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Physical and social activities promote healthy brain aging

A recent study published in NeuroImage found that physically active individuals experienced less decline in entorhinal cortex thickness over a seven-year period. Cognitive reserve is also boosted through regular mental stimulation, suggesting that brains can be trained like muscles to counteract age-related decline.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNeuroImage·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2023

Some increase in cancer after 1986 Chernobyl disaster

A long-term study published in Environmental Epidemiology shows a slightly increased incidence of cancer, particularly colon, pancreas, and stomach cancer in men, as well as lymphoma in women. The researchers used new calculation methods to analyze radiation doses from Chernobyl fallout.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEnvironmental Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 13, 2023

New research: Acute kidney damage spreads over time

A new study from Aarhus University found that acute kidney injury causes significant cell death in kidneys, which then spreads to healthy tissue over several days. This finding may increase the risk of patients developing chronic kidney damage and highlights the need for timely intervention measures.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 26, 2023

At which age we are at our happiest

A study of over 460,000 participants found life satisfaction decreases between puberty and old age, but remains stable until 70. Positive emotional states decrease from childhood to late adulthood, while negative emotional states fluctuate less.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPsychological Bulletin·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 19, 2023

High levels of depression found among Canadian older adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study published in Cancer Management and Research found that 1 in 8 older adults with a history of cancer experienced depression for the first time during the early stages of the pandemic. Those with functional limitations, family conflict, and women were particularly vulnerable to depression.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCancer Management and Research·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2023

First-time fathers seem to experience a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction in the first two years post-partum than second-time fathers

A study published in PLOS ONE found that first-time fathers face a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction following childbirth compared to second-time fathers. Second-time fathers experience an increase in relationship satisfaction within 14 months postpartum, returning to baseline levels.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 30, 2023

Research details perils of not being attractive or athletic in middle school

A new study by Florida Atlantic University found that adolescents who lack traits valued by peers are at risk for adjustment difficulties. The study revealed that low attractive youth and low athletic youth became increasingly unpopular over time, leading to subsequent increases in their loneliness and alcohol misuse.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeSurvey·DateAug 10, 2023

Cigarette smokers more at risk for tobacco dependence than users of smokeless tobacco or multiple tobacco products

A Mount Sinai study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that cigarette smokers are more likely to experience tobacco dependence compared to those who use smokeless tobacco or multiple products. The researchers identified three distinct groups of tobacco users and suggested tailored cessation programs for each group.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJul 26, 2023

Cognitive rescue in aging through prior training

A new study published in Aging (Albany NY) suggests that prior training can rescue cognitive decline in aging by improving task performance and strengthening memory processes. The research, conducted on rats, found that prior training enhanced short-term and intermediate memory, while also enabling encoding-boosted long-term memory.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Black families growing up on either side of the tracks have same economic outcomes

Researchers found that Black families, regardless of neighborhood, experience similar economic circumstances in adulthood. Latino families, on the other hand, showed positive growth in adult earnings when removed from disadvantaged neighborhoods. The study suggests that structural change is needed to address racial income gaps.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCity and Community·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 27, 2023

Alcohol and smoking to blame for premature deaths among night owls, 37-year study suggests

A 37-year study in Finland found that evening types have a slightly increased risk of dying compared to morning types, primarily linked to smoking and drinking habits. The study tracked nearly 23,000 twins and found that lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking status, play a significant role in mortality rates.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalChronobiology International·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2023

Elevated Lipoprotein(a) is the latest variant of ‘bad cholesterol’ found to increase the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease

A new study found that elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels are a significant predictor of recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD) in people over 60. The study suggests current cholesterol-lowering medications may not be effective in reducing the risk of recurrent CHD, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics to target elevated Lp(a).

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCurrent Medical Research and Opinion·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2023

One in 15 in changed reported sexual identity over a six-year period, new UK survey study finds

A new UK survey study led by Lancaster University found that 6.6% of the population aged 16 and over changed their reported sexual identity over a six-year period. The research challenges the assumption that sexual identity mobility declines with age, revealing that it is as prevalent among over-65s as young people.

