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Gluten-free, casein-free diet may help some children with autism

A gluten-free, casein-free diet has been found to be effective in improving ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms, and social behaviors for some children with gastrointestinal symptoms and allergy symptoms. Parents who eliminated all gluten and casein from their children's diets reported significant improvements in their child's behavior.

SourcePenn State·JournalNutritional Neuroscience·DateFeb 29, 2012

New insight into why locusts swarm

A protein linked to learning and memory plays a crucial role in driving desert locusts from harmless grasshoppers to destructive swarms. Researchers discovered that this protein acts as a molecular switch in social feedback loops, triggering the locusts' gregarious behavior.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2011

Follow your nose

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that modern humans have a more developed sense of smell compared to Neanderthals, with larger olfactory bulbs and temporal lobes. This could be linked to improved behavioral and social functions.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 14, 2011

Improving health will take a village

Two papers examine the history of Healthy People Objectives and the new integration of social determinants in Healthy People 2020. The authors conclude that addressing root causes requires collective effort and expanded partnerships to make true impacts on public health. Health experts call for systems thinking and a new metric of heal...

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateDec 7, 2011

Study suggests flexible workplaces promote better health behavior and well-being

A flexible workplace initiative improved employees' health behavior and well-being by increasing the amount and quality of sleep, better health management, and reducing work-family conflict. Employees participating in the initiative reported significant improvements in sleep quality, energy levels, and self-reported health.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateDec 6, 2011

UBC study explores distrust of atheists by believers

A UBC study explores the social psychological processes underlying anti-atheist sentiments, finding that religious believer's distrust is central to prejudice against atheists. The research suggests that outward displays of belief may be viewed as a proxy for trustworthiness, leading to disapproval and mistrust of atheists.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 30, 2011

U of I study: Kindergarten friendships matter, especially for boys

A University of Illinois study found that high-quality kindergarten friendships are essential for boys' social skills and behavior problems in first and third grades. In contrast, girls' social skills were not significantly affected by their kindergarten friendships. The research suggests that early friendships provide a positive found...

It pays to be healthier

Financial incentives are effective for altering simple behaviors like immunization take-up and attendance at health services, but less effective for complex behaviors such as smoking. Regular reinforcement with social support and skill training significantly increases success rates.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine·DateNov 21, 2011

Hard times during adolescence point to health problems later in life

A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that experiencing social stressors during adolescence and young adulthood can lead to increased disease risk factors in middle age. The researchers analyzed data from 822 participants and discovered a significant link between early adversity and allostatic load, a measure of phys...

SourceSpringer·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateOct 27, 2011

Wayne State to develop a computer-delivered intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy

Researchers at Wayne State University are developing a computer-delivered intervention to screen for and reduce alcohol use among pregnant women, with the goal of improving fetal health outcomes. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of handheld mobile devices and anonymous self-interview formats in identifying at-risk drinkers.

Canine telepathy?

Researchers investigated how dogs respond to human attention, finding that both domestic dogs and wolves can beg for food based on a human's attentiveness. Dogs' ability to follow human actions stems from their willingness to accept humans as social companions and conditioning to follow human movements.

SourceSpringer·JournalLearning & Behavior·DateJun 9, 2011

Poor behavior doesn't always lead to poor academics

Researchers followed 350 students in seven at-risk schools over a 5-year period, finding that well-behaved students were more likely to achieve academically. However, teachers' expectations and perceptions of student behavior played a significant role in determining academic outcomes.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions·DateMar 29, 2011

Scientists: Big city life may alter green attitudes

A new study published in British Environmental Conservation journal found that people with good jobs in large cities are more likely to engage in pro-environmental activities. The researchers analyzed data from China's General Social Survey, which showed employees who work for companies in big cities and hold leadership positions repor...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalEnvironmental Conservation·DateJan 18, 2011

Psychologists at the forefront of weight management

The authors highlight the importance of mental health care providers in addressing eating and weight-related problems in young people. Family-based behavioral interventions are considered the first-line treatment for pediatric overweight, promoting small changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings·DateOct 20, 2010

New study contradicts negative perceptions of menopause

A new study from the University of Sheffield found that social and psychological factors have a bigger impact on women's sex lives during menopause than previously thought. The research suggests that individual experiences vary greatly, with external factors like relationships and care-giving playing a significant role.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalJournal of Health Psychology·DateJul 6, 2010

Lessons from the principal's office

Researchers analyzed office referrals across over 1,500 US schools to identify patterns of student discipline for different behaviors. Elementary, middle, and high school students are disciplined differently, with fighting, defiance, and tardiness being common reasons.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions·DateMay 6, 2010

Study documents geographic variation in childhood obesity

A study found significant geographic variation in childhood obesity rates across the US, with Southern states having higher rates than Western states. Obesity rates varied by state, with Mississippi and Arizona having the highest rates and Oregon and Utah having the lowest.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateMay 3, 2010

Exploration in toddlers activated by fathers

A new study published in Early Child Development and Care reveals that fathers tend to give toddlers more leeway, allowing them to actively explore their environments. This 'activation theory' suggests that father-child interaction plays a crucial role in shaping a child's development.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEarly Child Development and Care·DateMar 30, 2010

Autism's earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months

A new study has found that autism symptoms do not appear abruptly at 6 months, but rather emerge gradually and become apparent during the latter part of the first year of life. By 12 months, children with autism showed significant declines in social communication and eye contact compared to typically developing children.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 16, 2010

Babies' brains tuned to sharing attention with others

Researchers found that infants as young as five months old engage in joint attention with adults, activating the left prefrontal cortex, a region involved in complex cognitive and social behaviors. This suggests that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalBiology Letters·DateJan 26, 2010

Unrealistic optimism prompts risky behavior

Research on 800 college students found that those with smaller drinking problem chances were more likely to experience problems, contrary to the idea that optimism motivates health care. The study suggests that unrealistic optimism may actually curb risky health behaviors.

SourceSAGE·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateNov 16, 2009

Personality traits influencing weight loss

A study published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine reveals that patients with high levels of optimism and self-orientation may be less likely to lose weight. However, counseling and nutrition programs can help improve self-awareness and reduce psychological stress, leading to successful weight loss.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBioPsychoSocial Medicine·DateSep 24, 2009