Loneliness is a serious issue that affects many people. It is not just a feeling of sadness. It can have real effects on a person's health. This is especially true for adults and older adults. A recent study looked into how loneliness affects the health of these groups. It found that loneliness can make people more likely to have health problems. This is important be...

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 changed the game for clinical trials and health research. Digital methods became the new norm overnight. The UK is now pushing to make these online techniques standard practice. However, there is a big question mark over how these digital tools affect who gets involved, who stays involved, and who is left out of health research. Thi...

The world of mental health research is buzzing with talk about large language models. These are like super-smart computers that can understand and generate human language. They are supposed to make research faster and easier. But here is the thing. Nobody knows just how much these big brain computers are being used in mental health studies. The idea is that these mo...

The likelihood of developing dementia varies greatly depending on where you live in the US. The Southeast region, which includes states like Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, has the highest risk. People in this area are 25% more likely to develop dementia compared to the Mid-Atlantic region, which has the lowest rates. This is a significant differenc...

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is facing a significant challenge. Many of its scientists are publicly criticizing recent budget cuts. This is a big deal because the NIH is a major player in global health research. The cuts are causing real problems for ongoing studies and the people involved in them. The scientists are worried about the impact on public hea...

Depression is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It affects people in different ways and has a high chance of coming back. Understanding how symptoms interact can help in managing this risk. A recent study looked into how connected symptoms are in people with depression and how this relates to the likelihood of relapse. Researchers tracked 87 individuals who...

Infertility is a heavy burden for many women. It's not just about the physical struggle. The emotional toll is massive. The negative attitudes and judgments from society can make it even worse. This is what we call stigma. It's a real problem that affects mental health and overall well-being. There's a tool called the Infertility Stigma Scale (ISS). It's been used in...

The connection between our genes and personality is a hot topic. One interesting angle is the role of genetic risk for schizophrenia. It turns out that having a high genetic risk for schizophrenia might influence personality traits in people who don't actually develop the disorder. This is not about causing schizophrenia but rather about how genes might shape who ...

Breastfeeding is a natural process that has been practiced for centuries. It is known to provide numerous benefits to both mothers and infants. In recent years, researchers have been exploring the long-term effects of breastfeeding on women's health. One area of interest is how breastfeeding might affect the lifespan of women. A study focused on Mexican women who had...

Every year, over 800, 000 people in the United States experience a heart attack. For those who have already had one, avoiding a second one is crucial. Recent findings shed light on how simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. People who have had a heart attack often worry about having another one. But here is the good news: small changes in daily habi...