Research on adult health and behavior. Covers suicide risk, regulated psilocybin, alcohol and cannabis use, and family and life choices.
Global childhood obesity rates have increased ten-fold over four decades, with 12-16 million overweight youth in Europe. Early intervention and comprehensive policies are crucial to address this complex disease, which has strong associations with adult mortality and morbidity.
A new study suggests that decreased bullying exposure and family problems during childhood and adolescence could help reduce adult mental illness in extremely low birth weight preemies. Early mental health support for these individuals and their parents may also be beneficial.
A new study found that early full-term births are associated with a higher risk of poor cardiorespiratory fitness during adolescence and young adulthood. The researchers also discovered that each week increase in gestational age is linked to a lower risk of poor respiratory fitness.
A study found that rats whose mothers ate a junk food diet during pregnancy had offspring that preferred fatty foods and showed altered brain reward circuitry into adulthood. A balanced diet in childhood seemed to reduce this preference, but did not eliminate it entirely.
Infants who observe adults pushing through failure are more likely to try again, a study found. Babies as young as 15 months old absorb abstract concepts about behavior by watching tenacious grown-ups.
A study by Jean M. Twenge and Heejung Park found that teenagers today are less likely to engage in adult activities such as working, driving, dating, drinking alcohol, and having sex compared to previous decades. The decline in these activities is observed across demographic groups and suggests a broad-based cultural shift.
Two studies funded by PCORI will compare strategies to improve care-management transitions for adolescent and young adults with sickle cell disease. The projects aim to reduce emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and improve quality of life among young adults with the condition.
A new study from North Carolina State University and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that SNAP benefits only cover 43-60% of the cost of a healthy diet. Lower-income households face significant challenges in affording a balanced diet. The study highlights the need for more affordable food options to support vulnerable populations.
Researchers found that bacterial exposure during larval development affects adult mosquito traits, including speed of development, size, immune activity, and susceptibility to dengue virus. This discovery highlights the importance of larval ecology in transmitting mosquito-borne pathogens.
A recent study published in HYPERTENSION journal reveals that lower childhood socioeconomic status is associated with increased arterial stiffness in adulthood. The research, conducted over 21 years, found that children from lower-income families were more likely to experience cardiovascular events as adults.
Children from unintended pregnancies experience more depressive symptoms in early adulthood, but the study's findings suggest a causal relationship is unlikely. The research highlights the importance of social resources and socioeconomic background in shaping a child's development.
A new study published in CMAJ found that sedentary time increases the risk of death for middle-aged and older people who are frail and inactive. However, this association was not observed among nonfrail adults who were inactive. The study suggests that physicians should stress the harms of inactivity with patients to encourage movement.
A study published in eNeuro found that young rats with access to a running wheel showed improved memory later in life. The results suggest that early life interventions that increase physical activity may help build up cognitive reserve, potentially delaying the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.
A USC-led study published in PNAS has revealed a molecular 'how to' guide for driving individual skin cells to self-organize into organoids that can produce hair. The researchers successfully stimulated adult organoids to continue their development and produce 40% more hair than newborn organoids.
New University of Warwick research found parents of very preterm and low birth weight babies have the same life satisfaction as parents of healthy term babies when their children reach adulthood. The study, which tracked lives for 27 years, showed that good mental health and peer relationships in childhood are key to high life quality.
Men with problem and pathological gambling addictions are more likely to have suffered childhood trauma, including physical abuse or witnessing violence in the home. The study found that nearly a quarter of those with probable pathological gambling problems had witnessed violence at home as a child.
A large-scale study of nearly 400 individuals from birth to adulthood found no increased risk of anxiety and mood disorders among those born very preterm or at low birth weight. Social support from romantic partners plays a crucial role in preventing mental health issues.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that up to 90% of adult males and 50% of children in the US may be overfat. The condition is linked to various health problems, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
A Florida State University researcher has found a strong connection between an unstable childhood and a higher risk of obesity in adulthood. By applying the Life History Theory perspective, Jon Maner discovered that people with unpredictable childhoods tend to adopt a fast-life-history strategy, prioritizing short-term gratification ov...
