Featured News
Articles from February 2011
- Mutation identified that may open doors to schizophrenia treatment
A team of psychiatrists at the University of California's San Diego School of Medicine have made an exciting discovery that could be a major advance for schizophrenia research. more...
- Brain's reward center may contribute to thrill-seeking behavior
An article published in the journal Public Library of Science One has provided a possible explanation behind thrill-seeking behavior. more...
- Study evaluates African-Americans' speech patterns in childhood and adolescence
North Carolina State University researchers recently conducted a study among African-American kids to examine the vernacular language patterns that they develop during childhood. more...
- Victimizations may lead to substance abuse
A team of psychologists from the University of Illinois at Chicago have discovered a strong link between victimization experiences and substance abuse, according to their paper, which was published in the journal Addiction. more...
- Happy adolescence often leads to happy adulthood
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing have found an association between a positive adolescence and happiness in adulthood. more...
- Kids as young as age 5 can learn how to use a computer mouse
Age may be an important factor in determining what tasks a child can or cannot do, but practice appears to make perfect when it comes to using a computer mouse, according to a new study published in the journal Computers and Education. more...
- Hyperactive brain cells found in animal model of depression
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy have identified a group of brain cells that may play an important role in the development of depression. more...
- Binge drinking during teen years can lead to problems in the future
Young adults who engage in binge drinking during late adolescence may be setting themselves up for problems in the future, according to a report that appears in the journal Public Library of Science Medicine. more...
- Couples are better at sharing the burden of unemployment than alleviating it
University of Colorado-Boulder researchers report that ignoring the stress of an unemployed romantic partner may lead to tension at home and decrease work productivity, according to a paper published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. more...
- High levels of stress hormone linked to PTSD in women
A research team from Emory University and the University of Vermont have found that high levels of a stress hormone may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women alone, according to their paper, which was published in the journal Nature. more...
- Safe, noninvasive technique detects risk of autism in babies
Neuroscientists at Children's Hospital Boston have developed a noninvasive technique that records electrical activity in the brain to measure a infant's risk of autism. more...
- Many racial disparities exist in the treatment of major depression
A study that appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that the onset of major depression frequently occurs during adolescence. more...
- Tobacco advertisements in the vicinity of schools may increase adolescents' likelihood of smoking
Researchers at the University of Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute have revealed that many tobacco advertisements in Buffalo, New York, are concentrated in the vicinity of elementary and secondary schools. more...
- Depression causes moms to respond differently to babies' cry
Mothers who have depression may respond differently to their crying babies, according to a research conducted by the University of Oregon. more...
- Blood and saliva can reveal high levels of stress and anxiety
Research from the University of Montreal has revealed that simple blood and spit tests can indicate whether an individual is on the brink of burnout. more...
- Speaking multiple languages may improve brain function
A team of psychologists at Penn State University has found that speaking multiple languages can improve brain function. They presented their findings on the topic at a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. more...
- New technique revealed for the treatment of severe OCD
Research presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science has revealed a new treatment for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). more...
- Study: Caffeine affects adolescents differently, depending on gender
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Buffalo has revealed that caffeine affects boys and girls differently in terms of physiology and behavior. more...
- Scientists treat PTSD symptoms with virtual reality
Virtual reality may be a good method of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to an article that will appear in the Journal of Traumatic Stress. more...
- Taking lithium for bipolar disorder may affect volumes of certain brain regions
In a recent report published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, international scientists collaborated to evaluate brain imaging data from individuals with bipolar disorder. more...
- Kids with working moms may experience more health problems
Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that children whose mothers work full-time are more likely to experience health problems such as asthma. more...
- Lack of guilt and empathy in kids linked to behavioral and conduct disorders
At a recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, researchers highlighted the importance of callous-unemotional traits (CU) as indicators of antisocial behavior and other adjustment problems in children. more...
- Cigarettes linked to development of muscle-wasting disease
Smoking cigarettes has been associated with serious health conditions such as lung cancer and emphysema. Now, a report published in the journal Archives of Neurology is adding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to that list of potential illnesses. more...
- Child abuse may increase risk of peptic ulcers
A research team from the University of Toronto has discovered that victims of childhood physical abuse have a high risk of developing ulcers, compared to those who were not abused. more...
- High risk found for psychological disorders among Latino kids with developmentally disabled siblings
Latino children who have developmental disabilities - such as Down syndrome or autism - often have siblings who experience anxiety disorders or academic underachievement, according to a study from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center. more...
- Video games may ease anxiety and depression in teens
A study conducted by East Carolina University's Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic reports that video games can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety among young patients with emotional disorders. more...
- Federal budget proposal aims to support teen pregnancy prevention programs
The release of President Obama's 2012 budget proposal has revealed that there will be ongoing support for several programs that help prevent unplanned pregnancies among teenagers in the U.S. more...
- Drinking problems in teen years may indicate alcoholism in the future
Researchers frequently use the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) as an assessment tool to detect drinking-related problems in adolescents and teenagers. more...
- Educational video games can address academic underachievement
Many frustrated parents may find that their child is much more interested in playing video games than in studying or doing homework. more...
- Handwriting difficulties may continue into teen years for autistic children
Autistic children who have handwriting problems may find that this issue persists into their teenage years, according to a paper published in the journal Neurology. more...
- Physical activity may help improve students' math scores
A research team from Georgia Health Sciences University has discovered that regular exercise can improve the school performance of children who struggle with academic underachievement. more...
- Young children prefer to share rewards after teaming up on tasks
According to a paper published in the journal Psychological Science, young children have a fairly good sense of what is considered fair. more...
