Health

Good Sleep May Matter More Than Diet or Exercise for Teenagers’ School Performance

Published

3 weeks ago

August 7, 2026

Good sleep may have a stronger influence on teenagers’ academic performance and social lives than diet, exercise or screen time, according to new research examining the daily factors that shape young people’s well-being.

The findings suggest that sleep could be particularly important for children experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or psychotic-like experiences, which have been linked to difficulties at school and in relationships.

Researchers examined data from more than 6,000 children for academic performance and more than 7,000 for social difficulties. The participants were aged between 10 and 13 and were assessed on four lifestyle factors: sleep quality, screen use, physical activity and diet.

Children showing symptoms of mental health difficulties generally performed worse academically and experienced more social problems. However, researchers found that lifestyle habits appeared to explain a significant part of this relationship, with sleep standing out as the most important factor.

“We expected sleep to be important, but we didn’t expect it to stand out so clearly above other lifestyle factors, particularly screen time,” said Jason Smucny, the study’s lead author at the University of California, Davis.

Researchers said poor sleep can cause daytime tiredness, problems with concentration and weaker executive functioning, all of which can make it harder for students to learn, complete schoolwork and perform well in examinations.

Sleep may also affect relationships. Disrupted or inadequate sleep can contribute to irritability and social withdrawal, potentially making it harder for young people to communicate with friends and maintain healthy relationships.

The researchers said their findings point to sleep quality as an important pathway through which early mental health symptoms can affect everyday functioning.

Tara Niendam, the study’s senior author, said parents, teachers and health professionals often concentrate on symptoms such as anxiety and depression, but families are also concerned about how those difficulties affect school performance, friendships and daily activities.

The research suggests that improving sleep routines could be one practical way of supporting young people facing these challenges.

Adolescents have increasingly struggled to get enough sleep, with previous research indicating that teenage sleep levels have declined over recent decades. School demands, social activities, technology use and changing schedules can all interfere with regular sleeping patterns.

The researchers stressed that better sleep cannot address every mental health problem. However, establishing consistent sleep routines may support emotional health and help young people manage the demands of school and social life.

With summer giving students an opportunity to recover from demanding school schedules, the findings highlight the potential importance of using the break to establish healthier and more consistent sleeping habits before the new academic year begins.

Health

West Nile Virus Cases Surge in Greece as Death Toll Reaches 19

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2026

Web Reporter

West Nile virus infections in Greece have increased sharply, with 75 new locally acquired cases reported in one week, bringing the total number of infections recorded during the 2026 transmission season to 232.

The latest figures from the National Public Health Organisation (EODY) show that 165 patients developed neurological complications affecting the central nervous system. These included conditions such as encephalitis, meningitis and acute flaccid paralysis.

Another 67 patients experienced milder illness or had no neurological symptoms. As of August 26, Greece had recorded 19 deaths linked to the virus. All of those who died were aged over 65.

Hospitals are also dealing with a significant number of patients. EODY reported that 73 people were receiving hospital treatment, including 26 in intensive care units and one in a high-dependency unit. A total of 124 patients have been discharged.

Attica sees major increase

The Attica region has emerged as the main centre of the outbreak, with authorities reporting particularly intense virus circulation compared with previous years.

Cases have been identified across 61 municipalities, 18 regional units and five regions: Attica, Thessaly, Central Macedonia, the Peloponnese and Central Greece.

Eastern Attica has been among the hardest-hit areas. Spata-Artemida has recorded 17 cases, including 15 involving the central nervous system. Markopoulo Mesogaias has reported 13 cases, while infections have also been detected in Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Agia Paraskevi, Pallini and Halandri.

Thessaly has also experienced substantial transmission. Larissa has recorded 21 cases, with additional infections reported in Karditsa, Palamas, Sofades, Kileler, Tempi, Tyrnavos and Farsala.

Central Macedonia has reported infections in several areas, including parts of Imathia, Thessaloniki, Pella, Pieria and Serres.

Authorities identify new risk areas

EODY has designated several additional municipalities as high-risk areas based on epidemiological and geographical factors, even though no human cases had been identified there at the time of assessment.

The areas include Heraklion of Attica, Nea Smyrni, Nea Filadelfia-Nea Chalkidona, Dafni-Ymittos, Amfipoli and Thasos.

Authorities have also detected signs of virus circulation among horses and other equidae. Recent infections were found in nine clusters across Eastern Attica, Western Athens, Drama, Preveza and the Thessaloniki metropolitan area.

EODY expects more cases to be identified in the coming weeks, both in areas already affected and in new locations. It also warned that recent figures could rise as diagnoses and official notifications can occur several days after symptoms begin.

