Children with autism who live with pets are more assertive December 30, 2014 University of Missouri­Columbia Dogs and other pets play an important role in individuals’ social lives, and they can act as catalysts for social interaction, previous research has shown. Although much media attention has focused on how dogs can improve the social skills

Source: Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health Children exposed during pregnancy to elevated levels of two common chemicals found in the home–di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP)–had an IQ score, on average, more than six points lower than children exposed at lower levels. Credit: © rudisetiawan / Fotolia Children exposed during pregnancy to

University of Rochester Medical Center MRI image of brain and skull (stock image). As with the rest of the body, the timely removal of waste from the brain is essential to prevent the unchecked accumulation of toxic proteins and other debris. However, until recently no one was entirely clear how the brain accomplished this. Credit:

New York City Plans Focus on Mental Health in Justice System By MICHAEL WINERIP and MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ DEC. 1, 2014 In an effort to reduce the growing number of inmates with mental health and substance abuse problems in New York City’s jails, the administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans on Monday to significantly