Research on adult health and behavior. Covers suicide risk, regulated psilocybin, alcohol and cannabis use, and family and life choices.
A new study by FAU researchers reveals that for young children, one word is worth a thousand pictures in shaping adults' perceptions and responses. The study found that cognitive maturity cues, such as verbalized thinking, played a more potent role than physical features in influencing adults' judgments.
Researchers discovered a critical period during embryonic brain development that establishes normal social behavior and linked it with abnormalities in specific adult brain structures. Treating mice during fetal development reversed the deficits that lead to social and repetitive behavior disorders.
Researchers found that defective epigenetic reprogramming in embryos can lead to abnormal repetitive behaviors and changes in brain wiring in adulthood. Studies using genetically engineered mice showed that the enzyme KDM1A plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression during development.
A large study of military conscripts suggests that a tendency to stress easily in early adulthood is linked to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in later life. Men with low stress resilience scores at age 18 were more than three times as likely to have high blood pressure, regardless of weight or other factors.
A study found that emergency department visits for young adults decreased by 0.5 percent following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, while visits for mental illnesses increased significantly. However, there was a notable decrease in ER visits for complications of pregnancy among this age group.
A study in rats suggests that over-consuming sugary foods during adolescence can lead to reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens, a key hub of the brain's reward circuitry. This alteration could have long-lasting implications for individuals and may contribute to the development of substance abuse or eating disorders later in life.
A study found that UK teens, particularly those aged 13-15, are heavily exposed to alcohol and tobacco images and lyrics in digital YouTube music videos. The research suggests that these depictions can lead to increased consumption and pose a significant health hazard.
A new longitudinal study by University of Alberta researchers contradicts the 'mid-life crisis' theory, showing happiness rises between the teens and early 40s. The study found that people are happier in their mid-40s than they were at age 18.
A new classification of coronary congenital diseases aids in identifying secondary defects, which can severely affect cardiovascular health. The scheme helps clinicians diagnose anomalies and prevent future complications, particularly sudden death and myocardial infarction in children and competitive athletes.
Researchers highlight the need for early planning and support for teens with autism and their caregivers to transition into adulthood successfully. Caregivers are encouraged to start discussing future plans with their children as early as age 12 or 13.
A study published in Childhood Obesity found that low-income communities have higher rates of childhood obesity, with each 1% increase in low-income status corresponding to a 1.17% increase in overweight/obese students. Family income, not race, is the stronger predictor of obesity among children.
A population-based study published in JACI found that adults with asthma are at a 70% greater risk of developing shingles compared to those without asthma. Additionally, individuals with atopic dermatitis also showed a higher risk of shingles, even when other factors were accounted for.
A study in California has identified nearly 60 cases of acute flaccid myelitis, a rare syndrome similar to polio, between 2012 and 2015. The condition affects mostly children and young adults, with symptoms including respiratory or gastrointestinal illness, fever, and muscle pain.
Research by University of Notre Dame professors Darcia Narvaez and colleagues found that childhood experiences meeting evolved needs lead to better outcomes in adulthood. Adults who received more physical affection, playful interactions, and supportive care had lower depression and anxiety, greater empathy, and improved moral capacities.
Researchers pinpoint child-pedestrian behaviors that lead to auto accidents, revealing age-related differences in hazard perception. Children as young as 13 need training to recognize road crossing hazards and distinguish safe from hazardous situations.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found stronger DMN connectivity in individuals at high familial risk for depression. The study suggests that this increased connectivity may be a precursor, or biomarker, indicating a risk of developing major depressive disorder.
A new study investigates the relationships between genetic background, physical activity level, and lifespan. The findings reveal that same genetic factors affect physical activity level, aerobic capacity, and lifespan in both animal models and human twins. Voluntary running improved glucose metabolism but did not increase lifespan in ...
A Sam Houston State University study found that children of incarcerated mothers are more likely to experience attachment disruptions, separation anxiety, and depression. The study also showed a significant link between maternal incarceration and adult offspring's involvement in the criminal justice system.
A new study estimates that up to 50% of children in Lesotho live in households with someone infected or are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. The research highlights the substantial number of children affected by HIV-infected adults, often living with parents who are infected, and emphasizes the need for distinct care and outreach efforts.
