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Elsevier


The college student in a pandemic

A longitudinal study of first-year university students found that those enrolled in the University of Vermont's Wellness Environment program had improved mood levels and fewer attention problems compared to non-participants. The study suggests that colleges and universities should track students' emotional health and develop specific p...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 22, 2020

Kids gain weight when new convenience stores open nearby

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that exposure to small grocery stores with healthier inventories is associated with significant improvements in childhood obesity. In contrast, increased availability of convenience stores selling predominantly unhealthy foods was linked to a higher li...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateDec 10, 2020

Loneliness in youth could impact mental health over the long term

A rapid review found extensive evidence of an association between loneliness and increased risk of mental health problems for children and young people. Loneliness is associated with both depression and anxiety, with some studies suggesting a three-fold increase in depression among lonely youth.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateNov 19, 2020

Sleep loss hijacks brain's activity during learning

A new study shows that getting only half a night's sleep hijacks the brain's activity during learning and memory consolidation, leading to increased vulnerability to conditions like anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. The research found that even partial sleep deprivation can be worse than no sleep at all.

Astrocytes build synapses after cocaine use in mice

Researchers found that astrocytes play a critical role in forming synapses in response to cocaine exposure, which can contribute to addiction. Blocking these synapses may help prevent relapse, suggesting a new therapeutic target for substance use disorder.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateOct 15, 2020

Amyloid deposits not associated with depression in the elderly

Researchers found that abnormal amyloid deposits were present in fewer older adults with major depression compared to non-depressed control subjects. However, the study suggests that depression is still a risk factor for cognitive decline, but through a mechanism other than amyloid deposition.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateSep 23, 2020

Gun laws in neighboring states affect state gun deaths, new evidence

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that weaker gun laws in neighboring states are associated with increased gun deaths in adjoining states. The researchers analyzed 578,022 firearm deaths over a 17-year period and found that stronger state gun policies were linked to decreased firearm deaths.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 14, 2020

Adolescent girls at risk for self-injury can be identified using a short psychological profile

A study identified three key factors that predict the first occurrence of nonsuicidal self-harm in adolescent girls: low conscientiousness, high avoidance, and parental substance abuse history. These psychological vulnerabilities were found to distinguish girls who initiated self-harm from those who did not.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 9, 2020

The mathematical values of Linear A fraction signs

A recent study by a team of researchers from the University of Bologna has shed light on the Minoan system of fractions, revealing that the lowest fraction is 1/60. The results have significant implications for understanding the Linear B script and its use in measuring units of measurement.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateSep 7, 2020

Autistic people's nerve cells differ before birth

Researchers found autistic nerve cells differ in structure and gene expression from typical individuals as early as 9 days into development. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to model brain development and provides new insights into the origins of autism.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 24, 2020