New research shows 71% of women report consuming alcohol-free and/or low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy

As 6 in 10 say advice about these alternatives is lacking, many turn to internet and social media for information

Experts say clarity on advice is vital, as the Government set to consult on changing the upper strength ‘alcohol free’ threshold to 0.5% ABV in-line with international standards

Patients with major depressive disorder, including those who have not responded to first-line antidepressants, may benefit from short-term nitrous oxide treatment, a major meta-analysis led by the University of Birmingham and published in eBioMedicine has found.

Rising inflation, shifting interest rates and geopolitical tensions can push companies into crisis, necessitating freezes of salary increases, changing benefits, cutting employees’ perks or reducing headcount. For employees, such drastic changes can result in experiencing a “psychological contract breach,” a perception that their organization failed to meet its obligations and promises, leading to negative views of their employers. Research finds that these negative views can be mitigated by companies engaging in corporate social responsibility. When employees think of their company as conscientious, kind and socially responsible, they believe that the company didn’t intentionally commit the breach but was forced to do so due to circumstances beyond its control.

We all know stress can worsen pain, but new research shows that anger and a sense of injustice may be even more powerful triggers. In a study of more than 700 people living with chronic pain, researchers uncovered four distinct “anger profiles” that help explain why some patients hurt more, and longer, than others. Those who felt wronged or unfairly treated by their condition were the most likely to report severe, persistent pain months later. The findings suggest that learning to understand and manage anger could be essential to healing.

While originally created as a way to help people stop smoking, a UBC Okanagan researcher is raising concerns about oral nicotine pouches being portrayed as trendy and pleasurable, especially among young people.

Dr. Laura Struik, Associate Professor in UBCO’s School of Nursing, recently published a study examining how the social media platform TikTok appears to promote nicotine pouches, particularly the brand Zyn, as a lifestyle rather than a way to quit smoking.

How to keep your brain in good shape? It is a good idea to regularly engage in creative activities, such as dancing, painting, or even playing certain computer games. Such activities are associated with delayed brain ageing, and the greater the experience, the stronger this association, scientists, including researchers from SWPS University, observed in an international study.