Biologists found that disrupting the gut and skin bacterial communities of tadpoles later affects adult frogs' ability to fight parasitic gut worms. Preventing early-life disruptions might confer protection against diseases in adulthood, with potential applicability to understanding immune systems in mammals and humans.
Prevention of young adult obesity can significantly impact US rates of obesity and related diseases, costs, and premature death. Interventions targeting this age group may also reduce prevalence in children, making it an essential focus for reversing the epidemic.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that cumulative weight gain over the course of early and middle adulthood may increase health risks later in life, including a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. The study suggests that even moderate weight gain can ha...
A study published in JAMA found that weight gain from age 18 to 55 is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and death. Weight gain as little as 11 pounds during this period can lead to increased risks of major chronic diseases.
A study found that underdevelopment of brain networks underlying inhibition in adults over 30 is linked to self-reported psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. The researchers identified patterns of connectivity associated with inhibition that differ between early and middle adulthood.
A study of 7,414 adults in England and Wales found that those with multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) were more likely to use hospital emergency departments and require overnight hospital stays. Adults who experienced four or more ACEs showed substantially increased levels of healthcare use even as young adults.
A comprehensive review found that 63% of Americans have not completed an advance directive, with chronic illness and age being key factors. The study emphasizes the importance of completing these documents to ensure end-of-life care preferences are respected.
A study published in PNAS found that early environmental exposures predict DNA methylation of inflammatory genes, leading to increased inflammation and disease risk in adulthood. Nutritional, microbial, and psychosocial factors in infancy are associated with epigenetic changes that shape inflammation and health.
Researchers developed new dosing models for remifentanil, a synthetic opioid commonly used during surgery, to improve accuracy in administering the drug to children and obese patients. The models take into account factors such as fat-free mass, weight, age, and sex to provide more personalized therapy.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that restricting a key brain chemical, adenosine, helped adult mice learn from passive sound exposure, similar to young children. The study suggests extending the learning window in humans by targeting adenosine activity with drugs.
A study found that hoarding symptoms are heritable and moderately stable between 15-18 years old, suggesting genetic effects play a significant role. The findings could help inform treatments development for young people experiencing hoarding symptoms, preventing potential progression into Hoarding Disorder as adults.
Adolescent weight gain has been linked to a long-term increased risk of stroke in adulthood, according to new research. Children who returned to a normal BMI by age 20 had no such increased risk.
A study published in Respiratory Research reveals abnormal lung structure and function changes in mice exposed to second-hand smoke during gestation, leading to decreased lung function in adult offspring. The research suggests that in utero second-hand smoke exposure can predispose to adult lung diseases.
A new study found that low childhood socioeconomic status is associated with increased left ventricular mass and impaired diastolic function in adulthood. The findings suggest that addressing family environment in early life may be crucial for sustaining cardiovascular health later in life.
New research by the University of Warwick finds that individuals who spent their entire childhood with a single parent earn 30% less and are more likely to be unemployed. They also have lower levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction in adulthood, with 9% less likelihood of being in a romantic relationship.
A study analyzing self-reported data from over 53,000 respondents found that sleep chronotypes vary widely, peaking in lateness during adolescence. Chronotypes can differ up to 10 hours between individuals, suggesting tailored work schedules could minimize health risks.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adults rely more on top-down processing when viewing Van Gogh's paintings, focusing on less noticeable features after hearing descriptions. In contrast, children initially focus on standout features before being influenced by prior knowledge, making their attention shift to more subtle details.
A new study found that adult marijuana use rose significantly in states with loosely regulated medical marijuana laws, particularly among adults over 26. The prevalence of cannabis use disorder remained largely unchanged. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of regulation on marijuana use.
A Penn State researcher is leading a five-year project to investigate adolescent-specific changes in face processing during pubertal development. The study will test three groups of adolescents and young adults, exploring how facial processing changes influence behaviors and social relationships.
A new study reveals that 30% of the world's population is affected by weight problems, resulting in over 4 million deaths attributed to excess body weight. The study found that nearly 40% of these deaths occurred among people with a BMI below the threshold for obesity, highlighting the risks associated with being overweight or obese.
A UK study found that regular and occasional cannabis use among teens is associated with a greater risk of other illicit drug taking in early adulthood. Cannabis use was also linked to harmful drinking and smoking habits.
