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Maternal blood test reveals prenatal methylation clues linked to autism risk

Researchers found that maternal plasma cell-free DNA methylation patterns in late pregnancy were associated with later autism diagnosis and maternal obesity in a high-likelihood ASD cohort. The findings suggest cfDNA may offer a minimally invasive way to study prenatal epigenetic changes linked to neurodevelopmental risk, but larger validation studies are needed.

25 Jun 2026

US study shows updated COVID vaccines cut hospitalization odds by 55%

The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines were associated with 50% estimated effectiveness against COVID-19-associated emergency department and urgent care encounters among immunocompetent US adults. They were also linked to an estimated 55% effectiveness against COVID-19-associated hospitalization, providing added protection beyond existing immunity from prior infection or vaccination.

24 Jun 2026

Using blood proteomics to identify pediatric inflammatory bowel disease risk

For children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic, relapsing condition of the gastrointestinal tract, getting the right diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging, endoscopy, and histopathology.

24 Jun 2026

LMU researchers discover new genetic cause of Crohn's disease

A team led by LMU physician Daniel Kotlarz has identified a previously unknown genetic cause of Crohn's disease.

24 Jun 2026

New pathway speeds up biliary atresia diagnosis in newborns

BA is difficult to detect because early jaundice can resemble common newborn conditions, and pale stools may not appear immediately.

24 Jun 2026

WHO urges countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects

The World Health Organization (WHO) today calls on countries to expand newborn screening for birth defects, highlighting how early detection and treatment can save lives and reduce lifelong disability for millions of children.

24 Jun 2026

Gene therapy shows promise against deadly childhood liver disease

A new gene therapy has been used to successfully treat a deadly childhood liver disease using mice that model this disease by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

23 Jun 2026

Study finds no detectable short-term brain harm after one youth soccer season

A prospective European cohort study found that one season of competitive youth soccer was not associated with detectable short-term differences in cognition, behavior, balance, MRI measures, or blood biomarkers compared with noncontact sports. However, soccer players had higher preseason tNAA, GFAP, and NfL levels than controls, highlighting the need for larger, multiyear studies to clarify whether repeated heading has cumulative effects.

23 Jun 2026

Parental genes rather than pregnancy weight influence childhood body mass index

The link between parents' body mass index (BMI) and their children's BMI in childhood is driven largely by genetic inheritance, rather than by any direct biological effects of parental weight during pregnancy, a new study suggests.

23 Jun 2026

Longer breastfeeding links to fewer ADHD symptoms in children

Longer durations of full breastfeeding are linked to fewer ADHD symptoms in children, suggesting early feeding patterns may influence neurodevelopment.

23 Jun 2026

UCLA researcher receives grant for advanced osteosarcoma immunotherapy

Physician-scientist Theodore Scott Nowicki, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics hematology/oncology and microbiology, immunology, & molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has been awarded the Hero Grant from MIB Agents, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young adults with osteosarcoma.

22 Jun 2026

Early screen time may impact subsequent academic performance and working memory

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend no screen time before 18-24 months and less than one hour per day for children ages 2 to 5.

22 Jun 2026

Sugary drinks from childhood linked to adult hypertension risk

Drinking fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages from childhood through adulthood may be linked to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure as an adult, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

22 Jun 2026

New guidance to help adolescents and young adults living with and beyond cancer

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with and beyond cancer have unique needs and perspectives that clinicians should be aware of when providing health care.

22 Jun 2026

Primary teeth serve as biological archives of early life

Using data and biological samples from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and the world`s larges biobank of primary teeth, MoBaTooth biobank, Stokke Jensen`s doctorial research shows that primary teeth can serve as a detailed biological archive of exposures occurring during critical stages of human development.

22 Jun 2026

Study shows positive milestones shape the lives of youth

Which major life events matter to young people? A recent study by the University of Zurich (UZH) shows that adolescents and young adults primarily cite positive, everyday developmental steps as formative events, for example school and apprenticeships, friendships, first relationships, travel and moving out of their parents' home.

22 Jun 2026

Synthetic gut communities reveal how diet rewires the microbiome

Synthetic microbial communities give researchers controlled models for testing how diet reshapes gut microbial ecology, metabolism, and host-relevant responses. The review highlights how SynComs can strengthen causal inference, improve intervention testing, and support future precision nutrition, while noting major challenges in stability, standardization, and ecological realism.

21 Jun 2026

Gene therapy successfully treats deadly childhood liver disease in mice

A new gene therapy has been used to successfully treat a deadly childhood liver disease using mice that model this disease by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

19 Jun 2026

Nursery videos effectively educate first-time fathers on infant care

Brief videos shown in the hospital newborn nursery may be an effective way to educate first-time fathers on infant care topics, such as safe sleep, infant crying and car safety, according to a pilot study published in the journal Pediatrics Open Science.

19 Jun 2026

Breast milk nutrient boosts long-term immune system development

Trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), the most abundant trans fatty acid found in human breast milk, helps boost immune system development and has long-lasting effects on immune system health in mice, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Chicago.

18 Jun 2026