HEALTH BRIEFS

SUSPECT DEVICE

Teens need to switch off from screen time for the sake of their physical and mental well-being, according to a University of Queensland-led study. Screen time exceeding two hours a day for girls and four for boys was linked to harmful effects on adolescent health, including depression, obesity, poor quality of life, unhealthy diet and decreased physical and cognitive abilities. The study investigated data from more than 577,000 adolescents across 42 high-income countries.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Transplanting gut microbes can counteract age-related changes in the brain, a study in mice has shown, suggesting that poo transplants may one day help beat cognitive decline. Researchers from University College Cork, Ireland, transplanted faecal microbiota from young to old mice and found it reversed age-related changes in the immune system of the old mice, and they performed cognitive tasks more quickly.

FIRST TIME UNLUCKY

The first time you vape has a harmful effect on your body, a University of California study found. Previous research shows both tobacco and e-cigarettes increase levels of cellular oxidative stress (COS). Researchers measured levels of COS in a vaping group and a placebo group, who puffed on a straw without nicotine. First-time vapers recorded an increase in COS, whereas levels did not change among regular smokers and vapers after one session. However, their baseline levels were higher than non-smokers.