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BYU expert on social isolation tapped to lead U.S. Surgeon General advisory, advise World Health Organization

By Christie Allen
February 28, 2024
Julianne Holt-Lunstad shaping national strategy for social connection
5 Min Read
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Intellect

Gratitude gobbles: How acknowledging God and people can make your Thanksgiving meaningful

Tyler Stahle
By Tyler Stahle
November 17, 2023
Gratitude isn't just about listing things you're thankful for; a BYU study suggests expressing thanks to others and to God enhances empathy and indebtedness, fostering a spirit of giving and love.
2 Min Read
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Intellect

Snooze or lose: BYU study says nighttime routines impact teen sleep duration

By Shelby Clark
June 20, 2023
With summer in full swing and daily schedules changing, teenagers may be rolling out of bed closer to lunchtime than breakfast. And while the occasional late night is fun, research suggests that poor sleep habits are linked to a host of health problems such as obesity, depression, anxiety, and learning disorders. A new study from BYU found that the activities teens do before bed significantly impact the quantity of their sleep.
2 Min Read
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Intellect

Cultivating feelings of indebtedness to God results in increased happiness, desire to serve others

By Katie Child
March 15, 2022
BYU research found that beyond increasing overall happiness and well-being, indebtedness to God was also related to increased religious involvement, spirituality, attachment to God and pro-social behavior, or how much service and kindness people show to others.
2 Min Read
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Intellect

Teens not getting enough sleep may consume 4.5 extra pounds of sugar during a school year says BYU research

Tyler Stahle
By Tyler Stahle
December 27, 2021
Sleep is vital for all people but is particularly important for teenagers as their bodies undergo significant development during their formative years. Unfortunately, most teens aren't getting enough sleep. Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 73% of high school students are getting less than the recommended eight to ten hours of sleep each night.
3 Min Read
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Intellect

Financial insecurity, mental health conditions predict severe loneliness during pandemic

By Christie Allen
November 08, 2021
Surveying over 20,000 people in 101 countries from June to November 2020, the research found more than a three-fold spike in severe loneliness overall, with six percent of the sample reporting feeling lonely before the pandemic compared to 21% during.
3 Min Read
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Intellect

BYU research finds social support key to increasing medical patient survival rates

Tyler Stahle
By Tyler Stahle
May 18, 2021
Support interventions such as group meetings and family sessions that promoted healthy behaviors resulted in a 29% increased probability of survival over time.
3 Min Read
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Intellect

Is Night Shift really helping you sleep better?

By Cami Buckley
April 25, 2021
New BYU study finds that night shift functions don’t actually improve sleep.
2 Min Read
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Intellect

Online therapy just as effective as in-person therapy for many patients

By Christie Allen
November 12, 2020
Online therapy boasts a number of benefits, including eliminated wait times, increased accessibility, lower cost, anonymity and the ability to self-pace.
3 Min Read
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Intellect

Women “camouflaging” autistic traits suffer severe mental health challenges, BYU study finds

By Christie Allen
June 26, 2020
A new study shows a strong correlation between how much women with autistic traits camouflage—hide or compensate for autistic qualities to fit in—and the severity of their mental health concerns.
3 Min Read
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Intellect

Physical distancing, social distancing and what they're doing to our health

By Cami Buckley
March 31, 2020
BYU professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a world-renowned expert on the current loneliness epidemic and is lending her voice to address some crucial health issues in the age of coronavirus
2 Min Read
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Intellect

Relationship benefits can be seen in your eyes

April 07, 2019
The presence of a spouse provides immediate stress protection, BYU study finds
2 Min Read
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Intellect

‘A way cool way to be’: BYU team gains insights into understudied group of children with autism

Andrea Christensen
By Andrea Christensen
January 01, 2019
It’s a challenging proposition for anyone: Lie flat on your back, helmet covering half of your face, in a tight-quartered MRI capsule that would make even the non-claustrophobe jittery. Then try not to move for 45 minutes. For children and adolescents with autism and low verbal and cognitive performance (LVCP), that proposition has been nearly impossible without sedation — until now.
3 Min Read
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Intellect

BYU researchers look to acupuncture for treating addiction

April 17, 2018
Research led by BYU psychology professor Scott Steffensen is showing that acupuncture can have a very real impact at the neurological level, better helping those recovering from addiction.

2 Min Read
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Intellect

BYU study: Why people with insomnia don't know they're asleep

By Bekah Peterson
March 27, 2018
A recent study by BYU psychology professor Daniel Kay suggests a dysfunction in the inhibition process could be what causes those with insomnia to have a hard time fully falling asleep.

2 Min Read
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Intellect

BYU professor is spearheading big changes in how the world views social relationships and loneliness

By Bekah Peterson
September 06, 2017
A robust body of research from psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunsdat shows meaningful social relationships have lasting, positive effects on your health. On the flip side, loneliness should be treated as a public health issue.

6 Min Read
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Intellect

New study links brain stem volume and aggression in autism

Andrea Christensen
By Andrea Christensen
February 08, 2017
New research from BYU’s autism experts is providing clues into the link between aggression and autism — clues the team hopes will eventually lead to more effective intervention.

2 Min Read
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Intellect

BYU psychologist, physicist and statistician collaborate on unique study

By Alec Sears
November 02, 2016
Sunshine matters. A lot. The idea isn’t exactly new, but according to a recent BYU study, when it comes to your mental and emotional health, the amount of time between sunrise and sunset is the weather variable that matters most.

3 Min Read
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