Articles tagged with Mothers
A Michigan State University researcher has been awarded a $3.3 million grant to develop an intervention program for low-income mothers who are overweight or obese. The program aims to promote healthy eating, physical activity and stress management through interactive DVDs and peer support.
Mothers who experienced childhood abuse are at increased risk of giving birth to low-birth-weight babies. Childhood poverty and substance use also contribute to this risk, which can lead to infant mortality and chronic health problems later in life.
A gene variation passed on by mothers to their sons makes them vulnerable to fetal alcohol exposure, disrupting thyroid hormone balance and causing behavioral deficits. Researchers propose dietary supplements to reverse or fix enzyme dosage in the brain, potentially treating FASD.
Research published in The FASEB Journal found that rats whose mothers ate high-fat, high-sugar diets had babies that preferred similar foods. This study suggests that exposure to junk food during pregnancy and breastfeeding may shape a child's eating habits.
A study found that obese mothers and their pre-adolescent children significantly underestimated their actual body weights. This underestimation poses a significant risk for the development of heart disease and diabetes.
A new study suggests that parental monitoring of an opposite-gender child may decrease problem drinking in young adults. The level of monitoring is linked to parenting style, with authoritative parents doing a better job of monitoring their children. This indirect buffering effect can reduce impulsiveness and alcohol-related problems.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology found a link between maternal and offspring obesity in lambs, shedding light on the mechanisms of human obesity. Hormonal changes, including leptin and cortisol, were observed in lambs born to obese mothers, suggesting a predisposition to increased appetite and obesity.
Researchers found that mouse neurons mature in their sense of smell after birth, enabling them to distinguish between their mother's scent, siblings', and home fragrance. This maturation process may provide an evolutionary advantage for altricial species by facilitating learning to identify family members.
Research reveals a global trend where parents over 30 feel unhappy with each additional child, but those aged 40+ are happier than their peers until they have four or more children. Older parents tend to be happier than childless couples when they reach adulthood and can benefit from their financial support.
Poor diet during pregnancy increases offspring's vulnerability to aging effects, leading to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and age-related diseases. The study reveals a novel mechanism by which maternal diet interacts with epigenetics to influence gene expression in offspring throughout life.
A €2.6 million research program is training Malawian clinical officers to improve prenatal care and reduce childbirth mortality rates. The goal is to educate 50 clinical officers, who will then teach others, and ultimately assess the impact on mortality rates.
A new study found that individuals with a mother who has Alzheimer's disease are twice as likely to experience gray matter shrinkage and have more whole brain atrophy compared to those with a father or no family history. The research suggests that inheriting the disease from one's mother may be a significant risk factor.
Researchers at the University of Oregon used fMRI scans to study brain activity in depressed mothers responding to their infants' cries. The findings suggest that depression can blunt a mother's response to her infant's emotional cues, affecting their relationship.
A study by University of Illinois professors reveals that lesbian moms who experience intimate partner violence are often reluctant to seek help due to fear of losing custody. The researchers found that these women assume people are prejudiced against them and may try to solve the problem alone or hide their abuse from others.
Inducing labor without medical reason increases cesarean rates, blood loss, and hospital stays, but doesn't benefit newborns. Women who had first child found to be more susceptible to complications.
A study by researchers at the University of Granada found that preterm mothers' milk has lower coenzyme Q10 concentrations, a key antioxidant. The results suggest that breast milk from term mothers has higher levels of this essential nutrient compared to preterm mothers.
Research from North Carolina State University finds that children of working mothers are 200% more likely to experience asthma, accidents, and overnight hospitalizations. Advanced statistical techniques were used to isolate the causal relationship between maternal employment and child health outcomes.
A study found that the standard third-trimester GBS test did not accurately predict its presence during labor, while a rapid test performed at labor showed excellent accuracy. The test's performance varied among racial groups, with Hispanic and African-American women more likely to have discordant results.
Researchers using DNA microarrays to diagnose developmental disabilities may unexpectedly identify cases of incest. Children conceived through incest exhibit a lack of heterozygosity, resulting from the sharing of genetic material between family members.
