Teens who use stimulant medication like Ritalin to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not have an increased risk of illicit drug use later, a new study finds. This study looked specifically at cocaine and methamphetamine use. High school seniors who used stimulant therapy were no more likely to use cocaine or methamphetamine as young adults…  read on >  read on >

Children with autism have well-known difficulties with social interactions, but a new study is highlighting another area where they can struggle: memory. Researchers found that compared with their peers, school-age kids with autism showed more difficulty managing memory tasks. They often had a hard time remembering faces — something seen in past studies — but…  read on >  read on >

Identifying genetic disorders in newborns and infants can help them get the care they need, but one approach — whole genome sequencing — appears far superior to another. In a new study, researchers compared whole genome sequencing with targeted gene-sequencing. They found that whole genome sequencing (WGS) was nearly twice as effective at finding the…  read on >  read on >

Marijuana use during pregnancy may impact the baby’s brain development and long-term health, according to new research with monkeys. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) — the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis — altered the placental and fetal epigenome in monkeys who were given THC edibles, researchers say. These modifications can cause changes that affect the way genes work.…  read on >  read on >

Less than half of all children treated by emergency medical services receive the right amount of medication during out-of-hospital emergencies, a new study found. In some cases, these incorrect doses can have serious consequences. “If you don’t give the appropriate dose of the anti-seizure medication for a patient with an ongoing seizure, the seizure will…  read on >  read on >

Family game night can be more than just a fun time: New research suggests it may even help build some early math skills in young children. While past research has pointed to games as a way to enhance reading development and literacy, a new comprehensive review finds that number games like Monopoly, Othello, and Chutes…  read on >  read on >

Women with undiagnosed endometriosis had far fewer babies than their peers in the years preceding their diagnosis, according to new research. “Our findings suggest that doctors who see women suffering from painful menstruation and chronic pelvic pain, should keep in mind the possibility of endometriosis and treat them effectively,” said study leader Dr. Oskari Heikinheimo,…  read on >  read on >

American industry engages in some of the same high-risk practices as other countries in keeping and selling commercial animals that have the potential for triggering outbreaks of disease among humans, a new report shows. Researchers from Harvard Law School and New York University (NYU) studied this as part of a larger project in which they…  read on >  read on >