science wire

New South Wales (NSW) has the highest number of pokies out of all'Australian states and territories, and NSW residents gamble the most money on the pokies compared to anywhere else in Australia.

A study co-authored by Joseph Mumbanza, Laurent Licata and Claudia Toma shows that the perception of gender discrimination does not always lead to greater support for equality policies - particularly among women.

Writing for The Conversation, Dr Irini Mavrou (UCL Ioe) details her research on why both native speakers and second language speakers can come across as rude when speaking to one another.

The key health and social indicators needed for a new global system to monitor people's health before pregnancy have been identified for the first time by researchers at University College London and the University of Southampton. As more women are becoming pregnant with health conditions that can complicate pregnancy and childbirth, such as obesity, diabetes and mental illness, pre-pregnancy health has been thrown into the spotlight.

The psychological impacts of flooding in Ireland often far outlast the physical damage, according to new research from Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and National College of Ireland. The working paper published today by the Climate Change Advisory Council [March 12th] highlights the mental health toll of flooding and practical actions that could reduce it.

People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder die on average ten to 20 years earlier than the general population.

These and other mind-body interventions can be particularly helpful when programs are shorter, simpler and cognitively less demanding, and when caregivers provide support, researchers find Non-pharma

Dr Lucy Core (UCL UK Dementia Research Institute) describes in The Conversation how some patients with dementia can develop new and unexpected interests, suggesting that not all dementia symptoms are related to memory loss.

A new study is the first to suggest realistic ways to integrate wisdom into artificial intelligence, to create AI systems that will be more robust, transparent, cooperative and safe.

A new scientific statement warns of health risks for children and young people from digital media. Scientific organisations are calling for clear age limits and stronger child protection.

The bad news: weight bias exists in medicine. The good news: researchers have found promising interventions to support medical students to provide weight-inclusive care.

A group-based support programme for foster carers significantly improves carer wellbeing, reduces burnout and stress, and strengthens relationships with children in care, while also offering good value for money, finds a new study led by a UCL researcher.

Nature-based therapy may help people to find hope, meaning and a deeper sense of connection, according to new research from The University of Manchester.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, accounting for around 37 per cent of deaths - both in Austria and worldwide.

DECISIONS New research from the University of Copenhagen, INSERM and Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research shows that the brain in mice works in separate channels at the same time, when they respond to emotionally significant stimuli. The research helps us better understand how the brain can quickly react to what is important.

Menopause is linked to reductions in grey matter volume in key brain regions as well as increased levels of anxiety and depression and difficulties with sleep, according to new research from the University of Cambridge.

Historic places are vital for mental health, providing the permanence people need to feel secure in their surroundings and the stability to function and thrive in everyday life, according to a new report published by Historic England and the University of Glasgow.

Alcohol treatment for adolescents in England who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) is more than twice as likely to fail than compared to those who are , University of Manchester researchers have found.

Writing for The Conversation, Professor Daisy Fancourt (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) debunks the 'mad artistic genius' theory and explores the complexities behind the stereotype.

Writing for The Conversation, Professor Daisy Fancourt (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) debunks the 'mad artistic genius' theory and explores the complexities behind the stereotype.

Two-year-olds in England watch television, videos or other digital content for an average of two hours each day, double the daily recommended screen time, new UCL-led research finds.

New paper challenges old notions of 'glitched brain' idea of delusions and instead focuses on physical experiences of strong and deeply held emotion. People experiencing delusions during an episode of psychosis may be 'living out' a deeply held emotion, according to new research that provides a 'radically different perspective' on one of the most puzzling elements of psychosis.

The University of Valencia (UV) is coordinating the European project PainGutPFC, which addresses one of the most prevalent health problems worldwide: chronic pain and its associated emotional and cognitive complications.

Writing for The Conversation, Professor Eamon McCrory (UCL Psychology and Languages) PhD candidate Ritika Chokhani (UCL Division of Psychiatry) explain how "social thinning" has reduced social options for many young people.

Carnegie Mellon University senior Solomon Wechter combined both lowand high-tech research techniques in his work on a psychology study about couples and alcohol use disorder.

Nearly 80% of Americans aged 12 and older have drank alcohol at least once in their lives, and 10% of the population suffers from alcohol use disorder.

The week after the autumn clock change is associated with a modest reduction in demand for NHS services for sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, and psychiatric conditions in England, finds a study led by UCL and University of Bristol researchers. However, there is little evidence that the spring clock change has any short term effect on the number of health conditions, say the authors of the paper, published in the Christmas issue of  The BMJ.

A Glasgow based team of researchers have pioneered new techniques to identify, measure and record memories and emotions about place that will help deliver more effective regeneration.

Research team investigates strategies to control laughter - and when social cues override them In many everyday and professional situations, laughing at the wrong moment can be inappropriate or disruptive, making the ability to hold back amusement an important skill.

PhD candidate Raafiah Mussa (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) explores the many challenges stroke survivors face in her article for The Conversation.