SourceLancaster University·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

Social participation promotes optimal aging in older adults, research shows

A new study followed over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for three years, finding that social participation was associated with successful aging. Those who engaged in volunteer work and recreational activities were more likely to maintain excellent health and less likely to develop physical or mental problems.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateJun 7, 2023

Firearms injure or kill up to a quarter of juvenile justice youth after detention

A new study by Northwestern University found that up to a quarter of juvenile justice youth are later injured or killed by firearms within 16 years. The study highlights the need for policy and intervention strategies to address the epidemic of firearm injury and death among high-risk youth, particularly those in the juvenile justice s...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

A closer look at how environment influences physical activity

A systematic review of literature on physical activity found that the built environment and social factors have a significant influence on physical activity levels. The study identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding how social and built environments interact across communities and affect health disparities. Researcher...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateApr 5, 2023

Early menopause, later start to hormone therapy may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that early menopause may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, women who received hormone therapy around the time of menopause onset did not experience an increased risk of dementia. The study suggests that timing is crucial when it comes to hormone therapy, ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Women working rotating shifts especially likely to be frail, York study finds

A York University study found that rotating shift work is associated with an increased risk of frailty among middle-aged and older workers in Canada, especially for women. The research used a comprehensive approach to investigate the relationship between shift work and frailty, which may be linked to circadian rhythm disruptions.

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 17, 2023

Mindsets can influence the course of childbirth

A study by the University of Bonn found that women who view childbirth as a natural process are less likely to need pain medication or a caesarean section. The mindset can also impact postpartum depression and mother-child bonding. The research highlights the importance of psychological factors in childbirth.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023

Frequent socialising linked to longer lifespan of older people

A large-scale Chinese study found that frequent socializing was associated with significantly longer survival in older adults. Those who socialized nearly every day had the greatest likelihood of living longer, with a 42% delay in time to death compared to those who never socialized.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2023

Lower frequency of vegetable and fruit intake linked to higher risk of death regardless of chronic kidney disease (CKD) status

A new study found that a lower frequency of vegetable and fruit intake was associated with a higher risk of death in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD), regardless of their CKD stage. Higher fruit and vegetable intake is generally linked to lower mortality risk in the general population.

SourceNiigata University·JournalJournal of Renal Nutrition·DateFeb 26, 2023

Satisfying mid-life relationships linked to lower multiple chronic disease risk in older age

Research published in General Psychiatry found that satisfying mid-life relationships are linked to a lower risk of accumulating multiple long-term conditions in older age. The study, which included 13,714 Australian women, suggests that stronger social connections and higher relationship satisfaction are associated with a lower risk o...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 21, 2023

Black South Africans report higher life satisfaction and are at less risk for depression post-migration, MU study finds

A new study found Black South Africans who migrated to find work reported better emotional well-being and were at lower risk for depression after the move. The research may help policymakers tailor mental health resources to underprivileged migrants and those seeking economic mobility.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalSSM - Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2023

Body phenotypes say a lot, but not everything, about a person’s health, according to new Concordia research

Concordia researchers analyzed muscle and fat mass data from a large US sample population to find that high levels of fat mass are linked to poorer overall health. While BMI was surprisingly effective in predicting some cardiometabolic outcomes, the study suggests new body-composition phenotypes may be a better predictor.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPreventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 25, 2023

Older adults with asthma at high risk for depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study published in Respiratory Medicine found that older adults with asthma are at high risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately half of those with a pre-pandemic history of depression experienced a recurrence, while one in seven without a history of depression developed depression for the first time.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalRespiratory Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2023

Children with persistent speech disorder are more likely to have problems making friends, research finds

A new study found that children with persistent speech disorder are more likely to experience peer problems and emotional difficulties in school. The researchers analyzed data from over 7,300 participants and found no significant associations between speech disorders and depressive symptoms or antisocial behavior.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJCPP Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2023

Separation leads to significant but temporary gender differences in parent-child time

A study by sociologists from Trinity College Dublin and UNED Madrid found that parental separation results in significant but temporary increases in gender inequalities in parent-child time. After separation, mother-child time doubles while two-parent time declines threefold, with father-child time remaining low.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalEuropean Journal of Population / Revue européenne de Démographie·TypeSurvey·DateJan 17, 2023

Exposure to Russian Twitter campaigns in 2016 presidential race highly concentrated, largely limited to strongly partisan Republicans

A new study by NYU's Center for Social Media and Politics found that Russian Twitter campaigns during the 2016 presidential race primarily reached a small subset of highly partisan Republicans. Despite influencing efforts, there were no measurable changes in attitudes, polarization, or voting behavior among those exposed to these forei...

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·TypeSurvey·DateJan 9, 2023