A randomized clinical trial found that early amniotomy in labor induction can shorten delivery time by over 10 percent and increase the likelihood of delivery within 24 hours without adverse effects. This method also greatly increases the comfort of the mother.
Babies born to HIV-infected mothers have lower antibody levels, making them more susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. Vaccination shows promise in boosting their immune response.
A new study found that children's body mass index (BMI) rises with the number of years their mothers worked, especially among children in grades 5 and 6. The researchers suggest that limited time for grocery shopping and food preparation may contribute to this link.
Researchers found that obese mothers who lost weight before pregnancy had healthier male offspring with reduced triglycerides and insulin resistance. The study suggests pre-pregnancy dietary intervention can reverse adverse metabolic effects of maternal obesity on offspring.
Research reveals that smoking habits are transmitted from mother to daughter and father to son, influencing the likelihood of nicotine addiction in offspring. The study found that socio-economic factors account for the transmission of these habits.
A Norwegian study found that mothers' satisfaction with their relationship during pregnancy is a strong predictor of overall satisfaction, peaking at 6 months old. However, both forms of satisfaction decline over time during infancy and toddlerhood.
A new study found that couples with shared childcare experience more conflict than those with the mother as primary caregiver. Fathers' involvement in play activities with their children, rather than caregiving duties, is associated with more supportive co-parenting relationships.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that a mother's immune response prevents fetal acceptance of transplanted blood stem cells, but their own stem cells can be used to overcome this issue. The study suggests that using maternal stem cells could lead to successful treatment of genetic diseases before birth.
A study found that moderate decreases in maternal nutrition during early pregnancy impaired fetal brain development, including decreased cell-to-cell connections and growth factors. The research uses a nonhuman primate model to demonstrate the importance of good maternal health and diet on fetal development.
A Canadian study found that high birth weight among First Nations babies is associated with a significantly higher risk of postneonatal death. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, compared over 5,000 births to First Nations mothers to over 630,000 births to French-speaking women.
A new study led by MSU researcher Claudia Holzman aims to understand why preterm births increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in mothers. By analyzing data from over 3,000 women who delivered babies early or full-term, researchers hope to identify factors that contribute to this link and potentially develop new treatment strategies.
A study found that maternal depression affects the health-related quality of life of children with epilepsy, but this impact is modulated by family resources and functioning. The accumulation of supportive resources for both mothers and children with epilepsy can lead to improved outcomes over time.
A study found that mothers who discussed the HPV vaccine with their daughters were more likely to be vaccinated themselves. The key factor was mothers believing the vaccine was safe and effective, not fear or cost concerns.
A study found that changing the composition of quail groups causes aggression and changes in hormone levels, affecting chick growth and behavior. The results suggest a direct impact of mother quails' social environment on their offspring's phenotype.
A study in rural Nepal found that prenatal iron and folic acid supplementation was positively associated with improved intellectual ability, executive function, and motor skills in children. The research suggests that antenatal micronutrient use can have long-lasting benefits for child development.
Researchers found that a mother's voice preferentially activates the brain's language learning centers in newborns. The study used electrical recordings on infants within 24 hours of birth and revealed that other women's voices only activate the voice recognition parts of the brains.
Researchers used near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate 7-8 month old infants' brain activity while perceiving their mother's face and female strangers. The study found increased hemodynamic responses in the bilateral temporal cortex for mothers, but only in the left temporaI cortex for maternal recognition.
A Michigan State University study found that mothers' own eating habits and perceptions of their child as a 'picky eater' significantly impact whether their toddler consumes enough fruits and vegetables. Health professionals must consider these factors when developing strategies to promote healthy eating in children.
A population-based survey of neonaticides found the true incidence to be 2.1 per 100,000 births, five times higher than official estimates. Low maternal self-esteem and emotional immaturity were identified as key drivers.
A new study found that buprenorphine is at least as effective as methadone in treating opioid addiction during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who received buprenorphine had shorter hospital stays and required less morphine to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome.
A University of Michigan-led study found that depressed mothers' bodies may play a role in the development of their unborn children's brains. Babies born to depressed moms had higher levels of stress hormones and decreased muscle tone, but also showed signs of neurological maturity.