The surge has placed Greece on heightened alert as health authorities continue monitoring the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

Health

Study Finds Eating Disorders Have Complex Genetic Links Beyond Body Weight

Published

2 days ago

August 25, 2026

Web Reporter

Eating disorders may have a stronger biological component than previously understood, with new research suggesting that genetic factors linked to binge eating and anorexia nervosa are distinct from those that influence body weight.

Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet examined genetic information from thousands of people to investigate factors associated with eating disorder behaviours. Their findings suggest that these conditions cannot be explained solely by body image, weight or metabolism.

The study, published in Nature Mental Health, included nearly 40,000 people with binge-eating behaviour and about 25,000 people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers compared them with more than 1.2 million people without eating disorders.

The team identified genetic variations statistically associated with a greater likelihood of developing the conditions. Six genetic markers were linked to binge eating, while eight were associated with anorexia nervosa. Two of the markers connected to anorexia had not previously been identified.

Lu Yi, principal researcher at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, said the findings showed that eating disorders were not simply related to body weight.

The researchers noted that many genetic variants associated with eating disorders differ from those that influence how much a person weighs. This points to a more complicated biological basis for the conditions.

Scientists can combine the effects of multiple genetic markers to produce what is known as a polygenic risk score. Such a score reflects the number and strength of genetic variants associated with a particular condition.

However, the researchers stressed that these genetic markers remain weak predictors when used on their own. Other biological, psychological and environmental factors would need to be considered when assessing an individual’s risk.

The study also identified links between genetic markers associated with eating disorders and other health and behavioural characteristics.

Some genetic markers connected to binge eating were also associated with traits involving impulse control, including smoking and risk-taking behaviour. They were also linked to higher body mass index and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Anorexia-related markers showed stronger genetic associations with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The researchers said these differences suggest that binge eating and anorexia nervosa may involve partly separate biological mechanisms, even though both are classified as eating disorders.

Lisa Dinkler, an assistant professor at Karolinska Institutet, said the findings could eventually contribute to more targeted treatment approaches based on the specific characteristics of different eating disorders.

Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide and are associated with serious risks to physical and mental health. They commonly involve disturbed eating patterns, intense concerns about food, weight or body shape, and significant effects on daily functioning.

Researchers said the findings could help shift the understanding of eating disorders away from a narrow focus on body weight and toward a broader view that considers distinct biological pathways.

Health

New RNA Modification Could Make mRNA Medicines More Powerful, Scientists Say

Published

5 days ago

August 22, 2026

Web Reporter

A small chemical change to messenger RNA could help future vaccines and medicines produce more therapeutic proteins inside cells, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Scientists have identified a potential alternative to the RNA modification widely used in current mRNA technology. Their research suggests that replacing N1-methylpseudouridine, known as m1Ψ, with a naturally occurring modification called N4-acetylcytidine, or ac4C, could increase the speed at which cells translate mRNA into proteins.

The findings were published in the journal Nature and could eventually have implications for vaccines and treatments being developed for infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune conditions.

The current leading mRNA platform uses m1Ψ, which became widely known through the COVID-19 vaccines. Researchers are now investigating the technology for a much broader range of medical applications.

The Johns Hopkins team compared the two modifications in cultured human dendritic cells and mouse liver cells. They found that ribosomes, the structures responsible for reading mRNA and producing proteins, moved considerably faster along ac4C-modified mRNA.

“Our results show that ac4C causes cells to produce more therapeutic proteins than the industry standard mRNA platform,” said Bin Wu, an associate professor of biophysics and biophysical chemistry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The researchers found that ribosomes travelled almost twice as fast on ac4C-modified mRNA compared with m1Ψ-modified mRNA.

Wu compared the difference to traffic congestion. When ribosomes move more slowly, they can build up along an mRNA strand and create what researchers describe as a molecular traffic jam. Faster movement could allow more ribosomes to process the same strand efficiently, increasing protein production.

The potential benefit could be significant for mRNA medicines. These treatments work by giving cells temporary genetic instructions to produce specific proteins. The amount of protein generated can influence whether a treatment reaches the level needed to produce a therapeutic effect.

If ac4C allows cells to produce more protein from the same amount of mRNA, future therapies could potentially require smaller doses. That could reduce the amount of material needed for some treatments while improving their effectiveness.

Researchers point out that more than 170 RNA modifications are known to exist, but only a limited number have been extensively investigated for use in mRNA therapies.

The discovery could open another area of research as scientists seek to improve the performance of mRNA technology. Potential applications include vaccines against infectious diseases, cancer treatments that activate immune responses and therapies designed to modify immune activity in autoimmune disorders.

However, ac4C is still at an experimental stage. The findings have so far been demonstrated in laboratory and animal cells, meaning further studies will be needed to determine whether the modification is safe and effective in living organisms.

If future research confirms the results, the chemical change could become an important step in improving the next generation of mRNA-based medicines.