Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Researchers found reduced myelin coating thickness and molecular alterations in brains of adults who experienced severe childhood abuse. These changes may contribute to depressive disorders, suicidal behavior, and altered emotional processing.
Researchers found that children can learn how to solve a puzzle on a tablet computer and transfer this learning to the same problem in the physical world. The study contradicts most previous research and suggests different screen learning media have varying effects on skill transfer.
A recent study found that children injured by a parent's partner, especially males, are more likely to suffer severe injuries. The research suggests that pre-emptive education and behavior modification strategies targeting these caregivers could protect more kids.
Researchers identified four key themes in mannequin design, including flexible vocal cords, realistic color change, step-by-step training, and more natural movements. The findings aim to improve clinical competency and optimal clinical outcomes for pediatric residents.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that praising children for their intelligence can lead to dishonest behavior and cheating as early as age 3. The research suggests that this type of praise can create performance pressure, causing kids to feel compelled to cheat in order to meet expectations.
The study identified rotavirus as the leading pathogen among children under five, with a high incidence of severe cases in infants. Effective preventive measures include vaccination, oral rehydration salts, and proper hygiene practices.
Preschool children in joint physical custody show less behavioral problems and psychological symptoms compared to those living mostly or only with one parent. A new study finds that continuity and stability are crucial for young children's mental health.
Research suggests that children with asthma who live closer to parks experience fewer days of symptoms, especially older children who can independently visit parks. The study found a correlation between proximity to green spaces and lower asthma symptom rates.
Survivors of childhood cancer may experience an average of 17.1 chronic health conditions by the age of 50, with cardiovascular, endocrine, and musculoskeletal problems being the most common health conditions among survivors. The study highlights the complexity of their medical needs and the need for improved survivorship care.
Researchers have identified the best ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children with and without asthma. Effective treatments include pharmacological interventions and practical preventative methods such as wearing face masks and selecting warmer exercises.
A study by Michigan State University found that parents and siblings can improve their ability to communicate with special needs children using an online training program. The training provides interactive strategies for offering communication opportunities, commenting on activities, and waiting for responses. The researchers tested th...
A study of thousands of children found that exclusion from school can trigger long-term psychiatric illness, including depression and anxiety. The research highlights the need for tailored support to prevent exclusion and improve mental health outcomes.
Researchers found that young children can reason about their abilities and global self-worth, but failure can affect their motivation. The study suggests that parents and educators should foster a productive learning environment to prevent discouragement in young children.
A team of researchers has developed a strategy to identify potential treatments for patients with MECP2 duplication syndrome by normalizing altered levels of MeCP2 in animal models. The study found that drugs inhibiting phosphatase PP2A partially rescued motor abnormalities in mice, offering hope for future treatments.
A study from Case Western Reserve University found little evidence of a relationship between women's intelligence and their mindsets. The research challenged the idea of a 'bright girl effect,' which suggests that young females limit their own progress based on their perceived intelligence.
A study found that mothers who respond with less physiological regulation and more emotional neutrality when their infants are distressed are more likely to have insecurely attached babies. This suggests that a muted maternal response can lead to increased infant distress.
The study estimates that 23.3 million infants were born small for gestational age in 2012, with 606,500 newborn deaths attributed to this condition. Implementing proven interventions, such as continuous skin-to-skin contact and breast feeding support, can prevent approximately 250,000 newborn deaths annually
A study found that preschoolers shared more after listening to books with human characters, while those who read about human-like animal characters shared less. Children's altruistic giving was assessed before and after the reading, showing a significant difference in sharing behavior.
A new study by Kalina Michalska found that children who are more anxious tend to avoid making eye contact, leading to greater fear experience. This avoidance of eye contact affects how afraid children are of potentially threatening information.
Research reveals distinct molecular patterns in premature infants' cerebellum, indicating a cellular response to interrupted development. The findings may offer insights into long-term complications of pre-term birth and potential interventions to improve outcomes.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that children whose parents provide them with learning materials and engage in meaningful conversations develop early cognitive skills that cascade into later academic success. The study tracked the influence of early home learning environments on...
