Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A new study found that pneumonia and preterm birth complications are leading causes of childhood death, accounting for 64% of deaths globally. Despite a decline in total deaths between 2000 and 2010, the reduction is not sufficient to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by 2015.
A study by OU researcher Paul Branscum found that high-calorie snacks are the most accessible choice for kids, with females consuming more than males. The study also revealed that African-American children consumed fewer high-calorie snacks compared to Hispanic, Caucasian, and Asian children.
A large observational study found that pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with a three-point drop in reading scores and a two-point reduction in math scores among children aged 5-7 years. Maternal prepregnancy weight also had a negative impact on fetal brain development.
Researchers found that parents with a firm but fair style tend to have children with positive behavior, while those with overly permissive or authoritarian styles are associated with negative behavior. Effective parenting involves providing structure and routines in a loving and clear way.
The HPV vaccine completion rate among girls has dropped significantly since 2006, with only 38.2% completing the series within 365 days. Girls who receive the first dose from a gynecologist or obstetrician are more likely to complete the series.
The Center for Sport Concussion Research and Service at Penn State aims to advance concussion research and provide baseline assessments for local collegiate and child athletes. Virtual-reality technology is being used to study the cognitive and motor effects of concussions on athletes.
Researchers at Seattle Children's Research Institute have discovered a genetic pathway causing rare facial malformation syndrome in children. The study identified two defective genes PLCB4 and GNAI3 as the primary cause of auriculocondylar syndrome (ACS), a condition that can lead to breathing and eating difficulties.
A new study suggests that infants start learning about race from birth, but their ability to recognize faces and emotions from other races declines at around 9 months. This decline in ability is thought to be a result of the infant's brain processing more information from familiar groups, such as family members.
Researchers have identified a second form of the MCL1 protein, which works in a different location and performs a different function. The newly discovered version is shorter and located inside mitochondria, where it promotes mitochondrial energy production and may aid in cancer treatment.
Dr. Tom Curran, a leading expert in childhood brain cancer, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He joins an elite group of scholars and scientists who have made significant contributions to their fields.
Researchers are investigating the factors predicting senior executive turnover in federal workplaces, which can result in costly losses for organizations. The study focuses on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs' Senior Executive Service, finding that turnover is highest among new or low-tenure executives.
A new study found that broad generalizations about social groups can undermine both boys' and girls' performance on challenging activities. Researchers tested how sweeping pronouncements about skills or likely success of social groups influence children's performance.
Researchers at University of Liverpool found children who experienced severe trauma are 3 times more likely to develop schizophrenia. The study analyzed data from over 27,000 research papers and suggests environment plays a major role in psychosis development.
A study found that American children aged 8 months to 8 years are exposed to nearly 4 hours of background TV per day. Younger and African-American children were most affected. Previous research links high TV exposure to poor cognitive performance in young children.
The University of Houston has been awarded a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study and treat learning disabilities in children and adolescents. The grant will support five years of research on reading comprehension difficulties, brain function, and diagnosis, intervention, and treatment.
Norwegian researchers recommend parents provide healthy food options, involve kids in cooking and shopping, and avoid restrictive rules. The study found daily fruit and vegetable consumption among Norwegian children is below recommended levels, sparking concerns.
Penn State researchers found that perceived control over hot flashes is a key factor in how exercise affects menopausal women. Women who felt they had more control over their hot flashes experienced fewer symptoms after physical activity. Cognitive behavioral therapy may also help some women feel more in control.
A new study found that neighborhoods with walkable environments and access to healthy food have a significant impact on childhood obesity rates. Children living in these neighborhoods had 59% lower odds of being obese compared to those in less favorable areas.
A study found that bilingual children are faster at switching between tasks than their monolingual counterparts, showcasing improved executive functioning skills. However, bilinguals lag behind monolinguals in acquiring vocabulary due to language division.
Research at the University of Oregon reveals that partner aggression around a child's birth impacts parenting three years later. The level of psychological and physical abuse between parents predicts harsh parenting, which in turn leads to higher behavior problems in children.
