WEIRD STUFF

Larger families linked to poorer mental health

Research findings indicate that 'only children' tend to be happier. A new study involving more than 18,000 secondary-school children in the United Sates of America and China reveals that that children with more siblings may have worse mental health.

Larger families, especially those with multiple children born less than a year apart, showed a more pronounced impact on happiness, the study found.

Professor Doug Downey, who led the study for Ohio State University, said: "If you think of parental resources like a pie, one child means that they get all the pie.

"But when you add more siblings, each child gets fewer resources and attention from the parents, and that may have an impact on their mental health."

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Man boobs increase risk of premature death -- study

A Danish study has discovered a link between gynaecomastia, commonly known as 'man boobs', and an increased risk of premature death.

Danish experts have found that men with gynaecomastia are a third more likely to pass away by the age of 75, compared to non-sufferers.

The risk was ramped up further by men having an underlying illness.

Enlarged breast tissue in men is typically caused by hormone imbalance and it affects around a third to approximately two-thirds of men, depending on their age.

In a landmark study, Copenhagen University Hospital experts examined data from over 23,000 male sufferers of gynaecomastia.

Each was matched with a control group of five men without the condition and all were monitored until their death or June 2021 -- depending on whichever came first.

The results equated to a 37 per cent higher risk of early death in men with boobs, compared to those without them.

However, the boffins noted that the findings were totally observational, meaning it cannot be proved that the condition is to blame for the increased mortality risk.

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Video gamers face hearing damage

Video gamers face potential hearing loss or tinnitus due to prolonged exposure to high-intensity sounds such as gunfire or explosions while playing.

Dr Lauren Dillard, from the Medical University of South Carolina, said: "Video gaming is common worldwide, and people often play at high-intensity sound levels and for several hours at a time.

"This is important, because it's possible to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus by safe listening practices."

Dillard conducted a review of 14 studies into gaming and sound levels and found that it was common for gamers to play at an average of 85 to 92 decibels - with bursts of up to 119 decibels.

Long exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels can cause permanent damage to hearing, while the limit is even lower for children.

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MRI scans may ease the symptoms of depression

Experts at the University of Nottingham have revealed that using scans to target specific areas of a depressed person's brain can double the length of time the treatment works for.

A method called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used to treat cases of severe depression since the 1980s, and has been found to ease symptoms for three months.

TMS is usually delivered in several sessions over the course of four to six weeks, but the use of MRIs can extend the benefits for much longer by targeting the same area of the brain in every session.

Professor Richard Morriss, a psychiatrist at the University of Nottingham's School of Medicine, said: "The MRI personalised the site of stimulation, and then neuronavigation makes sure the same site is being stimulated at each treatment session.

"This reduces the variability in stimulation at each session.

"Since the magnetic pulse can be focused, there are usually only minor short-lasting side effects, and the person can return to their daily activities immediately on return from the hospital."

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