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An ice rink to fight opioid crisis: Drug-free fun vs. misuse of settlement cash

A Kentucky county nestled in the heart of Appalachia, where the opioid crisis has wreaked devastation for decades, spent $15,000 of its opioid settlement money on an ice rink.

20 Feb 2025

Mice study offers insight into how the brain balances risk and reward

Every day, our brain makes thousands of decisions, big and small. Any of these decisions - from the least consequential such as picking a restaurant to the more important such as pursuing a different career or moving to a new city - may result in better or worse outcomes.

19 Feb 2025

Study reveals surge in sports betting and gambling addiction help seeking

A new study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine and led by researchers from the University of California San Diego Qualcomm Institute and School of Medicine, reveals a dramatic increase in sports betting and gambling addiction help-seeking since the landmark Murphy v. NCAA Supreme Court decision in 2018 paved the way for states to legalize sports betting.

17 Feb 2025

New book highlights the complex struggles faced by men and boys

These include those linked to body image, fatherhood and sexual relationships. His latest book - Current Issues Facing Men and Boys – also argues that men struggle to negotiate harmful notions of masculinity and are not included in conversations around gender.

17 Feb 2025

Breakthrough technology enables mRNA delivery across the blood-brain barrier

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a lipid nanoparticle system capable of delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) to the brain via intravenous injection, a challenge that has long been limited by the protective nature of the blood-brain barrier.

17 Feb 2025

Diabetes drugs may boost brain health but experts warn of risks

Researchers reviewed 374 studies to explore how GLP-1RAs, originally for diabetes, may impact brain health, finding potential benefits for dementia and addiction but inconsistent results for mood disorders.

16 Feb 2025

ADHD symptoms increase risk of e-cigarette and tobacco use in U.S. youths

A new study finds that U.S. youths with symptomatic ADHD are significantly more likely to initiate e-cigarette and tobacco use over time, highlighting the need for early intervention and effective ADHD management.

16 Feb 2025

Psychedelic treatments show promise for treating PTSD and depression

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is leading ground-breaking clinical research that has the potential to transform treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders.

14 Feb 2025

Spanish-language Android app created to help Hispanic smokers quit

University of Houston researchers have created a first-of-its-kind, Spanish-language Android app called Impacto, designed specifically to help Hispanic smokers quit with guidance designed to reflect their cultural experiences.

13 Feb 2025

Is vaping the gateway to smoking?

The review highlights insufficient evidence for e-cigarettes as a gateway to smoking, calling for improved studies to guide effective public health regulations.

13 Feb 2025

Blockbuster drug for diabetes and obesity could also help reduce alcohol intake

The blockbuster drug semaglutide, better known as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity, could also help people cut down on their alcohol intake, according to new USC research.

12 Feb 2025

Women prefer female cardiologists for better heart care

According to the U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard, only about 17% of cardiologists are women, ranking as one of the lowest specialties among female physicians, yet heart disease remains the number one killer of women, accounting for one in five female deaths.

12 Feb 2025

Scientists discover brain mechanism behind nicotine withdrawal

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 22% of the global population smokes, with more than 9 million smoking-related deaths reported annually.

12 Feb 2025

Less restrictive regulation on vaping could improve public health outcomes

University of Queensland researchers have found smoking rates have declined twice as fast in New Zealand as in Australia, suggesting less restrictive regulation on vaping could improve public health outcomes.

11 Feb 2025

Study challenges belief that vaping leads to youth smoking

A team of public health researchers found "very low-certainty evidence" to support a commonly held belief that nicotine vaping is a gateway to cigarette smoking for young people.

11 Feb 2025

School phone bans show no mental health or academic benefits

Researchers evaluate the effects of school phone use policies on adolescent mental health.

7 Feb 2025

Fruit fly research uncovers brain signals behind alcohol-induced insomnia

Alcohol use disorder, which affects over 10% of Americans, can lead to persistent and serious insomnia. Difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep can last even after months of sobriety, increasing the risk of relapse.

6 Feb 2025

$Only a small fraction of people with mental health or substance-use disorders receive effective care$