Infants are not egocentric: Study finds they trust other people’s attention more than their own observations

Children are often perceived as egocentric—and not without good reason. For example, it is well documented that 3-year-old children only use their own perspective when predicting someone else’s actions. Adults also find it difficult to disregard theirs when empathizing with other people. Our egocentric tendencies continue throughout our life.

Remnants of ancient retrovirus may drive aggressiveness and resilience of malignant brain cancers

The median length of survival after diagnosis of glioblastoma is 14 months, but some of these brain tumors are more aggressive and resistant to treatment than others, and a new study from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine suggests reactivation of an ancient retrovirus may be at least partly to blame.

Brief admissions by self-referral can help adolescents with self-harming or suicidal behavior

Gaining access to brief admission by self-referral reduced the need for emergency care in adolescents with severe self-harm. The method has previously been introduced for adults, and a study led by researchers from Lund University has now explored whether the method could also be used for children and young people. The results are published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

New approaches to treat the consequences of birth asphyxia

Brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency at birth is one of the main causes of death in newborns worldwide. Using a small animal model, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and DZNE tested treatment with 25 different active agents. Seven substances proved to be more effective than the standard therapy of artificial cooling, and caffeine performed best. The results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, could pave the way for new treatment options for newborns.