Articles tagged with Mothers
A new study confirms that the gigantic tumbleweed Salsola ryanii is a hybrid with doubled pairs of its parent plants' chromosomes, resulting in exceptional growth vigor. This discovery suggests that polyploidy may have an evolutionary advantage, allowing the plant to thrive and expand its territory.
Researchers found that high maternal fat consumption during gestation improves offspring memory and learning skills by maintaining synaptic integrity. Offspring from mothers on a high-fat diet also have lower levels of amyloid-beta, an abnormal protein linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers designed an app called BabyMind to improve parent-baby interaction by prompting parents to think from their baby's perspective. The study found that mothers who used the app were significantly more attuned to their babies' thoughts and feelings than those in a control group.
A study published in The BMJ found that China's universal two-child policy resulted in an additional 5.4 million births, with a significant increase in births to older mothers and multiparous mothers. However, the policy's impact on premature births was not significantly increased.
Research by Rutgers University found that moderate to heavy drinking during pregnancy can alter genes in newborns, increasing the risk of health issues. The study also identified biomarkers that predict prenatal alcohol exposure risks.
New research suggests that the risk of developing microcephaly due to Zika virus infection depends on the types of antibodies produced by pregnant mothers. Antibodies from mothers of babies with microcephaly are more effective at neutralizing the virus, but also show enhanced ability to boost viral entry into human cells.
A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that children's skin microbiomes are similar to their mothers' and can be affected by mode of delivery. The research suggests that vaginal delivery is associated with a stronger bacterial similarity to mothers, while Caesarian section may lead to differences.
Infants born to mothers taking naltrexone developed no signs of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, whereas those exposed to buprenorphine showed higher rates of NOWS. Naltrexone was also associated with shorter hospital stays and improved breastfeeding outcomes.
New research reveals that prenatal parental stress is a predictor of emotional and behavioral problems in toddlers. The study found that mothers' and fathers' wellbeing before and after birth have a direct impact on their children's behavior by the time they are two years old.
A recent study found that higher maternal Choline levels during pregnancy can prevent fetal brain developmental problems caused by marijuana use. Infants exposed to prenatal marijuana had decreased cerebral nervous system inhibition and lower 'regulation' scores, leading to attention and social function problems later in life.
Mothers with pre-pregnancy diabetes are at a four to five times increased risk of stillbirth. High maternal blood sugar levels and BMI emerged as key risk factors for increased stillbirth risk, particularly in babies born small or large for gestational age.
A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that genetics has a greater impact on the microbiome of mice than their maternal birth environment. The researchers tested two different inbred laboratory strains of mice and found that the offspring's microbiomes were similar regardless of which parent was black ...
A study led by UC Riverside professor David Reznick found that female fish with placentas form new species twice as fast as those without, due to their ability to choose mates. This connection between mothering and evolution suggests a key role for females in shaping the formation of new species.
A US study found that infant deaths from accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed more than tripled between 1999 and 2016. The racial disparity in these deaths widened significantly, with non-Hispanic black infants facing higher mortality rates.
Research suggests that mothers are uniquely susceptible to social media marketing tactics, leading them to share their children's personally identifiable information online. The study highlights the need for enhanced government guidance and parental education on the consequences of sharing personal info about their kids.
Researchers found that maternal education significantly predicts the amount and quality of a mother's language use with her child, as well as their child's later language skills at school age. This study challenges previous assumptions about racial disparities in maternal language input.
Research by UMass Amherst epidemiologist Youssef Oulhote found that women with gestational diabetes have a significantly higher rate of transferring synthetic chemicals to their fetus. The study examined blood and umbilical cord samples from 151 mother-newborn pairs in the Faroe Islands.
Researchers discovered that southern right whale mothers and their calves shelter in noisy surf, staying close and whispering softly less than once per dive to avoid attracting unwanted attention. The pounding waves drowned out the soft calls, providing acoustic cover from killer whales.
A Duke University study found that worm offspring of mothers who experienced nutrient stress during pregnancy were better equipped to handle starvation later on. This is due to changes in insulin signaling transmitted via eggs, which helped the larvae develop normally and avoid reproductive abnormalities.
