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When (and why) doctors might ask patients about guns

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-doctors-patients-guns.html

Published: January 7, 2026 18:20

To assess a patient's overall well-being and identify potential health risks, clinicians routinely ask questions on a wide range of topics, such as car seats, mental health, diet, sexual activity, alcohol, exercise and smoking.

Do children consider male authority to be more legitimate than female authority?

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-children-male-authority-legitimate-female.html

Published: January 7, 2026 14:54

By the age of 4, children already understand that male figures more often hold power than their female counterparts in mixed-gender interactions. Nevertheless, do they simply witness this inequality, or do they consider it as legitimate?

Mental health concerns encourage rethinking of childhood trauma support in schools

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-mental-health-rethinking-childhood-trauma.html

Published: January 7, 2026 13:28

Schools should be ideal places for children who have faced trauma to process their experiences. Yet too often, school systems lack the infrastructure or training to support their most vulnerable students, according to a Rutgers researcher who argues that…

Study shows digital interactions offer fewer emotional benefits than face-to-face meetings

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-digital-interactions-emotional-benefits.html

Published: January 7, 2026 11:14

A review of more than 1,000 studies suggests that using technology to communicate with others is better than nothing—but still not as good as face-to-face interactions.

Adverse prenatal exposures linked to higher rates of mental health issues, brain changes in adolescents

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-adverse-prenatal-exposures-linked-higher.html

Published: January 7, 2026 11:00

In a study led by researchers from Mass General Brigham, children with more adverse prenatal exposures (APEs) showed higher rates of behavior problems that persisted into mid-adolescence, faster cortical thinning across multiple brain regions, and more…

Sleeping in on weekends may help boost teens' mental health

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-weekends-boost-teens-mental-health.html

Published: January 7, 2026 09:42

Sleeping in on the weekend to catch up on sleep lost during the week may be good for adolescents' mental health, according to new research by the University of Oregon and the State University of New York Upstate Medical University.

Simple tool predicts mental health burden, treatment needs in newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease patients

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-simple-tool-mental-health-burden.html

Published: January 7, 2026 07:07

More than half a million patients in the UK have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and research suggests that up to 30% experience mental ill health as a result. Now, a new study outlines how many of the 25,000 new patients diagnosed each year could…

Hidden heartache of losing an animal companion

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-hidden-heartache-animal-companion.html

Published: January 7, 2026 07:00

The emotional toll of losing a beloved pet during the COVID-19 pandemic has been revealed in an international study, revealing that grief for animals is often profound, enduring and still widely misunderstood.

The untold story of life with Prader–Willi syndrome, according to the siblings who live it

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-untold-story-life-praderwilli-syndrome.html

Published: January 6, 2026 19:00

New research from the University of East Anglia (UK) reveals the hidden struggles experienced by the brothers and sisters of people with Prader–Willi syndrome.

Humans may be predisposed to understanding the complexities of music

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-humans-predisposed-complexities-music.html

Published: January 6, 2026 15:52

There is a long-standing debate in the field of music cognition about the impact of musical training and whether formal training is needed to pick up higher-order tonal structures—the overarching harmonic framework of a piece of music.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may aid risk stratification in depressive disorder

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-neutrophil-lymphocyte-ratio-aid-stratification.html

Published: January 6, 2026 12:59

An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is significantly associated with increased risk of depressive disorder (DD) and may also correlate with suicide risk among individuals with DD, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis published in…

Study underscores role of sleep in reducing toll of social adversity on breast cancer survivors' health

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-underscores-role-toll-social-adversity.html

Published: January 6, 2026 11:23

Where someone lives can affect their health. For breast cancer survivors, their neighborhood can influence their recovery from treatment.

