Articles tagged with Mothers
A recent study conducted by researchers at UC San Diego Health System found that the text4baby mobile service is increasing users' health knowledge, facilitating interaction with healthcare providers, and improving adherence to appointments and immunizations. The service has already enrolled over 2,200 individuals in San Diego County.
Researchers identified two key factors increasing the risk of childhood obesity: mothers' weight and smoking during pregnancy. Children born to overweight or smoking mothers were more likely to develop high-rising BMI trajectories, with over 50% obese by middle childhood.
A new study finds that a fetus can sense its mother's mental state through chemical signals. The baby develops better when the environment is consistent before and after birth. Inconsistent conditions, such as a mother going from depressed to healthy or vice versa, slow down fetal development.
A study found that northern muriqui monkey mothers play a key role in their sons' reproductive success, with no evidence of inbreeding. The research suggests that this egalitarian society may be the reason for the species' critical endangered status.
Separating newborns from their mothers stresses the baby, with heart rate variability increasing by 176% and quiet sleep decreasing by 86%. Skin-to-skin contact with mother reduces this stress, but further research is needed to understand its long-term effects.
Dr. Patrick Catalano received the March of Dimes Agnes Higgins Award for his research showing a link between maternal obesity and an increased risk of metabolic disorders in babies. His work highlights the importance of weight control early in pregnancy to protect children from chronic diseases.
Motherhood is associated with changes in brain function, particularly in the auditory cortex, enabling mothers to recognize and respond to pup distress calls. The study shows a rapid appearance of olfactory-auditory integration in lactating mothers.
Exposure to BPA in the womb is associated with behavior and emotional problems in young girls, according to a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study. Higher gestational BPA concentrations were linked to more hyperactive, aggressive, anxious, and depressed behavior in girls, while boys showed no significant association.
A recent study found that mothers' brains process pup odors and sounds differently than non-mothers, enabling them to detect distress calls. The integration of olfactory and auditory cues is linked to maternal behaviors, suggesting a rapid adaptation in the primary auditory cortex.
Researchers at UC Davis found a genetic variant associated with autoantibodies in pregnant women that may increase their child's risk of developing autism. The study suggests a potential screening test for women at risk of having an autistic child, offering new hope for early intervention and prevention.
A new study published in Reproductive Sciences describes the mechanism that keeps these conflicting goals in balance. The placenta tricks the mother by creating a diversion to occupy her lymphocytes, allowing invasive trophoblasts to sneak into her arteries and increase blood flow to the placenta.
A Norwegian study found that folic acid supplements during early pregnancy significantly reduce the risk of severe language delay in children at age 3. The study followed over 38,000 children and found no association with gross motor skills delays.
Foals weaned in the presence of other mares show reduced stress levels and adapt faster to life without their mothers. Weaning methods can significantly impact stress hormone levels in foals, with gradual separation showing less stress than abrupt removal.
A study from the University of Rochester found that chronic stress disrupts a mother's natural stress response, leading to problematic parenting behaviors. Mothers with higher depressive symptoms exhibited hyperactive stress responses, resulting in harsh and reactive parenting.
A new study from the University of Adelaide reveals a strong link between cardiovascular disease in both parents and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in their daughters. Mothers with PCOS are more likely to have high blood pressure, while fathers are at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke.
A new study by sociologists at Rice University and Stanford University explores how neighborhood poverty influences maternal fear of children's outdoor play. Mothers' household economic status, education, employment, and physical/mental health all contribute to their fears.
A Spanish study found that women with higher education levels breastfed for longer periods, especially during the 1960s and 1990s. The researchers attribute this trend to increased access to healthcare services and advice from healthcare professionals, which helped maintain breastfeeding rates.
New research suggests that prenatal exercise improves brain plasticity, decreases toxic protein deposits and inflammation in mice, which wards off Alzheimer's disease. Exercise during pregnancy may have a lifetime benefit for the health of newborns.
A large-scale study found that mothers exposed to certain agents during pregnancy were more likely to have children with asthma. The Danish National Birth Cohort assessed over 42,696 children and found an association between maternal occupation and asthma prevalence among the children at age 7.
A new study by Brown University toxicologists found that male mice exposed to high doses of BPA during pregnancy showed no signs of harm to their testes as adults. The researchers suggest that the mother's metabolism may detoxify much of the BPA, reducing exposure to the fetus.
