News

28 January 2015 - EurekAlert - Seeing selves as overweight may be self-fulfilling prophecy for some teens

Teens who mistakenly perceive themselves as overweight are actually at greater risk of obesity as adults, according to research findings.

28 January 2015 - Foodnavigator - Researchers ‘astounded’ by results of probiotic peanut allergy study

A probiotic could hold the key to treating peanut allergies in children, researchers in Melbourne have found.

27 January 2015 - MNT - UK parents hounded by their kids to buy junk food they see on TV - BHF calls for ban on junk food ads before 9pm

Seven in ten (70%) parents with children aged 4 to 16 have been pestered by their children to buy junk food they have seen advertised on TV, according to a new survey by the British Heart Foundation ahead of Heart Month this February.

26 January 2015 - University of Cambridge - Mother’s stress hormone levels may affect foetal growth and long term health of child

Increased levels of stress hormones can lead pregnant mice to overeat, but affect growth of the foetus and, potentially, the long term health of the offspring, according to a study published today.

26 January 2015 - ScienceDaily - Good bedtime habits equal better sleep for kids

Children obtain better and more age-appropriate sleep in the presence of household rules and regular sleep-wake routines, according to sleep researchers.

23 January 2015 - ScienceDaily - Lead negatively impacts cognitive functions of boys more than girls

The female hormones estrogen and estradiol may help ward off the effects of lead exposure for young girls, explaining why boys, are shown to suffer more often from the cognitive disabilities linked to lead.

23 January 2015 - MedicalXpress - Diet affects brain iron levels differently in men and women, pilot study shows

The study found that specific food types, such as dairy products and vegetables, had different effects on brain iron levels in men and women.

23 January 2015 - Medical News Today - You are what you eat - how gut bacteria affect brain health

The hundred trillion bacteria living in an adult human-mostly in the intestines, making up the gut microbiome-have a significant impact on behavior and brain health.

22 January 2015 - MNT - Study finds 'social jetlag' is associated with obesity-related disease

A new study has discovered an association between social jetlag, obesity and obesity-related disease including metabolic disorder, inflammation and diabetes.

22 January 2015 - MedicalXpress - Blame it on your brain: Salt and hypertension

An international research team led by scientists at McGill University has found that excessive salt intake "reprograms" the brain, interfering with a natural safety mechanism that normally prevents the body's arterial blood pressure from rising.

21 January 2015 - MNT - Exercise improves brain function in young adults

Regular exercise improves brain activity in young adults, says a new study. The conclusion runs counter to the popular belief that because they are in their prime and the peak of their cognitive ability, young adult brains do not benefit from exercise in the same way as older brains.

21 January 2015 - Medicalxpress - Fatty acids in fish may shield brain from mercury damage

New findings from research in the Seychelles provide further evidence that the benefits of fish consumption on prenatal development may offset the risks associated with mercury exposure.

20 January 2015 - The Conversation - Fat and sugar-heavy diet harms your brain – and makes you keep on eating

20 January 2015 - ScienceDaily - BPA exposure during pregnancy causes oxidative stress in child, mother

Exposure to the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy can cause oxidative damage that may put the baby at risk of developing diabetes or heart disease later in life, according to a new study.

19 January 2015 - MNT - Fat regulation: Could your brain instruct your body to burn more fat?

By uncovering the action of two naturally occurring hormones, scientists may have discovered a way to assist in the shedding of excess fat.

18 January 2015 - The Guardian - Welcome to the Coca-Cola London Eye … but health charities are already seeing red

Rebranding the Eye in the livery of the fizzy drink maker will lead to children suffering greater ill health, say campaigners

18 January 2015 - Daily Mail - Fat found in women's bottoms helps to build babies' brains: Scientists say curvy girls produce more intelligent children

Scientists found fats in women's behinds were vital for development. Researchers claim such cells are routed directly towards baby's brains. It helps explain why women find it difficult to shed weight from areas. Ladies with larger stores of such fat 'likely to produce smarter children'

17 January 2015 - ScienceDaily - Pre-sleep drinking disrupts sleep

For individuals who drink before sleeping, alcohol initially acts as a sedative -- marked by the delta frequency electroencephalogram (EEG) activity of Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) -- but is later associated with sleep disruption.

15 January 2015 - MedicalXpress - Difficult behavior in young children may point to later problems

It's normal for a young child to have tantrums and be otherwise disruptive, but researchers have found that if such behavior is prolonged or especially intense, the child may have conduct disorder, a childhood psychiatric problem that could be a harbinger of antisocial behavior.

15 January 2015 - EFSA - Caffeine: EFSA consults on draft assessment

News in brief 15 January 2015 Single doses of caffeine up to 200mg and daily intakes of up to 400mg do not raise safety concerns for adults in Europe.