- Anorexic and bulimic women's self-sketches differ from those of normal weight females
Women who have eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia tend to draw sketches of themselves that are significantly different from their peers of normal, healthy weight. more...
- Binge drinking can lead to heart problems, study shows
A paper written by members of the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research reports that binge drinking can lead to heart problems such as atrial fibrillation, a common condition in which there is an abnormal heartbeat. more...
- Psychologists examine prevalence of PTSD in severely traumatized children
Queen's University psychologists recently traveled to Uganda to evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among former child soldiers. more...
- Partners who readily resolve conflict may have more stable relationships
Researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development's Institute of Child Development report that individuals who have resilient intimate partners may have more fulfilling, stable relationships. more...
- Pregnant teens aspire to attend college and find jobs, study reveals
A recent study conducted by the Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island has found that teenage mothers-to-be often aspire to attend college and find a good job, whether or not their pregnancy was planned. more...
- Survey reveals college students' spring break habits
Having a wild spring break may be a rite of passage for many college students. more...
- Programs and public health policies that target alcohol may reduce costs and deaths associated with drinking
Researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto report that programs and public health policies may be able to reduce the burden of alcoholism for Canadians. more...
- Kinship caregivers of maltreated children need greater support services, study reveals
A report published in this month's issue of the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine revealed that maltreated children who are taken from their abusive parents to live with a relative have fewer behavioral and social problems than kids in foster care. more...
- FDA proposes rule to restrict tobacco advertisements in the vicinity of schools
According to an article published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, rules proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restrict tobacco advertising near schools and playgrounds may be beneficial. more...
- Cannabis users may develop psychotic illnesses earlier than non-drug users
A study that will be published in the June issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry reports that cannabis use has been linked to an earlier onset of psychotic illness. more...
- Extending benefits for foster youth may result in better outcomes
According to experts from the University of Missouri, extending care benefits for foster children until the age of 21 may significantly improve their outcomes. more...
- Program that helps low-income parents may improve pre-kindergartners' behavior
A study published in this month's edition of the journal Child Development reports that an educational program for the families of disadvantaged pre-kindergartners helped improve the children's behavior in school. more...
- Family mealtimes may result in better health of children
Families that sit down to enjoy meals together may prevent the development of substance abuse, eating disorders and unhealthy weight issues in their children. more...
- Chronic illnesses during childhood may lead to educational and vocational difficulties
Academic underachievement may not just be a result of a failure to concentrate in school or study. more...
- Sporting events may be a trap for problem gamblers
Major sporting events, such as the recent Super Bowl, may mean major risks for individuals who struggle with a gambling addiction. Millions of Americans may place bets on these games, but no matter which team prevails, the outcome may be a loss to compulsive gamblers. more...
- Toolkit launched to help prospective parents adopt children with HIV or AIDs
Adoption agency Bethany Christian Services has announced the launch of an HIV Adoption Toolkit, which aims to help couples who are thinking of adopting a child with HIV or AIDs. more...
- Verizon and NFL raise awareness on domestic violence among children
The Verizon Foundation and the National Football League (NFL) Players Association are teaming up to provide training on domestic violence prevention to teenage participants of the Training Camp for Life program. more...
- Researchers advise parents on how to deal with uncomfortable TV advertisements
Each year, major football games on TV are often accompanied by numerous commercials that often feature sex, drugs and alcohol. more...
- Young women with HIV have higher rate of pregnancy complications
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that young women who are infected with HIV tend to get pregnant more often than those who do not have the disease. more...
- Research on working memory may lead to treatments for autism and schizophrenia
There may be hope in terms of treatment for those with autism, schizophrenia or learning disabilities, as a new study from the University of Missouri Brain Imaging Center has shed light on abstract working memory in the brain. more...
- Lesbian, gay or bisexual teenagers have a higher risk of developing mental and emotional health issues
Teenagers who are lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) may have a significantly higher risk of developing mental health problems, compared to their heterosexual peers. more...
- Mate guarding common among societies with arranged marriages
A new study published in the journal Personal Relationships has found that mate guarding - defined as excessive jealousy or protective behavior towards a romantic partner - may be more common among societies in which there are arranged marriages. more...
- Study evaluates withdrawal symptoms experienced by recovering drug addicts
Although individuals who are recovering from an opiate addiction report that the symptoms of acute withdrawal pass quickly, many of them experience more long-lasting effects. more...
- Sense of community decreases low-income teens' likelihood of smoking and being obese
Low-income neighborhoods that have a strong sense of community may enable adolescents to make healthier lifestyle choices, according to a new study published in the journal Psychological Science. more...
- Providing emergency contraception to teens may increase rates of pregnancies and STDs
A report from the University of Nottingham has revealed that over-the-counter emergency contraception has not reduced the number of teenage pregnancies. more...
- Playing video games with parents can improve mental health and behavior of girls
According to researchers from Brigham Young University's School of Family Life, playing video games may be beneficial to girls. more...
- Bilingual students learn a third language much more easily, study reveals
A study conducted at the University of Haifa has revealed that bilingual individuals find it much easier to learn a third language, due to the fact that they have a better aptitude for languages than unilingual peers. more...
- Psychopaths and patients with head injury share lack of empathy toward others
A study conducted at the University of Haifa has revealed that psychopaths find it difficult to show empathy and exhibit the same characteristics as patients who have suffered frontal head injury. more...
- Study explores psychological aftermath of natural disasters
Researchers from the Association for Psychological Science have reviewed the mental and emotional impact of natural disasters, and why people may differ in the rate of recovery. more...
- Retired NFL players have higher rate of painkiller use than general population
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have found that retired National Football League (NFL) players use painkillers at a much higher rate than the general population. more...