Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
The Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research will strengthen pediatric research and advance children's health, with a focus on high-risk projects and innovative ideas. The institute aims to build upon Pittsburgh's existing reputation as a leading center for pediatric research.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that doctors' opinions on critical lab values vary greatly depending on their experience. More experienced doctors tend to ignore certain abnormal results, while less experienced doctors prefer to err on the side of caution.
Researchers found that most young women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome choose not to have vaginal surgery, which is often believed to be necessary for sexual activity. In fact, 80% of those who did not undergo surgery were still sexually active, similar to those who had the procedure.
Researchers found no real difference in quality-of-life reports between children with bladder abnormalities and healthy children, suggesting a need for fine-tuning existing quality-of-life screens. Children with chronic urological conditions scored higher than healthy children in certain areas, indicating potential adaptability.
Uncontrolled asthma is linked to significantly more school and work absences, with a new study showing up to 2-3 times more days absent. Antismoking classes may improve young children's knowledge about tobacco smoke, while phone triage programs provide safe and cost-effective care for ventilator-dependent children.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital have discovered over a dozen new obesity-related genes by analyzing 49 independent experiments. The team used a comparison approach to identify reliable performers, gaining insights into fundamental importance.
Research reveals greater asthma severity and poorer perceived control increase the risk of death among adults. Additionally, uncontrolled asthma leads to more school/work absenteeism and may result in fewer doctor visits for those keeping an asthma diary, according to a new study.
The University of Delaware has been selected as a regional research site for the National Children's Study, which will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21. Researchers will monitor child health and gather data on environmental factors to prevent and treat diseases such as autism and obesity.
A Northwestern University researcher developed a health advocacy program that uses digital photography and storytelling to empower minority teens to address health problems in their communities. The program resulted in two main themes: food and stress, which the teens used to create posters promoting healthier behaviors.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) has high heritability and is likely caused almost entirely by genetic effects. Families with a child with HLHS carry a significant recurrence risk of HLHS or related heart defects.
The adult mammalian lymphatic vasculature is derived from embryonic lymph sacs and has been shown to originate from venous endothelial cells using genetically modified mice. Understanding this origin is crucial for preventing, diagnosing, and curing lymphatic disorders.
A study found that when one parent provides little support and the other provides more support, children have reduced conflicts with friends and a better understanding of emotions. However, when both parents provide a lot of support, children may have less emotional understanding and more conflict with peers.
The University of Southern California has received a $7.5 million grant to establish a Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Minority Health, focusing on reducing type 2-diabetes and cardiovascular disease among minority youth. The center will analyze fitness activity, nutrition education, and body weight to develop preventive strategies.
A three-year study found that children of first-generation immigrants develop a robust awareness of their ethnic heritage and identify with being both part of their parents' culture and American. The study also shows that older children demonstrate greater amounts of ethnic identification and exploration, indicating a positive connecti...
Research by McMaster University suggests that men's voice pitch affects reproductive success. Men with low-pitched voices have higher reproductive success and more children born to them, while women prefer deeper male voices as more dominant and masculine sounding. The study offers insight into the evolution of human voice preferences.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that parents who feel confident communicating with physicians are more likely to participate in medical decisions. Researchers also discovered that previously hospitalized parents are more involved in decision-making.
A study by Sean Phipps found that children with cancer are emotionally well-adjusted and have lower levels of depression and anxiety compared to their healthy peers. They tend to have a repressive adaptive style, which helps them cope with stress and emotions.
A new study found that infant crib bumper pads can cause suffocation, strangulation, and wedging, posing a risk of accidental death or injury to babies. The researchers recommend eliminating the use of bumper pads in cribs and bassinets due to their potential hazards.
A large international study of children found that those with allergic sensitizations in economically developed countries are four times more likely to have asthma than their non-sensitized counterparts. The association was weaker in less affluent settings, suggesting local environmental factors may play a role.
Joanna Kubler-Kielb is honored with the American Society for Microbiology ICAAC Young Investigator Award for her research excellence in microbiology and infectious diseases, including work on anthrax and Lyme disease. Her research has led to significant contributions toward developing new vaccines against these diseases.
