Research on adult health and behavior. Covers suicide risk, regulated psilocybin, alcohol and cannabis use, and family and life choices.
A new Dietary Obesity Prevention Score (DOPS) is strongly associated with long-term risk of overweight or obesity. The score uses simple food-frequency questionnaires to assess dietary intake and is positively weighted towards vegetables, fruits, and legumes.
Research at Lund University reveals that attentive adults can increase children's ability to empathize by engaging in interactive storytelling. Children as young as 33 months old demonstrated an understanding of false beliefs when hearing stories together with engaged adults.
Researchers found that childhood adversity is strongly associated with mood and sleep problems in adulthood, which lead to greater physical pain. However, optimism and feeling in control can mitigate this connection.
Researchers are working on a new technique to synchronize cochlear implant signals, which will help people with implants to hear sounds more realistically. The goal is to make this method work outside the lab, but it remains a challenge from an engineering point of view.
A new study found that children with greater parent-child communication have better brain connectivity, leading to lower harmful alcohol use and emotional eating in young adulthood. The research highlights the importance of parenting skills in childhood for long-term brain development and health behaviors.
Researchers found that topical treatment with live Roseomonas mucosa was safe and associated with reduced disease severity in adults and children with eczema. The study's findings support further evaluation of this potential new therapy for atopic dermatitis, a condition linked to increased risks of asthma, hay fever, and food allergy.
A new study by MIT researchers found that children can learn grammar up to age 17 or 18, while adults struggle to achieve native speaker-level proficiency unless they start learning before age 10. The study analyzed data from nearly 670,000 people and suggests a longer critical period for language learning.
Thoughtfully designed content can facilitate parent-child interactions and promote beneficial play, while poorly designed apps can hinder development. Researchers recommend incorporating parental roles and decision-making options into app design.
A massive study of nearly 700,000 English speakers reveals that the optimal years to learn a second language is open until the age of 17.4, challenging standard theoretical accounts of language learning. This finding has significant implications for neuroscience, linguistics, developmental psychology, and public policy.
A new NYU Steinhardt School study reveals that providing free children's books in low-income neighborhoods combined with supportive adults enhances literacy skills and learning opportunities. The innovative book distribution program, funded by JetBlue, distributed over 64,000 books to more than 26,000 unique users.
Researchers found that children's muscles are more fatigue-resistant and recover faster than those of untrained adults and even well-trained endurance athletes. This discovery may lead to better understanding of how our bodies change from childhood to adulthood and inform the development of athletic potential in children.
Adolescents with strong cooking skills tend to eat more vegetables, have family meals, and prepare healthy meals at home. A new study found that these skills are linked to better nutrition outcomes in adulthood. Developing cooking skills early may provide long-term benefits for health and nutrition.
Researchers found that observing others' helping behavior enhances infants' prosocial development, particularly when adults model helpful behaviors. The study suggests that having prosocial role models plays a crucial role in shaping young children's helping habits.
A study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of the Endocrine Society finds higher rates of type 1 diabetes in areas with a high proportion of fast food restaurants and convenience stores. The research suggests that an adverse food environment may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes, particularly among adults.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like DES can cause developmental effects in mouse seminal vesicles, affecting gene expression and DNA methylation. The study also reveals that estrogen receptor alpha plays a key role in mediating these effects.
A multi-decade study found that boys who spent more time with friends as children tended to have lower blood pressure and body mass index as men in their early 30s. The association held even after accounting for other potential influences, suggesting an early protective influence of childhood friendships on physical health.
Research from Bar-Ilan University suggests that excessive focus on self-control can lead to inflexible behavioral patterns, over-emphasis on norm-adherence, and strict rational thinking. This can result in problems with information processing, decision-making, and social behavior.
Research suggests that age-related disruptions in sleep are not due to changes in individual neurons' activity. The study found similar effects of sleep deprivation on local sleep oscillations across different age groups.
Research suggests that antibiotic use in late adulthood is associated with a higher risk of death from heart disease and overall mortality. Women who take antibiotics for extended periods, particularly in middle adulthood, are more likely to experience increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular-related deaths.
