Anxiety News and Research

Latest Anxiety News and Research

Penn State study links family structure to lower ADHD symptoms

Starting elementary school is a major milestone, but it can be a difficult transition as children can experience separation anxiety or have trouble adapting to school rules and structure. However, a team led by Penn State researchers found that consistent routines in the home can reduce the likelihood that children will struggle with the school transition.

3 Mar 2026

Experts identify safest and most effective diets for IBS management

This review in Nutrients evaluates the scientific evidence, clinical effectiveness, and safety of major dietary strategies for irritable bowel syndrome, including traditional advice, low-FODMAP, gluten-free, Mediterranean, and starch- and sucrose-reduced diets. It concludes that while the low-FODMAP diet has the strongest short-term evidence, no single approach fits all patients, and dietitian-led personalization is essential.

2 Mar 2026

Exploring how best friends and popular peers influence adolescent behavior

As children enter adolescence, peers become a dominant force in their lives. With adult supervision waning, teens look to agemates for guidance on how to act, think and fit in.

2 Mar 2026

Accelerating rare disease diagnosis with Mondo

Coryssa Barnes, of Henderson, N.C., welcomed her first child, Ezra, in 2020. At four months old, he was unable to sit without support. As time went on, he failed to reach other developmental milestones, prompting his worried parents to consult several medical experts.

2 Mar 2026

Living in deprived neighborhoods reshapes the gut microbiome

This study reveals links between socioeconomic deprivation and gut microbiome changes, highlighting potential pathways to mental and metabolic health issues.

2 Mar 2026

UCL study reveals environmental cost of dental nitrous oxide use

Nitrous oxide used for sedating patients during dental appointments has a significant environmental impact, with wide variation in use and wastage across the UK, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers.

27 Feb 2026

Matching academic demands to teen biology

High school students often have trouble getting to bed at a reasonable time, which makes it difficult for them to start school early in the morning. This is because teenagers are biologically wired to fall asleep later than adults, with their biological clock shifting progressively later throughout adolescence. The result is that most teenagers don't get enough sleep on school days, and their sleep deficits increase as the week progresses.

26 Feb 2026

Stronger connection found between cannabis use and mental illness

An analysis of 35,000 Canadians shows that rising cannabis use and worsening mental‑health symptoms are increasingly appearing together, with the connection between the two strengthening over time.

26 Feb 2026

Telemedicine visits cost far less than in-person care

Telemedicine visits are five times less costly than in-person appointments for the most common conditions able to be treated by both forms of visits, new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania shows.

25 Feb 2026

Having “hasslers” in your network linked to faster aging and poorer health

Researchers analyzed a state-representative US sample to examine whether negative social ties, termed “hasslers,” are associated with epigenetic age acceleration and faster biological aging. Each additional hassler was linked to roughly nine months higher biological age and a 1.5% faster pace of aging, with particularly strong associations for mental health outcomes.

25 Feb 2026

Social deprivation tied to less diverse gut microbiome

Living in a poorer neighborhood in the UK could impact the make-up of your gut microbiome, potentially leading to worse health.

25 Feb 2026

Mental health struggles in first year of cancer care predict worse outcomes

This study reveals a strong association between early mental health disorders in cancer patients and increased all-cause mortality, highlighting care needs.

25 Feb 2026

Measuring AI acceptance among Japanese medical students and rresident physicians

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare and medical education. From enhancing diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making to enabling virtual simulations and personalized learning, AI technologies are becoming embedded in the daily practice of clinicians and trainees.

24 Feb 2026

Study reframes amygdala as the sophisticated learning arbiter

A Dartmouth study challenges the conventional view that the amygdala-the two-sided structure deep in the brain involved in emotion, learning, and decision making-is simply the brain's primitive "fear center," reflexively driving us to avoid the things we fear, from high places and tight spaces to spiders and large crowds.

24 Feb 2026

Mizzou tackles rising alpha-gal syndrome cases with research and outreach

The University of Missouri is on the front lines of helping patients with alpha-gal syndrome - a potentially life-threatening red-meat allergy caused by lone star tick bites.

24 Feb 2026

Standard doses of antidepressants during pregnancy appear to be safe, study suggests

Using a standard dose of antidepressants during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby, suggests new research from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital.

24 Feb 2026

Attacks on healthcare surge in Ukraine

As Ukraine enters the fifth year of full-scale war, its people have endured the highest number of attacks on their health care in 2025 – increasing by nearly 20% compared to 2024.

24 Feb 2026

Study finds most YouTube advice on morning sickness lacks scientific evidence and some may pose risks

Researchers analysed highly viewed YouTube videos on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and found most recommendations lacked strong scientific evidence. Some advice appeared potentially unsafe, highlighting the need for clearer evidence-based guidance for pregnant women online.

23 Feb 2026

Moments of awe show measurable links to reduced loneliness in daily life

Daily diary data from healthcare workers and community adults during COVID lockdowns showed that people reported less loneliness on days when they experienced greater awe. This association was partly explained by increased feelings of connectedness to nature, although the observational design prevents causal conclusions.

23 Feb 2026

Higher ultra-processed food intake aligns with greater binge eating risk in obesity study

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods in adults with obesity was associated with disordered eating symptoms, poorer diet quality, and lower protein intake. The cross-sectional findings suggest dietary processing level may influence eating behaviour patterns relevant to obesity management, though causality cannot be inferred.

23 Feb 2026