Representative workforce needed to address the US behavioral health crisis

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-workforce-behavioral-health-crisis.html

Published: January 6, 2026 09:59

A new paper published in Nature Mental Health argues that the U.S. cannot end its worsening behavioral health crisis without a workforce that reflects the racial, ethnic, lived-experience, linguistic, and geographic diversity of our nation. In the article,…

Lonely construction workers at highest risk of suicide

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-lonely-workers-highest-suicide.html

Published: January 6, 2026 09:40

High levels of loneliness among construction workers in Western Australia are the most pertinent factor driving suicidal thoughts and highlights a need to strengthen social connection, according to a new study.

Anorexia nervosa may result in long-term skeletal muscle impairment

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-anorexia-nervosa-result-term-skeletal.html

Published: January 6, 2026 09:28

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric condition characterized by a fear of weight gain and reduced calorie consumption that can result in dangerous weight loss. This condition is thought to affect around 1–4% of all women, and those who suffer from it, or have…

A stress-related chemical could initiate symptoms of depression

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-stress-chemical-symptoms-depression.html

Published: January 6, 2026 08:50

Depression, one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, impaired daily functioning and a loss of interest in daily activities, often along with altered sleeping and eating patterns. Past…

Schizophrenia-linked genetic variant renders brain receptor unresponsive to both natural and therapeutic compounds

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-schizophrenia-linked-genetic-variant-brain.html

Published: January 6, 2026 01:00

A genetic mutation passed from mother to children in families affected by schizophrenia has now been shown to completely silence a brain receptor that pharmaceutical companies are racing to target with new drugs.

University seeks veterans to participate in cannabis treatment study

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-university-veterans-cannabis-treatment.html

Published: January 5, 2026 20:30

Wayne State University is seeking veterans with post traumatic stress disorder to participate in a study testing the impacts of cannabis use to treat the disorder.

Smoking-reduction strategies could ease loneliness and social isolation

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-reduction-strategies-ease-loneliness-social.html

Published: January 5, 2026 13:24

Health behavior experts have a question: If loneliness results in the same risk of dying early as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, could the strategies that greatly reduced smoking in the United States a half century ago also potentially ease the…

As flu cases surge, why don't more people vaccinate?

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-flu-cases-surge-dont-people.html

Published: January 5, 2026 12:16

Flu infections are rising sharply across the United States, contributing to at least 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths so far this season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As flu outbreaks increase, why are people…

Mental health a popular New Year's resolution, survey finds

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-mental-health-popular-year-resolution.html

Published: January 5, 2026 09:30

More than a third of Americans plan to focus on their mental health as part of their New Year's resolutions, a new survey says.

Why nail-biting, procrastination and other self-sabotaging behaviors are rooted in survival instincts

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-procrastination-sabotaging-behaviors-rooted-survival.html

Published: January 4, 2026 19:00

Self-harming and self-sabotaging behaviors, from skin picking to ghosting people, all stem from evolutionary survival mechanisms, according to a compelling new psychological analysis.

What color should I repaint my home? Ask a psychologist

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-repaint-home-psychologist.html

Published: January 2, 2026 09:53

I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. "Isn't it about time," my partner began, "that we freshened this place up a little?"

Why procrastination isn't laziness—it's rigid thinking that your brain can unlearn

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-procrastination-isnt-laziness-rigid-brain.html

Published: January 2, 2026 09:42

Most of us have experienced it: a deadline approaches, the task is perfectly doable, yet instead of starting, we suddenly feel compelled to tidy a drawer or reorganize the apps on our phone. Procrastination feels irrational from the outside but gripping…

Why New Year's resolutions might feel harder this year—and what could help

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-year-resolutions-harder.html

Published: January 2, 2026 09:36

The start of a new year has long been considered an important moment for personal change. Psychological research shows that calendar landmarks such as birthdays, Mondays or the new year can act as mental reset points, making people more likely to reflect…

Top tips for getting through winter months—and they're not what you think

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-winter-months-theyre.html

Published: January 2, 2026 08:59

Winter can feel long. With the buzz of the festive season behind us and spring not yet on the horizon, January and February can be particularly challenging. It's cold outside and daylight is in short supply, but what if, instead of wishing it away, we…

How to make and keep New Year's resolutions

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-year-resolutions.html

Published: December 30, 2025 15:30

Most New Year's resolutions collapse before the holiday decorations reach the loft—and it's not that people are lazy or necessarily lack motivation. The issue is that most goals are written in the tone of a stern headteacher, which is a fast route to…

What loving-kindness meditation is and how to practice it in the new year

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-kindness-meditation-year.html

Published: December 30, 2025 10:37

A popular New Year's resolution is to take up meditation—specifically mindfulness meditation. This is a healthy choice.

