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Disrupted biological rhythms in teens can produce unexpected brain effects

A new McGill University-led study suggests that disrupting the body's internal clock during adolescence can alter how the brain responds to an in-utero risk factor linked to certain brain disorders.

17 Jun 2025

Hidden pressures behind Instagrams family meal trends

The study analyzes Instagram's family meal content, highlighting its role in shaping unrealistic expectations and perpetuating gender norms in parenting.

17 Jun 2025

Supermarket ads push junk food for toddlers and infants

A study reveals Australian supermarkets' catalogs push junk food for infants, raising concerns about marketing practices and the need for stricter regulations.

17 Jun 2025

Berries pack more fiber and antioxidants than America’s most-eaten fruits

Replacing one daily serving of commonly eaten fruits like apples or bananas with berries significantly boosts nutrient density in USDA dietary patterns. The modeling analysis showed notable gains in anthocyanins, fiber, and vitamins, with only modest cost increases.

16 Jun 2025

COVID-19 triggers metabolic signatures in kids that mirror adult heart risk

Children with acute COVID-19 and MIS-C show significant disruptions in lipid metabolism, including patterns resembling adult severe COVID-19. These findings highlight potential long-term cardiovascular risks in pediatric SARS-CoV-2 cases and underscore the need for follow-up care.

16 Jun 2025

Mycotoxin exposure during pregnancy linked to lower birthweight

Exposure to mycotoxins – a broad group of harmful substances produced by mold – during pregnancy may impact placental function, which could result in lower birthweight in humans, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

16 Jun 2025

Researchers identify a new treatment strategy for neuroblastoma

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Lund University in Sweden have identified a new treatment strategy for neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer.

16 Jun 2025

Childhood weight gain leads to taller adults without increasing obesity risk

In children with undernutrition, increasing weight in a child’s first decade of life can lead to significantly taller adults—with no increase in the risk of obesity or high blood pressure later in life, according to a new University of Michigan study.

16 Jun 2025

Study links gestational hypertension to increased seizure risk in offspring

A new study led by researchers at University of Iowa Health Care has revealed a significant association between high blood pressure during pregnancy (gestational hypertension) and an increased risk of seizures in children.

16 Jun 2025

Low levels of arsenic in public water linked to adverse birth outcomes

Babies born to mothers potentially exposed to low levels of arsenic in public drinking water-even at levels below the federal safety standard-were more likely to be born preterm, with lower birthweight, or be smaller than expected, according to a study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and funded by the National Institutes of Health's Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.

16 Jun 2025

Paternal mental health found to impact child development

Experts from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago affirm the need to screen new fathers for mental distress, recognizing the mounting research that underscores the importance of fathers in child development.

16 Jun 2025

Rising homelessness among pregnant and parenting people in Canada

Homelessness is increasing in pregnant and parenting people in Canada, posing health risks to children. Authors of a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.241623 argue it is a health crisis that needs urgent attention.

16 Jun 2025

Study: Parents are investing more in youth sports than ever before

Parents, it is not just your imagination – you are spending more time, money and resources on your kids' sports activities than moms and dads from previous generations.

13 Jun 2025

WHO warns of ORVO as outbreaks surge and health risks rise

Oropouche virus poses a growing public health risk, with recent outbreaks in Brazil and Cuba. The WHO report calls for urgent global preparedness measures.

13 Jun 2025

Audiovisual narratives promote reflection on homophobic bullying in schools

Showing students audiovisual narratives that simulate homophobic bullying scenarios in schools can capture their attention and generate reflection on social prejudices, promoting respect and inclusion.

13 Jun 2025

Prenatal exposure to forever chemicals linked to higher teen blood pressure

Children exposed before birth to synthetic compounds called "forever chemicals" had higher blood pressure during their teenage years, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

13 Jun 2025

Study finds no added behavioral risk in children with preterm-born siblings

A new study published in PLOS Mental Health has explored whether having a sibling born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) affects the behavior of children born at term.

12 Jun 2025

Digital classroom lessons give students the tools to say no to vaping

Researchers co-designed and user-tested the ‘OurFutures Vaping’ digital program to prevent e-cigarette use among Australian adolescents. The four-lesson intervention, developed with students and teachers, showed high acceptability and addresses critical gaps in youth vaping prevention.

12 Jun 2025

New nanopore sequencing assay advances fragile X syndrome carrier screening

Researchers have developed an innovative new nanopore sequencing assay to identify carriers of fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading cause of monogenic autism spectrum disorder and inherited intellectual disabilities.

12 Jun 2025

Unpredictable caregiving rewires the brain’s threat response

Research shows unpredictable caregiving alters brain responses to threats, highlighting the need for stable environments in childhood for healthy development.

12 Jun 2025