Research from Keck School of Medicine of USC found that everyday air pollution can alter brain development patterns in adolescents, linked to changes in brain connectivity over time. Exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was associated with increased or decreased functional connectivity between brain regions.
The Hotchkiss Brain Institute will recruit and train emerging neuroscience research leaders to improve brain and mental health globally. Dr. Deepika Dogra's innovative method screens anti-seizure drugs for children using cerebral organoids.
Leading researchers discuss challenges associated with return to school for children and adolescents with TBI, highlighting the need for improved educator training and communication. Strategies for improving quality of life and outcomes are recommended by experts in this themed issue.
SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2023
Widespread newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) has increased the five-year survival rate from 73% to 87%, with 92.5% of children surviving five years or more after treatment. The study, led by NIAID, demonstrates that early identification and prompt treatment have saved countless lives.
A McMaster University study found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for new mothers can lead to adaptive changes in infant brain functioning and reduce post-partum depression symptoms. The study tracked 73 pairs of mothers and babies undergoing PPD treatments between 2018 and 2020.
A recent study published in Behavioral Sciences demonstrates the effectiveness of ACQUIRE Therapy in improving functional outcomes for children with various motor impairments. The framework provides a standardized approach to intensive therapy, emphasizing the importance of therapists' dynamic awareness and adaptability.
A study by Swansea University found that teaching mental health literacy in schools significantly improves pupils' knowledge, behaviours, and intentions to seek help. The Guide Cymru programme, developed with Action for Children, demonstrates a positive impact on young people's wellbeing.
Researchers developed an innovative imaging approach using two-photon microscopy to analyze retinal microcirculation, revealing significant changes in blood flow that may indicate brain diseases. The study suggests that microcirculation in the retina could serve as a promising predictor of cerebrovascular diseases.
A study by academics at the University of Cambridge found that lockdown children continued to play, adapting their habits to their changed circumstances. Despite limited options, children displayed positivity, confidence, and optimism about playing, with play persisting as a feature of their lives during the pandemic.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that the quality of life and self-esteem of children with short stature are associated with coping skills and social supports, rather than their height. The researchers suggest that addressing short stature through a broader, psychosocial approach might have a more positive impac...
A recent study found that pre-teen girls who drank 100% fruit juice had long-term positive dietary benefits and met Dietary Guideline recommendations for whole fruit. The study also showed racial differences in fruit consumption, with black girls consuming more 100% juice throughout adolescence.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has updated the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), a widely used tool for measuring prenatal physical activity. The new PPAQ is considered reliable and valid, providing estimates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in pregnant women.
A new meta-analysis suggests a strong link between childhood maltreatment and adult alexithymia, with three types of child maltreatment - emotional neglect, physical neglect, and sexual abuse - being particularly predictive. This can lead to difficulties in identifying and describing emotions, harming social and intimate relationships.
The DACA program has transformed the lives of thousands of undocumented immigrants, but its uncertain future poses significant risks for their health. The authors argue that policymakers must reassess restrictions on government-sponsored healthcare subsidies to ensure equal access to care.
A UK study of 3,745 families reveals significant inequalities in young people's financial capabilities depending on socio-economic background. The research highlights the need to develop financial skills in disadvantaged children as early as primary school.
A special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine explores the treatment and management of cerebral palsy, including spasticity management and pain relief. The articles discuss various approaches to managing spasticity, such as enteral baclofen use and botulinum neurotoxinA injections, aiming to improve care and quali...
SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2023
A new study found that male infants make 10% more utterances in the first year compared to females, but this difference switches direction by the second year. The researchers suggest that male infants may have an evolutionary advantage due to their higher mortality rate in the first year.
Researchers found altered serotonin 2A/C receptor binding in brain stems of infants who died from SIDS, suggesting a biological basis for the condition. The study suggests that specific combinations of genetic vulnerability, external stressors, and critical developmental periods may contribute to SIDS.
Children begin considering past choices at age 6, influencing their moral judgments of others. As they grow older, they account for choice in judging character behavior.
A nationwide VR research project is working to create diverse groups of participants to reflect real-world social dynamics. The Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA) aims to provide researchers with access to large, reliable, and diverse groups for various VR research projects.