A large population study has found that paternal smoking is associated with lower total sperm counts and concentrations in adult sons, regardless of maternal smoking. The study, which analyzed data from over 778 young men, found an 8-9% decline in sperm count and concentration among sons of fathers who smoked daily.
A new study published in Pediatrics shows that a state-wide quality improvement initiative improved hospital-based breastfeeding support practices and first milk expression among mothers of very low birth weight infants. However, disparities in mother's milk provision persisted after three weeks of hospitalization.
A new study published in Body Image found that perfectionism is related to breast size dissatisfaction among childless women. In contrast, motherhood appears to boost body image and reduce breast size dissatisfaction, particularly among women with multiple children.
A UK study published in Diabetologia found that obesity during pregnancy is associated with a 3.5 times increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the child, while being overweight increases this risk by 40%. The study suggests strategies to reduce obesity and overweight in women of reproductive age are urgently needed.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission from mothers to babies can be largely prevented with universal HCV screening in pregnancy. Almost half of women infected with HCV are unaware of their infection, highlighting the need for increased awareness and early detection.
Researchers found that adult males were responsible for most infanticides in a Ugandan chimpanzee community, with victims often under one week old. The study suggests that the sexual selection hypothesis is the key driver behind this high rate of infant killings.
A new study from the University of Exeter found that married American moms are more likely to try to time their pregnancy for a spring birth, with factors such as age, education, and marital status influencing this decision. On average, a married woman aged 20-45 would be willing to pay $877 USD to guarantee a spring birth.
Research finds that rodent mothers become more pregnant after smelling odors from scared males, indicating a nuanced risk assessment of their environment. This phenomenon showcases the power of olfactory 'eavesdropping' in animal communication.
A study by Michigan State University found overdoses and suicides as leading causes of deaths among new mothers in California. The research highlights the need for increased focus on prevention, particularly among non-Hispanic white and low-income women.
Princeton researchers found that learned avoidance behavior in C. elegans can be inherited for multiple generations through the germline, with the behavior remaining elevated for up to four generations before returning to normal levels. This study provides new insights into transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and its potential rol...
A new study found an increased risk of behavioral problems in children of mothers with epilepsy who took common antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. Valproate-exposed children were most affected, but parents also reported behavioral problems for other medications.
A study by University of Zurich researchers found that fathers' reliable care is crucial for brain development, while help from other group members is less essential. This discovery explains why some animal species with large-brained mammals have bigger brains due to their fathers' dependable assistance.
Research from Loma Linda University suggests that unsupportive parenting styles may have negative health implications for children, including shorter telomeres and increased disease risk. The study found that cold parenting was associated with smaller telomeres, which can accelerate cellular aging.
A new genomics study explores the genetic signatures of a pair of wolves isolated on Isle Royale, revealing the impact of inbreeding on the population's health. The research found that close inbreeding leads to genetic anomalies, which are likely driving the wolf population crash over the past decade.
A study found that brain size in offspring is associated with paternal care, while higher fertility is linked to alloparental care from non-biological parents. This suggests that energy inputs from different caregivers may impact brain development and reproductive output in mammals.
A study of 643 young men found that those exposed to stressful life events during early gestation had worse sperm quality and lower testosterone concentrations than those not exposed. This suggests that maternal exposure to stress may have long-lasting effects on male fertility.
A large-scale study of nearly half a million births in Canada found that first-trimester fainting episodes are linked to preterm births, low birth weight, and increased heart problems. Researchers urge expectant mothers who faint during pregnancy to report it to their doctors.
Research by Sara Davis and Abby Dubisar found a stark contrast in information provided for women and men seeking elective sterilization, reinforcing gender roles and stereotypes. The study recommends improved communication strategies for doctors to better counsel patients on the procedure's benefits and risks.
Research in rats found high linoleic acid intake may harm pregnant women, increasing inflammation and disrupting hormone regulation. The study suggests reducing linoleic acid consumption during pregnancy may mitigate these risks.
Researchers found that matching mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA could be important when selecting potential donors for mitochondrial donation treatment. They discovered that mitochondria are fine-tuned to the nucleus and may influence the likelihood of certain mutations being passed on.
Research in The Journal of Physiology found that exercise during pregnancy improves placental function, preventing excessive fetal growth and obesity in offspring. Maternal exercise also enhances metabolic health, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic disorders.
