Health News & Info

When it comes to raising children, parents are often given simple messages: less screen time is better, more exercise is better, and the right early education will give children a head start. But two long-term studies suggest the picture may be more complicated. One 20-year study of almost 400,000 students found that children who attended public-school pre-K - in Ireland known as  ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) in  Creches, Montessori and the like - went on to achieve higher grades and test scores throughout their school years than children who experienced other forms of early childcare. Meanwhile, an eight-year Finnish...

The first years of life represent a critical period in human development, and growing research suggests that the trillions of microorganisms living in the gut may play a far more important role in health than previously imagined. From pregnancy and birth through infancy and early childhood, the developing microbiome appears to influence everything from growth and immune function to brain development and disease risk. Recent studies have highlighted the potential benefits of probiotics—beneficial live microorganisms—in supporting both maternal and infant health. One of the most significant areas of research concerns premature infants, who face unique health challenges due to their...

Vitamin D has long been recognized for its importance in maintaining healthy bones and supporting normal immune function. However, a growing body of research suggests that its influence may extend far beyond these traditional roles, with potential implications for pain perception, cognitive health, dementia risk and overall wellbeing. Recent studies have highlighted intriguing associations between vitamin D status and surgical recovery, cognitive performance, long-term brain health and the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation itself. One area attracting increasing attention is the relationship between vitamin D and pain. Researchers studying women undergoing radical mastectomy for breast cancer found that those with...

Melatonin has long been regarded as a safe and natural aid for improving sleep. However, two recent pieces of research are raising important questions about its long-term use in both adults and children. New Findings on Heart Health in AdultsPreliminary research presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 found that adults with chronic insomnia who used melatonin for at least one year had a significantly higher risk of developing heart failure over the following five years compared with similar insomnia sufferers who did not use melatonin. The study analysed more than 130,000 adults from the TriNetX global health-records...