Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A study published by Stanford Medicine has found no link between epidural use during childbirth and an increased risk of autism in children. The research controlled for various socioeconomic, medical, and family factors, including genetic influences, to reach this conclusion.
The Binational Early Asthma and Microbiome Study (BEAMS) examines how the 'hygiene hypothesis' affects children's risk of asthma in Mexico and the US. The study explores the role of microbiomes, family health history, and environmental exposures in developing asthma.
The study estimates the cumulative number of child deaths experienced by mothers between 20 and 49 years old in 170 countries. Mothers in select African countries are significantly more likely to have lost a child, with some experiencing up to 30 times more child deaths than those in high-income countries.
A new study by Penn sociologists finds that remote work has worsened gender disparities in domestic labor, with mothers taking on more responsibilities and facing greater pressure to manage children's schooling. The study suggests that increased work flexibility may lead to a more egalitarian division of household duties.
A study by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that news coverage of expert scientific evidence on vaccine safety increases public acceptance of vaccines. In contrast, personal narratives about real side effects diminish the positive effect of such messages. The experiment tested six video clips featuring experts an...
A study analyzing over 73,000 fathers' cases reveals significant childhood adversity and economic hardship as key factors in repeat care proceedings. Fathers are often viewed solely as risks, but the research argues for a more nuanced analysis of their resources and needs.
A comprehensive review of past decade research found limited evidence to encourage MOM feedings in Black and Hispanic preterm infants. The study recommends targeted, culturally sensitive lactation support interventions to address racial/ethnic disparities in breast milk expression.
Research suggests that postpartum women are at a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than previously thought, with symptoms often going undetected. The study found that up to 17% of new mothers experience OCD symptoms related to infant-related harm, emphasizing the need for targeted screening and assessment me...
Researchers found that every person has two to four hidden genetic defects, which can lead to diseases if inherited from both parents. Consanguineous couples are at high risk, with 20% of cases showing increased risks for serious disorders in offspring.
Wild bonobos have been observed adopting infants from different social groups, providing maternal care, including nursing and nesting. The findings suggest that adoption in bonobos may not be limited to kin relationships or pre-existing social bonds.
Researchers examine the biographical information of individual heritage language speakers, highlighting the significance they place on their language in everyday life. The study sheds light on the maintenance and revitalization of minority cultures through the personal experiences of indigenous activists.
Scientists observe bonobos adopting infants born outside their social group, revealing strong parental instincts and emotional connection. The discovery sheds light on why humans adopt children without prior connections.
A new report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests older age and alcohol consumption before conception may alter a specific gene's epigenetic marks, impacting human egg development. The study provides valuable insights into environmental factors affecting gene regulation through epigenetics and imprinting.
Research suggests that maternal exercise during pregnancy can prevent the transmission of metabolic diseases from parent to child. The study found that maternal exercise only during pregnancy completely blocked the negative effects of either mother's or father's obesity on the offspring.
New research highlights the need to protect and strengthen care for small and sick newborns during the pandemic. The study found that implementing Kangaroo Mother Care could save over 125,000 newborn lives, with a 65-fold increase in risk of death if not done.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that school closures disproportionately affect mothers' labor force participation, with a 23 percentage point gap in some states. Mothers' work attachment fell more significantly than fathers', and the gender gap is expected to have long-lasting effects on lifetime earnings.
A 16-week lifestyle intervention reduced stress levels and led to fewer fast-food meals among overweight, low-income mothers. The program focused on stress management and practical tips, resulting in a 7% decrease in high-fat food consumption.
Researchers and peers from around the world, including mothers of color, address workplace inequalities through a proposed five-sphere-of-influence policy roadmap. The manifesto calls for a culture shift to support pregnant and parenting academics, including flexible research involvement, mentorship, and policy change.
A new paper in PLOS Biology proposes solutions to retain mothers in science during and after the pandemic. The authors emphasize the need to rethink tenure extensions and address financial inequities, as well as treat researchers as whole people, not just their professional roles.
A study suggests that maternal stress and social isolation during the pandemic can have toxic inflammatory effects on mothers and infants. The research highlights the need for immediate action to understand the impact of the pandemic on this vulnerable population.
This study found that high levels of social support for mothers of patients with eating disorders are associated with lower scores for loneliness and depression. However, there was no significant impact on patient symptoms. The findings suggest that social support can help prevent caregiver depression and loneliness in this population.
