Month: September 2011

While each teen reacts differently to peer pressure, researchers found a surprising perpetuator in drinking among adolescents: It’s not their friends or their significant others’ drinking habits that rub off on them most, but the drinking habits of the friends of their significant other. “Dating someone whose friends are big

The phrase “not a morning person” might seem to be applicable to most people, but a Cornell University study involving Twitter found that we are actually at our happiest early in the day and also on the weekends. Over the course of two years, researchers analyzed tweets — 140 character

The struggling economy is affecting the welfare of countries around the world and especially in the way of healthcare. In his latest address, National Institute of Mental Health Director Thomas Insel discusses the World Economic Forum’s new report, which brings to light the global economic burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs),

Parents place a lot of emphasis on making sure their teenagers aren’t hanging out with the “wrong crowd.” However, a Northwestern University study revealed that whether an adolescent succumbs to peer pressure actually depends on the situation. “Opposite to what a lot of researchers think would happen, some kids in

People might think highly of selfless, martyr-esque leaders, but when push comes to shove, a Northwestern University study found that a pushy, power-seeking leader is the one who garners the most respect. “People with high prestige are often regarded as saints, possessing a self-sacrificial quality and strong moral standards,” said

While there is currently no cure for autism or any autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the use of intensive therapy can help improve social and communication skills, which are commonly problematic in those with ASD. And according to a University of Missouri study, the younger children are when they begin intensive

In less than a decade, the number of adolescents in the United States prescribed stimulants to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased by half a million, according to a new study. In 1996, 2.4 percent of children were being prescribed ADHD medicine, but by 2008, that percentage rose to 3.5, equaling

It might sound like the stuff of movies or a plot taken from a ’90s sitcom, but Michigan State University researchers found that people may actually be learning while they sleep. In the study, which consisted of more than 250 participants, researchers discovered that there could be a link between

Extensive research by the Mayo Clinic revealed that aerobic activity as simple as raking leaves may reduce the progression of dementia. The key, say researchers, is to increase the heart rate and the body’s need for oxygen, which could help preserve cognitive functions in dementia patients. “We culled through all

The media has placed more focus on the male body image in recent years, but a University of Manitoba study suggests that this increased attention has not led boys to become more concerned about their appearance. Instead of trying to look big and muscular like many modern male celebrities, most