Sound sleep, for long enough every night, with consistent bed and wake-up times are critical for kids’ health. A child development expert suggests some overarching tips to help get you there. — By Erika Bocknek, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, Wayne State University Everyone knows that sleep is critical for growing children and their mental and physical health. Regular, high-quality sleep habits help children consolidate memory and learn better. A lack of sleep contributes to childhood depression, anxiety and even risk of…

What’s behind the harmful behavior and how to get help, according to a youth psychology expert — By Sara Goldstein, Professor of Human Development, University of Delaware Being bullied can make your life miserable, and decades of research prove it: Bullied children and teens are at risk for anxiety, depression, dropping out of school, peer rejection, social isolation and self-harm. Adults can be bullied too, often at…

As the war between Hamas and Israel grinds forward, two experts explain how Israelis and Palestinians have cooperated to tackle their region’s water challenges. — By Clive Lipchin, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Studies, Tel Aviv University and Richard Friend, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, University of York Water is a central element of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel controls several water pipelines entering Gaza, much as it controls most…

Native plants help damaged landscapes by stabilizing soil, fighting invasive species and sheltering pollinators. Two horticulture experts explain what they’re doing to help develop new seed sources. — By Julia Kuzovkina, Professor of Horticulture, University of Connecticut and John Campanelli, PhD Student in Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut Spring is planting time for home gardeners, landscapers and public works agencies across the U.S. …

Gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities can face significant economic challenges with age. — By Marc Cohen, Clinical Professor of Gerontology and Co-Director LeadingAge LTSS Center, UMass Boston; Jane Tavares, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer of Gerontology, LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, UMass Boston; and Molly Wylie, Ph.D. Candidate in Gerontology, UMass Boston While preparing for retirement can be difficult for anyone, LGBTQ+ Americans…

Bacterial contamination produced eye drops can lead to severe infections and even death — By Alexander Sundermann, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh; and Daria Van Tyne, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in late October 2023 urging consumers to avoid purchasing and to immediately stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products because…

Health care providers often dismiss endometriosis pain as ‘all in your head’ − which can delay a correct diagnosis and treatment for years. — By Kristina S. Brown, Professor and Chair of Couple and Family Therapy, Adler University Endometriosis causes physical, sexual and emotional pain. …

If you’re average, you know more than 40,000 words. How you retrieve and use them in milliseconds is an astonishing feat. — By Nichol Castro, Assistant Professor of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, University at Buffalo The days of having a dictionary on your bookshelf are numbered. But that’s OK, because everyone already walks around with a dictionary — not the one on your phone, but the one in your head.

Before a revolution can take place, the oppressed first have to recognize that they actually do not have many rights. — By Michael A. Allen, Professor of Political Science, Boise State University and Julie VanDusky-Allen, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boise State University Barbie dolls and “Star Wars” movies and toys have entertained generations of American children — in many cases, well into adulthood. …