Number and relative age of siblings is linked to risk of cardiovascular events

First-born children have a lower risk of cardiovascular events, but having lots of siblings is associated with an increased risk First-born children have a lower risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes than brothers and sisters born later, but people who are part of a large family with many siblings have an […]

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Autistic people across Europe have struggled to access COVID-19 services during pandemic

Likely result: rises in associated deaths, ill health, and poor quality of life, warn authors Autistic people across Europe have not only struggled to access standard health and care services during the pandemic, but, crucially, also those for COVID-19, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. The likely consequences of this widening of existing […]

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Long term use of prescription meds for insomnia not linked to better quality sleep

No difference between those who did and didn’t take these drugs for 1–2 years Long term use of prescription meds for insomnia doesn’t seem to improve disturbed sleep in middle-aged women, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. There was no difference in sleep quality or duration between those who did and didn’t take […]

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Preschoolers’ extensive electronic media use linked to emotional/behavioural issues

Associated with hyperactivity, short attention span, poor concentration and friendship issues  Preschoolers’ extensive use of electronic media, including game consoles, mobile phones, and tablets, is linked to a heightened risk of emotional and behavioural problems by the age of 5, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. This behaviour is associated with hyperactivity, short […]

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Higher coffee intake may be linked to lower prostate cancer risk

Each additional daily cup associated with reduction in risk of nearly 1% Drinking several cups of coffee every day may be linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the online journal BMJ Open. Each additional daily cup of the brew was associated with […]

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‘Diseases of despair’ have soared over past decade in US

Suicidal thoughts/behaviours among under 18s up by 287%, and by 210% among 18-34 year olds  ‘Diseases of despair’, such as substance abuse, alcohol dependency, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, have soared in the US over the past decade, reveals an analysis of health insurance claims data published in the online journal BMJ Open.  And they now […]

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Health benefits of multivitamins/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of users

No measurable clinical improvements between them and non-users, research suggests The health benefits of multivitamin/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of those who take them, prompted by positive expectations of effectiveness rather than hard evidence of that, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Multivitamin/mineral supplements are widely used, with some estimates […]

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Late childhood peer group status linked to heightened adult circulatory disease risk

Unpopular pre-teens at significantly higher risk of heart and blood vessel conditions  Late childhood peer group status may be linked to a heightened risk of developing circulatory system disease—conditions that affect the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels–in later life, indicates research published in the online journal BMJ Open. 13-year olds who aren’t very […]

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Antipsychotic prescriptions haven’t budged in 10+ years despite recommendations to curb use

And antidepressant prescriptions have risen sharply over the same period  The number of antipsychotic drugs prescribed to patients with intellectual disabilities has hardly changed in over a decade despite official recommendations for clinicians to stop using them due to side effects, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. And there’s been a sharp rise […]

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