More than half of countries are lowering maternal and child mortality rates faster than the global average, with progress particularly strong in sub-Saharan Africa. However, few countries are on track to meet international targets for reducing these deaths, highlighting the need for immediate action.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that TV watching has a negative impact on parent-child communication and literacy. Maternal responsiveness plays a key role in child literacy and development, with mothers who read books with their children engaging in more active communication styles.
A new report by the United Nations Foundation details a self-sustaining approach to improving women and children's health, using innovative tools and projects. The report aims to engage entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-in-the-making in all sectors to make a substantial contribution.
A team of evolutionary biologists found that when mothers control offspring sex ratios, sexual selection collapses, and males lose their elaborate courtship displays to attract females. This twist adds unexpected complexity to Darwin's theory of sexual selection, suggesting that motherly control can override the need for showy males.
The report emphasizes the importance of self-sustaining supply-demand systems in improving health and wellbeing for marginalized women and children globally. The authors highlight democratising technologies like mobile phones as a key opportunity for local demand to be understood, appreciated, and locally solved.
Research published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care found parents who lost a child during the first year of life are at significantly increased risk of an early death. Bereaved mothers are especially prone to an early death, with effects lasting up to 25 years.
A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that oxycodone is not safer for breastfed infants than codeine, contradicting previous assumptions. The research surveyed 533 women who took codeine, oxycodone, or acetaminophen during breastfeeding and reported symptoms of central nervous system depression in their children.
A study found that breast-feeding mothers are more likely to display aggression when threatened, with lower blood pressure levels. This increased courage is believed to be linked to the reduction of stress response in these women.
Research followed 84 infants from birth to age 2 and found that highly irritable children who have secure attachments to their mothers are more likely to get along well with others. The study suggests that interventions to help children become securely attached may be especially important for children who are highly irritable.
A longitudinal study of low-income families found that mother-son relationships change over time, affecting boys' behavior in adolescence. Mothers with good relationships and fewer conflicts had sons with lower delinquent behavior and stronger friendships.
A Wayne State University-led study found that mother-son relationships with high conflict and low warmth during childhood can lead to delinquent behavior in adolescence. Conversely, close relationships between mothers and sons are linked to better peer relationships.
Research finds children of mothers with extreme morning sickness may suffer from anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression as adults. A UCLA-USC study suggests prolonged malnutrition and stress during fetal brain development could contribute to these lifelong neurobehavioral disorders.
A large study found substantial delays in early neurological development among babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Poor families were particularly vulnerable to the effects of prenatal smoking, which may be stronger than previously thought. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce pre...
Children of disadvantaged, unhealthy mothers experience a higher number of health issues and are more likely to suffer from asthma and learning disabilities. Their mothers' health problems can also place emotional and material burdens on children, heightening stress and anxiety.
Research suggests working moms who expect they can't do it all are more likely to experience depression, while those with a balanced view show fewer symptoms. Working mothers who express supermom attitudes that work and home lives can be blended without tradeoffs have higher levels of depression.
A new study finds that working mothers who expect they can't do it all are at a higher risk for depression. The study reveals that women who have a supermom attitude, believing their work and family life can be combined with ease, actually experience more depression symptoms than those with a more realistic view.
Researchers have discovered how malaria parasites camouflage themselves from the immune system of pregnant women, allowing them to go undetected. This finding has significant implications for developing a vaccine to protect expectant mothers from maternal malaria.
A prevention program for postpartum obsessive compulsive symptoms was developed and tested in a study, reducing anxiety and symptom incidence in mothers. The program incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy principles and was found to be effective in preventing symptoms from developing.
A new study found that stress experienced by young female rats can affect their future offspring, causing behavior impairments. However, providing an enriched environment can ameliorate some of the negative effects. The study also showed that offspring raised in enriched environments can offset inherited effects.
A study by researchers from the University of Montreal found that children of depressed mothers have an enlarged amygdala, which is linked to emotional responses. This change may be associated with increased reactivity to stress in these children.
Researchers found that mothers of young children experience 'nagging' from their kids due to commercial TV characters and advertisements. Mothers cited strategies like limiting exposure, explaining choices, and setting rules to deal with nagging, which can impact childhood obesity rates.
