSD had lower cortisol levels than those without PTSD. Lower cortisol levels in these offspring suggest a predisposition to PTSD or a protective effect against the condition.
The mass media's influence on public attitudes about mental health is significant, with negative stereotypes prevalent in coverage. Mental health professionals and consumers can help improve coverage by engaging with the media and educating them about accurate representations of mental illness.
A study found that a mis-regulated plant immune system can establish reproductive barriers, potentially leading to speciation. Researchers discovered that hybrid necrosis, a syndrome affecting unfit hybrids, is caused by a common group of genes being more strongly or weakly active in the hybrids than in their parents.
Researchers at Nottingham University have identified antibodies that can prevent infection with various strains of Hepatitis C virus in laboratory models. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a vaccine, which would significantly improve healthcare benefits for those suffering from hepatitis.
A study of 6,522 US adolescents found that those exposed to more smoking in movies were more likely to become established smokers. The association remained significant after controlling for other factors, suggesting frequent exposure to smoking cues may lead to increased risk of smoking.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield have developed a long-acting growth hormone that can promote growth over ten days with just one injection. This technology could reduce the need for frequent injections in children and adults with growth hormone disorders.
Research found knee monoarthritis in 296 patients (4.4%) with rheumatic disorders, a rare condition associated with operable non-small cell lung cancer. The disease is challenging to treat unless caught early, and the discovery provides new insights into potential early warning signs.
Mental disorders contribute significantly to the global disease burden, with a chronically disabling nature that complicates treatment and worsens outcomes. Research highlights the need for integrated mental health awareness into healthcare policy and delivery.
A study by National Space Biomedical Research Institute has found that osteopontin plays a significant role in the immune response to chronic stress. Mice with normal OPN gene experienced weight loss, spleen and thymus atrophy, and reduced white blood cells after three days of hindlimb unloading.
Despite financial constraints, countries like Brazil have made progress by integrating mental health care into community settings and increasing access to medication. Lessons can be learned from these examples to improve mental health prioritization in low-resource settings
A study found that clinicians follow depression treatment guidelines poorly, failing to address key issues like suicide risk and alcohol use. Better clinician adherence is associated with reduced persistent depressive symptoms.
Research reveals that fat in the stomach converts vitamin C from an inhibitor to a promoter of nitrosamines, potentially increasing cancer risk. Vitamin C levels were significantly boosted when fat was added, contradicting previous findings that supplements fail to reduce cancer risk.
Researchers found a moderate increase in risk of coronary heart disease associated with very low estimated glomerular filtration rate, according to a new prospective study and systematic review published in PLOS Medicine. The study suggests that renal function may be an important factor in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Hepatitis E virus has been detected in European pigs and pork products, posing a risk to human health. The disease is often fatal for pregnant women and can be transmitted through direct contact with animals or contaminated food.
The study found that the number of office visits resulting in a bipolar disorder diagnosis for youths ages 19 and younger increased from 25 per 100,000 people in 1994-1995 to 1,003 per 100,000 people in 2002-2003. In contrast, adults saw a rise from 905 per 100,000 people to 1,679 per 100,000 people over the same period.
A 2-year survey in Ireland aims to determine how the bacteria enters the food chain. Scientists analyzed 1,800 pig tissue samples and found non-disease causing Yersinia enterocolitica in 12 samples and disease-causing genes in 15 samples.
Researchers found that flies have a complex immune system regulated by AP-1 and STAT transcription factors, which edit and repress the immune response to prevent 'friendly fire'. This mechanism is evolutionarily conserved to maintain balanced immune responses.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that family-based treatment was more effective than supportive psychotherapy in reducing binge eating and purging behaviors in adolescents with bulimia. The treatment showed promising results, with 39% of patients achieving remission after treatment.
A study found that UK children with asthma are being treated inappropriately, with over 121,000 prescriptions for bronchodilator syrups still issued in 2006 despite guidance discouraging their use. The number of combination inhaler prescriptions also increased significantly.
Researchers at JCVI have published the first true diploid genome from one individual, Craig Venter's, covering over 2.8 billion base pairs. The study reveals high genetic variation between two chromosomes within an individual and uncovers a total of 4.1 million variants, including 3.2 million SNPs.
Scientists have discovered thousands of new compounds in marine sponges, which are made by the bacteria living inside them. However, growing these bacteria in the laboratory is difficult due to the unique environment inside the sponge.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina and Max Planck Institute discovered that an autoimmune response can create a barrier to producing viable offspring in plants. This phenomenon, known as hybrid necrosis, can be triggered by specific gene combinations, suggesting a potential early step in the development of new species.
