Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
Research found that offspring of obese rat mothers showed impaired mitochondrial function, leading to early signs of diabetes and increased susceptibility to heart disease. Exercise improved these outcomes, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit.
Researchers found that North Atlantic right whale mothers significantly reduce their vocalizations when communicating with their calves, using a quiet, short sound instead of the typical loud 'up call'. This behavior, called acoustic crypsis, helps avoid attracting orcas and sharks, key predators of young whales.
A study published in the Journal of Family Communication reveals that mothers' negative experiences with others can lead to anxiety, depression, and isolation. The research highlights the importance of common ground and shared interests in building positive relationships among mothers.
A study in male rat offspring found that small amounts of alcohol consumed by pregnant mothers can lead to insulin-resistance and an increased likelihood of developing diabetes. The researchers suggest that the lack of oestrogen protection in males may contribute to this sex-specific effect.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that the quality of child-directed speech depends on the language proficiency of the speaker. Children who hear a rich vocabulary acquire a rich vocabulary, while those with limited exposure develop simpler language skills.
A Rutgers study of 32 ethnically diverse mothers and their children found that stress reduction and weight management strategies can improve sleep habits. The study highlights the need for healthcare practitioners to assess and educate young mothers on healthy sleep practices.
Researchers studied whether mother-calf pairs change their vocalizations to evade predators. The study found that mothers produce a soft, short grunt-like sound to stay in touch with their calves without alerting potential threats. This acoustic communication helps reduce the risk of predation for young calves.
The study found that modern family roles have closed the 'maternal happiness gap', with mothers and women without children having similar life satisfaction. Meanwhile, fathers' life satisfaction has increased as they take on more active roles in childcare.
Researchers found evidence of impaired white matter tract development in premature babies whose mothers experienced more prenatal stress. The study highlights the importance of supporting expectant mothers and providing interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes.
A recent NIH-funded study reveals that children born to mothers with high blood lead levels are more likely to be overweight or obese. Folate intake after giving birth may help reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort and found a significant association between maternal lead exposure and childhood obesity.
Researchers defined the dynamics of mitochondrial DNA transfer from mothers to offspring, revealing control mechanisms to prevent heteroplasmy. The study helps devise strategies to prevent mitochondrial disease and unwanted results in medical interventions.
Eating a seafood-rich diet during early pregnancy is associated with better attention outcomes in children, according to the study. The researchers found that consuming fatty fish and lean fish had a positive effect on children's attention capacity, while canned tuna and shellfish were linked to lower scores.
Severe infant sleep problems in the first year are linked to poor maternal mental and physical health during pregnancy. Mothers experiencing persistent and severe sleep issues were more likely to have poorer mental and physical health during pregnancy.
An observational study of 1,442 mother-child pairs found associations between maternal lead blood levels and intergenerational risk of childhood overweight/obesity. Adequate folate levels in mothers were also shown to mitigate this risk, suggesting a potential protective effect.
Mothers exposed to intimate partner violence are less likely to initiate early and exclusive breastfeeding in low- and middle-income countries. Physical and emotional abuse were independently associated with decreased likelihood of early and exclusive breastfeeding.
Mothers who experience domestic violence are 12% less likely to initiate breastfeeding within an hour of birth and 13% less likely to breastfeed exclusively in the first six months. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding have numerous health benefits, including improved survival rates for infants and mothers.
A new study from Cardiff University found that teenagers are less responsive to instructions from their mothers when spoken in a controlling tone of voice. The researchers discovered that autonomy-supportive tones, on the other hand, elicit positive reactions and encourage self-expression.
A study of 169 baboon mothers and nearly 700 offspring reveals that a mother's history of hardship can have lasting effects on her kids, including shorter lifespans. Female baboons who experienced early adversity had offspring that were 39-48% less likely to reach adulthood.
Clinical trial results show that pregnant women with obesity can support fetal development without excess calorie intake. The study's findings suggest maintaining pre-pregnancy calorie intake and improving diet quality instead of increasing daily calorie consumption.
Research finds that even mild long-term depressive symptoms among mothers affect their small children's emotional well-being, including hyperactivity and anxiety. The study also highlights the importance of monitoring parents' mental health during pregnancy and after birth.
Researchers found that dads' childcare activities are more likely to be recreational and take place on the weekend, while mothers' activities involve infants and solo parenting. The study suggests that parents' happiness and stress levels depend on the type of childcare activity and context in which it takes place.
A recent study suggests that smoking during pregnancy may damage daughters' future fertility due to increased testosterone exposure. The research found a significant correlation between maternal smoking and anogenital distance in female infants, which is a marker of testosterone levels.
A recent study by UTHealth School of Public Health found Texas ranks among the top quarter of US states for its worksite lactation support initiatives. The research identified eight minimum requirements for comprehensive programs, which can help increase breastfeeding rates and provide flexibility for employees.
Research at Karolinska Institutet found a correlation between early maternal anemia and increased risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in children. An estimated 15-20% of pregnant women worldwide suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
Researchers analyzing almost 8,000 pregnancies in South Korea found fetal growth was abnormally large at 20-24 weeks for women later diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Early screening and monitoring may improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.
Research reveals that Toxoplasma gondii's mother cells share micronemal proteins with daughters during asexual reproduction. This recycling mechanism enables the reassembly of vital organelles for parasite propagation.
Research from Lancaster University found that assessment forms for disabled computer allocation schemes often ignored actual preferences, instead relying on pre-set organisational goals. This led to marginalisation of disabled people, with some receiving computers despite not fitting criteria.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have discovered a link between prenatal HIV exposure and reduced infant immunity. The study found two clusters of HIV-exposed but uninfected infants, one with a significantly reduced immune repertoire, which may explain their increased risk of morbidity.
A large study found that children of anxious mothers are more likely to develop hyperactivity symptoms in adolescence, with a link seen between maternal anxiety and child behavior. Researchers tracked over 3,000 children and found that children from high-anxiety mothers were twice as likely to show signs of hyperactivity
A 2009 trial showed inducing labor at the end of pregnancy reduced high-risk situations, benefiting both mothers and babies. In a follow-up analysis in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, this finding was corroborated, supporting the optimal management strategy for hypertensive disease.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that dissatisfied mothers speak more to infant sons than daughters. The quality of a couple's relationship is linked to parent-infant talk and affects child development.
A study found that mothers with higher levels of parenting stress have reduced brain activity synchronization with their children in the prefrontal cortex, a region linked to understanding others' point of view. This suggests that excessive parenting stress can weaken mother-child communication and relationships.
A mouse study found that exercise prior to and during pregnancy restores tissues in the body, improving blood sugar levels and lowering the risk of long-term health problems. The researchers suggest that an active lifestyle is crucial when planning pregnancy.
Researchers found that rats fed high fat diets during pregnancy and nursing had slower learning abilities and persistently abnormal brain development. They also had lower levels of insulin receptors, leptin receptors, and glucose transporter 1 compared to rats from mothers on normal diets.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.