Researchers report that certain forms of narcissism can be beneficial for young people, helping them navigate adolescence and early adulthood. In contrast, older adults with similar traits may experience lower life satisfaction and a poorer reputation.
Researchers found that diarrhoea is closely linked to changes in faecal bacteria, with the majority of foals developing the condition due to colonisation by E. coli and other bacteria. This suggests that horse breeders should not limit suckling time or use supplements to prevent diarrhoea.
A novel therapy reducing soluble Flt-1 levels in women with very preterm preeclampsia showed promising results, with two patients experiencing prolonged pregnancies. The treatment's safety and efficacy remain to be confirmed in larger trials.
Research from Northwestern University finds that many Americans assume behavior is a product of personal choice, fostering the belief that opportunities are equal and gender barriers no longer exist. This framework, known as 'opting out,' can lead to a vicious cycle where women underestimate discrimination and overestimate their own ag...
The Harvard School of Public Health is testing a WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist program in 120 hospitals in India to reduce deaths and improve outcomes for mothers and infants. The four-year study aims to evaluate the impact of the checklist program on maternal and infant mortality rates.
A systematic review found that nurse-led relaxation classes, birth preparation classes, and clinician feedback can decrease caesarean sections in low-risk pregnancies. However, prenatal education, computer patient decision-aids, and insurance reform have not shown significant effects on reducing cesarean section rates.
A Temple University study found that teenage girls significantly influence their mothers' purchasing decisions, particularly for personal items like makeup and clothing. The 'doppelganger effect' suggests mothers tend to mimic their daughters' consumption behavior rather than vice versa.
A new study by Dr Anne McMunn and researchers from the International Centre for Lifecourse Studies in Society and Health found that working mothers have no significant negative impact on their children's social and emotional development. In fact, children with both parents in paid employment showed better socio-emotional outcomes than ...
A new study found that red fox mothers determine which cubs disperse from the family group, with genetic relationships influencing dispersal strategy. This discovery has important implications for our understanding of social mammals' evolution and dispersal processes.
A new study by University of Bristol biologists found that mother foxes determine which cubs stay and which leave their family groups, with dominant females playing a crucial role in dispersal strategy. This unique discovery sheds light on the evolution of social behavior in mammals.
A randomized trial found that manual breast milk expression was more effective in improving breastfeeding rates than using a breast pump, especially in the first two months. Manual expression also led to higher comfort levels and more frequent breastfeeding among mothers.
A study by USC Marshall professors Scott Wiltermuth and Vanessa K. Bohns found that adopting dominant postures decreases sensitivity to pain and increases feelings of power and control.
Researchers found a rare case of non-parental infanticide in the black-billed magpie, where an adult bird attacked and killed nestlings. The suspected perpetrator was a female parent from a neighboring nest, due to aggressive interactions and territorial expansion.
A University of Missouri researcher found that certain protective factors foster resilience in women who witnessed domestic violence as children. Mothers who work full-time model a strong work ethic, independence, and competence, increasing their daughters' recovery from abuse. The study also identified risk factors for PTSD, including...
A recent study has found that quitting smoking during pregnancy can have a positive effect on birth outcomes. Women who gave up smoking in the periconceptional period had babies with significantly higher birthweight, similar to those born to non-smoking mothers. Stopping smoking before conception may also improve fertility outcomes.
A new University of Melbourne study reveals that mother Eastern Grey Kangaroos double their food intake and significantly reduce resting time to meet the nutritional needs of their baby. This altered behavior increases their risk of parasite infection, which may be a significant additional cost for reproducing females.
A study found a modest increase in autism spectrum disorders among children whose mothers took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy. The risk was higher for those exposed to SSRIs during the first trimester.
Researchers analyzed data from BC MS Clinics' database and BC Perinatal Database Registry to compare pregnancy outcomes in women with MS to those without the disease. Babies born to mothers with MS did not have significantly different gestational age or birth weight, but mothers with greater disability had slightly elevated risk of adv...
A new study found that infants born to mothers who received the influenza vaccine during pregnancy are 45-48% less likely to be hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. The researchers analyzed data from seven flu seasons between 2002 and 2009, involving 1,510 babies hospitalized within the first six months of life.