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Irregular sleep patterns reduce cognitive performance in preschool children

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that irregular sleep - including variability in sleep timing and duration - was associated with lower receptive vocabulary and visuospatial memory scores in preschool-age children, even after accounting for total sleep duration.

4 Jun 2026

Teen insomnia symptoms linked to hospitalizations in young adulthood

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that poorer sleep health according to wrist actigraphy and insomnia symptoms during adolescence predicted a higher likelihood of an overnight hospital stay during young adulthood around seven years later, even after accounting for adolescent hospitalizations and sleep health.

4 Jun 2026

Researchers urge nationwide safety campaign for baby sling and carrier use

The study by leading baby sleep experts at Durham University, UK, calls for a UK-wide campaign to ensure parents are directed to trusted sources of guidance and specialist advice, before or at the point of purchase.

4 Jun 2026

Exercise during pregnancy links to lower infant BMI at one year

Supervised exercise during pregnancy may lower infant BMI and reduce obesity risk, highlighting the impact of maternal health on early growth trajectories.

4 Jun 2026

Dietary exposure to toxic metals causes over one million annual deaths

Children aged less than five years face almost three times the risk of illness from unsafe food than older children and adults, according to new estimates released today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

4 Jun 2026

Scientists launch project to improve early autism diagnosis in preemies

An international team of researchers from Europe and Australia will contribute to MICRO-NEST, a €6 million Horizon Europe project applying innovative approaches to identify markers of autism in children born before 37 weeks of gestation.

3 Jun 2026

Study shows how TAF1 regulates ferroptosis in cancer cells

Ferroptosis has become a promising area in cancer research because it may provide a way to target tumor cells that evade other better-known forms of programmed cell death, such as apoptosis and necroptosis.

3 Jun 2026

Early paracetamol may speed up heart vessel closure in preterm babies

Early administration of paracetamol may accelerate closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm babies, according to a new study.

3 Jun 2026

The best foods for brain health may change as you age

Investigating brain foods, this review highlights dietary influences on cognition and neurodevelopment, while addressing significant gaps in current research.

3 Jun 2026

TikTok promotes a thriving illicit vaping culture among young people

TikTok videos glamorizing illicit vaping highlight challenges in public health communication, as youth engage more with social media than educational resources.

3 Jun 2026

Generative AI toys risk exposing minors to propaganda and misinformation

JMIR Publications today released a News and Perspectives article investigating the potential implications of AI–enabled toys for children's well-being and development.

3 Jun 2026

Scientists introduce a precise framework to study screen-saturated childhoods

Children are growing up inside screens. A new peer-reviewed Thought Leaders Invited Review in Brain Health argues that neuroscience has been missing the word for what those screens are touching.

3 Jun 2026

New US dietary guidelines may raise the climate cost of protein

Removing ultra-processed foods from the Mean American Diet could reduce environmental impacts, but the benefits are largely offset when the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are modeled with higher protein intake. The study found that higher-protein, animal-heavy diets increased greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and nitrogen fertilizer use compared with current diets, while plant-based protein scenarios produced substantially lower impacts.

2 Jun 2026

Stricter legislation does not decrease youth psychiatric care coercion

Coercive measures are used recurrently in inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric care but vary greatly between services and countries, according to a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet.

2 Jun 2026

Eating a Mediterranean diet may lower anxiety symptoms in teens

Findings reveal that the Mediterranean diet may reduce anxiety symptoms in adolescents, with maternal dietary habits also impacting offspring mental health.

2 Jun 2026

Lifestyle habits predict long-term health better than cancer treatment history

Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for childhood cancer survivors, reducing risks of chronic conditions and improving quality of life more than treatments.

2 Jun 2026

Pediatric experts reveal the 10 research areas set to shape child health

Pediatric research leaders identified 10 high-promise areas likely to shape child health over the next 5 to 10 years, including genomics, mental health, vaccines, artificial intelligence, perinatal medicine, precision therapeutics, health equity, nutrition, environmental health, and cancer treatment. The paper argues that these opportunities will only translate into better outcomes if pediatric research receives sustained funding, public trust, workforce support, advocacy, and equitable implementation.

1 Jun 2026