High risk of sleep apnea linked to poorer mental health in adults over 45

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-high-apnea-linked-poorer-mental.html

Published: December 30, 2025 09:40

Researchers at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa found that high risk of obstructive sleep apnea was associated with approximately 40% higher odds of a composite poor mental health outcome at baseline and follow-up among adults…

Sulfate and carbon in fine air pollution tied to higher depression risk

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-sulfate-carbon-fine-air-pollution.html

Published: December 30, 2025 08:40

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter like PM2.5 components in polluted air can not only cause respiratory diseases, but also increase the risk of depression in older people, especially in those living with preexisting heart, metabolic and…

How to combat the post-Christmas slump

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-combat-christmas-slump.html

Published: December 29, 2025 13:10

For many people, the run-up to Christmas is filled with excitement and anticipation. For others, it can quietly tip into something more difficult. A drop in mood is particularly common after Christmas, especially in the final week of the year and the first…

How stroke influences speech comprehension

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-speech-comprehension.html

Published: December 29, 2025 13:00

Following a stroke, some people experience a language disorder that hinders their ability to process speech sounds. How do their brains change from stroke?

Biophobia: Why some people hate nature—and what you can do about it

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-biophobia-people-nature.html

Published: December 29, 2025 12:40

We're constantly told that spending time in nature is good for the body and the mind alike. A large body of research shows multiple health benefits from contact with nature, ranging from stress reduction to an improved immune system and even improved…

Why do we blush? Turning red may have surprising social benefits

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-red-social-benefits.html

Published: December 29, 2025 12:30

We've all had the feeling. You're embarrassed and then there it is: a warm flush creeping up your neck and across your cheeks. The more you think about it, the hotter and redder you get. If someone asks "are you blushing?" it only makes you blush more.

How doubting your doubts may increase your commitment to goals

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-commitment-goals.html

Published: December 29, 2025 10:39

When it comes to our most important long-term goals in life, it is not uncommon to face obstacles that may lead us to doubt whether we can achieve our ambitions.

Researchers use virtual reality to reduce anxiety about death

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-virtual-reality-anxiety-death.html

Published: December 29, 2025 10:30

Texas A&M University researchers have found that a brief virtual reality (VR) simulation of a near-death experience can sharply reduce people's anxiety about death. In a small pilot study of about 60 young adults, participants reported a 75% decrease in…

Pediatrician explains why bullying hurts all children and what parents can do about it

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-pediatrician-bullying-children-parents.html

Published: December 29, 2025 08:10

Every day, thousands of kids suffer the fear, shame and frustration of being bullied. More than 19% of children aged 12 to 18 say they have been targeted by peers, with a frightening number of cases happening online. A pediatrician explains what every…

Survey shows post-pandemic gains in student mental health

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-survey-pandemic-gains-student-mental.html

Published: December 29, 2025 07:04

Anxiety has declined since the pandemic among Minnesota teens, who are still using social media even if they think they shouldn't and consuming more energy drinks to keep up with homework and activities, according to an influential statewide survey.

'Love actually,' 'Four Christmases' and the science of holiday comfort movies

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-christmases-science-holiday-comfort-movies.html

Published: December 29, 2025 05:47

Every winter, millions of people curl up on the couch and press play on the same beloved holiday movies—whether it's "Love Actually," "The Holiday," "The Family Stone" or "Four Christmases."