The new data resource center will accelerate novel treatments for childhood tumors by making genetic sequences available on the cloud. Researchers expect to identify beneficial mutations that allow some children to survive longer than others.
Children from low-income families who grow up in counties with high upward mobility show significant gains in cognitive test scores between ages 3 and 9. Behavioral problems, such as aggression and rule-breaking, also decrease at age 3 and remain stable over time.
Researchers found that bilingual infants can differentiate between words in different languages, even at a young age. The study suggests that bilinguals have an efficient processing strategy to prioritize the currently heard language when switching between languages.
A study of 330 undergraduate men found that early exposure to pornography was significantly associated with certain sexist attitudes, including a need for power over women and promiscuity. The researchers discovered an unexpected positive correlation between age of first exposure and adherence to playboy masculine norms.
A comprehensive review of published research on childhood obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (oSDB) identified key findings on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Despite an increase in studies, there remains a need for holistic approaches to research, including more health service delivery, outcomes, and economics-focused research.
A new study suggests that electrical grounding can moderate preterm infants' electromagnetic exposure in the NICU, improving their health outcomes. Vagal tone, measured by heart rate variability, increased by 67% after grounding, indicating improved autonomic nervous system function.
Researchers identified a rare neurological disorder linked to an excess of ribosomal RNA, causing developmental regression and neurodegeneration. The study found that the same genetic change caused the condition in all affected children, paving the way for potential therapies to silence the mutant gene.
A study found that infants with inhibited temperaments are more likely to be hesitant when trying new foods, while those with exuberant temperaments tend to accept new foods. Researchers observed infant reactions to new toys and food throughout the first 18 months, finding a consistent relationship between temperament and eating behavior.
Research at the University of Missouri found that severe discipline on infants can lead to increased aggressive and delinquent behaviors in the fifth grade. In contrast, good self-regulation predicts better behavioral outcomes in both African-American and European-American children.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that toddlers as young as 17 months old can recognize dominant individuals and anticipate them receiving more rewards. The study used puppets to test toddlers' reactions to different social scenarios, revealing their expectation that dominant individuals receive more resources.
The University of Arizona researchers will investigate NHE8's role in gastrointestinal diseases, including IBD and colon cancer. They aim to understand how this protein affects goblet cell function, gut microbiome balance, and epithelial cell proliferation.
A study on ADHD used fMRI scans to examine the striatum, a reward center in the brain. Children with ADHD showed less activity in anticipation of a reward, making it harder for them to focus.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a link between brain wave frequency and nonverbal IQ in children with autism. The study found that lower peak alpha frequency corresponds to lower non-verbal IQ, suggesting a potential biomarker for detecting autism severity.
A study found that children who lost their fathers had significantly shorter telomeres at age 9, indicating increased cell aging and stress. The effect was greatest for boys and those whose fathers died.
A study in Mexico found that certain occupations contribute to mobility problems among older adults, exacerbating income-based disability disparities. Poorer workers are more likely to hold physically demanding jobs, leading to increased mobility limitations.
A new study has identified a tool to detect signs of autism in high-risk infants with TSC, a genetic disorder. The Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) was found to be a useful clinical tool in determining which infants are at increased risk of developing ASD.
Researchers found that by one year old, infants prefer speakers of their native tongue but not unfamiliar languages. Infants also form positive biases toward prosocial behavior from familiar language speakers, suggesting an innate preference for similar groups.
A new study shows that preschool children learn fewer words from storybooks with double-page illustrations compared to single-spread books. The effect can be reversed if the reader gestures to the correct page while reading.
Research from the University of Liverpool reveals a strong association between childhood obesity and hip diseases, particularly Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE). Obese children are at highest risk of developing SCFE, which can cause significant pain and lead to hip replacement in adolescence or early adulthood.
Researchers have identified a rare genetic syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, seizures, and distinctive facial features. The study, led by Matthew A. Deardorff, describes WDR26 haploinsufficiency syndrome and provides initial information for counseling patients and families.
