Being close to someone with a gambling problem puts you at risk of developing a gambling issue of your own, according to new research involving the University of Bath in the UK. Strong family relationships can help reduce this risk, however friendships do not appear to confer the same protection.

Huge inequality between inner-city and suburban parks across the world could be threatening wellbeing globally, a new study from King’s College London and Nokia Bell Labs suggests.

Konstanz-based political scientist Gabrielle Gricius warns that acquiring Greenland would more likely weaken US security rather than strengthening it. The expert on security policy in the Arctic explains the backdrop for US interest in Greenland – and calls for European countries to do their part to ensure lasting security policy for the Arctic region.

Women who use water immersion during labour and birth experience better maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to those who receive epidural anesthesia, according to a study led by midwife Soledad Carreguí, in collaboration with researchers from the La Plana Health Department (Castelló) and the Departments of Computer Languages and Systems and Nursing at the Universitat Jaume I.

The main findings indicate that water immersion is associated with a higher likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth, a lower probability of vacuum-assisted delivery, and shorter dilation and expulsion times. For newborns, water use —compared with epidural analgesia—was linked to a reduced need for respiratory support and fewer neonatal admissions. A higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge was also observed, particularly among first-time mothers.

In recent years, there has been growing social and scientific concern about promoting more physiological births and avoiding, whenever possible, excessive interventions and medicalization. According to data from the Spanish Ministry of Health, all hospitals currently offer epidural analgesia —the most effective method for pain relief during labour— and 61.97% of women choose this option. In Spain, however, only 16.5% of hospitals in the National Health System have birthing pools, and just 5% allow birth to take place in water.