Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Research reveals that fetal alcohol exposure is associated with difficulties in memory and information processing, as well as visual perception and attention control. This finding may aid in the development of new therapies and treatments for children affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Researchers identified multiple genetic mutations associated with childhood obesity, including deletions and duplications of specific genes. The study reveals unique genetic profiles exclusive to two ethnicities, offering new insights into the complex biology underlying childhood obesity.
Researchers identified characteristics that predict which children with OCD will benefit from specific treatments. Children with less severe symptoms and those who recognize their irrational thoughts as such showed greater improvement in various treatments.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified PDGF as a key factor in epicardial cell proliferation and transformation. Blocking PDGF signaling impaired epicardial cell proliferation and coronary blood vessel development.
A study of 727 pre-teens found that 98% know what to do in case of an intruder or a child's illness/injury. However, 40% have left children unattended and 20% opened doors to strangers.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals a new strategy for protecting newborns against HIV by boosting their immune system. By educating part of the baby's immune system within the first few hours of birth, researchers hope to limit the levels of infection and extend lives.
A new study found that siblings of children with autism have more frequent language delays and subtle characteristics of the disorder. The research suggests that genetic factors can influence individuals to varying degrees, even if one child is diagnosed with autism while the other is not.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have discovered a way to overcome radiation resistance in leukemia cells by targeting the SYK tyrosine kinase molecular target. This breakthrough could improve treatment outcomes for children with relapsed leukemia, who currently face poor survival rates.
A new study has found prenatal cardiac defects in mice with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a leading genetic cause of infantile death. The discovery has significant implications for treatment, suggesting that the disease may be multisystemic and requiring therapies beyond just motor neurons.
A recent study by UTHealth researchers found that flavored and sports beverages are associated with lower levels of healthy behaviors, such as physical activity and eating fruits and vegetables. The study suggests that sugary drinks have minimal nutritional value and can undo the effects of exercise.
Developing language skills is crucial for boys to regulate their emotions and behavior, according to a Michigan State University study. Boys with strong vocabulary can exhibit dramatic improvements in self-regulation, comparable to girls with similar skills.
The Six3 gene plays a pivotal role in the developing nervous system as a key regulator of the Wnt family of signaling proteins. Inhibiting Six3 disrupts the normal formation of the retina, highlighting its essential function.
A study of 362 Quebec children found significant deficits in the intelligence quotient (IQ) of those exposed to higher concentrations of manganese in drinking water. Despite being below current guidelines, the results indicate that manganese may pose a risk to children's intellectual development.
A new study found that girls without a biological father are more likely to enter puberty at an earlier age, especially in higher-income households. The study suggests that familial and contextual factors play an important role in the onset of puberty.
The discovery of the interaction between two cellular signaling pathways may lead to therapies that aid brain growth and repair in children and adults. Researchers have found a critical step toward understanding the molecular networks regulating neural stem cells.
Research shows early metabolic abnormalities due to poor diet and exercise may increase risk of asthma in children, regardless of body weight. The study implicates metabolic disorders directly in the development of asthma, suggesting a new way of viewing diet and lifestyle as risk factors.
A new study finds that training can eliminate the gender gap in spatial abilities in first graders, a promising direction for improving girls' math and science skills. The research suggests that early intervention programs can help level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for girls to excel in these areas.
Research at University of Illinois found that physically fit children have a bigger hippocampus and perform better on tests of memory. A study using MRI measures found associations between aerobic fitness and improved cognitive tasks in pre-adolescent children.
Most children develop contagious yawning by age 4, while those with autism spectrum disorders are less likely to yawn in response to others. Children with more severe autistic symptoms show the least yawn contagion, suggesting empathy and social cues may be delayed in development
A new study suggests that more quality instructional time spent with teachers and less free play time without teacher guidance can prepare children better for starting kindergarten. Low-income children benefit particularly from individual instruction settings.