A new study from the University of Michigan found adults with cerebral palsy are at a higher risk of developing secondary chronic health conditions. The research team analyzed data from over 207,000 adults and found that those with cerebral palsy were up to five times more likely to have conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
A new theoretical model suggests that investing too much in backup plans can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where individuals are more likely to use well-developed backup plans and less likely to invest in their primary goal. This can lead to reduced success and motivation.
A new study by Georgia State University researchers found that combining two blood sugar tests can detect prediabetes more accurately in children and adults. This could help reduce the burden on the US healthcare system, projected to grow to 39 million cases of type 2 diabetes by 2050.
Research from North Carolina State University finds that over 40% of young adults receive financial support from their parents, even after living independently. Attending college makes them more likely to become financially independent, but those from higher backgrounds may be stuck in partial independence forever.
Research published in Circulation found adults with congenital heart defects to be at substantially higher risk of experiencing a stroke, especially before age 55. Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes were the most prevalent types.
Two studies examined long-term outcomes in childhood and young adult cancer survivors, finding increased hospitalization rates for certain types of cancer. Long-term survivors also faced a higher risk of neurocognitive impairment, particularly those with osteosarcoma.
A recent US study found that some adult smokers who quit within the last year used e-cigarettes as a quitting aid. The study analyzed data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey and found that nearly half of daily cigarette smokers have ever tried e-cigarettes. Daily e-cigarette use was more common among adults over age 25 than...
A new guideline updates previous guidance on treating acne in children and adults, emphasizing early diagnosis, active lesion treatment, and prevention of sequelae. The guideline recommends targeted treatments for three types of acne presentations, including comedonal, mild-to-moderate papulopustular, and severe inflammatory acne.
A University of Virginia psychology study shows that apologies are crucial even in childhood, repairing relationships despite not easing hurt feelings. Children who received an apology shared more stickers and felt better when helped rebuild a knocked-over tower.
A new study found that most seasonal allergy sufferers take over-the-counter medications rather than prescribed treatments, despite being more satisfied with these options. The survey also revealed children are more likely to receive care from allergists and be on prescription medication compared to adults.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified a hormonal mechanism explaining why women with PCOS are more likely to develop mental health issues. The study found that excessive testosterone exposure during fetal development can lead to anxiety-like behavior in both male and female offspring.
A study by Eric J. Peng found that each extra inch of adult height correlates with an average increase in yearly income, with men earning $1,660 more per year for every inch above 64 inches and women earning $1,186 more per year for every inch above 59 inches.
A Duke University study found that early childhood stress can lead to a reduced response to rewards in adulthood, which may contribute to an increased risk of depression and other mental health problems. The research used fMRI scans to examine brain activity in adults who were closely monitored from kindergarten onwards.
A new study by King's College London researchers provides the first clinical evidence on the mental health impact of human trafficking, finding high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among patients. The study reveals complex needs of trafficked individuals, including childhood abuse and adulthood trauma.
Research published in Heliyon found that women born in summer months were more likely to be healthy adults, with slightly higher birth weights and later onset of puberty. This effect is thought to be linked to increased vitamin D exposure during pregnancy, which can influence childhood growth and development.
A UK-based study has found that babies born underweight or overweight are more likely to experience hearing and vision problems in adulthood. Better childhood growth, as measured by adult height, is associated with improved sensory function, highlighting the importance of prenatal care.
A recent study highlights the importance of in-person social connections for preventing depression in older adults. Individuals without regular face-to-face interactions had a significantly higher risk of developing depressive symptoms.
The Disney Research app uses augmented reality to turn coloring books into a 3D experience, increasing motivation and connection in children. The app accurately colors the 3D character based on the user's coloring, creating an illusion of real-time application.
A 45-year study found that persistent childhood stress is associated with a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes later in life. Childhood distress, even when conditions improve in adulthood, was also linked to increased cardiometabolic risk.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that low birth weight is associated with low levels of social trust in adulthood, while high birth weight is linked to high levels of trust. The researchers suggest that factors linked to the embryonic stage, such as nutrition and environment, may play a role in shaping adult behavior.