A national study published in Sleep Health found that screen habits linked to better sleep include keeping devices out of the bedroom and avoiding screens before bedtime. The study analyzed data from 10,280 preteens aged 10-14 and found that 15.5% reported trouble falling or staying asleep in the past two weeks.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki found that daycare centers using SAGA and Pikkuli interventions strengthened children's ability to help others, reduced internalising problems, and advanced social orientation. The studies showed positive experiences among early childhood educators, leading to further development of the methods.
Research published in Children and Youth Services Review found that approximately two-thirds (63%) of adult survivors of childhood physical abuse are in complete mental health. Barriers to achieving this include a lack of social support, chronic pain, and a history of mental illness like depression or substance use disorders.
New research highlights the benefits of family-based care for children exposed to early psychosocial deprivation, improving cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social development. The study found that high-quality foster care had a lasting impact on children's brain development and risk of psychopathology.
Dr. John H. Bushweller's team at UVA Cancer Center is developing novel drugs to block abnormal proteins that cause pediatric leukemia. The new approach aims to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
Researchers propose a four-step process for guiding the use of ChatGPT in education, identifying desired outcomes, determining automation levels, ensuring ethical considerations, and evaluating effectiveness. The study finds that ChatGPT can improve teaching models, assessment systems, and student learning experiences.
Researchers found that influencing adults' behavior is more effective than changing children's behavior. The PBIS approach helps create an operational culture that supports all children by clarifying behavioral expectations, providing training, and acknowledging success.
A new scientific statement co-authored by the American Heart Association recommends teaching CPR to school-aged children as early as age 4, with layers of skill-building throughout childhood. This approach aims to educate generations on responding to cardiac arrest and increasing survival rates globally.
A nationwide register-based study found significant increases in psychiatric diagnoses among Finnish children and adolescents during the pandemic, with notable rises in eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. The research highlights concerns about gaps in services and accessibility during times of crisis.
Gene therapy is being tested for rare skeletal dysplasia, affecting 1 in 200,000. Patients will receive a one-time infusion of viral vector containing correct gene sequence.
Clinical studies with children as participants often require more time, people, and resources than initially budgeted. The study found that pediatric clinical studies cost 59% more on average than the initial proposal, highlighting a need for accurate budgeting.
Research from Children's National Hospital found that maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic altered placental structure and function, which may influence fetal health. The study suggests a link between maternal mental health and the development of the placenta.
A new study found that overweight boys tend to have lower testicular volume, putting them at risk for infertility in adulthood. The research suggests that weight loss could help patients avoid infertility later in life.
A new genetic mutation has been identified as the cause of infantile dilated cardiomyopathy, a common cause of heart failure in children. The mutation disrupts centrosome structure, leading to disorganized muscle cells and poor heart function.
A new study found that air pollution from the oil and gas sector has substantial adverse impacts on air quality and human health, resulting in 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and $77 billion in annual health costs. The pollutants nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone from U.S. oil and gas production were respo...
Researchers found that face masks significantly reduced the release of exhaled particles in children, which can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. The study used cloth and surgical masks to test various activities, including breathing quietly, speaking, singing, coughing, and sneezing.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine suggests that preterm infants' gut microbiomes play a role in the development of dangerous bacterial bloodstream infections. The researchers found that the most common bacteria causing these infections are also commonly found in the gut, and that antibiotics can disrupt the balance of...
The National Institutes of Health recognizes World Asthma Day and highlights innovative research on asthma, its causes and treatments. Several NIH institutes conduct and support asthma-related research, including NIEHS, NHLBI, and NIAID.
Research supported by NIDA found that states with stronger social safety nets have lower socioeconomic disparities in brain development and mental health of children. Anti-poverty programs, such as cash assistance and Medicaid expansion, reduce these disparities.
Researchers analyzed outcomes for 144 Colorado patients who had lymph node sampling at the time of surgery for kidney tumors between 2005 and 2019. They found no statistically significant difference in clinically significant complications between patients who underwent more extensive lymph node sampling than those who didn’t.
Researchers found that older children can learn visual tasks and exhibit increased white matter plasticity after surgery to remove congenital cataracts. This suggests that the window of brain plasticity extends beyond childhood and that all children may benefit from treatment.
