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Johns Hopkins scientists develop mouse model for autism spectrum disorders

In an effort to unravel the tangled biology of autism, Johns Hopkins scientists have created a mouse model that mimics a human mutation of a gene known to be associated with autism spectrum disorders.

21 Jun 2011

The Hormone Foundation releases 'SaveMyFertility' website for cancer patients

For the first time ever, young adults and the parents of children diagnosed with cancer—and the physicians who treat them—have a comprehensive, bilingual resource to give them critically important guidance about preserving their fertility before and during cancer treatment.

21 Jun 2011

Adult-focused programs also reduce smoking among adolescents

When governments use comprehensive, well-funded tobacco control programs to reduce adult smoking, they also reduce smoking among adolescents. This bonus effect is an important factor to consider as policymakers face pressure to reduce spending on anti-smoking programs.

21 Jun 2011

Quality home learning experiences may help prepare children for kindergarten

Previous research says on average, children living in poverty are less well prepared to start school than children from middle-income homes. Now, new research says home learning experiences may help low-income children's school readiness.

21 Jun 2011

Additional, better-trained midwives needed to save millions of women and newborns worldwide, report says

"According to a United Nations Population Fund study released Monday, more and better trained midwives could help save millions of lives in" 58 countries "identified as 'suffering from a crisis in human resources for health,'" the Associated Press/Washington Post reports.

21 Jun 2011

Research provides important insight into 'systemizing' theory of autism

A new study from Cambridge University has for the first time found that autism diagnoses are more common in an IT-rich region.

21 Jun 2011

J.P. Morgan announces donation of £1.5M to GAVI Alliance

J.P. Morgan has today announced that it will donate £1.5 million to the GAVI Alliance, a public-private partnership dedicated to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing access to immunisation in the world's poorest countries.

21 Jun 2011

Is it safe to give babies and toddlers cough medicines?

Consumer health website, www.itsmyhealth.com.au reports that over-the-counter cold remedies can do more harm than good.

20 Jun 2011

Urinary incontinence after child birth increases risk of postpartum depression

Women with urinary incontinence after giving birth are almost twice as likely to develop postpartum depression as those without incontinence, according to a new study led by Wendy Sword, a professor in McMaster University's School of Nursing.

20 Jun 2011

Project to explore how interactivity, music can improve health outcomes of children with disabilities

Norwegian researchers will explore how a cross between intelligent furniture and toys can encourage children with disabilities to become more active.

20 Jun 2011

News media and childhood obesity

Where you get your news could play a significant role in determining what you perceive as the best strategy for addressing childhood obesity. According to a study led by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, whether you believe the keys to combating childhood obesity are personal factors such as individual behavior changes or system-level factors such as marketing and the environment may depend on your primary news source.

20 Jun 2011

New study: 8% of children have food allergies

A new study in Pediatrics finds 8 percent of children have food allergies, much higher that previously reported.

20 Jun 2011

Mother and baby cytomegalovirus screening important to prevent consequences

According to health experts, pregnant women and newborns should be screened for a virus that causes brain damage and deafness. The study that appeared in the latest issue of The Medical Journal of Australia yesterday says hundreds of cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) are likely being missed each year in Australia because of a lack of screening, denying babies treatment for the condition.

19 Jun 2011

Additional funding announced for PEPFAR programs in Africa

In a post on State's "DipNote" blog, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby describes accompanying Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on her trip to Africa.

18 Jun 2011

UNICEF calls on governments to improve status of children on Day of the African Child

"African governments need to provide 'more protective environments' to keep children safe and free from harm and exploitation," UNICEF said in a statement marking the 2011 Day of the African Child on Thursday, the U.N. News Centre reports.

18 Jun 2011

News highlights: Report urges smoke-free laws; N.J. state workers rally against pension and health care changes

A million people would quit smoking, nearly 400,000 teenagers would never start, and more than 700,000 lives would be saved if the 27 U.S. states that don't have good antismoking laws would adopt them, the American Cancer Society projected on Wednesday.

18 Jun 2011

OptumHealth names Women & Infants as Center of Excellence for Reproductive Resource Services

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island has been named a Center of Excellence for Reproductive Resource Services by OptumHealth, an independent audit company.

18 Jun 2011

Research roundup: Kids on Medicaid have trouble seeing a specialist; safety in outpatient facilities; community health center patients linking to electronic health care

In this study, researchers posing as parents sought specialty care for children in Cook County, Ill., to examine access opportunities for families on Medicaid. They found a major disparity between children with public insurance versus private insurance -- 66 percent of the callers saying the children were insured by Medicaid were denied an appointment, compared to 11 percent with a private plan.

18 Jun 2011

High rates of type 1 diabetes in Australian children

According to a new report the rate of Type 1 diabetes in Australian children will leap by 10 per cent in the five years to 2013, cementing Australia's position in the top 10 OECD nations for the condition's prevalence. Currently the prevalence of diabetes in Australia ranks seventh-highest among the 30 OECD nations.

17 Jun 2011

Children of parents who drink, likely to take up the bottle: Study

According to a latest survey of young teenagers, children who see their parents drunk are twice as likely to regularly get drunk themselves. Poor parental supervision also raises the likelihood of teenage drinking, said the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

17 Jun 2011