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Team finds childhood clues to adult schizophrenia

A long-term study of over 1,000 New Zealanders found that children who later developed schizophrenia showed early cognitive deficits in verbal and visual learning, reasoning, and processing speed. These deficits persisted as they grew, with the children losing mental age at a rate comparable to those without schizophrenia.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 21, 2010

Difficult childhood may increase disease risk in adulthood

A study found that individuals who experienced psychological or social adversity in childhood may develop lasting emotional, immune, and metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of age-related diseases. Adverse childhood experiences were linked to depression, high inflammation levels, and metabolic risk factors in adulthood.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateDec 7, 2009

'Beneficial' effects of alcohol?

Researchers found no association between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of functional decline over time. Lifestyle-related characteristics such as physical activity, body weight, education, and income were identified as the real determinants of the reported beneficial effects of alcohol.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 14, 2009

Violent upbringing may lead to domestic violence

A recent study found that individuals who experienced violence at an early age are more likely to struggle with healthy romantic relationships and experience marital difficulties. The research highlights the importance of preventing domestic violence from childhood onward.

SourceWiley·JournalPersonal Relationships·DateOct 5, 2009

Low birth weight linked to long-term respiratory problems

Infants with low birth weight are at a higher risk of developing respiratory problems that persist into adulthood. Researchers found that those with very low birth weight were twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma or respiratory infection, and 2.6 times more likely to require mechanical ventilation.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJul 7, 2009

Young adults not drinking enough milk

A study found that young adults decreased their calcium and dairy product intake as they entered their twenties, which can lead to a higher risk of osteoporosis. The researchers suggest that interventions targeting families and adolescents should encourage milk consumption at meals and promote healthy eating habits.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateJun 15, 2009

TV noise associated with fewer verbal interactions between infants and parents

A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that every hour of TV exposure is linked to a 7% decrease in the number of words an adult says to an infant. This reduction in verbal interactions also affects the length and frequency of child vocalizations and conversational turns between adults and children.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJun 1, 2009

Brain's organization switches as children become adults

A new study reveals that child brains are differently organized than adult brains, but still capable of performing complex cognitive tasks. Researchers found that young brains have localized networks based on physical proximity, which transition to long-distance networks centered on functionality as children mature.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 14, 2009

Fossils suggest earlier land-water transition of tetrapod

A recent study published in Science found that Ichthyostega, a four-limbed animal with backbones, may have been the more primitive form, acquired terrestrial habits later in development. In contrast, Acanthostega's limbs showed more similarities to earlier fish fins, indicating it may have returned to an aquatic lifestyle.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2009

Personality influences reproductive success

A new study published in the Journal of Personality reveals that personality at adolescence predicts reproductive success later in life. Adolescents with socially dominant personalities were more likely to have children as adults, suggesting that status striving may be important for reproductive success even in modern humans.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Personality·DateMar 25, 2009

Study helps identify college drinkers who might continue excessive drinking as adults

A recent study suggests that college drinkers who use alcohol for developmental needs beyond socializing, such as boosting self-confidence or coping with personal problems, are more likely to continue high-risk drinking into adulthood. The research identified a subset of students most likely to persist in problem drinking and recommend...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of College Student Development·DateMar 24, 2009

New study shows that in horse play, adult-to-young ratio is key

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the adult-to-young ratio plays a critical role in the social development of horses. The research revealed that groups with low adult-to-young ratios had younger horses exhibiting more aggression and forming tighter bonds with each other, potentially reducing their interaction with adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 17, 2009

Developing fruit fly embryo is capable of genetic corrections

Researchers discover that fruit fly embryos can 'forget' incorrect body plans and develop into recognizable adult flies through cross-regulation among gap genes. This process, known as canalization, allows for robust development despite variable conditions, shedding light on the mechanisms of genetic interactions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 9, 2009

Obsessive symptoms in childhood can multiply the probabilities of an obsessive compulsive disorder

Children with childhood obsessive and compulsive symptoms are six times more likely to suffer from an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as adults, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed data from the Dunedin Study, which tracked participants' psychological variables from childhood to adulthood.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 4, 2009