A study found that simple praise statements increase physical activity in young adults with autism, regardless of delivery method. Praise delivered through technology shows promise for producing more exercise, as participants maintained their performances even without constant support.
Analyses of two longitudinal studies in the UK found a link between early childhood behavior, such as aggression and hyperactivity, and later economic and political attitudes. Childhood conduct problems were associated with higher levels of economic/political discontent in adulthood.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan and University of Washington found that emotional and sexual abuse can lead to chronic criminal behaviors. However, achieving good grades and avoiding skipping school significantly reduces the likelihood of self-reported crime.
A new study reveals young patients with type 2 diabetes experience worse blood sugar control and loss to follow-up when transitioning to adult care. Healthcare systems must address these unique needs to support the growing number of youth-onset type 2 diabetes cases globally.
Research by Tokyo Medical and Dental University reveals that early-life Fgf21 gene demethylation reduces diet-induced obesity in adulthood. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates the persistence of this epigenetic change into adulthood and its potential role in metabolic disease prevention.
Research from Uppsala University suggests that digital gaming has no impact on social connections among teens. Teenagers who identify as gamers tend to form close relationships with peers sharing similar interests.
Research suggests that living in areas with more sunlight, particularly UV-B rays, can lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Exposure in childhood and young adulthood is also linked to reduced risk. The study found a 45% reduced risk of MS in those living in sunnier climates compared to those with low UV-B ray exposure.
A new study found that obesity is not a risk factor for severe acute respiratory illnesses, including the flu, in children or adults. The study of 3,560 participants showed no increased risk for hospitalization based on weight.
Research reveals that adults who received higher levels of parental care perceive themselves as more attractive mates. Maternal care is particularly associated with increased attractiveness as a partner for women and men.
Young adults who were undernourished as preschool children were nearly twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss. Nutritional interventions in South Asia could help prevent hearing loss, a condition affecting an estimated 116 million young people.
A recent study analyzing pediatric drug dosage guidelines found inconsistencies in recommended doses, with varying results from allometric scaling and prior patterns of use. The analysis suggests a need for more precise treatment approaches to address the complexities of pediatric dosing.
A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä found a surprisingly high level of mental well-being among middle-aged individuals. The research examined multiple dimensions of mental well-being and identified four groups with varying levels of mental well-being. Individuals on the high-wellbeing trajectories had more satisfying relation...
A large study found that fitter children have better lung function as young adults and a reduced risk of developing chronic lung diseases. The study suggests that improving childhood fitness could help protect against lung disease in adulthood.
A new study by psychologists at City, University of London reveals that schools can provide a safe environment for refugee children to develop meaningful connections with peers and teachers. The research emphasizes the importance of training teachers to support refugee children and counter discrimination and racism.
A study by Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that protein YAP rescued SCA1 pathology when expressed during development, but not as an adult. The researchers also discovered a link between YAP and the transcriptional co-activator RORα, which plays a crucial role in cerebellum development.
A large study found that children with ADHD engage in substance use at a younger age than those without ADHD, with a significantly higher prevalence of regular marijuana and cigarette use. The study also found a faster progression of substance use during childhood and adolescence.
A new study found positive associations between voting, volunteering, and activism with health, education, and income outcomes in adulthood. However, activism was also associated with more risky health behaviors in adulthood. The study suggests that civic engagement can build community and fulfill social needs.
A major new study confirms that drinking during late adolescence can predict the risk of developing liver disease later in life. The study found that even low levels of daily alcohol consumption can lead to severe liver disease in men, suggesting that current guidelines for safe drinking may need to be revised.
A study led by University of Utah researcher Lee Raby found that children who experience abuse and neglect early in life are more likely to struggle with social relationships and underachieve academically as adults. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that maltreatment's effects can persist from childhood through adoles...
A review of rodent studies found that paracetamol exposure during pregnancy can reduce the number of eggs in female offspring, potentially impairing future fertility. The findings have implications for pregnant women taking pain relief medication.
A recent study found a rapid increase in type 1 diabetes cases among children in China over the past two decades. The majority of new cases are diagnosed in adults, highlighting the need for more resources to improve care for adult-onset type 1 diabetes.
