Research on adult health and behavior. Covers suicide risk, regulated psilocybin, alcohol and cannabis use, and family and life choices.
A global study finds people born very preterm or with very low birthweight are four times more likely to have worrying clinical ranges in early adulthood. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant concern, especially for those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia or exposed to pollutants.
A study by University of Exeter scientists found that older male crickets are more attractive to females, leading to successful pairings, but they mate less frequently once paired. The researchers also discovered no relationship between a male's age at mating and offspring production.
A new study provides policy recommendations to help legal authorities determine the accuracy of testimonies from children and adults. The authors suggest using scientifically-established protocols, open-ended questions, and analyzing supporting and opposing elements to verify memories.
A new study by ISGlobal found that adults who had close contact with natural spaces during childhood may have a better mental health than those with less exposure. The results show lower scores in mental health tests for participants with lower childhood exposure to nature.
In a Phase 2 trial, RTB101 reduced the incidence of respiratory tract infections by 68.9% in adults with asthma over 16 weeks. The therapy was well-tolerated and effective during winter cold and flu season.
A new study reveals that bumblebees' dietary needs are crucial for their development and the production of favorite foods like tomatoes, blueberries, and strawberries. The loss of plant diversity can lead to developmental delays and stress on queens, ultimately affecting colony growth.
A recent study found that women's gut microbiomes are more diverse and mature earlier than men's, with a positive association between age and bacterial diversity. The research suggests that sex hormones may play a role in the development of the female gut microbiome.
Research led by Virginia Commonwealth University links e-cigarette use among young adults with childhood abuse or neglect. The study explores the potential role of impulsivity in this relationship and highlights the need for prevention and intervention efforts targeting vulnerable populations.
Research from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study found that positive mother-child interactions during early life predicted higher education, less decline in episodic memory, and greater marital satisfaction. These findings suggest a long-lasting impact of early life relationships on later cognitive development.
Researchers found that adults with lupus who experienced adverse childhood events report higher disease activity, depression, and poorer overall health. The study suggests that prevention of ACEs and promotion of resilient relationships may help improve outcomes for patients.
A new poll reveals six in ten people know little about dying, with most getting information from family conversations and documentaries. The UK Academy of Medical Sciences launches a national campaign to empower public conversations about death and dying, citing concerns about pain and fear as major worries.
Research from the University of South Australia reveals that circus skills programs deliver significant mental health benefits for Australian children, with a 7:1 return on investment. Children participating in these programs showed improvements in stress relief, self-esteem, confidence, and socialization.
Researchers at Nemours Children's Health System have found the military's Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) to be effective in controlling blood flow in children's arms and legs, with a success rate of 100% for upper extremities and 93% for lower extremities.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that approximately 5 percent of adults living in households with children use e-cigarettes. This prevalence highlights the need for parental awareness and education to prevent youth exposure to e-cigarette products.
A new study found that traditional labels of 'gay', 'bisexual', and 'straight' do not accurately describe the complex patterns of attraction and identity over time. Women showed greater fluidity in sexual preference, with one in six identifying as bisexual or in the middle of the sexuality continuum.
Research suggests that children with high BMI in childhood are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but this risk disappears if they don't become obese adults. A meta-analysis of over 25,000 children found associations between BMI and type 2 diabetes were not influenced by educational or lifestyle factors.
A new study by the University of York found that young children who hear a large amount of adult speech tend to have better cognitive skills. The researchers also discovered that high-quality adult speech can benefit children's linguistic development and positive parenting styles can reduce restless behavior.
A study suggests that the proportion of UK adults on low incomes who face hunger has almost doubled since 2004, with those who are unemployed or disabled being most vulnerable. Nearly one-third of adults with children under 16 were food insecure in 2016.
A study of over 300,000 Danish children reveals that heavier and taller kids are at greater risk of developing renal cell carcinoma as adults. Heavier boys have a 14% higher risk for every 1 kg weight difference, while taller girls have a 12% increased risk for every 8 cm height difference.
The study found that Americans spent more time sitting, with 62% of children, adolescents, and adults watching TV or videos for at least 2 hours a day in 2015-2016. The proportion of people using computers during leisure time increased across all age groups from 43% to 56%.