Research finds that bonobo moms play an active role in helping their sons find a mate by preventing other males from mating and bringing them to ovulating females. This increases the sons' chances of becoming fathers, a finding that suggests bonobo mothers have a significant impact on male fertility.
A mindfulness-based parenting intervention has been shown to decrease depression symptoms in mothers with opioid use disorder, particularly those with moderate to severe depression symptoms. The study, published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, found that the intervention was a practical alternative to pharmaceutical treatment.
Researchers found that bonobo mothers aid their adult sons in copulation efforts, protecting them from other males and giving them access to popular spots within social groups. This behavior, rare in chimpanzees, is linked to higher male fertility and reproductive success for the bonobos.
Studies found that writing prompts influencing positive attributes led to stronger recall of love for mothers in early childhood, but effects faded over time. Researchers also discovered that participants' current feelings were misremembered 8 weeks later.
A new study by IFPRI examines the links between teenage pregnancy and child undernutrition in India, finding a strong association between adolescent mothers and undernutrition. The study suggests that ending early marriage is a key policy target to address the problem.
A new study found that first-time fathers feel closer to their mothers as co-parents and romantic partners when they believe they have her confidence in child care. The researchers used data from the New Parents Project, which investigated how dual-earner couples adjust to becoming parents for the first time.
Researchers found toddlers actively initiate conversations with their parents, choosing topics and driving the conversation. The study used automatic speech recognition technology to analyze over 1,400 hours of recordings from 17 toddlers and their parents.
A University at Buffalo researcher emphasizes the importance of considering community realities and resources in treating postpartum depression among low-income mothers of color. The study's findings highlight the need for social workers to advocate for expanded services, including childcare, transportation, and access to healthcare.
An online intervention with real-time information on locally circulating viruses reduced mothers' intentions to visit the doctor for a respiratory tract infection. Participants in the intervention group had lower intentions than those in the control group, according to the study published in The Annals of Family Medicine.
A new UCL-led study found that women with a history of eating disorders are more likely to experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy and beyond. The research suggests that early identification and treatment of eating disorders in pregnant women could reduce the long-term impact on both mothers and children.
A study at Boston Medical Center found that mothers of very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants who expressed first milk within 8 hours had a higher probability of successful lactation. The research suggests prioritizing early milk expression to support long-term lactation success.
A new framework, secure base provision, predicts infant attachment with greater accuracy than traditional sensitivity-based approaches. Caregivers need only respond correctly 50% of the time to have a positive impact on their baby's development.
A PSU researcher is working to identify the behavioral health needs of NICU parents and develop a sustainable program to support them. Studies show that parents with babies in the NICU are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse.
A study characterizes the phenotypic spectrum of individuals with aggrecan gene (ACAN) mutations, revealing common symptoms such as short stature and accelerated bone age. Researchers investigate the efficacy of growth hormone therapy in improving height SDS scores in children with ACAN deficiencies.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology found a strong link between maternal nut intake during pregnancy and improved cognitive function in children. The research, conducted in Spain, analyzed data from over 2,200 mother-child pairs and discovered that those who consumed more nuts during the first trimester sco...
A study found that maternal obesity affects sperm RNA, influencing offspring's behavior and health. Sperm tsRNAs contribute to transgenerational transmission of addiction and obesity traits in mice.
A genomic study of a mass grave in Neolithic Poland reveals an extended family structure, with mothers and children together, but older males absent. The analysis suggests that the massacre may have been linked to the expansion of Corded Ware groups, supporting the notion that violence was a common response to population pressure.
A new study published in Public Health Nutrition found that 61% of low-income infants received formula in the first few days of life. Mothers who set an exclusive breastfeeding goal were five times more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding at three months post-partum, highlighting the need for education and culturally appropriate sup...
A large-scale international collaboration has identified 190 genetic links to birth weight, with two-thirds discovered for the first time. Research found that a baby's genes play a substantial role in determining their birth weight, while also influencing factors in their intrauterine environment.
The largest study of its kind has identified 190 links between genetic code and birth weight, with two-thirds being discovered for the first time. Both maternal and fetal genetic effects play a role in influencing birth weight, with some genes promoting growth while others restrict it.