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Autoantibodies against vinculin linked to childhood kidney disease

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a serious kidney disease in children with no clear cause. In a recent study, researchers have identified a novel autoantibody targeting vinculin—a protein crucial for kidney cell structure—as a significant factor in INS.

19 Jun 2025

Half of your kid’s food might be ultra-processed and that’s a problem

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contributed nearly half of daily energy intake among 8–12-year-old Australian children. In older children (10–12), higher UPF intake by weight was linked to increased abdominal obesity and higher BMI z-scores.

19 Jun 2025

Newborns feel pain before fully understanding it

Brain networks responsible for sensing, understanding, and responding emotionally to pain develop at different rates in infants, with the conscious understanding of pain not fully developed until after birth, finds a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.

19 Jun 2025

Genes may determine how early life exposures shape the gut microbiome

Early nutritional and antibiotic exposures affect adult gut microbiota, with genetic background and parent-of-origin significantly influencing outcomes.

19 Jun 2025

Full tumor DNA sequencing becomes standard for children with cancer

Readouts of the full DNA of children with cancer at diagnosis have been implemented as the standard of care in a European first.

19 Jun 2025

How early-life factors raise lifelong diabetes risks in youth

The surge in diabetes among young people highlights critical gaps in care and the urgent need for comprehensive preventative actions to address this crisis.

19 Jun 2025

Addictive screen use linked to poor mental health in preteens

Addictive use of social media, video games, or mobile phones-but not total screen time-is associated with worse mental health among preteens, a new study by researchers at Columbia and Cornell universities has found.

19 Jun 2025

Researchers explore new approach to target rare epileptic disorders

Humans have tens of thousands of genes, many of which produce proteins essential to basic bodily functions.

18 Jun 2025

Kupffer cell reprogramming in embryos explains metabolic disorders in offspring

Children born to obese mothers are at higher risk of developing metabolic disorders, even if they follow a healthy diet themselves.

18 Jun 2025

Interferon pathway genes linked to treatment success in juvenile arthritis

A set of genes that could be used to help doctors predict which children will respond well to treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have been identified by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), who are part of the CLUSTER Consortium.

18 Jun 2025

Combination therapy may improve health outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

A clinical trial involving adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) has found a combination therapy may reduce chronic kidney disease and improve health outcomes.

17 Jun 2025

Why doctors say measles isn’t just back, it’s a warning sign for us all

A new editorial outlines the alarming resurgence of measles in the U.S., with over 880 cases reported by April 2025, largely driven by domestic transmission and declining vaccination coverage. The authors warn that without urgent public health action, measles could become endemic again, exposing broader vulnerabilities in vaccine-preventable disease defenses.

17 Jun 2025

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