When a childless man decided to sip his coffee on a bench in a Washington, D.C., playground, nervous parents dashed off emails and called the cops. Was it overreaction? Either way, one mother has a suggestion for controlling the …
Childhood
Government Study Finds that Some Vaccines for Kids Are Stored Improperly
Spot checks by the Office of the Inspector General found that some vaccines at 45 clinics across the country weren’t stored at the correct temperature, possibly affecting their potency. But for parents concerned about having to …
Frequent-Flier Mom Starts a Petition to Get Family Pre-Boarding Back on Airlines
Kaja Meade is not happy about the prospect of family pre-boarding fading into the annals of airline history. Apparently lots of other people feel the same way: Meade’s petition on Change.org has garnered more than 36,000 signatures so far.
Scientists Decode an Unborn Baby’s DNA. Is It Cause for Celebration — or Alarm?
Researchers at the University of Washington have sequenced the entire genome of a fetus. The scientific advance could help detect certain diseases in the womb, but some experts worry that the trove of genetic information may …
Facebook for First-Graders? The Social Media Giant Looks to Welcome Kids Under 13
Fighting a losing battle against age restrictions, Facebook is developing technology to allow young children to use the site legitimately. Would you let your elementary-schooler join the Facebook nation?
Seattle Shootings: Six People Dead in One Day. What’s Behind the Violence?
Seattle’s laid-back vibe has been challenged by a murder rate that already equals that of all of 2011. With schools on lockdown on Wednesday after shootings that left six people dead, including the suspected shooter, parents …
Decoding Cancer: Scientists Release 520 Tumor Genomes from Pediatric Patients
Could the answer to cancer lie within our own DNA?
The Upside of Peer Pressure: Social Networks Help Kids Exercise More
A new study finds that the single biggest influence on kids’ physical activity levels is the exercise habits of their closest friends.
Measure of a Mother’s Love: How Early Neglect Derails Child Development
Most people don’t need science to appreciate the importance of a mother’s love. But to understand how early maltreatment can derail a child’s development requires careful study — and is fraught with ethical peril.
Toxic Flame Retardants: Why Does Kids’ Exposure Vary by Race and Socioeconomics?
A new study finds that despite equal levels of chemicals in their homes, nonwhite toddlers had more exposure to flame retardant toxins than their white peers.
Why Jenny McCarthy Doesn’t Matter
The former Playmate is posing nude again for Playboy. Will McCarthy’s fee bolster the cause of Generation Rescue, her autism research organization that rejects vaccines as dangerous?
Are Vaccines Safe? A Major Media Outlet’s Specious Story Fans the Debate
The Learning Channel’s website yanked a story that was riddled with mistruths and flat-out errors — but only after major medical organizations complained.
Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. Teens Has Diabetes or Prediabetes
In less than a decade, the proportion of kids ages 12 to 19 with diabetes or prediabetes has jumped from 9% in 1999-2000 to 23% in 2007-2008.