A new Northwestern University study finds that trained paraprofessionals delivering cognitive-behavioral therapy can reduce depressive symptoms in pregnant women as effectively as mental health professionals. This approach may help address the growing need for treatment and alleviate the burden on overwhelmed healthcare providers.
Despite family-leave offerings, women in academia experience a 20% drop in productivity after having children, while men generally do not. The study found that fathers publish more than mothers and that parental leave is crucial for women to maintain their careers. Institutions with gender-neutral policies can help close the gap.
A study of 3,064 tenure track faculty found that mothers experience greater reductions in short-term research productivity than fathers, contributing to the gender gap. Flexible policies, such as accessible lactation rooms and affordable childcare, may help alleviate this impact and support women in academia.
A medical school professor highlights the importance of empathy in COVID-19 care, prioritizing humanity over statistics for families affected by critical illness. The essay aims to shift the focus from data-driven approaches to compassion and caring in healthcare.
Scientists developed a rodent model to understand and identify young pregnant women who have previously suffered kidney injuries, which can lead to complications such as preeclampsia and low birthweight. The model suggests that even years after the injury, some women may still experience renal insufficiency during pregnancy.
A new longitudinal study examines relations between parenting, culture, and prosocial behaviors in U.S. Mexican youth, finding both universal and culturally-specific factors contribute to fostering helpful behavior. Cultural practices like ethnic socialization and familism values play a crucial role in supporting prosocial development.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that children born to mothers with suboptimal cardiovascular health during pregnancy are at higher risk for early declines in their own cardiovascular health, including heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths.
Research highlights grandmothers' significant role in newborn care across collectivist cultures in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Despite this, initiatives focus primarily on young mothers and nuclear families, excluding grandmothers and their valuable knowledge and practices.
A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that separating COVID-infected mothers from their babies can cause significant maternal distress and negatively impact exclusive breastfeeding. The research suggests that skin-to-skin care, rooming-in within arms' reach, and direct breastfeeding may be safe for infected mothers.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that breastfeeding mothers with depression exhibit different EEG patterns than non-depressed mothers, indicating improved brain development in infants. The study also reveals a positive effect of breastfeeding on maternal and infant affectionate touch.
Research suggests that high-income mothers tend to produce higher levels of testosterone, leading to a more masculinized fetus, while low-income mothers produce lower levels of testosterone, resulting in a more feminized fetus. This phenomenon has been linked to increased disease risk, including cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Researchers observed a young vampire bat pup being adopted by an unrelated female after its mother died, revealing intimate details about changing social relationships between the mother, pup, and adoptive mother. The study highlights the importance of grooming and food-sharing interactions in forming these relationships.
A Rutgers University study found that girls whose mothers have more asset holdings are less likely to enter into child marriage, while those with fathers' wealth are more likely. The study also found that wealthy mothers can protect their daughters by leveraging their increased bargaining power.
A recent study discovered a significant gap in leadership opportunities for women, particularly mothers, who demonstrate high academic achievement. Despite having similar leadership prospects as fathers with low GPAs, women face barriers in securing promotions due to factors such as household responsibilities and biased promotion pract...
Research highlights three common risk factors for maternal mental health problems: changes to work, marital conflicts, and pandemic-related distress. Mothers with stronger support networks, including grandparents, are less likely to experience mental health issues.
A bioecocultural approach aims to address the needs of adolescent mothers and their young children in conflict-affected contexts, considering neuroendocrine development during adolescence. The framework proposes culturally anchored peer engagement, continued education, and child care support to break intergenerational cycles of poverty.
A new study led by Salk Institute scientists identified a strain of E. coli bacteria that causes female mice to neglect their offspring when living in the gut. The research reveals a direct link between the particular microbe and maternal behavior, adding to growing evidence that microbes in the gut affect brain health and development.
A study by a USF professor found that individual females lay numerous clutches of eggs miles apart from each other. This strategy helps reduce the risk of complete reproductive failure and increases the survival rate of hatchlings.
Researchers found that newborn mice can recognize their mothers and prefer them over unfamiliar mothers, a preference that lasts into adulthood. The ability to form these memories is linked to the CA2 region of the hippocampus and is essential for long-lasting social interactions.
Research suggests a link between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal thoughts, with loneliness as a key mediator. Children of depressed mothers are up to 15% more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or attempts as adolescents. Interventions targeting loneliness may help reduce this risk.