Researchers have identified 11 somatic mutations in the RAS/MAPK pathway that contribute to treatment-resistant adult epilepsy, suggesting the potential for repurposed anti-cancer agents as new treatments. This study provides insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying this form of epilepsy and opens up new avenues for targeted ther...
Children's Hospital Los Angeles researchers have identified a disruption in early kidney progenitor cell development linked to the formation of Wilms tumor. The study found that these cells can reproduce the original tumor and are aggressive, drug-resistant, and metastasize like cancer cells.
A randomized clinical trial found that community health workers in early childhood well-child care teams improved receipt of preventive care services compared to usual care. The intervention resulted in better outcomes for Medicaid-insured children, highlighting the potential benefits of team-based approaches to healthcare.
Researchers from Nemours Children's Health present findings on pediatric mental health, HPV vaccination strategies, primary hypertension in youth, and the effects of social media on pediatric care. The studies aim to improve child well-being and provide innovative approaches to addressing pressing topics.
A Rutgers study found that childhood trauma has a significant impact on the development of justice-involved Black youth, influencing risky sexual behaviors and substance misuse. The study suggests that trauma-informed education can improve wellbeing and reduce rates of incarceration for these youth.
A study published in Sociology of Education found that teens with incarcerated fathers have lower expectations of completing college, especially for impacted Black youth. Despite optimism about their futures, these teens face stigma and limitations on their educational trajectory.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found a link between chemical marks on fathers' sperm and autistic traits in their 3-year-old children. The study identified 94 regions of differential DNA methylation associated with high scores on a social responsiveness scale, indicating potential markers for autism risk.
A new study found that integrating mental health services into pediatric primary care at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) can improve access to and engagement in mental health care for Medicaid-enrolled children. The TEAM UP model of integrated behavioral health care was shown to increase mental health-related primary care vi...
The new NIH Toolbox V3 iPad App allows doctors to quickly screen patients for cognitive functions such as memory, emotion, and vision. The app covers a wide range of tests spanning four domains, enabling clinicians to assess patients in under 30 minutes.
A new study reveals an association between poor air quality in India and impaired cognition in infants under two. The study found that air quality was poorer in homes that used solid cooking materials like cow dung cake, and that reducing cooking emissions could have benefits to infants' emerging cognitive abilities.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that children with larger vocabularies look quickly towards objects when learning new words, while those with smaller vocabularies take more time and look back and forth. The research team hopes to identify children at risk for language delay earlier and provide targeted support.
A landmark study by University of Cambridge researchers found no difference in psychological wellbeing or quality of family relationships between children born through assisted reproduction and those born naturally. However, mothers who disclosed their child's origins early on reported more positive relationships and lower anxiety and ...
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant increase in weekday screen time among school-aged children, with boosts of up to 1.35 hours per day. This finding suggests that children used screens to fill time previously spent at school or participating in extra-curricular activities.
A new study finds that wireless pacemakers can safely regulate slow heartbeats in select pediatric patients. The leadless pacemaker, a miniature device implanted directly into the heart, has shown stable performance with no reported complications in children aged 4-21.
A study published by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found a historic increase in group A strep infections among young children in Houston. The researchers identified three main types of group A strep diseases and found that emm12 strains were disproportionately represented, compared to emm1 strains.
A study of high school students in Brazil found that excessive smartphone use is associated with thoracic spine pain (TSP), affecting girls more than boys. The research highlights the importance of health education programs to combat this issue and promote physical activity and good posture.
Researchers found a therapy for babies with early autism signs can reduce long-term disability and associated costs, saving $10,695 per child by age 13. Early intervention may also alleviate strain on health, education, and family systems.
Researchers have identified a promising new combination of drugs to treat juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a rare form of blood cancer affecting children. The combination of 5-azacitidine and MEK inhibitor PD0325901 reduced cancerous stem cells and improved blood cell abnormalities.
Researchers have shown lorlatinib to be safe and effective in treating high-risk neuroblastoma with ALK gene mutations. The targeted therapy has led to a major amendment in a phase 3 clinical trial, offering new hope for patients with this often lethal cancer.