A recent study published in Infant and Child Development found that pre-schoolers learn twice as many words from storybooks with only one illustration at a time compared to those with two or more illustrations. Guiding children's attention to the correct page can also help them focus on new words.
A community-wide effort to reduce childhood obesity in two low-income Massachusetts communities resulted in modest improvements among schoolchildren, suggesting a comprehensive approach holds promise. The study found reduced obesity prevalence, healthier beverage choices, and less screen time in intervention communities.
Researchers found that pre-school children respond well to simple interactions, while older children engage with robots that reference previous conversations. Interactive storytelling also boosts vocabulary and cognitive development in young children, suggesting that collaborative technology can be an effective tool for education.
New research by the University of Warwick finds that individuals who spent their entire childhood with a single parent earn 30% less and are more likely to be unemployed. They also have lower levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction in adulthood, with 9% less likelihood of being in a romantic relationship.
Researchers used fMRI to analyze brain activity in children with ASD, identifying relationships between emotional lability and neuronal activity in two brain regions. The study suggests that differences in neuronal network interactions may play a role in emotion regulation variability in individuals with ASD.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) are more likely to transmit the virus to their infants, increasing the risk of congenital CMV infection. The study also found a significant association between gonorrhea and CMV transmission.
Research from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute found that African-American preschoolers' storytelling skills affect reading achievement in complex ways. Girls' storytelling skills appear crucial for early reading development, while boys' skills have a stronger impact on rapid reading score increases over time.
Researchers found that children with higher lutein levels in the eye tended to perform better on tests of cognition and academic achievement. The studies, conducted at the University of Illinois, also suggested that lutein may play a role in brain development and overall brain health.
A new study reveals that nearly all Indonesian children in urban areas are infected with the dengue virus by childhood. The researchers found that 69.4% of children tested positive for dengue antibodies, with infection rates increasing from 33.8% of 1-4 year olds to 89.0% of 15-18 year olds.
Researchers found that prebiotic fiber supplementation reduced annual projected body weight increase in overweight and obese children by nearly triple, compared to a placebo. The study also showed specific gut bacterial shifts with prebiotic intervention.
A new study by the University of Southern California found that overweight children experience more unreciprocated friendships and frenemies than their thinner peers. This social exclusion can lead to mental, social, and physical tolls, including loneliness, depression, poor eating habits, and illness.
A pilot study found that digital game-based education improved Turkish language proficiency, executive functions, coding skills, and reduced hopelessness among Syrian refugee children. The Project Hope intervention used a combination of five games, including Minecraft and Code.org, resulting in significant improvements in these areas.
A study published in Molecular Cancer Research reveals that a histone mutation turns off the tumor suppressor gene p16 in up to 70% of childhood brain tumors called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Restoring p16 using a drug approved for adult leukemia treatment slows down tumor growth.
Children with DSD may be able to preserve fertility using experimental techniques, but this raises concerns about cost, insurance coverage, and transmission to offspring. The procedure also presents complex ethical dilemmas, particularly regarding gender dysphoria and autonomous decision-making.
Researchers at the University of Warwick are conducting a study to better understand absence epilepsy, a childhood condition characterized by brief interruptions of consciousness. The study aims to identify new therapeutic targets and develop more effective treatments for children with absence seizures.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that online self-management support for parents with Bipolar Disorder improves parenting skills, child behavior, and reduces parenting stress. The intervention combines self-management strategies with mood management to promote consistent parenting.
A new study found that 3-year-olds can coordinate actions with others in joint tasks, understanding these as collaborative commitments. Children protest when a partner defected selfishly but are less upset by accidental or ignorant defections.
New research from University of Limerick finds growing up in home with psychological abuse has longer-term effects on children's wellbeing than physical domestic violence. Exposure to psychological abuse, including name-calling and manipulation, has detrimental impact on young people's satisfaction with social support.
Researchers from Oregon State University found that a family dog can improve physical activity, motor skills, and quality of life for children with disabilities. The study involved an eight-week intervention program where the child and dog participated in supervised physical activities and home exercises.