A new study of young adults with childhood-onset epilepsy found no lasting association between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. The study, published in Epilepsia, followed 257 young adults since their epilepsy onset for approximately 15 years.
A new model proposes that Darwinius, the famous primate fossil, shares more in common with modern lemurs than previously thought. The study re-examined the interpretation of Darwinius based on its dental eruption sequence, finding it had a similar pattern to that of lemurs.
Participants focused on inherent traits, rather than external factors, as explanations for wealth disparities. Simple explanations can alleviate feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, leading people to see societal disparities as fair.
A new study has found that children with coeliac disease react to the same key toxic proteins in gluten as adults, suggesting a potential breakthrough in treatments. The research supports the use of existing treatments and diagnostic tests for adults with coeliac disease for children.
A recent study has found that preterm birth is associated with lower academic abilities in childhood and lower educational attainment in adulthood, leading to less wealth. The research also showed that the effects of prematurity on math abilities can last into the fifth decade of life.
A recent study by the University of Warwick found a significant link between premature birth and decreased intelligence, reading, and mathematical ability in adulthood. The research also highlighted an impact on earnings into adulthood, with preterm-born individuals more likely to be manual workers or have lower family incomes.
A 15-year analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health reveals that young adults who spend more hours watching television each day are more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) and bigger waist circumference. This association did not hold in later years, indicating that targeting young adults for i...
A new study suggests that maintaining close relationships with peers in adolescence can have long-term benefits for adult physical health. The research found that both high-quality friendships and a drive to fit in with peers were associated with lower anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improved overall health.
Research suggests tropical songbirds invest more resources in their offspring, leading to higher survival rates, whereas temperate species prioritize quantity over quality due to high mortality rates among young adults.
A new study found that higher-quality romantic relationships are associated with fewer psychosocial difficulties across adolescence and young adulthood. The quality of the relationship, not just having one, is key to better psychosocial adjustment.
New research finds mothers of seriously ill adult children give more instrumental and expressive support than expected, while their healthy children provide mostly comfort and encouragement. The study suggests that healthy children need to step up and provide more support to their elderly mothers during this challenging time.
A new study reveals that infant marmosets develop vocalizations influenced by cues from caregivers, suggesting a potential key to understanding human-like vocal development in primates. The research found a strong correlation between parental responses and the timing of the cries-to-phees transition.
Carnegie Mellon psychologists discover that more familiar chunks facilitate learning and reduce working memory consumption. This finding has implications for teaching methods and understanding children's working memory capabilities.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that adult IQ of very premature babies can be predicted when they are just two years old. The research team led by Professor Dieter Wolke assessed 200 children born with low birth weight or very premature birth and compared their cognitive function to a control group of full-term babies.
Researchers are developing child-sized exoskeletons that will be customized and designed to grow as the child grows, helping them walk independently. The devices aim to ease conditions such as skeletal deformities caused by immobile bodies, while also being fun and interactive for children.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that adults with ulcerative colitis were twice as likely to have childhood physical or sexual abuse, with one-quarter reporting physical abuse and one-fifth reporting sexual abuse. The study also found no association between childhood maltreatment and Crohn's disease.
Research by the University of Liverpool found that those who recognize they are overweight are more likely to experience weight gain than those unaware of their weight status. This is due to increased overeating in response to stress, making it challenging to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Researchers found that marriage leads to a dramatic decrease in heavy drinking among young adults, particularly those with severe drinking issues. This 'marriage effect' may be due to role-incompatibility theory, which suggests that individuals must adapt their behavior to meet the demands of new roles like marriage.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that premature birth is associated with a distinct personality profile characterized by introversion, neuroticism, and risk aversion. Adults born prematurely scored higher on these traits compared to those born at term, even after adjusting for lower intelligence.
Research suggests that adults born very premature are more likely to display autistic features, neuroticism, introversion and decreased risk taking. This can lead to difficulties in social relationships with peers, friends and partners.
Researchers found a molecular clue to aging in transparent roundworm C. elegans, discovering that adult cells begin their downhill slide when an animal reaches reproductive maturity. The study suggests that a genetic switch is responsible for turning off cell stress responses, starting the decline of adult animals.