The Northwest Genome Engineering Consortium will develop methods for gene repair using multiple scientific disciplines. The goal is to improve treatments for genetic diseases affecting blood stem cells, a major global disease burden in children.
The NIH Roadmap for Medical Research is launching nine interdisciplinary research consortia to foster collaboration across multiple disciplines, addressing resistant health challenges. The program aims to transform academic research culture and provide a stimulus for academic research change.
Researchers at the University of Washington used functional MRI to study brain connectivity in dyslexic children. A three-week instructional program improved their ability to connect letters and sounds, normalizing brain activity patterns. The study suggests that temporal connectivity is crucial for reading skills.
A six-year study of almost 35,000 children reveals no change in developmental levels despite new early years initiatives. The research highlights the need for high-quality evidence-based policy implementation and monitoring.
A new study by USC researchers suggests that children with specific genetic variations are more susceptible to developing asthma, particularly if they live near major roadways. The study found that high levels of microsomal epoxide hydrolase enzyme in response to vehicle emissions increased the risk for lifetime asthma.
Researchers at Rutgers-Camden are investigating the association between children's anxiety, depression, and substance abuse over time. The study aims to better understand how these conditions relate to each other and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for young people.
A new Research Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology will be established at the Medical College of Wisconsin to accelerate treatments for children with genetic and acquired kidney disease. The center aims to develop unique therapies that can limit or cure progressive kidney disorders.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that excessive exposure to baby DVDs and videos can slow down infants' vocabulary acquisition. Infants who watched these productions for an hour a day understood an average of six to eight fewer words than those who did not watch them.
A University of Iowa professor suggests that word repetition, variations in word difficulty, and simultaneous learning of multiple words account for the vocabulary explosion in children. The researcher's computational simulations support this theory.
Researchers found that young children's defiance towards mothers is linked to emerging autonomy and confidence in controlling events. Children with sensitive mothers were more likely to be defiant, while those with depressed mothers were less likely to respond with defiance.
A new study found that early behavior problems in elementary school are associated with increased risk of peer rejection, loneliness, and depression in adolescence. Children who exhibit disruptive or anxious behavior in early childhood are more likely to lack friends and be rejected by their peers.
A leading paediatric expert emphasizes the importance of including children in research programmes to develop targeted therapies. This approach acknowledges key differences between children's and adults' metabolisms, organs, and disease behaviors.
Researchers discovered a gene associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma, found to alter ORMDL3 levels in children with asthma. The study involved over 2,000 children and found that the disease-associated version of the gene increases asthma risk by 60-70%.
A study of over 2,000 children found a genetic marker on chromosome 17 linked to an increased risk of childhood onset asthma. The discovery provides a new molecular pathway for targeted treatments and could lead to improved management of the disease.
A study published in Psychological Science found that a highly reactive autonomic nervous system and stressful family environment contribute to increased instances of maladaptive personality change in children. Researchers assessed 138 elementary school-aged children using a Skin Conductance Response test, which measured their autonomi...
A new study by researchers at the University of Nottingham found that oral antibiotic treatment can be as effective as injections in treating childhood pneumonia. The study involved 243 children and showed that oral treatment led to reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and fewer oxygen therapy sessions.
A new study in Preventive Medicine reveals that candy cigarettes can favorably set the minds of some children towards becoming future cigarette smokers. Children who played with candy cigarettes were more likely to become adult smokers than those who never consumed them.
A new study of over 7,800 high school sophomores found that boys are exposed to more risk factors and less protection for serious delinquency than girls. Boys were twice as likely to engage in seven serious delinquent behaviors, including being arrested or carrying a handgun.
Researchers at Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute have identified a new genetic cause for Joubert syndrome, an inherited condition affecting brain development. The discovery sheds light on the role of cilia in this disease and possibly others, providing a breakthrough in diagnosis and treatment.
A study found that a highly reactive autonomic nervous system paired with family stress leads to increased maladaptive personality change in children. The interaction between biological characteristics and family adversity is associated with longitudinal changes in childhood personality.
