Fluoride exposure may impact children’s cognitive development, study finds
A study from rural Bangladesh links prenatal fluoride exposure to lower cognitive abilities in children, even at levels below global safety guidelines.
Emotional intelligence helps children become better readers
Better emotional skills in childhood are linked to stronger reading comprehension years later, according to new research.
New psychology research links gratitude development to lower adolescent depression
Teens who develop gratitude during middle school may be better protected from depression, thanks to improved self-esteem, according to a recent study.
Pandemic-era children show altered brain responses to facial expressions, new study finds
Children tested during the COVID-19 pandemic show reduced sensitivity to emotional expressions, particularly happiness—highlighting possible effects of limited social exposure in early development.
Verbal aggression in adult relationships linked to fathers’ behavior and adolescent friendships, 20-year study finds
Childhood exposure to paternal aggression and teen friendship turmoil may predict adult romantic conflict, according to new research.
Scientists identify distinct brain patterns linked to mental health symptoms
A new study finds that brain connectivity patterns can predict different types of mental health symptoms, with distinct features linked to internalizing and externalizing behaviors across development.
Study reveals age-related differences in how children with social anxiety handle errors
Children with social anxiety struggle to refocus after making mistakes, but this difficulty fades with age, a new study finds, highlighting key changes in cognitive development.
The lifelong impact of early touch
Scientific studies increasingly highlight the essential role of physical touch in promoting infant health, neurodevelopment, and parent-infant attachment.
Early social rejection may foster dark personality traits through loneliness, study suggests
Social rejection in adolescence may encourage the development of dark personality traits, with loneliness playing a significant role in this process, according to a new study.
Are babies secret lip readers? Study uncovers surprising early language skills
A new study reveals babies begin learning language earlier than previously believed. Researchers found four-month-olds connect sounds to mouth movements, demonstrating early pattern recognition crucial for language development.
Harsh parenting in childhood may alter brain development and lead to behavioral issues in girls
For girls, early harsh parenting might impact brain circuits involved in emotion regulation, increasing the likelihood of behavioral difficulties later in childhood.
Infant regulatory problems linked to poorer peer relationships and altered brain connectivity in adulthood
A study found that infants with persistent regulatory problems (e.g., sleeping, crying, feeding difficulties) had poorer peer relationships in adulthood and increased functional connectivity in the allostatic-interoceptive brain system.
Genes and childhood trauma both play a role in adult ADHD symptoms, study finds
New research reveals both genetic risk and childhood maltreatment are linked to adult ADHD. Genes may also shape a child's environment, increasing the likelihood of maltreatment, potentially via early ADHD symptoms.
Rice-based baby food linked to lower ADHD risk in Taiwan study
New research suggests that rice-based complementary feeding may protect against ADHD, reducing the hazard by 27%. Male sex, low income, and low birth weight were also identified as ADHD risk factors.
Fluoride exposure in early childhood does not harm intelligence, Australian study finds
A new study published in the Journal of Dental Research finds no link between early childhood fluoride exposure and lower intelligence in young adulthood, reinforcing the safety of fluoride in water and toothpaste for developing brains.