Researchers examine hypertrophic scar formation, current treatments, and promising research areas to advance the field. Current treatments for hypertrophic scarring are estimated to cost at least $4 billion annually in the US.
A new risk assessment tool has been developed to help reduce the transfer of disease-causing bacteria from farmed environments to watercourses. The expert-weighted risk tool identifies fields and farmyards with the greatest likelihood of contaminating waterways, allowing farmers and landowners to prioritize clean-up efforts.
The Lancet launches a new series on Global Mental Health, emphasizing the need for better attention to mental health services. The initiative aims to track progress and monitor mental health indicators in the lead-up to a global summit.
A study found that a school-based obesity prevention program reduced disordered weight-control behaviors in middle-school girls by two-thirds, compared to those receiving regular health education. The 5-2-1-Go! program emphasized eating a balanced diet and reducing screen time.
A global shortage of mental health resources has severe consequences, including inadequate care for those who need it. The authors emphasize the need for increased investment in mental health to address these obstacles.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that humans tend to choose mates based on physical attractiveness, with men prioritizing looks and women valuing security and material stability. The research, conducted via speed-dating sessions, suggests that this preference is rooted in evolutionary theory.
A new study by Yoshida et al. reveals that evolutionary dynamics can mask strong interactions between predators and prey, leading to cryptic dynamics in ecology. The research uses laboratory microcosms to demonstrate how rapid evolution of prey genotypes can influence predator-prey cycles.
Research estimates that approximately 8.7 percent of U.S. children between the ages of 8 and 15 have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite this prevalence, only a minority of affected children receive consistent treatment with ADHD medications.
A nationwide survey of American physicians found that psychiatry is the least religious medical specialty, with Jewish psychiatrists making up over half of the field. The study also revealed that religious physicians are less likely to refer patients to psychiatrists and more likely to send them to clergy or counselors. This gap in rel...
A team of scientists has found a reliable and cost-effective method to extend the shelf life of cooked ham to 39 days by using a protective culture of Lactobacillus sakei. The treatment resulted in a more acceptably taste, texture, and overall quality compared to conventionally preserved ham.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center found that family-based treatment, which involves parents, doubled the percentage of teens who abstained from binge eating and purging after six months. The study involved 80 adolescents with bulimia nervosa or partial bulimia nervosa.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found a substantial increase in office-based visit diagnoses for bipolar disorder among youth from 1994 to 2003. This growth was accompanied by rising prescription rates for mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.
Women with migraine who suffered childhood abuse were more likely to experience depression than those without abuse. The study found a significant association between childhood abuse and depression in women with migraine, suggesting that neurobiological systems may be altered by adverse experiences.
Patients with depression have impaired heart rate variability recovery after acute coronary syndromes, but treatment with antidepressants improves this ability. Sertraline treatment also increased heart rate variability in depressed patients.
A recent study published in Neurology found that smokers are 50% more likely to develop dementia than nonsmokers or past smokers. The study suggests that smoking increases the risk of dementia through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, which can damage cells in blood vessels and lead to hardening of the arteries.
Ancient DNA analysis suggests pigs were brought from the Middle East as part of a farming package, leading to their local domestication and eventual spread across Europe. The study sheds new light on the colonization of Europe by early farmers.
Rutgers researchers found that osteopontin-dependent changes in thymus and spleen lead to organ atrophy in mice stressed under simulated weightlessness. This study demonstrates the critical role of OPN in human diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune responses.
The Lancet series concludes that generating political will is key to overcoming barriers to scaling up mental health services. Advocates must deliver clear messages about required care, while developing secondary care-level community mental health services should be prioritized.
A study of over 1050 North American and European musicians found that they are more than twice as likely to die an early death compared to the general population. Long-term drug or alcohol problems accounted for nearly one in four deaths, with some stars continuing to experience higher death rates even 25 years after achieving fame.
Low-salt foods are as safe as high-salt ones in terms of bacterial spoilage, according to a study. The researchers found that different strains of bacteria showed no significant difference in growth rates regardless of the salt concentration tested.
Researchers conclude that primary care-based psychological interventions, such as interpersonal therapy, are cost-effective for treating depression and managing hazardous alcohol use. Low-cost antipsychotic drugs and family-focused psychosocial interventions also show promise for schizophrenia management.