Vienna: An international study has found that having a high status job means that you are less likely to respond to standard treatment with medications for depression. These results, which may have implications for clinicians and their patients, employers and public policy, are presented at the ECNP Congress here.

San Diego: Loneliness is linked to poor physical and mental health, and is an even more accurate predictor of early death than obesity. To better understand who is at risk, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine conducted the first genome-wide association study for loneliness — as a life-long trait, not a temporary state. They discovered that risk for feeling lonely is partially due to genetics, but environment plays a bigger role. 

Washington: A late night at the library, copious amounts of energy drinks or coffee and class notes from the last month; surely you’ll be able to ace the exam if you just spend the next 24 hours focused on the material. Unfortunately, procrastination and sleep deprivation do much more harm than good. A Texas A&M College of Medicine sleep expert explains exactly how much that all-nighter is hurting you—and your performance.

  Your eyes begin to open after a good night of sleep, but something feels weird. You try to rub the tiredness out of your face but can’t lift your arms. In a panic you try to take a deep breath but can’t draw air. You can’t sit up, and you may even see a shadow in the corner of the room. This isn’t a nightmare or a medical emergency—you likely just had a case of sleep paralysis.

Adelaide: Should we be warning consumers about over-consumption of meat as well as sugar? Tat's the question being raised by a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide, who say meat in the modern diet offers surplus energy, and is contributing to the prevalence of global obesity.

Washington: A study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health showed that obesity was more prevalent in patients with a history of cancer than in the general population, and survivors of colorectal and breast cancers were particularly affected. 

Chicago: Adolescents need proper nutrition for bone and muscle development, recovery from sports, cognition and strong immune systems. In the recent issue of Food Technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists, contributing editor Linda Milo Ohr looked at new research behind seven ingredients that are essential for growing teens and tweens.

Adelaide: A University of Adelaide-led project has overturned the theory that the evolution of human intelligence was simply related to the size of the brain ─ but rather linked more closely to the supply of blood to the brain.

  There’s yet another reason to maintain a healthy weight as we age. An international team of researchers has identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity: stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma (a type of brain tumor), thyroid cancer and the blood cancer multiple myeloma.

Columbus: Do a quick online search and you’ll find thousands of diets, tips, products and tricks claiming to lower your blood sugar, or even ‘cure’ diabetes. A diabetes dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center says she’s heard them all.