Researchers identified molecular changes and right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with restrictive ventricular septal defect, a seemingly benign congenital heart disease. Early detection and treatment may prevent future complications and improve outcomes for these patients.
A new study found a 70% increase in basketball-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among children and adolescents between 1997 and 2007. The study, conducted by Nationwide Children's Hospital, also revealed that TBIs doubled for boys and tripled for girls during this time.
The NIH is launching two major research efforts to combat childhood obesity, one focusing on long-term prevention and treatment approaches, the other evaluating community efforts to reduce rates. These studies aim to encourage healthy habits in children that can last a lifetime.
A new PhysiScore system developed by Stanford researchers can accurately predict the health of premature infants with a high degree of accuracy, potentially reducing healthcare costs. The system uses real-time data and machine learning algorithms to identify subtle patterns in the complex data about these young patients.
A Queen's University study found that seven-year-old children only need one interaction with a trusted person to seek information. Four-year-olds, on the other hand, required multiple encounters to form an opinion about who to trust for accurate information.
A team of 64 international researchers has identified 27 new MiniPromoters, greatly expanding the current limited pool of these vital tools. The Pleiades Promoter Project enables research worldwide with bioinformatics, genomics, and neuroimaging expertise.
The NIH grant will support research into novel treatments for muscular dystrophies, including gene replacement and repair methods.
A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found an average of over 20,000 sledding-related injuries treated in US hospital emergency departments each year. The most common injuries were fractures and cuts/bruises, with a high risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during collisions.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure is significantly linked to attention problems at age 5, with stronger effects among boys. Children's symptoms of attention disorders are harder to recognize in toddlers, and diagnoses often occur after entering school.
A study by Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers provides concrete evidence that children with autism spectrum disorders process sensory information differently than typically developing children. The findings support decades of clinical observations and could lead to objective measures for evaluating the effectiveness of aut...
A new study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors found that aggressive and hyperactive boys with low parental monitoring are more likely to become heavy drug users as teens. However, if these boys are highly monitored and befriend good peers as children, they can avoid substance abuse.
A recent study by Michigan State University psychologist Jennifer Watling Neal found that the difference in peer group sizes between boys and girls disappears by the eighth grade. As children get older, their interactions with members of the opposite sex increase, leading to more similar-sized peer groups for both genders.
A study of 140 overweight children found that those with signs of poor blood sugar regulation had less bone mass, a measure of bone strength. Higher abdominal fat was linked to lower bone mass and more body fat overall was associated with higher bone mass.
A new study led by Ned H. Kalin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health found that increased brain activity in the amygdala and anterior hippocampus can predict anxious temperament in young primates. This discovery may lead to new strategies for early detection and treatment of at-risk children.
A new study by Harvard University economist John Friedman found that students who progress from average to above-average scores on the Stanford Achievement Test in kindergarten can expect to make $1,000 more per year at age 27. Additionally, they are more likely to attend college and own a home by age 28.
A new study reveals that Latino children with asthma often inaccurately perceive their lung function, resulting in increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The study's findings suggest that cultural differences, socioeconomic factors, and limited access to healthcare may contribute to these disparities.
A new study found that children's vegetable intake doubled after participating in a program using multimedia and role models, including Popeye cartoons. The program also led to increased variety in vegetable consumption and improved parental engagement in encouraging healthy eating.
A new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine reveals that there was no significant difference in injury prevalence between ethnic minority and majority groups of Chinese farmers. The US-China Agricultural Injury Research Training Project successfully trained Chinese scholars, expanding collaborative research act...
Research at the University of Chicago found that children with brain injuries have difficulty developing story-telling skills. The study, published in Developmental Science, compared the language abilities of children with brain injuries to those with typical development. While vocabulary and sentence comprehension were similar, the ch...
A three-year study by UT experts found that summer reading significantly improves reading achievement in students who receive books. Reading development is compared to athletic fitness, highlighting the importance of regular practice to maintain skills.