The ACR's updated clinical guideline provides recommendations for assessing fracture risk and treatment for adults and special patient populations. For all age groups, the panel strongly recommends optimizing calcium and vitamin D intake and implementing lifestyle modifications to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Research finds that regular and occasional teen cannabis use is associated with a heightened risk of problematic substance misuse in early adulthood. Teens who used cannabis regularly were 37 times more likely to be nicotine dependent and three times more likely to have a harmful drinking pattern by age 21.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that adults from families where parents were separated and never spoke during childhood are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses. The team's research suggests that early life stress can increase inflammation and heighten the risk of chronic illness.
A new study from Arizona State University found alarmingly high rates of substance abuse among young adults from affluent communities. The research, published in Development and Psychopathology, shows that up to 40% of men and 19-24% of women develop addiction by age 26.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that gender minority adults are more likely to report poor or fair health compared to their cisgender counterparts. The research highlights significant disparities in health outcomes, including lower income, unemployment, and uninsured status among gender minorities.
A new study reveals that childhood obesity can cause lasting arterial damage and increase the likelihood of pre-diabetes, heightening the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 participants and found that obese children were more prone to these conditions, even 25 years later.
A recent study led by Boston Children's Hospital suggests that repealing the individual mandate in AHCA could undermine dependent coverage for young adults. Without an individual mandate, more young adults may lose health insurance and struggle to maintain coverage as they transition into adulthood.
A longitudinal study of over 4,000 US teens found that honesty with parents is linked to lower risk of drinking and addiction. Excessive parental control can actually increase the likelihood of teenage lying and drinking.
A recent study analyzed over 9,000 middle-aged adults in England and found that moderate drinkers who also smoked experienced more health problems than those who drank lightly or abstained. The researchers suggest that other lifestyle factors, such as education and smoking habits, may be more influential on midlife health.
A new study reveals that senior police investigators experience different cognitive and emotional stressors when investigating child homicide compared to adult homicide. The research found that a significant period of reflection is needed after the investigation has ended to realize the true extent of the effects on investigators.
Research suggests overweight boys may be at increased risk of colon cancer as adults if they remain overweight. However, those who lose weight and achieve a healthy BMI by young adulthood appear to have similar risk profiles. The study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in childhood.
New research examines the global phenomenon of toy unboxing on social media platforms, revealing both empowering and exploitative aspects. The study suggests that while some argue for strict regulation, others see it as an educational tool and business opportunity.
A study of 2,280 black adults found that living in high-segregation neighborhoods was associated with small increases in systolic blood pressure. Reducing exposure to neighborhood segregation was linked to decreases in systolic blood pressure, suggesting social policies minimizing segregation may have health benefits.
Research by University of Sussex links chronic physical illnesses in childhood to depression and anxiety in adulthood. The study found that individuals with childhood chronic conditions were at increased risk of developing mental health issues later in life.
A Pew Research Center survey shows Americans are split on the effectiveness of recent science marches and protests. Democrats and younger adults overwhelmingly believe these events will increase public support for science, whereas Republicans and seniors tend to think they'll make no difference.
A study of over 300 American men found that childhood bullies were more likely to experience stress, aggression, and financial difficulties, while bullied boys had lower incomes and felt unfairly treated. These outcomes increased their risk for poor physical health, including cardiovascular disease.
A new theory published in the journal Human Development proposes that adults can learn new skills and combat cognitive aging by adopting broad learning strategies similar to those used in infancy. By embracing open-minded learning, individualized scaffolding, growth mindset, forgiving environment, serious commitment to learning, and le...
A study found that primary school children spent less time doing physical activities and more time sedentary as they aged. By Year 4, around a third of boys and two-thirds of girls failed to meet the recommended hour of physical activity per day. The researchers tracked 1,300 children over a week in Year 1 and again three years later t...
Researchers found that wanting self-control limits exertion of self-control in demanding settings, regardless of actual level of self-control. This phenomenon occurs due to low self-efficacy and disengagement from tasks.
A new study by Dr. Rebecca Graber reveals that best friendships play a vital role in building resilience to adversity and surviving difficult times. The research found that participants who had high-quality best friendships experienced improved psychological resilience over time.