A micronutrient in human breast milk may provide significant benefit to developing newborn brains, according to new research that sheds light on the link between nutrition and brain health. Scientists looked at this sugar molecule in rodents and in human neurons. They said the micronutrient, called myo-inositol, may lead to improved infant formulas. “The current… read on > read on >
In a study of families that have multiple children with autism, researchers have unearthed new insights into genes that might drive the disorder. “Study design is critical, and not enough attention has been paid to studying families with more than one affected child,” said lead author Dr. Daniel Geschwind, a professor of human genetics, neurology… read on > read on >
After the death of a parent, boys may have a tougher time than girls, a new study suggests. Young people who lose a parent before age 21 are at risk for poor mental health, lower income and unemployment in adulthood. Researchers say boys seem to be harder hit. The study was published July 25 in… read on > read on >
When parents meet U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, one concern comes up time after time. “The most common question parents ask me is: ‘Is social media safe for my kids,’ ” Murthy said. “The answer is that we don’t have enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that… read on > read on >
Summer jobs can give teens valuable life experience that help them transition to adulthood — not just a paycheck, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Benefits of summer jobs include: Career exploration: Summer jobs and internships help high school students explore different careers that might interest them. They also provide opportunities to network and… read on > read on >
Scientists have developed a wearable ultrasound patch that might eventually allow women to monitor themselves for early signs of breast cancer in the comfort of their home. The achievement, reported July 28 in the journal Science Advances, is the latest in a broader research effort to make wearable ultrasound a reality. The hope is to… read on > read on >
Too little fiber in Mom’s diet during pregnancy may slow a baby’s mental development, Japanese research suggests. Animal studies have found that a low-fiber diet during pregnancy slows brain nerve function in offspring. The new study, published July 27 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, shows the same effect in humans. “Most pregnant women in… read on > read on >
As kids prepare to return to school, a new poll warns that the many children who found the last school year challenging are likely to be apprehensive this time around. The online survey, conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of the nonprofit On Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health, found that 71% of… read on > read on >
It’s well known that some viruses make the leap from animals to humans, but a new study shows the influenza strain responsible for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic has been particularly prolific in hopping between species. That strain, called pdm09, has passed from humans to swine about 370 times since the pandemic, researchers report. Further, subsequent… read on > read on >
In recent years, the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana has become the new normal across much of North America. The problem: New research finds that as legalization has spread, so have cases of cannabis poisoning. “We did a systematic review of published studies reporting on what happened to the rates of poisoning after… read on > read on >