Researchers found that blind individuals have narrower neural tuning in the auditory cortex, allowing them to extract more information from sound. Additionally, the brain's hMT+ region is recruited to track moving objects in space using sound.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that children as young as 5 use facial information to determine how to behave toward people. The study also showed that children's judgments from faces have consequences for behavior, similar to adults.
A new assessment tool, measuring a child's environment (EDN), can predict optimal development outcomes. The tool, tested in three countries, examines elements like breastfeeding, touch, and social support.
A FSU research team found that teenagers' views of law enforcement tend to improve as they become adults, shaped by their early interactions with officers. This is attributed to the impact of first impressions and parental influences, which can build trust and increase compliance with the law.
A new analysis of national fertility survey data found increasing rates of heterosexual inexperience among young adults in Japan. The study, led by the University of Tokyo, estimated that 1 in 10 adults in their 30s remain virgin, with socioeconomic factors contributing to this trend.
Research finds that childhood stress can have a lasting impact on cortisol levels in adulthood, increasing the risk of negative health outcomes. The study, published in Psychological Science, suggests that early life stress can recalibrate the brain's stress-response system, making it more sensitive to stressors later in life.
Heavy drinking during adolescence reduces brain growth in male and female rhesus monkeys, affecting white matter and thalamus development. Research supports potential link to problematic drinking later in life.
Researchers found that exposure to harmful neighborhoods, such as those with high lead levels, incarceration, and violence, predicts adult income and well-being. Harsh childhood environments also increase the risk of teen pregnancy among poor black and white females.
A recent study found that adults who experienced three or more adverse childhood experiences have significantly higher household medical costs, with medical debt doubled. The study highlights the long-term effects of childhood adversity on adult health care expenses.
A large-scale study by Sussex psychologists found a clear link between early adulthood depression and anxiety with decreased memory function in midlife. Accumulating symptoms over three decades predicted linear decline in memory function by age 50.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that IQ is a better indicator of adult wealth than math skills for very preterm and very low-weight babies. The research followed over 400 children born in Bavaria, Germany, from birth to adulthood and found that IQ was a stronger predictor of life course economic success.
A large study of over 8,200 adults found no association between midlife diet quality and later risk of dementia. The study followed participants for nearly 25 years, but repeated assessments of diet quality during midlife didn't show any significant link to subsequent risk for dementia.
A large-scale study of 187 explorers and 11,000 households found no correlation between birth order and risk-taking behavior in adulthood. The research suggests that family dynamics do not impact an individual's willingness to take risks in adulthood.
A new scientific study found a 30-year gap between countries with the highest and lowest ages at which people experience health problems equivalent to those of an average 65-year-old. The United States ranked 54th, between Iran (69.0 years) and Antigua and Barbuda (68.4 years).
A study of 315,000 US adults found that maintaining physical activity from adolescence into later adulthood and increasing leisure-time activity in adulthood were associated with lower risk of dying. Adults who had been less active before age 40 also saw benefits when they increased their physical activity between ages 41-60.
An animal study published in The FASEB Journal explores the potential link between CD38 mutation and autism spectrum disorder. The research revealed that a deficit in CD38 expression leads to brain abnormalities and oxytocin dysregulation, particularly in males, which are associated with social behavior and emotional difficulties.
Researchers found that reducing DAF-2 gene expression increased worm lifespan and improved offspring fitness, challenging the idea that ageing is linked to energy allocation. The study suggests that suboptimal gene expression in adulthood can lead to premature ageing.
A simple age-based recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination at 50 may improve immunization rates and mitigate racial disparities, with potential cost-effectiveness improvements as vaccination rates increase
New research on spina bifida provides insights into how to manage the disorder, including a transition model that prepares patients for adult life. The study's findings highlight the importance of continuity of care and teamwork between pediatric and adult providers.
A national longitudinal study found that school-based health centers contribute to academic achievement among adolescents, with immunizations and physical exams associated with higher educational attainment. However, individual-level emotional counseling was inversely associated with educational attainment.