New research from McMaster University found that treating mothers with postpartum depression with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) results in healthy changes in the brains of their babies. The study also showed that these changes lead to improved infant behavior and reduced risk of emotional problems later in life.
A new survey from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that leveraging children's special interests can help reduce anxiety and improve mental health in youth with autism. The study suggests using these interests as a positive reinforcer or educational opportunity, such as using a favorite TV show as a reward for completing tasks.
Researchers at UC San Diego and UCLA found that de novo mutations in tandem repeats are associated with autism spectrum disorders. The study analyzed 1,600 families and identified an average of 50 de novo mutations at tandem repeats in each child, regardless of whether they were affected by autism.
Researchers found that mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder had significantly different metabolite levels, including lower folate and vitamin B12 levels, compared to mothers of typically developing children. These differences may be related to how carnitine is metabolized in some mothers' bodies.
A study from McGill University found that mothers with multiple children experience more fragmented sleep patterns compared to mothers of a single child. However, fathers with multiple children do not exhibit significant differences in sleep quality.
Research identifies fetal APOL1 kidney risk alleles as contributing factors for preeclampsia in African-American mothers, while maternal-fetal genotype discordance is also linked to this risk. The study suggests a connection between APOL1 genetic variants and preeclampsia, particularly among mothers of African ancestry.
Researchers developed a new way to generate tough, functional materials using a mixture of bacteria and yeast, producing cellulose embedded with enzymes that can sense environmental pollutants. They also incorporated yeast directly into the material, creating 'living materials' for purifying water or detecting damage.
Engineered living materials (ELMs) are created using a symbiotic combination of yeast and bacteria, similar to those found in kombucha SCOBY. These ELMs can detect and filter contaminants in water, packaging, and act as 'living photographs' displaying projected images.
A University of Cincinnati study has found that a mother's stress levels can affect her child's DNA and increase the risk of developing diseases such as asthma, obesity, and autism. The research suggests that maternal stress can alter physiological states in the fetus, leading to adverse health outcomes.
A new study reveals that traditional performing arts can drastically reduce the fatal threat of diarrhoea and pneumonia in young children. The intervention, led by the University of Birmingham, improved mothers' food safety and hygiene behaviours, resulting in a 60% reduction in hospital admissions for diarrhoea and a 30% reduction in ...
A Danish study found that overweight mothers had a higher risk of infertility in their sons compared to those with normal weight. The researchers also highlighted the importance of addressing risk factors for infertility globally and acknowledged the need for further studies to corroborate these findings.
A recent study published in Acta Paediatrica found that skin-to-skin contact with the father can help establish stable physiological parameters and increase wakefulness in newborns after Caesarean section delivery. This approach may provide benefits during mother-infant separation, suggesting its potential as a supportive strategy.
A comprehensive analysis of 16 previous trials found that providing supplemental oxygen to mothers during labor and delivery has no benefit for infant health. The study suggests that the practice could be safely discontinued for many women, potentially reducing unnecessary interventions and healthcare costs.
A study by Uppsala University found that parents of children diagnosed with cancer are differently financially affected. In contrast to previous research, which showed that mothers were more affected than fathers, this study reveals that fathers experience negative long-term effects on their income and employment.
A major new study will investigate the impact of intravenous iron treatment on maternal and newborn health in low-income countries, addressing anaemia prevention, growth development and breastfeeding rates. The two-year trial aims to compare single-dose intravenous iron treatments with oral iron supplements.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that singing to preterm infants during kangaroo care significantly reduced maternal anxiety. The intervention also improved mood, general wellbeing, and promoted interaction with the infant. Mothers reported continuing to sing at home after the study, establishing it as a daily family routine.
A long-term study of gene therapy in monkeys reveals no adverse health effects, bolstering the scientific basis for mitochondrial replacement therapy in human clinical trials. Researchers found varying levels of carryover maternal mitochondrial DNA, but it was not enough to cause health effects.
Research finds that infant health inequality has increased in the US since 2010, with disparities growing between mothers' educational attainment and socioeconomic status. This trend is concerning as it may lead to long-term health complications and affect mental, physical, and economic well-being.
A meta-analysis of three randomized studies found that induction at 41 weeks reduces perinatal death and morbidity compared to expectant management until 42 weeks. For first-time mothers, this approach results in a lower risk of severe illness or death in babies.