A new review of 30 studies on sugar-sweetened beverages confirms their association with overweight and obesity in children and adults. Countries are advised to implement policies to reduce SSB consumption, with examples from Mexico's successful tax policy and the UK's upcoming sugar tax.
A new study found that adolescents who experienced frequent psychosocial risks are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior and report unprotected sex. The longitudinal study of 850 African-American students from age 14 to 32 revealed a higher risk of HIV infection for those with co-occurring psychological and social risk factors.
A new study reveals that teenagers are slower to learn about their peers' preferences due to underdeveloped brain regions. The fusiform cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, responsible for understanding mental states, show ongoing development during adolescence, which may explain these differences.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that black and Hispanic young adults from disadvantaged childhoods face worse physical health risks despite completing college. College completion is linked to improved mental health, but not necessarily better physical health outcomes for minority individuals.
The new journal will publish evidence-based original articles, review articles, and analysis on various aspects of adult autism, including physical and mental health, research methodology, and policy change. The journal aims to provide authoritative insights and promote practice, systems, and policy changes for adults with ASD.
Researchers found that adults who experienced high stress in childhood have difficulty attending to cues that indicate a potential loss or punishment, leading to poor decision-making. This biological response may be linked to an underactive brain region responsible for processing risk and reward.
According to a new study, more than half of US children will have obesity as adults if current trends in child obesity continue. The study found that excess weight in childhood is predictive of adult obesity and that only children at a healthy weight have less than a 50% chance of having obesity as adults.
People born prematurely may experience impaired lung function due to smaller airways. Researchers measured lung function at rest and during exercise to estimate airway size, finding it was smaller in premature groups.
A new study found that US sugary beverage consumption is declining, but remains high among adolescents and young adults, especially those from black and Hispanic backgrounds. The researchers also noted a positive trend in water consumption among children and adults.
Children and young adults with diabetes are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death due to abnormalities in their blood vessels. The study found that these individuals were eight times more likely to die from any kind of heart disease compared to those without diabetes.
Adults with treated HIV experience cognitive decline and smaller brain volumes, but effective therapy may halt progression. Brain changes were observed even after two years of treatment, highlighting the importance of monitoring viral suppression in HIV patients.
A University of Idaho-led team found a way to stimulate the formation of new neural connections in the adult brain, which could help humans fend off memory loss and brain trauma. The study used genetic manipulation in mice to induce axon and dendrite outgrowth, leading to the formation of stable, functional connections.
Researchers analyzed audio clips from 143 adults to find individual language patterns related to gene expression and adversity; they discovered that these patterns better predicted adverse gene profiles than self-reported measures of anxiety and stress. This study provides a new link between spoken language and immune system regulation.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers links childhood spankings to depression, substance abuse and suicidal tendencies in adulthood. The study suggests that spanking should be considered an adverse childhood experience, similar to physical and emotional abuse.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that less than 1 in 5 adults believe kids are physically healthier today compared to when they were growing up. Mental health issues are also a dominant factor in children's well-being, with only 15% of respondents believing the chances for good mental health have improved.
A new study at Oregon Health & Science University found that brain activity patterns are inherited, with heritable relationships demonstrated within five brain systems. This discovery may lead to personalized and targeted treatment approaches for conditions like ADHD and autism.
Two new medications have been approved to treat mild, moderate, and severe eczema in both children and adults. Crisaborole reduces itching, redness, and swelling, while dupilumab targets the underlying cause through injection therapy. These treatments provide effective relief and improve quality of life for those affected by eczema.
A new study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that almost half of adult food allergies occur in adulthood, with shellfish allergy prevalence increasing by 44% among US adults. The risk of developing a food allergy to certain foods is higher among black, Asian, and Hispanic adults compared to whites.
A quarter of adults with problematic marijuana use have anxiety disorders in childhood and late adolescence. The study also found that some teens who abuse pot outgrow habit in adulthood. Childhood maltreatment and peer bullying were linked to an increased risk of chronic marijuana abuse, but not necessarily earlier use.
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A found that individuals who consumed more fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain cereals across their adult lives performed better in physical function tests at age 60-64. Improving diet quality throughout adulthood can have a significant beneficial effect on strength and phys...