A recent study found that acute allergic-like reactions to newer nonionic contrast agents are rare in children, occurring in only 20 out of 11,306 pediatric IV administrations. The study confirms the safety and better understands the risks of these agents in children.
Pediatricians now have a practical tool to help determine whether children with chronic diseases like Crohn's, juvenile arthritis and anorexia nervosa are at increased risk for bone mass deficiencies, fracture or osteoporosis as they get older. Researchers developed standardized data on bone mass categorized by sex, age, and race.
Researchers found that female teen steroid users were more likely to engage in other high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse, sexual activity before age 13, and mental health issues. The study suggests that anabolic steroid use is a marker for high-risk girls who need targeted interventions.
Researchers found that children can solve large number problems without mastering place value or addition facts, using their natural sense of number to perform approximations. This talent can be built upon in the classroom to enhance interest and understanding in elementary mathematics.
A study by researchers from Harvard University suggests that children can solve approximate addition and subtraction problems without arithmetic instruction. They demonstrated a natural sense of number, which allows them to think about arithmetic in a way that does not rely on precise knowledge of numbers or place value.
A study by UBC researcher Whitney Weikum found that infants can distinguish between languages based on visual speech patterns. Babies from bilingual homes outperform those from monolingual environments in this skill at four and six months old, but this ability declines by eight months.
A new study found that a child's finger length can predict their performance in numeracy and literacy tests. The researchers discovered that a higher digit ratio, indicating greater prenatal testosterone exposure, is associated with stronger numeracy skills. In contrast, a lower digit ratio is linked to higher literacy scores for girls.
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, researchers found no association between 100% juice intake and overweight risk in children. In fact, juice consumers had healthier diets, lower saturated fat and sodium intake, and higher intakes of essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium.
A new study by the University of Washington found that 40% of 3-month-old infants and 90% of 2-year-olds regularly watch TV, DVDs, or videos. The researchers discovered that parents cite educational value and enjoyment as reasons for allowing media exposure, but only half of this time is in children's educational categories.
A study by UCLA researchers found that children with autism exhibit reduced activity in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, a region responsible for evaluating emotions and context. This impairment affects their ability to process visual cues like eye gaze and facial expressions.
A UCLA imaging study found that autistic children with impaired imitation and empathy skills have reduced activity in the mirror-neuron system, a neural mechanism for automatic understanding of others' actions. This suggests that this system may be the underlying cause of these symptoms.
Children with a family history of autism exhibit impaired social referencing, seeking emotional cues less frequently and failing to respond consistently to adult reactions. Brain activity measurements also show differences in neural response to emotionally tagged objects.
Young children with autism have difficulty recognizing ordinary words and more of their brains are occupied with this kind of task compared to typically developing youngsters. Their brains slow down instead of becoming experts in word recognition.
A RAND study found that girls living near locked schools tended to be heavier and neighborhoods with locked schools were disproportionately poor and had larger minority populations. Public schools had more active amenities, including baseball fields and paved playing surfaces.
A new study from Ohio State University found that couples with a strong marital relationship tend to handle temperamental babies better than those without. The study, which involved 97 couples, showed that poor coparenting relationships can have long-term effects on children's behavior.
Research at University of Virginia Children's Hospital found that children with asthma are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities.
A study from McMaster University finds that workers prioritizing family demands over work experience face declining job performance, limited career advancement, and strained relationships with bosses. Employees need to address family demands or develop coping strategies.
Research published in Thorax found that mothers who ate apples during pregnancy had children with a significantly reduced risk of developing asthma and childhood wheezing. Other healthy foods, such as fish, did not show the same protective effect. The study suggests an apple-specific effect due to its phytochemical content.
A new study identifies a connection between allergic diseases like eczema and autoimmune diseases, suggesting that these conditions may trigger each other through immune system dysfunction. The researchers are now investigating specific triggers and exploring potential treatments, including drugs that can counter autoimmune responses.
A University of Minnesota study found that parents of children with autism are less likely to report receiving ideal primary care compared to parents of children with other special health care needs. Parents reported difficulties obtaining subspecialty care and challenges in receiving family-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated care.