A research consortium at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has received a $410,000 grant to study targeted therapy for children with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia. The Phase I study aims to determine a safe and biologically-active dose of a new drug in young patients with FLT3 and c-Kit genetic mutations.
Researchers found that former child soldiers who returned to communities with low violence levels had better mental health outcomes. The studies suggest that children who experienced trauma such as rape or killing others showed higher levels of hostility over time, highlighting the need for targeted social and mental health services.
A new study finds that teaching parents to feed their infants 'responsively' promotes higher acceptance of vegetables and novel foods, while also improving growth patterns among infants. The one-year intervention has implications for long-term obesity prevention by fostering healthier eating habits in early childhood.
New research reveals that women's libido increases as they age due to declining fertility, leading to more adventurous sexual behavior. Women aged 27-45 experience a heightened sex drive and are more willing to engage in casual sex.
Strong health research systems are needed to address bottlenecks in implementing effective interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. Investing in African scientists, institutions, and systems is crucial to deliver solutions tailored to local problems.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that older adults spent three times more time watching TV than younger adults, yet reported lower levels of positive emotion during TV viewing. This suggests a need to increase awareness of alternative activities and reduce barriers to social engagement.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that children with developmental coordination disorder are three times more likely to be overweight than typically developing children. The researchers also noted an increased risk of obesity over time, regardless of gender.
A preliminary study using comic strips to educate African-American girls aged 8-10 showed high log-on rates and statistically significant increases in fruit consumption and physical activity. The program aims to be expanded to a larger group of volunteers with the goal of developing a version for Hispanic girls.
A new NIH-funded study will investigate the effects of spina bifida on bone development in children and adolescents, potentially informing prevention strategies for leg fractures. The research aims to understand whether adolescence with spina bifida leads to differences in bone mass or reduced activity due to physical limitations.
A Seattle study finds that children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to be obese. The research reveals that socioeconomic factors such as low education levels, single-parent households, and high household income disparities contribute to childhood obesity rates.
A new study led by Dr. Zena Quezado found that propofol has a low occurrence of adverse events and no long-term complications when used to sedate children for imaging studies. However, the risk increases with anesthesia duration and in children with systemic disease or airway abnormalities.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a distinctive chemical fingerprint in the urine of children with autism, which could lead to a simple non-invasive test for early diagnosis. This finding has the potential to improve the progress of autistic children by enabling them to receive advanced behavioral therapy earlier.
A new assessment tool, the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT), has been developed and evaluated for use in rural African settings. The tool accurately identified children with neurodisability and demonstrates high reliability and accuracy, making it a valuable resource for researchers and healthcare providers.
Researchers found that folate supplementation prevented heart valve defects and restored heart function in mouse embryos exposed to alcohol. High doses of folate were necessary to protect against defects, contradicting current dietary recommendations.
A new national study found that more than 63,000 pediatric mobility aid-related injuries were treated in US emergency departments from 1991-2008. The majority of these injuries occurred at home and varied by the type of mobility aid used.
A new study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in family-centered care for children with special health care needs. African American and Latino children are less likely to receive adequate time with their provider and culturally sensitive care compared to white children.
A new study will examine speech and language development in bilingual children to identify patterns of language use in those with and without delays. The researchers aim to develop more accurate measurements of language ability, leading to improved interventions for children with language impairment.
A team of scientists from Scripps Research Institute has discovered a natural molecule in the body that counters the progression of osteoarthritis. MicroRNA 140 (miR-140) acts as a regulator in bone development and is found to be reduced in cartilage samples from osteoarthritis patients.
Children from poor families experience higher levels of externalizing and internalizing symptoms when they sleep poorly. In contrast, getting a good night's sleep protects against behavioral problems in minority children.
A study of 1,364 children found that those in high-quality child care had slightly higher academic achievement and were less likely to exhibit acting-out behaviors as teenagers. The study also discovered a correlation between hours spent in child care and impulsivity and risk-taking tendencies at age 15.