Abstracts & Commentary
Melatonin use among adults has nearly doubled in the last decade, but comprehensive data on adverse effects is lacking. A recent randomized controlled trial used a creative setup to explore whether or not melatonin increases aggressive tendencies, an effect that has been observed in animals.
Light at night (LAN), often called “light pollution,” has been identified as a public health threat. A recent study links LAN specifically to increased prevalence of depression and suicide or suicidal ideation.
Exposure to green space has been shown to improve mental health in both children and adults. A large study involving nearly 1 million people is the first to show a relationship between green space exposure during childhood and risk of mental illness in adulthood.
A retrospective study finds that children with type 1 diabetes who experience partial remission (“honeymoon” phase) have lower low-density cholesterol levels up to 5 years post-diagnosis, prompting the question: could interventions to protect islet cells prevent long-term complications?
Delirium is a common complication among patients in the intensive care unit, but treatment options are limited and pose additional risks. Could melatonin, a simple and nontoxic intervention, be an effective therapy for this condition?
Clinical trial finds a novel mode of blue light delivery improves mood in teenagers suffering from depression.
Fitness trackers and similar technologies, a multibillion dollar industry, provide users with a plethora of information. Many collect data not just on step count or miles covered, but on physiologic measures of fitness and health such as heart rate and sleep patterns. But how reliable is the data?
Research shows lack of sleep disrupts glymphatic clearance of β-amyloid, revealing a potential association between sleep disturbance and neurodegenerative disorders of the brain.
Sales of gluten-free products have skyrocketed in recent years, as many consumers who do not have celiac disease attribute their gastrointestinal symptoms to the wheat protein. Could a laboratory test predict gluten insensitivity in this population?
A survey-based study of a large population in China finds air pollution is associated with declining performance on verbal and mathematical tests, with variations in effects related to both age and gender.
