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Common mental disorders may be more common than we think

A longitudinal study of over 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 32 found that people underreport mental illness, and the actual rate of anxiety, depression, and substance dependency may be higher. The study's findings challenge current diagnostic standards and suggest that mental illness may be more common than previously thought.

SourceDuke University·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateSep 10, 2009

Drinking alcohol associated with smaller brain volume

Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol is associated with reduced total brain volume and larger white matter lesions. This finding suggests that heavy drinking may not have the protective effect on brain health previously thought, contrary to its effects on cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateOct 13, 2008

1 in 2 adults at risk for painful knee arthritis

According to a landmark government study, nearly half of adults will develop painful knee osteoarthritis over their lifetime, with obesity being a major risk factor. The Arthritis Foundation recommends techniques such as weight control, exercise, and self-management programs to reduce pain and disability associated with arthritis.

SourceArthritis Foundation·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateSep 3, 2008

Allergy to road traffic

A German research group found associations between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and the onset of allergic diseases in children. Children living less than 50m from a busy main road were 1-50% more likely to contract diseases like asthmatic bronchitis, hay fever, and eczema.

Public schools as good as private schools in raising math scores, study says

A new University of Illinois study found that public school students made significantly greater gains in math scores by fifth grade compared to their Catholic school peers. Public schools rivaled the performance of other non-Catholic private schools, suggesting they are at least as effective in promoting student learning over time.

Heavy marijuana use linked to gum disease

A recent study has found that heavy marijuana use is associated with an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. The study, which tracked over 900 individuals, found that frequent cannabis use since age 18 was linked to more than one-third of new cases of gum disease between ages 26 and 32.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateFeb 5, 2008

Use it or lose it

Research by The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that maintaining physical activity in middle age leads to better basic physical abilities as we age. Physical activity is associated with fewer than 13% of people developing physical disability. Weight is not a deciding factor in this benefit.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 28, 2007

Breaking up may not be as hard as the song says

A Northwestern University study found that participants who forecasted a breakup's impact actually felt less distress than expected. Those most in love were the biggest offenders, exaggerating their emotional pain. The research suggests people tend to be more resilient than they think, and recover from breakups sooner than predicted.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateAug 20, 2007

Scientists identify 2 distinct Parkinson's networks

Researchers have identified two separate brain networks affected by Parkinson's disease, one regulating movement and the other cognitive function. The study found that standard treatments alter the motor network but not the cognitive network, highlighting the need for new treatments to target cognition.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalBrain·DateJul 9, 2007

A drink a day may delay dementia

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that consuming up to one drink a day can slow the development of dementia in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The participants, aged 65-84, who consumed wine had an 85% slower rate of progression compared to those who never drank.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 21, 2007

'Manly men' bounce back better from injury

A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that men with higher levels of traditional masculinity tend to display greater improvement in their recovery from serious injuries. The study suggests that this strength and resilience may encourage men to seek help and recover more quickly.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPsychology of Men & Masculinity·DateMar 15, 2007

Early sex may lead teens to delinquency, study shows

A national study found that adolescents who had sex early showed a 20 percent increase in delinquent acts one year later compared to those whose first sexual experience occurred at the average age for their school. In contrast, those teens who waited longer than average to have sex had delinquency rates 50 percent lower.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateFeb 26, 2007

How parents react to material hardship found to be key to how income affects children

A major new study finds that family income affects children's cognitive skills and social emotional competence when parents experience material hardship, not just their income level. Researchers used data from 21,255 American kindergartners to identify two ways family income impacts children, including the provision of enriching materi...

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 7, 2007