Featured News

Articles from January 2011

• Summary of teen blogs reveals that money can cause stress

  A variety of sources can lead to stress and anxiety among teens, such as domestic disputes, peer-relationship issues and academic pressure. more...

• Researchers study childhood disease connected with self-mutilation

  Researchers from the University of California-San Diego have released a study that examines the characteristics of a childhood neurological disease called Lesch-Nyhan Disease (LND), which is a rare disorder found in males early in life. more...

• New research could pave way to anti-smoking treatment

  Millions of teens in the U.S. smoke cigarettes, which increases their chances of developing a variety of health problems. Furthermore, past studies have shown that early smokers are more likely to encounter academic and behavioral issues during adolescence. more...

• Strong marriage benefits health of mother, father and children

  The health of a couple's marriage can have a significant impact on their children's behavior. Past research has shown that teens who have feuding parents may be at risk to develop emotional and behavioral problems. more...

• Children who have limited time with their fathers may become bullies, study says

  A researcher from Vanderbilt University has determined that the amount of time children spend with their father can contribute to bullying behavior. more...

• Study: Eating foods loaded with trans-fat may contribute to depression

  Many teenagers who suffer from depression develop unhealthy behaviors as a result of their mental disorder. Some adolescents abuse alcohol or drugs, while others underachieve in school or have poor attendance because of their symptoms. more...

• Free webinars to offer teaching tips for caretakers of autistic children

  The group Rethink Autism has announced that it will hold free web-based seminars that will address some of the important education techniques that should be used when treating children with autism. more...

• Researchers say neurosurgery may cure depressed individuals

  PBS reports that approximately 4 percent of adolescents develop serious depression each year. Severe bouts of this mood disorder can lead to a variety of problems, such as academic underachievement, peer relationship issues and suicidal ideation. more...

• Study: Meditation may help reduce stress, increase self-awareness

  Many teens who have communication problems or who suffer from anxiety live in a fast-paced environment with computers, video games, cell phones and television. Some adolescents rarely experience long periods of silence, which may contribute to certain attention issues or high levels of stress. more...

• National panel calls for action to address mental problems among children

  More than 200 health professionals recently convened at the National Press Club in Washington, DC to discuss childhood epidemics such as mental health problems and obesity. more...

• Illegal use of HGH becoming more common among young males, study reveals

  Some people link body image and low self-esteem issues to females because of the prevalence of eating disorders in the U.S. However, a new study reveals that many young males use illegal performance-enhancing drugs in order to improve their physique. more...

• Besen speaks up for teens, condemns 'ex-gay' groups

  Activist Wayne Besen will embark on an 11-state tour next week to address the harms caused by programs that encourage gay teens to seek help in order to become straight. more...

• New Jersey leader wants separate schools for autistic children

  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has proposed that the Garden State should create additional public schools that are specifically designed for children with autism. more...

• Study: Online use by teens not as dangerous as some would expect

  Although some parents are concerned about cyberbullying and other harmful content on the internet, a new study shows that the risks of online use among children is not as significant as many believe. more...

• Study: Bullied girls at greater risk for substance abuse than boys

  A new study shows that adolescent girls are more likely than boys to abuse substances due to bullying-related depression. more...

• Brain imaging tests reveals deficits among kids with ADHD and bipolar disorder

  A team of researchers from the University of Chicago has conducted the first-known study that used brain imaging to examine the effects of emotion on working memory function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). more...

• Study: Half of teens with mental problems receive professional help

  A new study reveals that only about half of U.S. teens who have mental disorders receive treatment for their problems. more...

• Study: Hard-of-hearing children more likely to be abused, suffer from emotional problems

  A new study shows that deaf children are more likely to be neglected and abused than healthy kids. The research also reveals that hard-of-hearing individuals have higher rates of cognitive disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress (PTS) during early adulthood. more...

• Eating less during early pregnancy can inhibit child's brain development, study says

  Pregnant women who go on a diet early in their pregnancy may increase the risk of their child encountering developmental or behavioral problems, a new study reveals. more...

• Study: Tobacco ads lead more teens to smoke

  A new study reveals that tobacco advertisements significantly influence teenagers, prompting the authors to call for a ban on cigarette ads. more...

• Illinois high school hopes mock funeral scares students straight

  In an effort to combat unsafe driving habits among teens, a Illinois-based high school held a mock funeral last week. more...

• Study: Praying can help alleviate anxiety and other difficult emotions

  The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 8 percent of teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18 are severely impaired by one type of anxiety disorder. Some of these adolescents struggle with a variety of emotions, such as fear, sadness and anger. more...

• Elevation linked to suicide rates in America, study reveals

  According to a national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 15 percent of U.S. high school students reported that they seriously considered suicide within the last year. more...