Reproductive scientists have successfully created male and female mice from two fathers using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This breakthrough could pave the way for preserving endangered species and improving livestock breeds, as well as advancing human assisted reproductive technology (ART).
A recent survey found that in half of Hague Convention cases involving international child abduction, U.S. courts sent the children back to their fathers, often due to a lack of consideration for domestic violence. The study highlights the need for law to catch up with science and protect women and children from abuse.
Despite associated risks, newborns of older moms (45+ years) can overcome complications, research from Tel Aviv University reveals. The study found that most older women deliver healthy children with minimal health risks affecting the baby after three days.
Research on over 28,000 children found that prenatal exposure to mobile phones was associated with an increased risk of behavioral problems. Children exposed to mobile phones before and after birth were 50% more likely to exhibit abnormal behavior.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has set ambitious targets to improve breastfeeding rates in the country. The Healthy People 2020 goals aim to increase the percentage of Baby Friendly Hospitals and workplaces that accommodate working mothers, as well as reduce formula supplementation during maternity hospital stays.
A study shows that a pregnant mother's diet impacts her infant's sense of smell, altering brain development and influencing future food preferences. The research found that exposure to odors in the womb can shape the brain's olfactory system, leading to preferred flavors in early life.
Researchers found that women call their fathers less frequently and hang up sooner during high-fertility days, possibly to avoid male control. They also spent more time on phone calls with mothers, suggesting an unconscious drive for reproductive success.
A new study reveals that women decrease interactions with male relatives, including fathers, when they are most fertile. This behavior is believed to protect against inbreeding and the negative consequences associated with it. Women tend to call their mothers more frequently during high fertility days.
Research published in FASEB Journal suggests that a fetal liver gene called Npas2 is a key regulator of the circadian system, which is altered by maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy. Improving diet can partially restore circadian machinery and reduce risk of childhood diseases related to obesity.
Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are more likely to have mothers who were obese or had diabetes during pregnancy. Strict control of diabetes and weight loss may lower kids' risk of CKD.
The study found that faster growth rates in some mammals are due to the more intimate connection between mother and baby, resulting in shorter pregnancies. Humans have relatively lengthy pregnancies due to their simple placenta structure with limited connections between mother's tissues and foetus.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that oxytocin medication is often unnecessary in normal deliveries, particularly for healthy first-time mothers with spontaneous starts of labor. The research, which monitored over 100 women, showed no significant differences between groups in terms of complications or outcomes.
New human research suggests oxytocin influences feelings of well-being, sensitivity to advertising, trust, empathy, and reduces anxiety in stressed animals. Oxytocin is linked to happiness, resilient individuals are less likely to be depressed.
A citywide smoking ban has been shown to significantly decrease the prevalence of maternal smoking and pre-term births. In a study comparing Pueblo and El Paso County in Colorado, researchers found a 23% decrease in preterm births and a 37% decrease in maternal smoking after the ban took effect.
Researchers found that up to 53 out of 128 studied societies believe in the principle of multiple paternity. Women benefit from this system as secondary fathers provide gifts and support, increasing child survival rates. Men also gain by formalizing alliances through shared wives, strengthening family bonds.
A comprehensive review of 70 research articles finds that prescribed bed rest may have negative effects on pregnant women's physical and emotional health. The study suggests that hospital stays deny women the opportunity to rest in a comfortable environment, potentially leading to depression and post-traumatic shock disorder.
Mobile phone technology is being used to improve healthcare for mothers, newborns, and children in underserved populations. The use of mHealth has the potential to support global development goals, particularly in reducing child and maternal mortality.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered that female boa constrictors can reproduce asexually, producing all-female babies with rare genetic traits. The study found that these WW-chromosome females retained their mother's color mutation and lacked any male influence.
A new study reveals that social and genetic effects are both crucial for female dolphins' reproductive success. Female dolphins who have help from their friends and relatives tend to be more successful mothers than those without such support.
A home visit program for high-risk mothers appears to increase the likelihood of waiting at least two years to have a second child. The program demonstrates benefits in rural areas, where it may be better suited to meet community needs and avoid overwhelming caseloads.