Generation Next Blog

August 2013

Brain chemistry changes in children with autism offer clues to earlier detection and intervention

By |2013-08-05T09:45:53+10:00August 5th, 2013|Categories: Mental Health & Wellbeing|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Between ages three and 10, children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit distinct brain chemical changes that differ from children with developmental delays and those with typical development, according to a new study led by University of Washington researchers. via Brain chemistry changes in children with autism offer clues to earlier detection and intervention.

Different types of happiness alter gene expression

By |2013-08-05T10:26:43+10:00August 1st, 2013|Categories: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Science & Research|Tags: , , , , , , , |

A person’s sense of happiness may affect the way his or her genes are expressed, Medical News Today reported. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) categorized 80 healthy adults based on whether they experienced a greater sense of eudaimonic well-being or hedonic well-being. Eudaimonic well-being is associated with having “a deep sense [...]

July 2013

Could you go 10 weeks without lying?

By |2013-07-28T14:05:43+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Society & Culture|Tags: , , , , |

We tell one lie, sometimes two, every day, sharing an average of 11 untruths per week. We tell lies to avoid hurt feelings, or we embellish to make a story more interesting. But whether it’s a white or boldface lie, all these fibs harm our health. Researchers discovered that people who lie less experience better [...]

The story behind Israel’s Photoshop Law

By |2013-07-28T14:02:58+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Society & Culture|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

The legislation focuses on two elements of the fashion industry that have long drawn criticism for their effects on women and, especially, girls: ultra thin models and the use of Photoshop to make women appear impossibly thin in advertisements. The measure has been controversial within Israel for raising the question of where free speech bumps [...]

Iodine deficiency during pregnancy associated with lower IQ

By |2013-07-28T14:01:32+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Mental Health & Wellbeing|Tags: , , , , , |

Today The Lancet published a paper looking at the relationship between iodine deficiency during pregnancy and children’s mental development. The study included 1000 mothers and their children and found that iodine deficiency in pregnancy may have an adverse effect on children’s mental development. The researchers measured the iodine concentration in urine samples taken in the [...]

Bhutan’s youth struggle in kingdom of happiness

By |2013-07-28T14:00:29+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Drugs & Alcohol, Society & Culture|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It is known as "the last Shangri-La" -- a remote Himalayan nation, rich in natural beauty and Buddhist culture, where national happiness is prioritised over economic growth. But urban youngsters in the kingdom of Bhutan are quick to challenge its rosy reputation. "We can see the people are not happy," said Jigme Wangchuk, a social [...]

Over exposure is making teens pawns to porn

By |2013-07-28T13:58:03+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Mental Health & Wellbeing|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

A 15-year-old boy confided in me after I addressed his class at a Sydney school last year. He cried as he told me he had been using porn since the age of nine. He didn’t have a social life, had few friends, had never had a girlfriend. His life revolved around online porn. He wanted [...]

Changing the World is Good for You

By |2013-07-28T13:43:36+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Society & Culture|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

If you can use your strengths in the service of something greater than yourself, many psychologists will tell you that this is a key predictor of wellbeing. They refer to it as having a sense of purpose or meaning.   Recently I’ve been working with schools to push their thinking in this regard.   What [...]

UK urges Google, Yahoo to act on child pornography

By |2013-07-28T12:53:58+10:00July 28th, 2013|Categories: Cybersafety|Tags: , , , , , , , |

British Prime Minister David Cameron challenged the internet search engine providers Google, Yahoo and Bing on Sunday to block images of child abuse, calling for more action against online pornography. via UK urges Google, Yahoo to act on child pornography.

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