• Close births among siblings can increase risk of autism in second child

  A new study reveals that mothers who give birth to multiple children within a two-year span are increasing the risk of the second baby having autism. more...

• Study: Anxious students can improve grades by writing down fears

  A new study by University of Chicago researchers reveals that anxious students who write about what causes them fear may improve their test scores. The report, which appears in the journal Science, examined the effects of expressive writing among individuals who are worried or depressed. more...

• New drug may help troubled teens who have panic attacks

  Children who experience a traumatic event may suffer bouts of anxiety if they encounter something that reminds them of the stress-inducing incident. more...

• Study shows that natural disaster can cause long-term stress among kids

  Young children who live through a natural disaster may suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTS) in the years following the incident. more...

• Study: Cold symptoms in young adults could indicate depression

  Young adults who report cold symptoms may actually suffer from depression, according to a new study. more...

• Brain activity in ADHD children explains lack of focus, study reveals

  A new study reveals that children who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have trouble switching off a part of their brain that prevents mind-wandering. more...

• The dangers of purchasing medication without a prescription online

  The abuse of prescription drugs, such as painkillers and sedatives, by individuals these medications are not meant for, is an increasing problem, according to the Mayo Clinic. Continued use may lead to harmful health effects, such as addiction. more...

• Chronic pain a worldwide problem

  A new market research report on pain management states that over 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from varying degrees of chronic pain. In addition, the U.S. is shown to represent the largest regional market for pain treatment. more...

• Study examines effects of World Trade Center attacks on survivors

  The results of a recent study of the 3,271 individuals who evacuated the World Trade Center (WTC) towers indicate that almost 96 percent of these survivors reported at least one symptom of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). more...

• FDA issues warnings to retailers for selling tobacco to minors

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of about 3,450 teens smoke their first cigarette every day. Many adolescents have no trouble purchasing tobacco products from retail stores, which has prompted the federal government to get involved. more...

• Journal says report linking vaccine and austim is a fraud

  A decade-old report that linked childhood vaccines to autism is fraudulent, according to the same journal that originally printed the study. more...

• New web-based tool allows for anonymous traumatic brain injury testing

  To identify the presence of traumatic brain injury in patients, researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine developed the first web-based screening tool for the condition. more...

• Poll: Most Americans concerned about teen pregnancy epidemic

  A new poll reveals that most Americans believe that teen pregnancy is a major concern and more programs should be implemented that promote safe sex and abstinence. more...

• Drug may provide more effective pain treatment

  Morphine is a medication that acts on the central nervous system to relieve pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. The results of a recent study show that a similar drug may produce longer lasting effects and and fewer complications. more...

• Study: Stress may link ordinary and traumatic memories

  The findings of a recent animal study indicate that stress can enhance memories with no relation to trauma. These results may lead to a better understanding of conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). more...

• Study may lead to a better understanding of impulsivity

  In a recent study, a research team led by scientists from the National Institutes of Health found that a genetic variant in the brain may spur impulsive behavior in individuals under the influence of alcohol. more...

• Missouri has shortage of qualified teachers in special education

  A high demand for special education teachers has prompted a Missouri-based college to add certificate programs that focus on helping children with autism. more...

• Skills competition designed to provide hope for depressed teens

  Individuals who successfully recover from depression and bipolar disorder can serve as role models for problem teens who suffer from the emotional disorders. more...

• Healthcare company donates iPads to autistic children

  Recent studies have shown that iPads can improve communication between teachers and children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recently, the Amerigroup Foundation donated 15 iPads to an elementary school in Virginia to serve as teaching aids for autistic children. more...

• Study: vaccine may help addicts kick habit

  Results from a new animal study have led researchers to believe they may have found a way to break and reverse cocaine addiction. more...

• Sleep apnea may lead to misdiagnosis of ADHD, expert says

  A recent report by CNN's Lisa Shives reveals that children who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) instead. The conditions may cause similar symptoms among kids, she reported. more...

• Report: Children with disabilities are not accurately represented in books

  A new report reveals that children who have developmental disabilities are underrepresented in the most acclaimed literature for kids. more...

• Study: A positive outlook can help individuals cope with trauma

  The findings of a new study set to appear in the January issue of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that soldiers who remained positive in traumatic situations were less likely to develop mental health problems. more...

• More kids are reporting negative incidents, survey reveals

  A new telephone survey by University of New Hampshire researchers reveals that about half of U.S. children who are the victims of crime and abuse later report the incident to an adult. more...

• Alcoholism may increase risk of obesity

  Researchers believe that a possible link between alcoholism and obesity may be due to certain changes in food ingredients and an increase in calories. more...