Adolescents News and Research

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Kids with autism and ADHD show different cognition–behavior patterns than single diagnoses

Research on children with autism and ADHD shows distinct cognitive and behavioral patterns, suggesting comorbidity may require unique intervention approaches.

10 Mar 2026

The new 5-minute screening tool for endometriosis detection

A simple 5-minute test addressing major endometriosis diagnostic delays and treatment has been developed by University of Queensland researchers.

10 Mar 2026

Frequent phone checking linked to weaker attention in middle and high school students

A new study from researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill finds that middle and high school students spend nearly one-third of the school day on their smartphones, checking them dozens of times, often for social media and entertainment, with frequent checking linked to weaker attention and impulse control.

9 Mar 2026

Yale study identifies parent stress as an obesity risk factor

In recent years, rates of childhood obesity have been rising, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimating in 2024 that approximately one in five children and adolescents met the clinical definition of obese.

9 Mar 2026

Teenage aggression linked to faster biological aging and health risks later in life

Teens who frequently lash out at others may face lasting physical health consequences later in life, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

5 Mar 2026

Tailoring digital safety to the child’s developmental stage

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), able to produce text, images and video on demand, has grown exponentially in recent years. While its applications for personal and professional use continue to expand, many have questions about how children might be interacting with this technology.

5 Mar 2026

A sharp rise in "very short sleep" among US teens

Teenagers across the country are getting less sleep, a researcher from the University of Connecticut reports on March 2nd, 2026, in JAMA. And the problem appears to be societal.

4 Mar 2026

Brain imaging study reveals distinct subtypes of ADHD in children

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often talked about as if it were a single condition. But anyone who works with children with ADHD-or raises one-knows that symptoms can look very different from one child to another.

4 Mar 2026

Fear of embarrassment creates a vicious cycle of loneliness in young teenagers

A University of the Sunshine Coast study of young teenagers has identified a vicious cycle of loneliness linked to the fear of embarrassment or judgment by peers.

4 Mar 2026

Problematic gaming in pre-teens linked to higher risk of psychotic experiences

Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.

4 Mar 2026

Ultra-processed foods linked to behavioral issues in preschoolers

A team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has found an association between ultra-processed foods in early childhood, and behavioral and emotional development.

3 Mar 2026

Study finds widespread microplastics in children and suggests diet may shape exposure

Researchers detected 19 types of microplastics in the urine of 10-year-old children, with particles present in over 91% of samples and a median concentration of 250 particles per milliliter. Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with shifts in specific microplastic polymers, suggesting dietary patterns may influence exposure pathways.

3 Mar 2026

Puberty reshapes DNA to worsen or reverse insulin resistance

This study uncovers epigenetic changes during puberty that correlate with insulin resistance, offering insights into childhood obesity and metabolic risk.

3 Mar 2026

Global breast cancer burden rising fastest in low-income countries

Despite recent advancements in breast cancer treatments, new breast cancer cases in women are predicted to rise by a third globally from 2.3 million in 2023 to more than 3.5 million in 2050.

2 Mar 2026

Exploring how best friends and popular peers influence adolescent behavior

As children enter adolescence, peers become a dominant force in their lives. With adult supervision waning, teens look to agemates for guidance on how to act, think and fit in.

2 Mar 2026

Poor oral health in childhood linked to higher incidence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood

A tooth cavity and bleeding gums is a common scenario among Danish children – and one that researchers now connect to health problems long after the last baby tooth has left the mouth.

2 Mar 2026

Acoziborole receives positive opinion for single-dose sleeping sickness treatment

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has granted a positive opinion to Acoziborole Winthrop (acoziborole) as a single-dose oral treatment for both early- and advanced-stage gambiense sleeping sickness in adults as well as in adolescents 12 years and older weighing at least 40 kilograms.

27 Feb 2026

Zero-alcohol ads may increase teens’ intent to drink alcohol

Findings indicate zero-alcohol advertising could serve as indirect marketing for alcohol, raising questions about its impact on adolescent drinking behaviors.

27 Feb 2026

Matching academic demands to teen biology

High school students often have trouble getting to bed at a reasonable time, which makes it difficult for them to start school early in the morning. This is because teenagers are biologically wired to fall asleep later than adults, with their biological clock shifting progressively later throughout adolescence. The result is that most teenagers don't get enough sleep on school days, and their sleep deficits increase as the week progresses.

26 Feb 2026

How physical strength and self-belief grow together in teens

Physical fitness and psychological resilience develop side by side during adolescence, a life stage that lays the foundation for adult health. Cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and agility are well-known predictors of cardiometabolic health, while self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one's ability to overcome challenges, shapes motivation, persistence, and coping strategies.

26 Feb 2026