A new pilot study found that autistic adults showed real-life improvement after a virtual reality treatment combining graded exposure to fear and anxiety-producing experiences. The approach, which included cognitive behavioral therapy, aimed to minimize anxiety and promote functional improvement in individuals with autism.
A study found that one in four men aged 55-59 is at risk of needing further revision surgery, with serious complications surprisingly common in older people. The lifetime risk of revision surgery was highest during the first five years after surgery.
A new study found that drinking in outdoor settings is linked to early age of first intoxication and increased problems, whereas homes are not. The researchers aimed to understand modifiable circumstances enabling early onset drinking among youth.
A study found that teacher ratings of childhood inattention were associated with lower adult earnings, while increased ratings on prosocial behavior like helping, sharing, and cooperating were linked to higher earnings. The study also found that better social skills were more valuable than intelligence and family adversity.
A study published in JNeurosci found that children's brains have trouble focusing on speech in noisy environments, a phenomenon known as the 'cocktail party effect'. This ability develops from childhood to adulthood and may not fully mature until the teenage years.
Researchers found that adolescent adenoids and tonsils do not shrink significantly during teenage years, contradicting previous medical consensus. This challenges existing guidelines for respiratory complications like obstructive sleep apnea, potentially leading to changes in surgical procedures.
Researchers found blocked newborn kidneys can repair themselves after obstruction removal, shedding light on how kidney damage occurs and potentially leading to regeneration methods. They identified precursor cells playing critical roles in this process.
A new study found that positive relationship experiences in early adulthood reduce stressful life events, leading to better sleep quality later in life. The research suggests relationships play a crucial role in reducing stress, which in turn affects health behaviors.
Conflict with mothers during early years of elementary school may predict a child's struggle to find purpose as an adult. A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that children who reported conflicted relationships with their mothers were more likely to experience a sense of confusion and uncertainty about their life path.
PET scans reveal female brains are metabolically 3-4 years younger than males, affecting resilience to neurodegeneration. Sex differences in metabolic brain aging may influence later life outcomes.
A large study of 36,000 adults found that harsh physical punishment and maltreatment in childhood were associated with increased risk of antisocial behavior. The authors suggest eliminating these practices as a public health priority to reduce adult antisocial behavior.
A new Yale study found that adults tend to underestimate the pain experienced by girls, attributing this to culturally ingrained myths about boys being more stoic and girls being more emotive. The researchers hope their findings will lead to further investigation into biases in pain assessment and health care.
A research team studied how children draw themselves and found that their expressiveness varies based on the audience's authority and familiarity. The study involved 175 children aged eight and nine, who were asked to draw three pictures of themselves - a baseline, happy, and sad drawing.
University of British Columbia professor Jason Snyder reviews the conflicting reports on adult neurogenesis in humans, pointing to methodological differences as a major issue. He argues that there is evidence for low rates of neurogenesis in specific brain regions, particularly the hippocampus.
Millions of adults are entering middle age with high levels of childhood lead exposure, associated with lower IQ, behavioral problems, and mental health issues. Childhood blood lead levels were linked to adult difficulties in personality traits such as neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.
A study of people who grew up in the era of leaded gasoline found that higher blood lead levels at age 11 were associated with signs of mental illness and difficult personality traits by age 38. Participants exposed to higher levels of lead as children were rated as more neurotic, less agreeable, and less conscientious than their peers.
A study of air pollution and respiratory emergency room visits found associations between ozone, fine particulate pollution, and increased ER visits for asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, varying by age group and pollutant level. The study suggests that protecting vulnerable populations from air pollution is crucial.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that nearly a quarter of antibiotic prescriptions for privately insured outpatients in the US were inappropriate. Inappropriate prescribing was more common among adults than children, with colds, chest infections, and coughs being the three most common reasons.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of antibiotic prescriptions for children and adults may be unnecessary, with 1 in 7 patients receiving antibiotics for cases that were not medically justified. This highlights the need to reduce antibiotic overuse and its consequences, including contributing to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A new study finds that sudden, unpredictable drops in personal income during young adulthood are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing heart disease and/or dying from any cause. The researchers found that women and African-Americans were more likely to experience high income volatility and income drops.