A new study found that nearly half of U.S. preschoolers do not have a single parent-supervised outdoor play opportunity per day. Parents are the greatest influence on children's behavior, and research highlights the importance of promoting active healthy living through outdoor play.
Middle school students with emotional support from teachers are less likely to initiate alcohol and illicit substance use. Youth experiencing separation anxiety from parents also show a decreased risk of early alcohol use, according to the study.
Researchers found that young children are shaped by instructions about prejudice, while older children form their beliefs through experiences. The study suggests that teaching positive elements of equality and diversity is crucial for young kids.
A recent NIH brain imaging study found that viewing images of infant faces activates specific brain circuits associated with care giving behavior. These findings suggest a biological impulse governing adults' interactions with small children, which may have implications for preventing child neglect and abuse.
A new study found that over 93,000 US children under 5 were treated in emergency departments for stair-related injuries from 1999-2008. The study recommends measures to prevent these injuries, including educating parents and modifying building codes.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases examined the causes of pneumonia among children in developing countries. The Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) Project enrolled over 6,000 children and aimed to understand the interplay between risk factors and infection by deadly viruses and bacteria.
Researchers discovered that auditory stimulation of maternal sounds can lower incidence of cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants, suggesting a potential non-pharmalogical treatment. The study involved exposing fourteen extremely premature infants to personalized audio recordings of their own mothers' voices and heartbeats, leadin...
A guide outlining exposure risks and reduction tips for common environmental toxins has been created by researchers. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on how to counsel patients about lead, mercury, pesticides, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Research suggests that violent relationships during pregnancy can lead to poor co-parenting skills, with mothers being more likely to exhibit violence than fathers. Common couple violence, characterized by actions like shoving and hitting, can be detrimental to the development of a positive co-parenting relationship.
Researchers have identified two new genes associated with Baraitser-Winter syndrome, a rare brain malformation characterized by droopy eyelids and intellectual disabilities. The study reveals the defects occur in actin genes critical for cell division and movement.
A new study published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology found that prenatal exposure to ecstasy can lead to developmental delays, poorer motor skills, and increased social problems in infants. The study compared infants exposed to ecstasy with those not exposed and found significant differences in their growth and cognitive development.
Research reveals that childhood maltreatment and parental loss can lead to epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor gene, increasing stress sensitivity and blunted cortisol responses. This association has significant public health implications, suggesting potential treatments to reverse epigenetic effects of childhood adversity.
A meta-analysis of 159 studies found rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) can confirm the flu, but not rule it out; RIDTs are more accurate in children than adults and better at detecting influenza A virus; this suggests routine implementation of RIDTs during flu season could improve patient care.
Researchers identify differences in brain structure in infants who later develop autism spectrum disorders, including stronger white matter connections at 6 months. The study suggests a period of dramatic brain changes between 6-24 months may be critical for ASD diagnosis.
Researchers found that over-reactive parents are more likely to have toddlers who act out and become upset easily. Adoptive parents' tendency to over-react had a significant effect on their children's negative emotionality and problem behavior.
A new study found significant brain differences in high-risk infants who later developed autism, starting as early as 6 months. Infants with autism had elevated white matter fiber tract development at birth, but slower growth over time, suggesting potential early interventions.
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that puzzle play between ages 2 and 4 is a significant predictor of spatial skill in preschoolers. Children who played with puzzles had better spatial skills than those who did not, on tasks that assessed their ability to rotate and translate shapes.
A Canadian study reveals that international rankings of infant mortality are misleading due to inconsistent birth registration practices. If corrected for biases, Canada and the US would rank among the top 12 countries in terms of infant mortality rates.
A new study at Cornell University finds that motherhood is associated with women exiting research fast-track careers at twice the rate of men. Despite equal pay and promotion, women face outdated policies that make it incompatible with a tenure-track research career.
Research explores effective approaches to using gaming and interactive media for health promotion messages in children, including environment support, after-school programs, nutrition standards, and parent training. The Let's Move! initiative aims to address the social and environmental conditions influencing childhood obesity.
