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To be less sedentary, you may need a more active friend

A mathematical model suggests that social interactions between sedentary and moderately active people can stimulate higher levels of overall physical activity in a population. The model found that interacting with moderately active individuals helped sedentary populations become more physically active over time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 19, 2022

Storytelling helps college students relieve stress, improve confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study by University of Missouri researchers found that storytelling can help college students make sense of the pandemic and reduce stress. The study involved first-year college students who used stories to express personal growth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting less stress and more confidence in their schoo...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 10, 2022

ACP says federal government needs to improve health support for indigenous communities

The American College of Physicians recommends increasing funding for health services and prioritizing health promotion in Indigenous communities. Community-driven public policy is also necessary to address historical trauma, social determinants of health, and inadequate access to healthcare services.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2022

CHOP's food allergy bravery clinic helps kids with food allergies overcome anxiety

A new study shows the first-of-its-kind program led to significant declines in anxiety for those with food allergies and improvements in quality of life. The Food Allergy Bravery (FAB) program provides individualized, cognitive behavioral treatment that encourages children to take small steps towards facing allergen-related fears.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAnnals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology·DateSep 28, 2022

Facebook and Instagram addiction in adolescents linked to inequality, international study of 179,000 children suggests

A new study published in Information, Communication and Society journal found a strong link between economic inequality and problematic social media use among adolescents. The research, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren from 40 countries, suggests that new strategies are needed to reduce the impact of deprivation on social media use.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInformation Communication & Society·DateSep 7, 2022

How minor changes in choice architecture can improve health insurance product choices and costs

Researchers found that providing default alternatives and using ordering and partitioning together can improve consumer choice. This study aims to provide a more efficient way for consumers to make better decisions about healthcare products, ultimately improving health outcomes and the efficiency of the healthcare system.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateAug 24, 2022

Risk of premature death in adulthood influenced by patterns of early childhood adversity, NIH study suggests

A NIH study of over 46,000 participants found that childhood poverty combined with crowded housing or parental separation increases the risk of premature death by 41-50%, compared to those without early life adversity. The study also identified a higher risk of premature death for individuals with multiple adverse childhood experiences.

Eye test could screen children for autism

Researchers have found that children with autism show significant differences in their pupillary light reflexes, which can be used as a potential screening biomarker. The study demonstrates the parameters of interest that matter for detecting autism and validates earlier findings using monocular technology.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNeurological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

The presence of certain bacteria in the saliva might indicate post-trauma in veteran soldiers

A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 10, 2022

Social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of death from heart attack, stroke

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association finds that social isolation and loneliness are associated with a 30% increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Younger adults, including Gen Z, experience increased social isolation and loneliness due to higher social media use and less in-person engagement.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 4, 2022

Universal UK school-based mindfulness training to boost teen mental health probably not warranted

A cluster of studies published in BMJ Group found that universal UK school-based mindfulness training had weak evidence for effectiveness and short-lived benefits. The research suggests that other approaches, such as social-emotional learning (SEL), may be more suitable for building psychological resilience in young people.

SourceBMJ Group·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 12, 2022

How race, gun ownership, and Black Lives Matter shape Americans’ views of the January 6 Capitol attack

A new survey found that views on the January 6 Capitol attack can be predicted by support for Black Lives Matter and gun ownership, with BLM supporters more likely to label the rioters as extremists. White gun owners were significantly less likely to do so compared to non-gun owners.

SourceHarvard University·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 11, 2022

Ethnic pride may help protect Latino college students from problem drinking

A new study suggests that developing culturally-sensitive interventions for Latino college students can help prevent problem drinking. The research found that ethnic pride was associated with significantly less drinking and alcohol-related consequences, while ethnic shame was linked to a higher likelihood of problem drinking. Familismo...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2022

Loneliness, shame and other effects on people with disabilities at mealtimes

Researchers found four large groups of social and emotional effects resulting from difficulty eating in groups among people with disabilities. Difficulty eating can lead to feelings of loneliness, shame, and reduced self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of considering these issues in healthcare.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeCase study·DateJun 13, 2022

How mother-youth emotional climate helps adolescents cope with stress

A University of Illinois study examines how mothers' emotional involvement helps youth cope with peer stressors during middle school. The research reveals that youth who experience positive mother-child interactions and high maternal affect are more likely to engage in active coping strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Early Adolescence·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2022

Testing verifies new QOL tool

The Flinders-designed QOL-ACC tool assesses six key quality of life dimensions and has been implemented with over 1000 older Australians, delivering improved standards and transparency in aged care. The results show that the tool performed strongly in a pilot trial, with lower scores for those with poorer self-reported health status.

SourceFlinders University·JournalQuality of Life Research·TypeCase study·DateJun 9, 2022

New tool developed by WVU researchers makes it easier to identify pregnant patients with eating disorders

A new screening tool has been developed to identify pregnant women at risk of eating disorders, allowing for early intervention and treatment. The Prenatal Eating Behaviors Screening (PEBS) tool, created by WVU researchers, uses a 12-question screener to assess symptoms and emotions associated with eating disorders.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalArchives of Women s Mental Health·DateMay 17, 2022

Study finds psychopathic individuals are more likely to have larger striatum region in the brain

A study published in Journal of Psychiatric Research found a significant biological difference between psychopaths and non-psychopaths, with psychopaths having a larger striatum region in the brain. This finding is linked to increased need for stimulation, impulsive behaviors, and higher likelihood of violent behavior.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2022

Study shows sharing behavior among young children may be related to their counting skills

A new study found that symbolic counting skills are strongly related to young children's fair sharing behavior. Researchers developed a counting intervention that improved sharing behavior in preschoolers, suggesting that learning to count may be a key factor in developing this social skill.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateApr 27, 2022

People who self-harmed during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been less likely to seek help and have found it harder to access in-patient treatment, according to study of over 3.5 million Welsh citizens

A study of over 3.5 million Welsh citizens found that those who self-harmed during the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to seek help and faced difficulties accessing in-patient treatment. The research used linked electronic health records to investigate healthcare contacts with self-harm during this period.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 27, 2022

THE LANCET: Global child and adolescent health targets in jeopardy without urgent, comprehensive reform, experts warn

Experts warn that recent progress in child and adolescent health is under threat without comprehensive reform. A holistic approach that spans preconception to adulthood is needed to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes. Strong health systems must partner with social systems to support children's development.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 27, 2022