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New study assesses screen time in young children

Children younger than 6 spend most of their screen time watching TV. That's the finding of a new study that assessed screen time in young children in 1997 and in 2014, before and after mobile devices were widely available.

18 Feb 2019

Darla Shine joins anti-vaccination campaigners, increases threat of measles outbreak in US

Darla Shine has recently joined anti-vaccination campaigners by claiming that having measles as a child could protect against cancer in later life.

15 Feb 2019

Using Therapy Dogs to Reduce Stress and Improve Emotional Well-Being in Vulnerable Individuals

There is much research that shows that therapy dogs can help reduce stress and improve emotional well-being in vulnerable individuals. Rachel McPherson talks about this research that the work done by The Good Dog Foundation.

11 Feb 2019

Positive attitude during pregnancy could improve child's ability in maths and science

Using data from Bristol's Children of the 90s study the research is one of a series from the University of Bristol, that examines a parental personality attribute known as the 'locus of control'.

11 Feb 2019

Household rules and conversations help guide teen marijuana use

When Washington voters legalized marijuana in 2012, many parents found themselves with a new teachable moment.

8 Feb 2019

U.S. adolescents spend little time in physical activity, sleep and too long on screens

Only 1 in 20 U.S. adolescents is meeting national recommendations for sleeping, physical activity, and screen time, according to new research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

4 Feb 2019

New program helps kids to build mental strength to face life's hardest challenges

Mental health and suicide are not just adult issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates have tripled over the last 15 years among girls 10 to 14 years of age in the United States.

28 Jan 2019

£20 million research hub could improve health, life prospects of African youth

A long-term initiative championed by the UK Research and Innovation Council could significantly improve the health and life prospects of a generation of Africa's youth.

23 Jan 2019

Most gay fathers and their kids face stigma despite legal and social advances, finds study

A study published in the February 2019 "Pediatrics" journal suggests the majority of gay fathers and their children continue to experience stigma with potentially harmful physical and psychological effects, despite legal, media and social advances.

15 Jan 2019

Newly launched initiative helps children learn simple ways to keep the brain healthy

My Brain Robbie, a fantastic new initiative to promote brain health among school going children, has been launched through the Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders, an initiative of the Global Brain Health Institute, Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's Society UK.

9 Jan 2019

Parents’ work-family conflicts affect children’s health

Researchers have long known that sick children can affect a company's bottom line, as employees are distracted or have to take time off to care for their children. Far less is known about the impact a parent's work life has on their children's health.

3 Jan 2019

Research papers reveal an exemplar of male parental care in the animal kingdom

Stay-at-home dads might find their spirit animal in the smooth guardian frog of Borneo. A new pair of research papers authored by an investigator at the University of Kansas shows the male of the smooth guardian frog species (Limnonectes palavanensis) is a kind of amphibian "Mr. Mom" -- an exemplar of male parental care in the animal kingdom.

19 Dec 2018

Decoding chemical and other sensory cues that drive infanticide

It may seem like one of the cruelest aspects of the natural world, but research has shown that infanticide is actually an instinctive behavior in many animals - and Catherine Dulac has begun deciphering the chemical and other sensory cues that drive the behavior.

19 Dec 2018

Quarter of parents remain unprepared for ‘parenting hangover’, reports study

Parents may plan for transportation and childcare ahead of holiday gatherings but are they prepared for a potential, day-after "parenting hangover?"

17 Dec 2018

Study: Parents spend more time talking with kids about mechanics of using mobile devices

Most parents would agree that one of the of the biggest modern parenting challenges is monitoring a child's online activity.

11 Dec 2018

Regular bedtime, sufficient sleep in childhood may be important for healthy body weight in adolescence

Having a regular, age-appropriate bedtime and getting sufficient sleep from early childhood may be important for healthy body weight in adolescence, according to researchers at Penn State.

6 Dec 2018

Less parental warmth and harshness can lead to callous-unemotional traits in children

Less parental warmth and more harshness in the home environment can affect how aggressive children become and whether they lack empathy and a moral compass-a set of characteristics known as callous-unemotional traits.

4 Dec 2018

Early-life stress in mice hinders neuron development, causing attention problems

Women are roughly twice as likely as men to develop depression, anxiety and other stress-related problems, including difficulty with attention, and new research from Brown University neuroscientists sheds light on the biological reasons why.

28 Nov 2018

Study uncovers systemic and cultural abuse, violence against children in Tonga

A Loughborough-led study aimed at investigating the experiences of children in Tonga has uncovered systemic and cultural abuse and mistreatment of children in families and schools.

2 Nov 2018

QUT study analyzes nature of men donating sperm online

As prospective parents increasingly seek sperm donors online, an international study has analyzed what sort of men are donating sperm in this informal setting as opposed to a traditional clinic. And it seems a key characteristic is they are more agreeable.