New research from the University of New Hampshire finds that teen dating violence is often part of a larger pattern of multiple victimizations. Most teen dating violence victims also experienced other forms of abuse, including sexual violence and child abuse, with 60% having been sexually victimized.
A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found a joint association between maternal and paternal age and autism risk. Mothers with autistic children were on average 6.5 years older than non-autistic women, while fathers had an average age difference of 5.9 years.
Children as young as preschool age tend to categorize objects as masculine, reflecting cultural and linguistic biases. The study found that bilingual children showed a different perspective on objects when speaking French, likely due to the language's structure and not necessarily their factual knowledge of biology.
A new study examined the role of bilingualism in children's development, finding slower language acquisition but better metalinguistic development. Bilingual children performed similarly to monolinguals in executive control tasks, but had an advantage when their languages overlapped.
A new study suggests that about one in four formerly cohabiting couples with children maintain a romantic relationship. Couples who stay connected tend to have more relationship investments and less family chaos, which can benefit their children.
Researchers found that parents tend to blame their children more when they are sexually abused by an adolescent, rather than an adult. This bias may be due to cultural and societal expectations surrounding adolescent sex offenders, leading parents to doubt their child's ability to prevent the abuse.
A survey of US elementary school students found that about half have access to competitive food venues like vending machines and snack bars, where sugary foods are commonly sold. However, healthier options like salads and fruits were less accessible, with many schools prioritizing lower-fat products over whole grains and low-fat dairy.
Prevention strategies that included ultrasound screening and chronic blood transfusions for children with sickle cell anemia led to a significant decrease in racial disparities in stroke-related deaths. This change occurred after the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP) was implemented in 1998.
Research presented at American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2012 links common childhood infections to a high risk of ischemic stroke. Acute infections are more critical in triggering stroke than chronic infections over time.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that Hispanic children are more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and die from the disease due to inherited risk factors, particularly ARID5B gene variants. These variants were found to be up to two times more common in Hispanic children than in white children.
A study published by Dr. Linda Pagani found that kindergarten attentiveness skills accurately predict later work-oriented behavior, with children who are well-engaged in the classroom exhibiting better self-control, confidence, and ability to follow directions.
A Concordia University study found that friends can immediately reduce cortisol levels and improve feelings of self-worth in children undergoing negative experiences. The presence of a best friend has far-reaching implications, potentially impacting adult identity formation and overall development.
Research from CHEO Institute finds ice hockey and bicycle helmets provide better protection against head injuries during winter activities like tobogganing; alpine ski helmets have limited effectiveness. All helmets are protective, but parents should educate their children on safety measures.
A new study will assess the views and experiences of children with neurodisability and their families to measure the outcomes of NHS care. The CHUMS project aims to gather insights into patient-reported outcome measures for disabled children and young people.
Researchers at Queen's University found that toddlers do not monitor their own voice when speaking like adults do. Instead, they rely on interaction with the person they're talking to to judge accuracy of speech sounds. Future studies aim to determine the exact strategy used by children under two.
A recent study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that mothers who successfully integrate the care of their technology-dependent child into family life experience improved family functioning and normalcy. Mothers whose children no longer require technologies showed the greatest improvement.
Researchers found that about half of parents and a small percentage of children recalled events at age 2, while talking about the event soon after helped preserve memories. The study suggests that basic capacity for remembering own experiences may be in place by 2 years of age.
Researchers found that children as young as 5 predicted that people would feel better after thinking positive thoughts than negative thoughts. As they grew older, there was significant development in their understanding about the emotion-feeling link.
A recent study published in the Journal of Urban Health found that one in 13 teenage girls reported having group-sex experience, which was often pressured or coerced. The study highlights the need for additional research on this topic and provides insights into the potential risks to sexual and reproductive health.
A new UNH study reveals declines in unwanted online sexual solicitations and pornography exposure among youth. The researchers attribute these decreases to increased public awareness and the implementation of safety features on websites and networks.