News in 2012
- Genes link growth in the womb with adult metabolism and disease 3 December 2012 Researchers from 43 studies of pregnancy and birth, including Children of the 90s, have identified four new genetic regions that influence birth weight, providing further evidence that genes as well as maternal nutrition are important for growth in the womb.
- Even moderate drinking in pregnancy can affect a child's IQ 14 November 2012 Relatively small levels of exposure to alcohol while in the womb can influence a child’s IQ, according to a new study led by researchers from the universities of Bristol and Oxford using data from over 4,000 mothers and their children from Children of the 90s.
- Children at risk of eating disorders have higher IQ and better working memory 15 October 2012 Children at risk for eating disorders have, on average, a higher IQ and better working memory but have poorer attentional control, according to new research based on data from Children of the 90s. The study looked at what might make some children more likely to develop an eating disorder later in life. Funded by WellChild, the national charity for sick children, this was the first large-scale study of children aged 8-10 deemed to be at high risk of developing an eating disorder, due to having a family member with anorexia, bulimia or both. Importantly, the children did not show any signs or symptoms of such a disorder at the time they were studied. Using data from the Children of the 90s study (ALSPAC) at the University of Bristol,
- Helping researchers get CLOSER to the facts of life 2 October 2012 A world-leading initiative, which brings together some of the most important studies of people's lives in the UK – including Children of the 90s – has been launched this week. It will focus on nine of the country’s leading studies, with participants born as early as 1911 and as recently as 2007.
- Time outdoors looks good for children's eyesight 31 July 2012 British children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to become short-sighted according to new research from Children of the 90s. Short-sightedness (myopia) can affect 25-50 per cent of young people in the West and up to 80 per cent of young people in parts of south-east Asia. The researchers found that children who spent more time outdoors at age 8-9 were only about half as likely to become short-sighted by the age of 15.
- Another good reason to enjoy the sunshine 25 July 2012 New research from Children of the 90s published today shows that participants who had good levels of vitamin D when they were children were less likely to have what are known as non-clinical psychotic experiences when they were older.
- Hope for osteoporosis sufferers 5 July 2012 Researchers from Children of the 90s, in collaboration with scientists from Australia, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden have identified a gene called WNT16 which they believe to be associated with osteoporosis. These results are among the first to identify the ‘osteoporosis’ gene.
- Professor Jean Golding awarded OBE today 23 May 2012 Professor Jean Golding, founder of Children of the 90s, will receive an OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace today.
- Children of the 90s wins Bristol Genius Award 22 May 2012 Children of the 90s has won the inaugural Bristol Genius Award, for 'a project or organisation that has the potential to change lives for the better or has already changed lives significantly'.
- Children of the 90s researcher recognised for excellence in medical sciences 10 May 2012 Professor Debbie Lawlor who runs the Focus on Mothers study at Children of the 90s has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science by election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
- Link between red-hair gene and rare birthmarks discovered 10 May 2012 New research using data from Children of the 90s has identified that the gene that causes red hair (MC1R) is more common in children with congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN), a rare form of birthmark.
- Early blood-pressure monitoring might identify women at risk of preeclampsia 23 April 2012 New research from Children of the 90s indicates that the rate at which blood pressure changes during pregnancy is different for women with normal pregnancies and those who develop blood pressure problems.
- Vitamin D not linked to educational achievement 19 April 2012 High levels of vitamin D do not seem to affect teenagers’ academic performance, according to new research from Children of the 90s.
- Diet or DNA: are we fated to be fat? 14 March 2012 Marks on the genetic ‘code’ that babies have at birth are different for children who go on to be obese or overweight compared to those who do not, new research from Children of the 90s and Newcastle University has found.
- Owning a dog encourages pregnant women to exercise 15 February 2012 A study of more than 11,000 women in Children of the 90s shows that those who owned dogs when pregnant were approximately 50 per cent more likely than those who didn’t to achieve the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day through high levels of brisk walking.
- Children as young as nine at risk of depression due to vitamin D deficiency 19 January 2012 New research from Children of the 90s, shows that the link between low levels of vitamin D and depression is established in childhood and that ensuring children have a good intake of vitamin D could help reduce depression in adolescence and adulthood. The link between depression and vitamin D (which we get from exposure to sunlight and from certain foods, like oily fish and fortified breakfast cereals) has already been established in adults but this is the first study to look at the vitamin’s effect in children.