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More than just type 1 or type 2: DiMelli study points to different forms of diabetes

Researchers found that autoimmune type 1 diabetes is distinct from type 2, but phenotypic features can't be clearly assigned to specific disease types. The DiMelli study suggests a continuum of forms and mixed diabetes phenotypes, requiring refined criteria for diagnosis and treatment.

Learning a new language alters brain development

A study by McGill University and Oxford University found that learning a second language after infancy stimulates new neural growth and connections. The research suggests that the difficulty of learning a second language later in life may be due to structural changes in the brain.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBrain and Language·DateAug 29, 2013

Kids' fast food ads emphasize giveaways more than food

Research published in PLOS ONE found that fast-food marketing aimed at children emphasizes giveaways and movie tie-ins more frequently than ads targeted at adults. The study also highlights the importance of aligning advertising to children with health promotion efforts to address concerns about obesity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 28, 2013

Outgoing people lead happier lives

Research at University of Southampton reveals that youthful extroversion and emotional stability significantly influence happiness and well-being in later adulthood. Neuroticism, on the other hand, is linked to poorer mental health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateJul 17, 2013

Breastfeeding boosts ability to climb social ladder

Research found that breastfeeding significantly reduces chances of downward social mobility and increases odds of climbing the social ladder. Breastfed children showed improved brain development, stress levels, and intellect, which contribute to better adult outcomes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateJun 24, 2013

Consumers largely underestimating calorie content of fast food

A large cross-sectional study found that adults, adolescents, and parents of school-age children consistently underestimate the calorie content of their meals, especially large ones. The researchers suggest that menu labelling requirements and social marketing campaigns could help correct this underestimation.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 23, 2013

No rebirth for insulin secreting pancreatic beta cells

Researchers used fluorescent cell labeling to determine when precursor cells develop into pancreatic beta cells. They found no evidence of neogenesis in adult mice, contradicting previous assumptions about beta cell creation. This discovery has significant implications for understanding diseases like diabetes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 24, 2013

Penn research shows that young children have grammar and chimpanzees don't

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that children as young as 2 understand basic grammar rules when they first learn to speak, contradicting a long-held debate. The research also applied statistical analysis to data from the famous Project Nim experiment and found that Nim Chimpsky never grasped such rules.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2013

Overweight starting in early adulthood linked with kidney disease in older age

Individuals who are overweight starting in early adulthood are twice as likely to have chronic kidney disease at age 60 to 64 years. Larger waist-to-hip ratios during middle age are also linked with chronic kidney disease at the same age. Avoiding excess weight gain could prevent many cases of chronic kidney disease, with over one-thir...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 4, 2013

Are survivors of childhood leukemia and lymphoma at greater risk of chronic fatigue as adults?

Chronic fatigue is three times more prevalent among adult cancer survivors than the general population. A persistent low-grade inflammatory response may contribute to chronic fatigue in these individuals. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to communicate with cancer survivor patients about possible chronic fatigue.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology·DateMar 19, 2013

Bradley Hospital researchers find age-related changes in how autism affects the brain

A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has found that autism spectrum disorders affect brain activity differently in children and adults. The research suggests that brain changes associated with autism continue to develop into adulthood, highlighting the need for targeted treatments.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 13, 2013

Brain adds cells in puberty to navigate adult world

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that the brain adds new cells during puberty to help navigate complex social cues, a process previously thought to be limited to two brain regions. The findings suggest that these new cells play a crucial role in adult reproductive function and behavior.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 4, 2013

ADHD takes a toll well into adulthood

A long-term follow-up study of 367 children with ADHD found that nearly a third still had ADHD as adults and were more likely to have psychiatric disorders, commit suicide, or be incarcerated. The study highlights the need for continued treatment and monitoring beyond childhood.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 4, 2013